The best parks and gardens in Delhi

What is it: A 90-acre park smack dab in the centre of Delhi, housing several tombs dating back to the late Delhi Sultanate

Why go: It’s the heavy hitter of Delhi gardens. The undeniable crowd favourite. The must-visit. It’s beautifully maintained, with a series of manicured lawns surrounded by little forested bits, a lake with a fountain (and ducks!), walking and jogging tracks, clean public loos, a bonsai park, and so much more. Like so many others, the garden’s home to several ancient monuments – as many as 11 major ones. Most of the tombs are somewhat open, allowing visitors to go inside and look at the crypts, even. 

The garden’s also a haven for all kinds of activity: running and jogging, of course, but you’ll also find groups playing a casual game of football, badminton, frisbee. Yoga sessions are a major event in the mornings. Theatre troupes practicing lines or impromptu bands singing songs aren’t a rare sight, either. 

Time Out tip: An outing to the park should double as an excuse to hop across to the bustling Khan Market right next door.

Timings: 5am to 8pm. Daily. Free entry. 
Address: Multiple entries along Lodhi Road.

Sanjay Van is one of Delhi’s largest green spaces – a sprawling, almost hulkish forest that straddles Vasant Kunj and Mehrauli – two neighbourhoods that are constantly abuzz. The forest, then, is a lovely contradiction, because it’s one of the least crowded spaces in Delhi. 

The area – a protected forest, by the way – actually forms part of the residual Aravalli ranges, and the terrain reflects that lineage. No two trails look alike. Some stretches are flat and easy while others will slope sharply uphill, dip into uneven paths, or wind around water bodies. Giant rocks left behind by the Aravallis jut out of the earth in several places, and loads of natural water drains zig-zag through the forest. You can imagine the wildlife here, then –  silverbills, flycatchers, parakeets, cuckoos, egrets and sparrowhawks.

The massive acreage allows you to shape a nice day out of it – a picnic in one of the clearings or by Neela Hauz lake (with some duck watching to go with!), cycling through the winding trails, a bit of a hike, even. 

Time Out tip: Remain watchful of monkeys and stray dogs, even though guards patrol the area. They’re usually harmless if left undisturbed, but carrying a wooden stick can help keep them at bay when needed. Rough walking shoes advised. 

Timing

5am to 8pm. Entry is free.

Entry

The main entry point is near the Qutab Institutional Area in Mehrauli. 

What is it: A 16th-century restored heritage park complex spread across 90 acres

Why go: Sunder Nursery comes second to only Lodhi Gardens when we’re ranking by popularity. It’s the city’s most beloved picnic spot, the mainstay for outdoor cultural events, and one of the few green spaces open until late – primarily to showcase the ethereal beauty of the monuments lit up after dark.

The space itself is delightful to behold – manicured in the Mughal style featuring central fountains, paved walkways, a main lake (and secret lake), forested areas, and as many as 15 monuments (six are UNESCO heritage sites). The garden’s been experiencing a bit of a tourism push lately, with a branch of South Indian restaurant Carnatic Café sitting in the middle, as well as a spate of restaurant/cafés in the parking lot connecting the garden and Humayun’s Tomb. You’ll also spot a bunch of little kiosks selling refreshments and snacks. 

Time Out tip: While it is objectively the best time to plan a picnic, you may want to avoid Sunday afternoons in the winter if you’re not too fond of a crowd. 

Timings: 7am to 10pm. Daily. Entry fee is ₹50.

What is it: A sprawling natural park adjoining Hauz Khas village, home to…you guessed it, a bunch of deer

Why go: Part of Deer Park’s charm is the location: not only does it form the extension of Hauz Khas Village, but it also stretches across Green Park and Safdarjung Enclave. This one is also home to some smallish monuments dating back to the early Delhi Sultanate, but the more popular attraction’s got to be the several deer that live inside an enclosure in the centre of the park. No feeding! 

The park has several areas, including a manicured garden space, but it’s mostly heavily forested with several trails for joggers and walkers. Because of its location, it remains pretty busy through the week, and you’ll find loads of people trickling in after their day out at the Village.  

Time Out tip: If you’re entering from the Hauz Khas Village side, it’s best not to bring your own vehicle, because parking’s a nightmare.

Timings: 5.30am to 7pm. Daily. Free entry. 

Address: Several openings in Hauz Khas, Green Park, and Safdarjung Enclave

Jahanpanah is equal parts forest and park, spanning 435 acres of lush woods. It’s a jogger’s paradise, honestly: no screechy children, no picnicking adults, and a veil of silence interspersed sporadically with the sound of nature.

The forest’s been a bit of a local secret, partly because it straddles a bunch of residential neighbourhoods, including Greater Kailash II and II, Alaknanda, Masjid Moth, Chirag Delhi, Govindpuri, and a little bit of Saket. Most entrances are unobtrusive and not too easy to locate. For this reason, the forest has a slightly mysterious, dark charm. It’s very densely forested in a way that, say, Sanjay Van perhaps isn’t – it feels much more like a wood than a jungle, if you know what I mean. The temperature drops by a couple degrees once you’re inside, and many of the paths aren’t paved. Vast sections of the forest also remain unlit at night. 

Much of this is to protect the wildlife: birds including kingfishers, parakeets, hornbill, mynah, indian tree pies, babblers, bulbuls and sunbirds, and animals like the nilgai and jackal. It’s a rare treat to sometimes find a nilgai peeking out at you from behind some thick foliage. Because of the rich biodiversity, you’ll find that the park is shut during afternoon hours to give the animals a break. 

Time Out tip: The tracks are winding and it’s not terribly hard to lose your way here, so keep your wits about you and perhaps don’t venture here alone after dark. Also keep in mind that this isn’t a touristy park; you won’t find water fountains or loos here. 

Address: Several openings from Greater Kailash II and III, Alaknanda, Saket, Govindpuri, Chirag Delhi. The Alaknanda opening is opposite Don Bosco school. 

What is it: An 80-acre park situated behind the posh Chanakyapuri neighbourhood in central Delhi

Why go: I meant what I said about every park being so distinct despite offering the same access to greenery and fresh air. There’s something about Nehru Park that feels energetic. It’s mostly completely open and beautifully manicured, with a couple of forested clumps to the side. It’s got a designated cycling track, a couple of event venues with open air stages, an outdoor gym, a temple, fountains, and even a statue of Lenin installed back in the 1980s. It’s a fairly popular spot for winter picnics, but you’ll find loads of people here even in peak summer, taking walks, jogging, or just hanging out. Local vendors bearing large canteens of tea or coffee are regular sights.

Timings: 5am to 8pm. Daily. Free entry. 

What is it: A 138-acre arm of the main Delhi Ridge, which falls under the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor

Why go: This part of the Ridge is home to an assortment of delightful, slightly bewildering sights: an undulating, hilly landscape perfect for hikes; the Chauburji Masjid; ‘haunted’ monuments like the Mutiny Memorial; the Khooni Khan Jheel, which translates to ‘bloody’ pond, and more. The area’s slightly secluded, though, so maybe go in a biggish group if it’s near dusk hours. 

Timings: 5am to 11am and 4.30pm to 7pm. Daily. Free entry. 

 What is it: 90 acres of lawn in prime Delhi territory, spreading from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate

Why go: Eating an ice lolly in front of the India Gate’s the most intrinsically Delhi thing you can ever do. Surrounded by colonial-era architecture, in the heart of Lutyens Delhi, these lawns form an iconic part of the city that remains unmissable. Local vendors dot the area, offering snacks and refreshments; the lawns remain cool because of the many trees and streams, and you’ve got the most fantastic sight in Delhi right before you: the India Gate. What’s not to love?

Time Out tip: Don’t bring a personal vehicle here because parking’s a struggle. 

Timings: Open 24 hours. Free entry.