The Delhi metro had a few stops when I was here 10 years ago and was useful to go around the center of town. Now it takes you to so many places and is oh so useful. I can only imagine how much more freedom I would have felt if I could get from Gurgaon to Delhi by metro in 30 minutes.
If I wrote poetry, I write a poem to the metro. Instead, here is a list of places to visit by metro.
Using the metro is quite easy and the travel card is great as you get a 10% discount and don't need to buy a ticket each time. Most are a quick walk away from the stop, but there are plenty of auto rickshaws at each stop and for Rs. 30-50 you can go the 1-2km by wheels.
The Yellow line from south to north
Qutab Minar (Stop: Qutab Minar)
The Qutab Minar complex is a great place to go spend a couple hours seeing the beautifully carved red sandstone and lattice work. It dates back to the 12th century, the beginning of Muslim rule in India, and hosts the first mosque built in India. More details on the Qutab Minar post.
If you are hungry, Cherie was recommended as a chill place to have food.
Hauz Khas Village and Park (Stop: Green Park)
Head west from the metro station to get to Deer Park and from there wander to Hauz Khas Village and Fort. It is free to enter the fort which is open from sunrise to sunset. The village is best avoided on a Friday or Saturday night unless you are looking for a loud night out.
To grab some sustenance there are many places to choose from, so you can wander along and ask for what you are looking for. Recommended are Kunzum Travel cafe for a hot drink and place to read, Coast Cafe for South Indian, and Lord of the Drinks Meadow for drinks and food in an outdoor setting.
Safdarjung Tomb and Lodhi Gardens (Stop: Jorbagh)
The cities of tombs is how one Delhi native told it. Safdarjung is another beautiful tomb that is open sunrise to sunset and costs Rs. 200 to enter as a foreigner. To the east is Lodhi Garden, where the ministers go for exercise. There are more beautiful tombs here and a ping pong table (bring your own net).
Parliment and India Gate (Stop: Central Secretariat)
On a weekend, this place is hopping with families having picnics on the grass along Rajpath, food and toy vendors and much more. If you are into government buildings, check out the buildings on the west side. At the east is the India Gate to commemorate the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting alongside the British in WWI. To the east of India Gate is the Purana Qila (Old Fort). Recommended cafe nearby is Cafe Lota.
Connaught Place (Stop: Rajiv Chowk)
Two circles of white buildings with columns make Connaught Place interesting to wander through. To the southeast is Agrasen ki Baoli, and old step well. A 10 minute walk to the southeast is Agrasen ki Baoli, an old step well believed to date back to the 14th century. About a 15 minute walk to the west is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a nice place to sit and listen to the Sikhs sing and play music while others pray.
There are a few markets near Connaught Place and a number of places to eat. Of historical significance, but a tough on the pocketbook is United Coffee House. A favorite of mine for the interior design of soft lighting and red from 10 years back is Veda. Just south is the Imperial hotel, where we crashed a wedding and admired the luxurious art deco building.
Old Delhi (Stop: Chandini Chowk)
The main shopping street of Chandini Chowk, the spice market on Khari Baoli, the Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort (Lal Quila) are the main things to see and experience. There is great street food along the way and Karim's is a famous joint near the Jama Masjid to grab a delicious bite to eat. The mutton stew was recommended by a friend, but we aren't so into mutton, so ordered a delicious chicken. Guessing you can't go wrong at Karim's.
The Violet line from west to east
Khan Market (Stop: Khan Market)
An upscale market with a number of eateries. Be prepared to spend some money. Avoid the juice stalls on the way from the market as one charges about 2-3x and the other adds about 2-3x the amount of water. We had a yummy large portion of thai red curry at Cafe Out of the Box, but nearly cried about the music selection.
Humayun's Tomb (Stop: JLN Stadium)
Yup, another tomb or rather set of tombs. There are a number of buildings to see in the complex. The tomb is inspired by Persian architecture and there are a number of rulers and family members buried here. This one is a 15 minute walk from the station or a quick auto ride away.
Nearby is the hopping Nizzamundin Daragh, the resting place of a famous Sufi saint. You walk barefoot down a long alley way to reach the tomb where many are waiting in line to offer flowers. Both men and women should cover their heads. There is no entrance fee, but you may get asked to make a large donation after signing the guest book.
Lotus Temple (Stop: Nehru Place)
The Lotus temple is a Baha'i temple in the shape of a Lotus flower. It is one of the few places where there is silence in Delhi despite being packed with people. People of all faiths are invited to enter the temple and meditate or pray as long as the like. The Baha'i faith is one that is meant to bring people together across the world.
Nearby is ISKON, the Hare Krishna temple, where you can enjoy a free meal on Sunday and check out some vivid sculptures.
Should you be in need of a phone or computer, there is a computer market near the metro station where there are hundreds of shops repairing and selling. It's quite a sight. I spent a few hours here getting my phone repaired when it decided to short-circuit.
The metro station complex has a number of restaurants to fuel up. Social and Oh! Calcutta were recommended. At Social, I had a delightful watermelon feta salad and fresh lime soda for Rs. 300 while waiting for my phone to be repaired. Good music there, which is an anomaly in Delhi.
If I wrote poetry, I write a poem to the metro. Instead, here is a list of places to visit by metro.
Using the metro is quite easy and the travel card is great as you get a 10% discount and don't need to buy a ticket each time. Most are a quick walk away from the stop, but there are plenty of auto rickshaws at each stop and for Rs. 30-50 you can go the 1-2km by wheels.
The Yellow line from south to north
Qutab Minar (Stop: Qutab Minar)
The Qutab Minar complex is a great place to go spend a couple hours seeing the beautifully carved red sandstone and lattice work. It dates back to the 12th century, the beginning of Muslim rule in India, and hosts the first mosque built in India. More details on the Qutab Minar post.
If you are hungry, Cherie was recommended as a chill place to have food.
Hauz Khas Village and Park (Stop: Green Park)
Head west from the metro station to get to Deer Park and from there wander to Hauz Khas Village and Fort. It is free to enter the fort which is open from sunrise to sunset. The village is best avoided on a Friday or Saturday night unless you are looking for a loud night out.
To grab some sustenance there are many places to choose from, so you can wander along and ask for what you are looking for. Recommended are Kunzum Travel cafe for a hot drink and place to read, Coast Cafe for South Indian, and Lord of the Drinks Meadow for drinks and food in an outdoor setting.
Safdarjung Tomb and Lodhi Gardens (Stop: Jorbagh)
The cities of tombs is how one Delhi native told it. Safdarjung is another beautiful tomb that is open sunrise to sunset and costs Rs. 200 to enter as a foreigner. To the east is Lodhi Garden, where the ministers go for exercise. There are more beautiful tombs here and a ping pong table (bring your own net).
Parliment and India Gate (Stop: Central Secretariat)
On a weekend, this place is hopping with families having picnics on the grass along Rajpath, food and toy vendors and much more. If you are into government buildings, check out the buildings on the west side. At the east is the India Gate to commemorate the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting alongside the British in WWI. To the east of India Gate is the Purana Qila (Old Fort). Recommended cafe nearby is Cafe Lota.
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| Many gather at India Gate on a Saturday |
Connaught Place (Stop: Rajiv Chowk)
Two circles of white buildings with columns make Connaught Place interesting to wander through. To the southeast is Agrasen ki Baoli, and old step well. A 10 minute walk to the southeast is Agrasen ki Baoli, an old step well believed to date back to the 14th century. About a 15 minute walk to the west is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a nice place to sit and listen to the Sikhs sing and play music while others pray.
There are a few markets near Connaught Place and a number of places to eat. Of historical significance, but a tough on the pocketbook is United Coffee House. A favorite of mine for the interior design of soft lighting and red from 10 years back is Veda. Just south is the Imperial hotel, where we crashed a wedding and admired the luxurious art deco building.
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| Connaught Place |
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| Agrasen ki Baoli |
Old Delhi (Stop: Chandini Chowk)
The main shopping street of Chandini Chowk, the spice market on Khari Baoli, the Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort (Lal Quila) are the main things to see and experience. There is great street food along the way and Karim's is a famous joint near the Jama Masjid to grab a delicious bite to eat. The mutton stew was recommended by a friend, but we aren't so into mutton, so ordered a delicious chicken. Guessing you can't go wrong at Karim's.
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| Lots of places to try some delicious street food |
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| The steps of the Jama Masjid |
The Violet line from west to east
Khan Market (Stop: Khan Market)
An upscale market with a number of eateries. Be prepared to spend some money. Avoid the juice stalls on the way from the market as one charges about 2-3x and the other adds about 2-3x the amount of water. We had a yummy large portion of thai red curry at Cafe Out of the Box, but nearly cried about the music selection.
Humayun's Tomb (Stop: JLN Stadium)
Yup, another tomb or rather set of tombs. There are a number of buildings to see in the complex. The tomb is inspired by Persian architecture and there are a number of rulers and family members buried here. This one is a 15 minute walk from the station or a quick auto ride away.
Nearby is the hopping Nizzamundin Daragh, the resting place of a famous Sufi saint. You walk barefoot down a long alley way to reach the tomb where many are waiting in line to offer flowers. Both men and women should cover their heads. There is no entrance fee, but you may get asked to make a large donation after signing the guest book.
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| Humayan's tomb |
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| Humayan's tomb |
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| Nizzamundin Dargah |
Lotus Temple (Stop: Nehru Place)
The Lotus temple is a Baha'i temple in the shape of a Lotus flower. It is one of the few places where there is silence in Delhi despite being packed with people. People of all faiths are invited to enter the temple and meditate or pray as long as the like. The Baha'i faith is one that is meant to bring people together across the world.
Nearby is ISKON, the Hare Krishna temple, where you can enjoy a free meal on Sunday and check out some vivid sculptures.
Should you be in need of a phone or computer, there is a computer market near the metro station where there are hundreds of shops repairing and selling. It's quite a sight. I spent a few hours here getting my phone repaired when it decided to short-circuit.
The metro station complex has a number of restaurants to fuel up. Social and Oh! Calcutta were recommended. At Social, I had a delightful watermelon feta salad and fresh lime soda for Rs. 300 while waiting for my phone to be repaired. Good music there, which is an anomaly in Delhi.
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| Lotus temple |
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| ISKON temple |
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