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Delhi has some truly beautiful picnic spots. After all, it’s one of the greenest and most historic capital cities in the world. Don’t worry, you won’t be the only person picnicking. I live in Delhi and always see lots of Delhi families picnicking on weekends and holidays. Everyone enjoys spending time outdoors in the cooler winter months. Plus, putting together a picnic meal is super easy, even for a visitor.

Besides being relaxing and great fun, did you know that picnicking and spending time outdoors reduces anxiety and mental illness? A change of scenery and being in close contact with loved ones also improves communication, strengthens relationships and adds to a sense of general well-being. So let’s get you ready for a picnic at one of the best spots in Delhi.

If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the very best picnic spots in Delhi:

  • Lodhi Garden – beautiful heritage park with historic monuments
  • Sunder Nursery – heritage park with historic monuments and large children’s playground (admission fee)
  • Nehru Park – large public park in South Delhi near embassy area

The Best Picnic Spots in Delhi with Amazing Views

There is no shortage of perfect picnic spots in Delhi. If you like the idea of having a picnic in a park surrounded by Mughal buildings that are hundreds of years old, you’ll love some of these picnic spots in Delhi. Most of these sites are free, but a few charge an entry fee.

Keep in mind not all of these picnic spots will have public toilets or places to rinse dishes and wash hands.

1. Lodhi Garden

Several tomb of Lodhi Garden, one of the best picnic spots in Delhi, with laws in front and cloudy sky
Lodhi Garden is very popular for weekend picnics

The most beautiful park in Delhi and one of my favourite picnic spots is Lodhi Garden. Every weekend during winter the park is full of families picnicking on blankets. Children play soccer on the vast lawns and there’s often an impromptu classical Indian music performance.

Lodhi Garden was originally the site of two villages that contained several ancient Mughal buildings from the 1400s. The villages were levelled to make way for the park, but thankfully the Mughal architecture was saved. Today you can picnic with views of the lovely mausoleums, mosque and madrasa, all of which are completely accessible.

The park is also home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, a rose garden, duck pond and a lovely 16th century arched bridge. There are public toilets.

2. Sunder Nursery

the central vista of Sunder Nursery, a favourite picnic spot in Delhi, with fountain and child dipping foot in
The central walkway of Sunder Nursery is on the site of the ancient trade route, the Grand Trunk Road

Sunder Nursery is a heritage park located in the most historic area of South Delhi. Until recently it was a completely neglected space, used by the British as a nursery during colonization. Now beautifully restored, it has won UNESCO awards for heritage conservation and sustainable development. It sits on the site of Azim Bagh, a 16th century Mughal garden, and the central vista walkway is built over the ancient Grand Trunk Road trade route.

The park is home to over 80 species of birds, 40 species of butterflies and several Mughal era monuments. There’s a restaurant on site, washrooms, an excellent children’s playground and amphitheatre. Every weekend Sunder Nursery hosts Delhi’s best organic market. There’s plenty of shaded picnic areas; it’s a wonderful spot to spend the day. I always see locals picnicking here, especially on weekends.

  • Hours and cost: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm (April to September) & 7:00 am – 6:00 pm (October to March), daily; INR 200 foreigners, children under 5 free.
  • What’s nearby: Humayun’s Tom (UNESCO), Sabz Burj, Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan Tomb
  • Nearest metro station: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium aka JLN Stadium (Violet line)

3. Nehru Park

a red running track in Nehru Park, one of the spots for a picnic in Delhi
Nehru Park is one of Delhi’s largest parks; it’s over 80 acres

Nehru Park is one of the largest parks in Delhi and one of my favourites. In the cooler weather it is full of families, people walking dogs, joggers and yoga enthusiasts. Besides the two temples, the most unusual thing about Nehru Park is the large statue of Vladimir Lenin, unveiled by Mikhael Gorbachev before the fall of the Soviet Union (though of course in India, it’s not unusual to see temples in parks).

There are picnic areas, numerous walking paths, fountains, a pond, toilets, tennis courts, an outdoor gym, children’s playground and parking. It’s a well serviced park and one of the most pleasant spots for a picnic in Delhi.

4. India Gate

The laws in front of India Gate, full of people with India Gate in the background
India Gate is always full of people, especially on the weekends

India Gate is a wonderful spot for a picnic in Delhi. The iconic war memorial is surrounded by green lawns, shallow pools, fountains and trees. It’s a favourite recreation area of Indian families. The people watching is just as interesting as the actual monument!  

The monument is designed like the Arc De Triomphe in Paris. It is dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the WWI and the Anglo-Afghan war of 1919. An eternal flame burns day and night. India Gate is one of the most visited sites in Delhi, so expect it to be busy, especially around the monument, but you’ll be able to find an open spot on the lawns and parkland for your picnic.

5. Garden of Five Senses

The lotus pond with blooming flowers by its side in Garden of Five Senses, one of the best picnic spots in Delhi
Neel Bagh, the water lily pond in Garden of Five Senses

If you like public art, you will enjoy Garden of Five Senses. There are outdoor art installations all over the park. The park is divided into distinct areas meant to stimulate the five senses, including a formal Mughal style garden, a rocky ridge, fountains, a water lily pond and walking paths.

It’s one of Delhi’s newer parks, constructed by Delhi Tourism in 2003. If you’re here in spring (February and March), the flower gardens are beautiful at that time, and it’s one of the best spots for a picnic in Delhi.

It’s a pretty park and interesting to explore, though don’t expect wide expanses of green lawns. There are plenty of benches for picnicking, and the park has relief facilities.

6. Qudsia Bagh

Side view of overgrown Hath Darwaza with stone bench in front at Qudsia Bagh, one of the quietest picnic spots in Delhi
Hathi Darwaza (Elephant Gate) of Qudsia Bagh

This hidden oasis was built for a Mughal queen in 1748. It’s a lush garden tucked quietly away, amid one of the most congested and busy parts of Delhi. Although it is a shadow of what it once was, it is still magnificent and has large gardens, walking paths and lovely ruins. This is probably the most off the beaten path of the picnic spots in Delhi.

It’s amazing to find this kind of quiet green space in what is probably the noisiest and least attractive part of Delhi.

The palace and most of the buildings in Qudsia Bagh were destroyed during the rebellion in 1857, but parts of the Shahi Masjid (Royal Mosque), the Hathi Darwaza (Elephant Gate) and two other pavilions survived.

7. Waste to Wonder Park

a replica of the Taj Mahal built with scrap metal, with bushes and grass in the forefront
A replica of the Taj Mahal built with scrap metal

This park has miniature replicas of the 7 wonders of the world made entirely from scrap metal. It’s the first park in the world to use 100% recycled material.

Old automobile parts, fans, rods, iron sheets, bicycle pieces, metal railings, defunct sewer lines and old appliances have transformed into the Eiffel Tower, Rome’s Colosseum, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the State of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and of course, India’s Taj Mahal.

There is a small play area for children, a water station (water may not be filtered) and plenty of shaded areas to sit and have a picnic. Although food is officially advertised as being restricted, many people bring snacks and drinks into the park without issue – just keep your food in a knapsack (as opposed to an obvious picnic hamper), and don’t spread out a huge blanket for one of those full blown picnics!

  • Hours and cost: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, daily (closed Monday); INR 50 adults, INR 25 children 3-12, children under 3 and adults over 65 free (admission is double on Sunday)
  • What’s nearby: Humayun’s Tom (UNESCO), Sunder Nursery
  • Nearest metro station: Sarai Kale Khan Nizamuddin (Pink line)

8. National Rail Museum

One of the outdoor locomotives under a roof
The National Rail Museum has a wonderful collection of locomotives

This might seem like an odd place to have an al fresco meal, but this mainly outdoor museum is one of the best spots in Delhi for a picnic. There’s loads of outdoor space and an open area near the children’s playground to set up your picnic.

The museum resembles a railway yard. There’s an extensive collection of steam, diesel and electric locomotives as well as historic carriages, many of which you can walk through. Railway enthusiasts and children will adore this museum.

  • Hours and cost: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, daily (closed Monday); INR 50 adults, INR 10 children (optional rides on trains are extra, and prices are double on weekends and public holidays)
  • What’s nearby: Nehru Park, Sarojini Nagar Market, National Rose Garden
  • Nearest metro station: Sir M Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh (Pink line)

9. Deer Park

Face on view of the largest tomb in Deer Park, with gated door, black domed room and bllue tile work visible
The Bagh i Alam Ka Gumbad is one of several historic monuments in Deer Park; it was built in 1501

Deer Park is a huge park in historic South Delhi. It is next to Hauz Khas Village (one of Delhi’s renewed urban villages) which you can explore before or after you eat.

For an impromptu picnic, pick something up from one of the restaurants in Hauz Khas Village and walk over to Deer Park. The park gates are just outside the main entrance to Hauz Khas Village.

The park has several tombs and wall mosques from the Tughlaq and Lodhi periods built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The royal reservoir is on the west side of Deer Park, and I always walk along the path that goes around the reservoir – it has excellent views of Haus Khas Fort. There’s also a play area for children.

10. Dadi Poti Gumbad

two tombs side by side on a green lawn
The Dadi and Poti Gumbad in Green Park is a hidden treasure

Amid one of Delhi’s quietest and more affluent neighbourhoods is a treasure trove of forgotten 15th century tombs. The best of these for a picnic is the Dadi Poti tombs.

Very little is known about the tombs but one theory is that they belong to a grandmother (dadi is Hindi for grandmother) and granddaughter (poti is Hindi for granddaughter). But nobody is really sure, since at the time they were built it would have been very unusual to dedicate tombs to women.

The tombs are very close to Green Park market. You can easily pick up something from Evergreen Sweet House, Starbucks or Tim Horton’s and walk over the tombs for a last minute picnic.

11. National Rose Garden (aka National Indo-Africa Friendship Rose Garden)

Elevated view from one of the terraces of the rose garden in bloom, one of the best spots in Delhi for a picnic
The best time to visit the National Rose Garden is November to January (image credit Delhi Tourism)

This lovely flower garden has the largest rose collection in India, with over 2,500 varieties. The best time of year to visit is November to January when the roses are in bloom. Don’t bother coming here outside of these months – I’ve been when the roses are not in bloom and it’s not very interesting or lovely to look at. But during rose season, it’s beautiful and smells heavenly.

There are lush manicured lawns, sparkling fountains and beautiful flower beds set up on a terraced landscape (great for photos). It’s one of the most perfect spots in Delhi for a picnic, and you may even see the very rare green and black roses.

12. Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Front view of Jamal Kamal mosque with trees flanking the entrance
The Jamali Kamali mosque makes a lovely setting for a picnic

This is one of the best off the beaten path sites in Delhi and a picnic here will be a very quiet affair. The park is located just down the road from one of Delhi’s world heritage sites, the Qutab Minar, but it gets very little traffic.

Located in a scrubby forested area with little signage it’s no wonder not many visitors venture inside – but do yourself a huge favour and explore it. The park is home to some remarkable monuments, like the peaceful Jamali Kamali mosque and the fantastic Rajon ki Baoli with its huge stepwell. In total there are about six monuments from pre-Islamic to late Mughal periods.

Pigs frequent the park, so don’t leave food lying around. If you go inside the mosque, remember to remove your shoes. I’ve been asked by the caretaker to take them off, while other times nobody has said anything.

13. Sanjay Lake Park

Long view of Sanjay Lake with trees on either side
Sanjay Lake is the largest man-made lake in Delhi

Sanjay Lake Park is a large man-made parkland located on the east side of Delhi (the other side of the Yamuna River). It’s a perfect picnic spot if you’re staying on that side of the city. You can make a full day of it and visit Akshardham Temple as well while you’re there.

The park is surrounded by green belt and offers a retreat from the general mayhem of Delhi. There is a large man-made lake and you can rent boats, though boating may not be available year round, because of reduced water levels. Delhi Development Authority is set to take steps to rejuvenate the water body which has vastly dried up over the last few years.

The park has jogging and walking paths and a children’s play area.

  • Hours and cost: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm, daily; free (INR 50 for boating)
  • What’s nearby: Swaminarayan Akshardham
  • Nearest metro station: Trilokpuri – Sanjay Lake (Pink line)

14. Priya Park

An old stone wall with a white and blue mausoleum behind it
The Baro Lao ka Gumbad in Priya Park

Priya Park is a very popular urban park that also happens to be the site of the last surviving Tughlaq era garden. The garden was built during the reign of Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1309-1388). Feroz Shah loved gardens and commissioned 1,500 of them throughout Delhi while he was emperor.

Ruins of a mosque, domed pavilion, stepwell and the enclosure wall are still standing. About 100 years after the ancient garden was built, a tomb was erected by the Lodhis, the Baro Lao Ka Gumbad. It dominates the view of this part of the park.

Besides the monuments garden, the park has an amphitheatre, children’s playground, yoga platform and outdoor gym. It’s beside the Basant Lok Market (also called the Priya Complex) which has a Modern Bazaar where you can purchase picnic supplies. Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (one of the best cafes in Delhi) also has a location here – it’s a great place to pick up something ready made.

15. Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan Tomb

Front view of Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan tomb at dusk, one of the best spots in Delhi for a picinc
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan tomb is often called Delhi’s Taj Mahal

Imagine having an alfresco meal overlooking this beauty! The gorgeous tomb is widely believed to be the inspiration for the Taj Mahal in Agra (along with Humayun’s Tomb). Abdul Rahim built the tomb for his beloved wife in 1598. His tomb in also located inside.

The Agha Khan Trust recently completed the restoration of the tomb. It’s lovely now and surrounded by green lawns. I would always see the restoration work from the highway driving into Delhi, and it seemed to take years. At one point the tomb was used as a quarry, which is hard to believe looking at it now.

Make sure you bring your picnic supplies with you, it might be hard to purchase food and drink close by, unless you want street food.

16. Bharat Darshan Park

A replica of an elephant made of scrap metal at Bharat Dharshan Park
Delhi’s second park to use only scrap metal in the replicas is dedicated to Indian heritage sites

This is a wonderful park with over 21 replicas of Indian heritage sites. They are all constructed of scrap metal, using everything from old fans to nuts and bolts. Even the toilets are in an old shipping container.

Visiting Bharat Darshan Park lets you see the famous buildings you might not be able to visit in person, like the Taj Mahal of Agra, Char Minar of Hyderabad, Mumbai’s Gateway of India or the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.

The park is set on 8.5 acres and has plenty of shaded seating, walking paths, and areas for perfect picnic spots in Delhi. The park is located in west Delhi – it’s pretty far from most of the other attractions, but if you are going to be in the area or really want to see Indian heritage sites it’s worth visiting.

  • Hours and cost: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, daily (closed Monday); INR 100 – 150 adult, 50 – 75 children, children under 3 free
  • What’s nearby: Punjabi Bagh ISKCON Temple
  • Nearest metro station: Punjabi Bagh West (Pink line)

17. Wazirpur Gumbad Complex

Side full view of one of the Warzipur tombs with two Indian women sitting on a bench in front of it
One of the mysterious tombs in the Wazirpur Gumbad Complex

This is a wonderful complex of Lodhi era monuments built between 1451 and 1526. I really like this complex because the historic ruins are all in one compact park, and they’re in good condition. There are five tombs, two wall mosques, a stepwell and a grave platform.

It is not known who the tombs were built for, or even the dates the monuments were constructed. It is only from the style of architecture it is possible to discern they are from the Lodhi period. It’s a quiet complex, only frequented by locals, and one of the perfect spots for a picnic in Delhi.

If looking on Google maps for the location, it’s in Sector 5 of RK Puram and shows on the map as Sector 5, RK Puram Gumbad.

18. Mohammad Wali Masjid

The interior domed structure of the Mohammad Wali Masjid, one of the most obsure spots to picnic in Delhi
The Mohammad Wali Masjid is well preserved but hardly anyone knows of it

If you want a quiet picnic on green lawns while seeing one of the most obscure and least visited historic monuments in the city, this is the place. I had never heard of the masjid before, and came across it completely by accident when an auto rickshaw driver dropped me off at a wrong location nearby.

This mosque was built in the Lodhi period (1451 – 1526) and is in beautiful condition. It’s in green parkland surrounding Siri Fort Sports Complex and surrounded by parts of the original wall of Siri (the second medieval city of Delhi). It reminds me a lot of the Bara Gumbad mosque in Lodhi Garden, but without any people.

  • Hours and cost: 24/7 but go during the day; free
  • What’s nearby: Siri Fort Forest (aka Hauz Khas Forest), Shahpur Jat
  • Nearest metro station: Hauz Khas (Magenta and Yellow lines)

19. Buddha Jayanti Park

Large statue of Buddha in encased canopy on an island surrounded by trees and flowering bushes
The golden Buddha on the man-made island in Buddha Jayanti Park

This lovely park is in the middle of Delhi’s enormous Central Ridge Reserve Forest (known as the lungs of Delhi). Buddha Jayanti Park is a landscaped oasis within the Ridge and is popular with morning walkers and couples.

There are many walking paths, open lawn areas, rose, palm and bougainvillea gardens and over 100 types of trees and shrubs. Peacocks, woodpeckers, barbets and herons populate the park. It’s a one of the best picnic spots in Delhi.

The park is famous for its large golden Buddha statue and for having a sapling from the holy Bodhi tree which Lord Buddha gained enlightenment under.

20. Safdarjung Tomb

Full view of Safdarjung tomb with fountain in middle and flanked by palm trees on both sides
Safdarjung Tomb is the last Mughal garden style tomb built in India

This beautiful tomb makes a lovely view for a picnic. Mughal architectural experts have criticized Safdarjung Tomb for its lack of symmetry and florid design, but it remains one of the most visited tombs in Delhi.  Built at the end of the Mughal empire in 1754, it is the very last Mughal garden style tomb built in India.

Because it was built at the decline of the Mughal empire, much of the building material was taken from other tombs, including the tomb of Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan.

Safdarjung Tomb is open early and makes a perfect spot for a breakfast picnic. At that time you might also see the peacocks that frequent the grounds.

21. OKHLA Bird Sanctuary

a blue and red bird sitting on a branch with the Yamuna marshland in the background
OKHA Bird Sanctuary is home to over 300 species of birds

OKHLA Bird Sanctuary is on the other side of the Yamuna River. It’s a bit further away than most of the Delhi picnic spots on this list, but if you are a birder or just want to feel like you are out of the city for a little while, this is a great place to visit.

The best time of the year for bird sightings are November to March. Migratory birds come through in those months and the weather is more pleasant for being outdoors.

There are plenty of spots to set up a picnic but make sure you bring everything you need – there isn’t much around for buying supplies.

What to Bring to Picnic Spots in Delhi

A tube of Odomos cream is a must item for a picnic spot in Delhi
Odomos comes in cream and spray on – it’s an excellent natural mosquito repellent
  • food and drink (no alcohol – drinking in public spaces is prohibited in Delhi)
  • bottled water
  • hand sanitizer
  • paper towels
  • bag for garbage
  • sunscreen
  • hat
  • mosquito repellent (Odomos is good and is available in local shops)
  • blanket or rug

Where to Buy Food and Drinks for your Picnic in Delhi

Stocking up on food for a picnic in Delhi could not be easier. There are numerous online and local shops to purchase everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to imported specialty items. You will easily find everything you want to bring to your perfect picnic spot in Delhi.

Local Fruit and Vegetable Markets

Practically every neighbourhood in Delhi has a local fruit and vegetable stand. Produce is delivered daily to these little shops and is super fresh. Most of these places only sell local items, so if it’s not in season you may not be able to find it.

It’s a very economic and healthy way to fill up a picnic hamper. Just make sure to wash all produce that is not being peeled in filtered water.

Supermarkets

Delhi has some great supermarkets (but don’t expect giant stores like the ones in North America) which sell all sorts of local and imported items. Krishna Supermarche 37 and Nature’s Basket have stores across Delhi and offer online ordering. Modern Bazaar is also good.

Priya Complex with blooming trees and Modern Bazaar shop. This is a great place to stock up before heading to your picnic spot in Delhi.
Modern Bazaar supermarket
a selection of breads from BreadTalk bakery on a white tray
Savoury pastry from BreadTalk bakery
a fruit stand with stack of mangoes and an Indian woman shopping
Fruit stands like these are all over Delhi

App-based Supermarkets

Delhi has two main application based supermarkets: Big Basket and Blinkit. Big Basket generally delivers the next day (they do offer an express delivery option but do not accept cash payment with this service), and Blinkit delivers within 30 minutes. I think Blinkit is one of the best things about Delhi!

Both apps are free to download on your mobile and are easy to use. Just set up an account with your delivery address, choose payment option and start ordering. Both accept electronic and cash payments, though foreign credit cards don’t always work. They will deliver to a residence, business, hotel or Airbnb.

Bakeries

Delhi has wonderful bakeries where you can pick up breads, savoury pastries like quiche and stuffed croissants, sandwiches, cakes and cookies. PAUL and Theos are probably the best ones for picking up picnic foods like sandwiches and savoury pastries. BreadTalk has a great selection of Asian style savoury pastry. All have several locations across Delhi NCR (National Capital Region).

Online bakeries like sell sourdough bread and croissant, quiche etc. You can also pick up Suchali’s pastries and breads from Blue Tokai Coffee outlets across Delhi.

Street Food Stalls

Delhi is the street food capital of India. Street food is practically an official food group here. There are literally stands on just about every corner, and these are great places to grab something to take to an impromptu picnic. Just ask them to pack the food.

Street food is safe to eat and absolutely delicious. See my tips on how to eat street safely and my guide to the street foods of Delhi.

A take away serving of rajma chawal at Parashars in Connaught Place, Delhi
Rajma chawal at Parashar Foods in Connaught Place
typical street food snacks at Haldiram's in Delhi on a red tray
Raj kachori, papdi chaat and golgappas from Haldiram’s which has locations across Delhi NCR
two paper bowls of papri chaat on a white table top
Papri chaat from Evergreen Sweet House

When is the Best Time to Picnic in Delhi?

The cooler months of October to March are the best times for picnicking in Delhi. Temperatures can rise to 45C in summer and it remains very hot and humid during monsoon season. Not exactly ideal picnic weather.

Watch out for Monkeys at Picnic Spots in Delhi

There are monkeys in Delhi, though they don’t frequent New Delhi as much as other parts of the city. I have intentionally left out some sites which would have made wonderful picnic spots, because I know they are frequented by monkeys.

If you happen to see a monkey while picnicking, keep your distance and don’t make eye contact or show your teeth (even if smiling) – these are both seen as signs of aggression. You can tap a stick on the ground if the monkey gets too close, but do not threaten or attack the monkey. That is one adventure it’s best to avoid.

How to Get to the Best Picnic Spots in Delhi

The best way to get to picnic spots in Delhi is by metro. The Delhi metro is one of the best systems in the world and it goes everywhere. It’s cheap, efficient and usually much quicker than driving. It’s very easy to use; read my step by step guide on how to use the Delhi metro.

If you’re carrying a lot of picnic gear, the metro may not be the best option. For short distances, grab an auto rickshaw. For anything longer than a few kilometres, an app based ride share program is best. The main ones in Delhi are Uber, Ola and BluSmart.

Looking for more? You may also like:

Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing

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Suzanne Hooker

Suzanne Hooker is the owner and author of Suzanne Wanders Delhi, a blog that helps travellers explore Delhi, India. Suzanne lives in Delhi and is passionate about changing negative misconceptions about the city. When she isn't exploring and writing about Delhi, she is slow travelling through other parts of the world with her dog.

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