Best Free Things to Do in Delhi (2026): 11 Places, No Ticket
India Gate, Bangla Sahib langar, Agrasen ki Baoli, Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli ruins and Thursday qawwali at Nizamuddin: the best free things to do in Delhi.
Many of Delhi's best experiences cost nothing: India Gate and Kartavya Path in the evening, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its free community meal, the Agrasen ki Baoli stepwell near Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden's 15th-century tombs, Mehrauli Archaeological Park's ruins, the Jama Masjid courtyard, the Lotus Temple, and Thursday-evening qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah. With the metro, which costs a few tens of rupees a ride, you can fill two days in Delhi for very little.
Free things to do in Delhi
| # | Place | Why go | Time needed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India Gate and Kartavya Path | Delhi's grand ceremonial avenue, lively with families in the evening | 45 min | Open all the time; best after sunset |
| 2 | Gurudwara Bangla Sahib | Golden-domed Sikh shrine with a holy pool and free langar for everyone | 45–60 min | Open 24 hours; cover your head. See the Bangla Sahib guide |
| 3 | Agrasen ki Baoli | A dramatic 14th-century stepwell hidden among CP's office blocks | 20–30 min | Open daily; short walk from Barakhamba Road |
| 4 | Lodhi Garden | Park with Lodi-era tombs, morning walkers and birdlife | 45–60 min | Open early morning to evening. See Lodhi Garden vs Sunder Nursery |
| 5 | Mehrauli Archaeological Park | 200 acres of ruins, stepwells and tombs next to Qutub Minar | 60–90 min | Sunrise to sunset. See the Mehrauli Park guide |
| 6 | Jama Masjid | One of India's largest mosques, with views over Old Delhi | 30–45 min | Entry free; a photography fee applies. See the Jama Masjid guide |
| 7 | Lotus Temple | The Bahá'í House of Worship's lotus-shaped hall and gardens | 40 min | Free; closed on Mondays |
| 8 | Nizamuddin Dargah qawwali | Sufi devotional music at the shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya | 1–2 hours | Thursday evenings after sunset prayers; no ticket needed |
| 9 | Chandni Chowk and Old Delhi lanes | Bazaars, temples and street life | 1–2 hours | Most shops close on Sunday. See the Chandni Chowk guide |
| 10 | Hauz Khas Deer Park and lake | Lake, deer enclosure and medieval ruins on the edge of Hauz Khas Village | 1 hour | Park entry free |
| 11 | Gandhi Smriti | The house where Mahatma Gandhi spent his last days, now a free museum | 45 min | Closed Mondays and second Saturdays |
Nearly free, and worth it
- Change of Guard at Rashtrapati Bhavan: a ceremonial guard change held on Saturday mornings, booked online in advance on the official President's House visitor portal. It is cancelled on gazetted holidays and some event days.
- Amrit Udyan (the President's gardens): free with online booking, but only open for a few weeks a year. In 2026 it opened from 3 February to 31 March and from 16 August to 15 September.
- Dilli Haat: a small entry fee, then free to browse crafts from every Indian state; see where to shop for souvenirs.
- Sunder Nursery: a ticketed but inexpensive restored Mughal park next to Humayun's Tomb.
Tips for a budget trip
- Metro over cabs: most single journeys cost a few tens of rupees, and a tourist card covers unlimited rides for a day or three days; see the metro payment guide.
- Eat where locals eat: langar at gurudwaras is free, and street food meals cost ₹50–150; see the Old Delhi food walk.
- Free doesn't mean ticketless everywhere: monuments like Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar charge entry; see which Delhi attractions are worth paying for.
- Daily budget ideas: see the Delhi trip cost per day.
“I'm on a tight budget in Delhi for two days. Plan me a route with only free sights and cheap food near the metro.”
FAQ
What can I do in Delhi for free?
Visit India Gate and Kartavya Path, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (with free langar), Agrasen ki Baoli, Lodhi Garden, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Jama Masjid's courtyard, the Lotus Temple and Thursday qawwali at Nizamuddin Dargah.
Is India Gate free to visit?
Yes. India Gate and Kartavya Path are open public spaces with no entry fee.
Is Agrasen ki Baoli free?
Yes. There is no entry fee. It is a short walk from Barakhamba Road metro station, near Connaught Place.
Is the Lotus Temple free?
Yes, entry is free. It is closed on Mondays.
Sources and verification
Checked on 26 October 2026.
- Delhi Tourism: Agrasen ki Baoli and Wikipedia: Agrasen ki Baoli
- Delhi Tourism: Bahá'í House of Worship (Lotus Temple) – free entry, closed Mondays
- Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah: qawwali 2026 guide – Thursday timings, no ticket
- President's Secretariat: Change of Guard visitor instructions and All India Radio: Amrit Udyan 2026 dates
- Delhi Tourism: Hauz Khas