For a one-day South Delhi itinerary, start at Jahaz Mahal in New Delhi, beside Hauz-i-Shamsi, then visit Mehrauli Archaeological Park and the adjacent Qutub Minar complex. The sequence brings together historic monuments and restored structures in Mehrauli, with a weekend guided walk available for the park and Qutub Minar.
- Jahaz Mahal is beside Hauz-i-Shamsi in Mehrauli.
- Mehrauli Archaeological Park is beside Qutub Minar.
- The park’s hours are 5:00 am–6:00 pm; Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb are open from sunrise to sunset.
- A Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park walk runs on Saturdays and Sundays and lasts three hours.
Start with the Mehrauli heritage area
Jahaz Mahal makes a natural first stop because it stands beside Hauz-i-Shamsi in Mehrauli, South Delhi. Delhi Tourism dates the monument to the Lodi dynasty and says its name, “Ship Palace,” is believed to refer to its reflection in the reservoir.
Look for the six square chhatris, each with a different number of pillars. The building may also have served as an inn for pilgrims travelling to Delhi from Iran, Iraq, Arabia, Afghanistan, Turkey and Morocco. Visiting hours are 6:00 am–7:00 pm, all days; check the official site before you go, as hours and other visit details can change.
Jahaz Mahal is associated with Phool Walon ki Sair, a flower-sellers’ procession hosted there in October, with cultural performances during the festival. For more background on the monument, see this Jahaz Mahal visit guide.
Choose a nearby landmark sequence
Mehrauli Archaeological Park offers a cluster of heritage sites beside Qutub Minar. The park has restored structures connected with Thomas Metcalf’s Dilkusha retreat complex, built in the 1840s, including the Metcalf Boat House, Circular Monument and Metcalf Guest House.
The Circular Monument was originally used as a dining hall by Metcalf and now houses Café Stone. The park also contains Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, open from sunrise to sunset, all days. Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line is the nearest metro station to the mosque.
Rajon ki Baoli, a four-level stepwell dating to 1506 AD, is another park stop. It is open from sunrise to sunset, all days; Qutub Minar and Saket on the Yellow Line are nearby metro stations. You can read the Jamali Kamali Tomb visit guide before setting your sequence.
Allow time for a longer South Delhi stop
Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park work as an adjacent sequence, so you can continue from the park to the complex. The complex includes the mosque, Alai Gate, Alai Minar, Iron Pillar and tombs.
A three-hour Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park walk runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Its start and finish times are 6:30 am–9:30 am in summer and 7:30 am–10:30 am in winter. The tariff is Rs. 1,000 plus 5% GST; verify the current schedule and tariff with Delhi Tourism before planning around the walk.
For another monument in the area, Adham Khan’s Tomb is a 16th-century structure commemorating Akbar’s general Adham Khan and his mother, Maham Anga. It is open 24 hours, all days, and Saket, Mehrauli and Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line are nearby metro stations.
How do you get between the Mehrauli stops?
Yellow Line stations, local buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis connect with Mehrauli Archaeological Park. Qutub Minar is the nearest metro station to the park; Chhatarpur on the Yellow Line is the nearest station to Jahaz Mahal.
The park is about 2 km from Ambavata Complex. If you want to use the metro for the wider area, this New Delhi metro guide covers getting around by train.
Before you set out
Check Delhi Tourism’s official site before you go for current visiting hours, the weekend walk schedule and its tariff. Hours differ between sites: Jahaz Mahal has clock hours, while Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb and Rajon ki Baoli are open from sunrise to sunset.
Mehrauli Archaeological Park is open 5:00 am–6:00 pm, all days. Keep that closing time in mind when arranging the park and Qutub Minar complex in the same day.
FAQs
Where is Jahaz Mahal in New Delhi?
Jahaz Mahal stands beside Hauz-i-Shamsi in Mehrauli, South Delhi.
Which metro station is nearest to Jahaz Mahal?
Chhatarpur on the Yellow Line is the nearest metro station.
Can you visit Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Qutub Minar together?
Yes. The park and complex are adjacent, and the weekend guided walk includes both.
How long is the guided walk?
The Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park walk lasts three hours and runs on Saturdays and Sundays.