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May in Delhi is a month that offers calm mornings, open-air strolls, cultural walks, and plenty of spots where you can escape the heat without leaving the city. These places to visit in Delhi in May, from leafy heritage complexes to vibrant street markets and cool museums, offer many options that remain open, accessible, and rewarding during this season. Whether you’re exploring shaded ruins, visiting air-conditioned exhibits, or relaxing by a historic water tank, May has its rhythm in the capital.
10 Places To Visit In Delhi In May
These places to visit in Delhi in May offer a mix of comfort, culture, and character. Each one is ideal whether you’re exploring early, late, or staying indoors.
1. Connaught Place
One of the busiest and most dynamic places to visit in Delhi in May, Connaught Place offers more than colonial architecture and restaurants. As the heat fades in the evening, its white façades glow under soft lights. The inner and outer circles brim with cafés, galleries, and street stalls. Shop at the air-conditioned Palika Bazaar or bargain at Janpath Market. Take a break at Central Park or visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. From culture and shopping to calm corners, Connaught Place has it all, right in the city centre.
Location: Rajiv Chowk, Central Delhi
Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Major Attractions: Palika Bazaar, Janpath Market, Central Park, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Agrasen ki Baoli, Madame Tussauds
2. Qutub Complex
For those who want to explore centuries-old history without spending too long under the sun, the Qutub Complex is among the most rewarding places to visit in Delhi in May. The tall, intricately carved Qutub Minar was built in the 12th century and remains the centrepiece. But the complex offers much more than that. The sandstone arches of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the mystery of the Iron Pillar, and the symmetry of Alai Darwaza offer a layered experience of Delhi’s early Sultanate architecture. Because of the layout and walkability, visitors can explore at their own pace without feeling rushed or drained by the heat.
Location: Mehrauli
Timings: 7 AM – 9 PM
Cost: ₹40 for Indians & ₹600 for Foreigners
Major Attractions: Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Iron Pillar, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
3. Hauz Khas Village And Deer Park
Photo: Prateek Gupta / Wikimedia Commons
A perfect blend of history, greenery, and modern hangouts, this is one of the most versatile places to visit in Delhi in May. Once inside the Hauz Khas Fort, you’re surrounded by a medieval madrasa complex with arched corridors, domed tombs, and a stunning view of the reservoir that gives this place its name. Right behind the fort, Deer Park provides a long, tree-lined walking trail where you can spot deer, peacocks, and rabbits without venturing into the wilderness. After exploring the historical side, step into Hauz Khas Village, a quirky lane of art galleries, designer studios, rooftop cafés, and bookstores.
Location: South Delhi
Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM
Cost: ₹25 for Indians & ₹300 for Foreigners (Fort Entry)
Major Attractions: Hauz Khas Fort, lakefront view, urban cafes, art boutiques
4. Purana Qila Complex
Photo: Pawan.kamrani / Wikimedia Commons
Purana Qila is one of the oldest forts in the capital. It becomes one of the most engaging places for history lovers who prefer open sites with options to rest between walks. The massive walls enclose several distinct landmarks, including the elegant Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque, the two-storey Sher Mandal observatory tower, and large green lawns where visitors can pause and cool off under old trees. The moat surrounding the fort still offers boating, a surprisingly peaceful activity even in summer mornings.
Location: Mathura Road
Timings: 7 AM – 5 PM
Cost: ₹30 for Indians & ₹300 for Foreigners
Major Attractions: Sher Mandal, Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque, boating, evening light show
5. Chandni Chowk And Red Fort Area
Photo: Soubhagya Maharana / Pexels
For travellers looking to immerse themselves in Old Delhi’s layered chaos and charm, Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort precinct remain top places to visit in Delhi. The streets are filled with the aroma of fresh parathas, jalebis, and kebabs while shopfronts burst with fabric, silver, and spices. Walk down Dariba Kalan or Kinari Bazaar, and the Red Fort stands tall at one end. Inside the fort, there are shaded walkways, marble pavilions, and large halls that once held royal audiences.
Location: Old Delhi
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM (Market) & 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Red Fort)
Cost: ₹35 per person (Red Fort entry)
Major Attractions: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Paranthe Wali Gali, Sis Ganj Gurudwara
6. Lodhi Art District And Lodhi Garden
Photo: Mayur Sable / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
This zone stands out among the most distinctive places to visit, blending historic tombs with street art. Dozens of large murals created by Indian and international artists cover entire walls of government housing blocks, offering an open-air gallery experience with plenty of walking room and shaded spots. Just a short walk away, Lodhi Garden adds a more serene element. With a mix of 15th-century tombs, well-kept flowerbeds, and shaded benches, it attracts morning walkers, photographers, and quiet explorers. If you’re travelling with family or looking for a photogenic outing, this part of Delhi offers art, heritage, and greenery without needing to move around much.
Location: Lodhi Colony
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Street art murals, 15th-century tombs, bonsai garden, butterfly conservatory
7. Rajpath And India Gate Circle
Photo: Shalender Kumar / Pexels
This part of the city continues to draw locals and travellers even during peak summer. The India Gate war memorial stands tall at the centre and illuminated, while the lawns surrounding it fill with families, cyclists, and street vendors. Just opposite lies the National War Memorial, a newer addition that has become a quiet space for reflection. Visitors often walk down Rajpath, flanked by fountains that start in the evening, leading up to the distant view of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Ice cream carts, shaded patches, and gentle wind make it surprisingly pleasant during twilight.
Location: Central Secretariat
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: India Gate, National War Memorial, illuminated fountains, evening lawns
8. Dilli Haat INA
Photo: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for craft and flavour under one roof, Dilli Haat INA is among the most colourful and comfortable places. This open-air cultural bazaar has the feel of a rural craft fair, but with a layout designed for urban convenience. Each week, different state pavilions showcase their unique textiles, jewellery, home décor, and handlooms. You can interact with artisans directly, watch live demonstrations, and buy regional products without any middleman. But the real draw here in May is the state food stalls, airy, open-front kitchens where you can try everything from Manipuri black rice kheer to spicy Assamese thalis or Kashmiri kebabs.
Location: INA Market
Timings: 10:30 AM – 9 PM
Cost: ₹30 for Indians & ₹100 for Foreigners
Major Attractions: Craft stalls, state food kiosks, folk dance performances, cultural exhibits
9. Nehru Place Temple Belt
If you’re looking for a spiritual outing without much walking or travel, the temple belt in Nehru Place is ideal in May. This area features three key sites: the Lotus Temple, the ISKCON Temple, and the Kalkaji Mandir. The Lotus Temple offers serene, ritual-free prayer. ISKCON Temple, just a 10-minute walk away, features daily kirtans, a museum, and a vegetarian café. Kalkaji Mandir, older and always buzzing, adds contrast. All are close by, with shaded paths and naturally cooled interiors, making summer visits peaceful and easy.
Location: South Delhi
Timings: 4:30 AM – 9 PM (IKCON Temple) & 9 AM – 5 PM (Lotus Temple)
Major Attractions: ISKCON Museum, Hare Krishna Café, Lotus Temple architecture, Vedic light shows
10. Kamla Nagar And North Campus
Photo: McKay Savage / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Among the most student-driven and walkable places to visit in Delhi in May, Kamla Nagar and Delhi University’s North Campus offer a compact, lively atmosphere. Mornings are peaceful, with tree-lined roads and colonial-era buildings like St. Stephen’s College and the Vice-Regal Lodge. While not formal tourist spots, these heritage-rich spaces invite casual exploration. By mid-morning, Kamla Nagar Market buzzes with street food, bookstores, and student cafés. Shaded lanes like Ridge Road lead to sites like the Mutiny Memorial, blending food, culture, and history in a youthful setting.
Location: North Delhi
Timings: 11 AM – 8 PM
Major Attractions: DU heritage colleges, food lanes, Kamla Nehru Ridge, Flagstaff Tower
Exploring the capital in summer, these places to visit in Delhi in May prove there’s a lot to experience even when temperatures rise. From shaded ruins and early morning walks to air-cooled markets and evening light shows, Delhi in May offers a slower, more local kind of travel. Whether you’re visiting for a short stay or rediscovering your city, each place shows a different side of Delhi’s summer. Ready to explore? Plan your trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Daniel Dara / Unsplash
