This guided walking and tasting tour covers Hauz Khas, where medieval Delhi and the city’s trendiest neighbourhood sit side by side. The ruins and the village are free to explore on your own; the tour adds a guide and the tastings. The name means the royal tank: the sultan Alauddin Khalji dug a great reservoir here in the fourteenth century to supply his new city of Siri, and a generation later Firoz Shah Tughlaq built a madrasa, mosques and his own tomb along its banks. The domed pavilions and long arcades of the complex still look out over the water, and the deer park behind them is a favourite place for walkers and joggers. Just beyond the ruins, the lanes of Hauz Khas Village are lined with converted houses holding cafés, galleries, designer boutiques, rooftop bars and craft shops. The tour linked here is a walking and tasting experience that moves between the two worlds. A guide explains the history of the reservoir and the Tughlaq monuments, then leads you through the village to sample local and modern dishes, so you taste the city as well as see it. It is a relaxed way to spend a few hours, with enough heritage to satisfy history lovers and enough food and atmosphere for those who want to see how young Delhi lives now.
How to visit
Hauz Khas is in South Delhi, and the closest metro stations are Hauz Khas on the Yellow and Magenta lines and Green Park, both a short rickshaw ride from the village. The ruins and deer park are open daily and are free to enter or very low in cost; the village itself is a shopping and dining district, so opening times vary. The guided tour runs as a small-group walk, usually late morning or in the evening, and includes tastings at several stops along the way.
What to expect
You start at the monuments, walking along the lake edge to the madrasa and the domed tomb of Firoz Shah, climbing a few steps for views across the water to the deer park. The guide covers the sultanate history, the scholars who studied here and the legends around the site.
You then walk into the village to taste street snacks, chaat, sweets or café fare, depending on the route, and browse a few of the shops. The lanes are narrow and busy, with motorbikes and delivery riders, so stay alert and keep close to the group.
Making the most of it
Go in the late afternoon in winter for soft light on the ruins and a sunset drink on a rooftop, or in the morning in warmer months. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and a small bag, and leave room for the tastings. If you like nightlife, the village comes alive after dark, but the walking tour is best enjoyed before the music starts.
Pair it with a visit to Qutub Minar or Mehrauli earlier in the day, since both are a short drive away, and finish with dinner in the neighbourhood. For a wider look at South Delhi’s food scene, see our eating and drinking guide.
Good to know
The village is an uneven mix of old houses and new construction, with steep stairways to the rooftop cafés, which can be hard for anyone with mobility problems. Some bars charge entry or ask for reservations at weekends, and the deer park closes in the evening. Ask your guide to suggest the best vegetarian and non-vegetarian tastings if you have specific preferences.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walk along the medieval reservoir and Tughlaq ruins, followed by a tasting route through the cafés of Hauz Khas Village.
Best time
Late afternoon in winter, or mornings in warmer months.
How long
About two to three hours.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and arrive hungry for the tastings.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who like their history with food, cafés and shopping.
- Families
- The deer park and lake give children room to roam, though the village lanes are busy.
- Couples
- Sunset by the water, then a rooftop dinner in the village.
- Pair with
- Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Sunder Nursery.
- Time needed
- A relaxed half-day.
Good questions
What does Hauz Khas mean?+
It means the royal tank. Alauddin Khalji built the reservoir in the fourteenth century and Firoz Shah Tughlaq added the madrasa and tomb.
Is Hauz Khas worth visiting?+
Yes, for the combination of medieval ruins, a lake, a deer park and a lively village of cafés and boutiques.
Is there an entry fee for the ruins?+
The ruins are free or very low in cost. The walking tour has its own booking.
When is the village busiest?+
Evenings and weekends, when the bars and rooftop restaurants fill up.
How do I get there by metro?+
Take the Yellow or Magenta line to Hauz Khas, then a short rickshaw ride to the village.
