Hauz Khas, Delhi: The Ultimate Visitor Guide

Hauz Khas is arguably the most walkable area in Delhi. It's a fascinating blend of medieval history and modern urban culture, offering an authentic Delhi experience that captures both the city's ancient soul and contemporary spirit.

This iconic neighborhood in South Delhi weaves together a premier educational institution (IIT Delhi), 14th-century monuments, temples, trendy cafes, boutique shops, and a lush green park. In fact, it represents everything that makes Delhi unique.

Best Time to Visit Hauz Khas

• The ideal time to visit Hauz Khas is during the cooler months from October to March, when Delhi's weather is pleasant for walking and outdoor exploration. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.

• Monsoon season (July-September) brings lush greenery to Deer Park but can make walking challenging due to humidity and occasional heavy rains.

• For the best experience, plan your visit during late afternoon (3-4 PM) when you can explore the historical sites in daylight, enjoy the golden hour for photography, and seamlessly transition into the evening cafe and nightlife scene.
  

How to Reach Hauz Khas

Option 1: Hauz Khas Metro Station/IIT Metro Station 🚉 + Auto Ride 🛺

Take the Delhi Metro's Yellow Line to Hauz Khas or Magenta Line to IIT Metro Station. From there, it's a 10-minute auto-rickshaw ride to Hauz Khas Village. This is the most convenient option, if not a direct taxi. Auto fare typically ranges from ₹40-50.

Option 2: Green Park Metro Station 🚉 + Walk 🚶🏼‍♀️ or Auto Ride 🛺

Take the Delhi Metro's Yellow Line to Green Park Metro Station and enjoy a 20 minute walk through the Green Park neighborhood. This route takes you past the local market and gives you a feel for the area's residential character. The walk is mostly flat and well-paved.

Are Hauz Khas and Hauz Khas Village Different?

Yes! Hauz Khas is the name of the wider locality that includes residential areas, Safdarjung Development Area, and IIT Delhi. Hauz Khas Village is a small but dense neighborhood near the Deer Park.

Map of Hauz Khas: Areas to Explore

Things to Do in Hauz Khas

Auro Market

The Auro market (located on the Sri Aurobindo Road, also home to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram) serves as the gateway to Hauz Khas Village. This market offers a mix of local shops, street food vendors, and small cafes.

Two iconic pubs here are Auro Kitchen Bar and Summer House Cafe, popular for a high-end nightlife experience. Dasaprakash is popular among locals for authentic South Indian food.

Jagannath Temple

Further down the HKV road and near the residential area, the Jagannath Temple offers a spiritual retreat. It's frequented by local Hindus and is renowned for its architecture, cleanliness, and Rath Yatra procession in the summers.

Hauz Khas Village

The heart of the area, Hauz Khas Village, is a maze of narrow lanes packed with boutiques, cafes, art galleries, and restaurants. Each lane has a unique character—some focus on fashion and design, others on food and entertainment. The village's organic layout encourages exploration and discovery.

Deer Park

Adjacent to Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park is a green oasis that provides a refreshing contrast to the urban energy. The park is home to spotted deer, peacocks, and various bird species. The park also features walking trails and a unique lake, which was once a large water reservoir.

Hauz Khas Fort Complex

The historical centerpiece of the area, the Hauz Khas Fort Complex, features the ruins of an ancient madrasa (Islamic school) and royal tombs. The complex offers stunning views, especially during sunset, and provides insight into Delhi's medieval Islamic architecture and scholarly life. The fort's elevated position makes it a popular spot for photography and quiet contemplation.

📌 Check out our detailed guide to exploring the Fort Complex

Historical Artifacts Along the HKV Road

Along the Hauz Khas Village road and inside the Deer Park, there are many tombs from the 15th century. These are declared protected monuments by ASI but you can freely walk into them for exploration and photography.

📌 For the love of heritage exploration, we listed all the hidden historical gems one can find in Hauz Khas

Self-Guided Walking Tour

Suggested Route (3-4 hours):

• Begin at Hauz Khas Metro Station and take an autorickshaw to Deer Park entrance.

• Start with a 30-minute walk through the park and the lake

• Exit toward the Hauz Khas Village main road and walk up to the road's end to enter the Fort Complex. Spend an hour exploring the historical ruins and enjoying the reservoir views.

• From the fort, step back into Hauz Khas Village. Spend 1-2 hours wandering through the inner alleys, popping into boutiques and galleries that catch your eye. Take a break at one of the many cafes for refreshments and people-watching.

• End your tour at Auro Market, where you can grab some local snacks and souvenirs.

📌 For detailed historical insights and a GPS-guided walking experience, download our audio guide on the Tourismo app.

Dining & Shopping Recommendations

Cafes & Restaurants:

• Coast Cafe by Ogaan

• Naivedyam

• The Tea Room by Blossom Kochhar

• Mr. K Ramyun Cafe

• Matchbox Pub & Grub

• Lama Kitchen Himalayan Cook House

  
  

Clothing Stores:

• Ogaan

• Amaltas Couture

• Purple Cheeze

• Thrift Shop by Rethought

• Cotton Candy

Other unique shops and galleries:

• Country Collection Home Decor

• Pagal Records store

• Lokayat Art Gallery

• Kunzum Book Store

Nightlife Options

As the sun sets, Hauz Khas transforms into a vibrant nightlife destination. The area offers a diverse range of evening entertainment featuring live music, DJ performances, and themed nights. The nightlife scene here attracts a mix of locals, expats, and tourists.

Recommendations

• Hauz Khas Social

• Auro Kitchen Bar

• Summer House Cafe

• Epic Restro Bar

• DownTown Village

Hauz Khas Safety Tips

• Hauz Khas is generally safe for visitors, but like any urban area, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings. The narrow lanes can get crowded, especially on weekends, so keep valuables secure.

• The main area is well-patrolled, and the presence of numerous cafes and shops means there are always people around during regular hours. But some inner lanes are poorly lit at night, so it’s best to avoid them—it's easy to get lost in the narrow alleys when you don't know the area well.

• On the main street, promoters will try to lure you into their "newly-opened club" with "good crowd"—those are exactly the spots you should skip

• For solo travelers, particularly women, it's advisable to avoid very late-night exploration of empty lanes and stick to well-lit, populated areas.

Beyond Hauz Khas

Chor Minar Towards Shahpur Jat

A 15-minute walk from Hauz Khas Village takes you to the mysterious Chor Minar (Tower of Thieves), a 13th-century minaret with an intriguing history. The route leads toward Shahpur Jat, a nearby village known for its fashion boutiques and design studios.

Green Park Market

A 20-minute walk toward Green Park Metro Station brings you to Green Park Market, a bustling local market known for its street food, clothing, and everyday goods. This market provides a glimpse into local Delhi life and offers more affordable shopping options compared to the boutiques of Hauz Khas Village.

Humayunpur Market

On the other side of Deer Park lies Humayunpur, a lively neighborhood popular with students and young professionals. The 25-minute walk through the park is pleasant, leading you to a hub of budget-friendly shopping, casual eateries, and a laid-back vibe. In fact, Humayunpur is known for its strong northeastern community and culture, particularly due to its sizable population from states like Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.