Sure, today Delhi might be polluted, but thanks to some early urban planning, Delhi is also green. Small parks are stitched through the city block by block — pockets of shade and birdsong tucked between the traffic, so you're rarely far from somewhere to sit and breathe. But these five are worth a trip in their own right.
Ninety acres of lawns and old trees with 15th-century tombs scattered through them — the city's favourite morning walk. Joggers, yogis, lovers, friends, movers and shakers, all at once. Mornings are busy, but you'll see life abound.
A restored 16th-century heritage park beside Humayun's Tomb, with Mughal monuments, formal gardens, and a café cluster. Manicured, ticketed, and the polished sibling to Lodhi's easy sprawl. An easy recommendation.
A rambling green next to the Hauz Khas ruins and the Hauz Khas Village market, with a deer enclosure, a lake, and peacocks underfoot. Wilder than it sounds, and free.
A quiet, leafy stretch on the Ridge marking the Buddha's enlightenment, anchored by a gilded statue. Less visited, more meditative. When I need to switch Delhi off, I head there for the calm. There's a small café in the middle — friendly staff, average food — for a milky tea or a milkier coffee.
A landscaped park in Saidul Ajaib built for wandering — sculpture, themed sections, water features, food. Designed to be experienced rather than just walked through; pleasant at dusk.
