No Moolah Needed: 18 Things You Can Do For Free

Bangla Sahib dishes out about 10,000 meals a day, all of which finish with the incomparable Kara Prashad. If you can’t make it to central Delhi, there are gurudwaras across the city that offer a similar experience. The closest metro station to it is Rajiv Chowk, gate number one (on the yellow line).

Timings: 5 AM to 12 PM

The American Centre (closest metro station is Barakhamba metro station), Italian Cultural Centre (closest metro station is Race Course on the yellow line), Japan Foundation (near Moolchand metro station), India Habitat Centre (near Jor Bagh metro station), and Instituto Cervantes (nearest metro station is Rajiv Chowk) regularly hold film screenings, talks, and seminars that are, more often than not, free for all. Since it’s on a first-come-first-serve basis, all you have to do is get there on time.

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM for The American Centre, 8 AM to 10 PM for India Habitat Centre and 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for Instituto Cervantes

Working towards making Delhi a cycle-friendly city, it doesn’t need anything but a cycle and the will to join them. With over 10,000 members, all you have to do is contact Delhi Cyclists via their Facebook group and ride away. Not only are Delhi Cyclists a group of cyclists, but they're also a cycling merch shop where you can get a lot of bicycles at multiple price ranges. The closest metro station to their shop is Green Park. 

Timings: 11 AM to 9 PM

The ceremony itself was inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2012 and now has become accessible to the public. It takes place every weekend, and all you need is a photo ID. National pride is not only for national holidays, ya know? The closest metro station to the Rashtrapati Bhavan is Central Secretariat (on the yellow line).  

Timings: 9:40 AM to 10:40 AM on Saturdays and 4:10 PM to 5:10 PM on Sundays

Try India Habitat Centre, Espace Delhi Art Gallery (Mandi House metro station), or Vadehra Art Gallery (the closest metro station is Lajpat Nagar on the pink line) for collections of the finest artists, exhibitions, and installations. 

Timings: 8 AM to 10 PM for India Habitat Centre, 11 AM to 7 PM for Espace Delhi Art Gallery, 11 AM to 7 PM for Vadehra Art Gallery

Pro-Tip: Delhi has numerous art galleries, and here's a list of all of them! 

Take a look at the birds and bees, among plenty of fauna, at Sector 52, Gurgaon. Entry is free in the mornings and evenings, the perfect time to take a walk in the park. The closest metro station to this botanical garden is Huda City Center on the yellow line, from which it'll take you roughly 25 minutes by auto/cab.

Timings: 5 AM to 8 PM

You’ll be happy to know that the NDMC has open-air gyms in and around the city that you can use for free. Some of those are at Lodhi Garden (the closest metro station is Jor Bagh) and Nehru Park (the closest to Lok Kalyan Marg metro station on the yellow line). 

Timings: 6 AM to 7:30 PM for Lodhi Garden and 5 AM to 9 PM for Nehru Park

Since most of the city's museums are government-funded, you can just walk in and take a look, though some do have nominal ticket charges. However, entry to Gandhi Smriti, National Police Museum (the closest metro station is Central Secretariat), the Philatelic Museum (Patel Chowk metro station), and the Airforce Museum (Sadar Bazaar Cantonment Metro Station on the Magenta line), to name a few, is free. 

Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM for Gandhi Smriti, National Police Museum and 10 AM to 5 PM for Airforce Museum

If you want to access books and materials, the Delhi Public Library, Shastri Bhavan (the closest metro station to it is Central Secretariat), and the Archaeological Survey of India (the closest metro station is Rajiv Chowk) are all free of charge. For more info, read our library guide here. Membership to these libraries is around INR 20 onwards.

Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM for The Delhi Public Library and 9:30 AM to 6 PM for Archaeological Survey of India (closed on the weekend)

If you enjoy a blend of good architecture as well as the idea of going to sightsee a spiritual place, then the Lotus temple is a good bet. It literally looks like a lotus and is really lovely to marvel at and wander around in. The closest metro station to this temple is Kalkaji Mandir. 

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM 

If you don't roam around the city to marvel at Rajon ki Baoli, Jamali Kamali Mosque and tomb, as well as the several other monuments spread out over 200 acres of Delhi, then do you really know the city well enough? The closest metro station is the Qutub Minar metro station. 

Timings: 5 AM to 6:30 PM

You can head to Nizamuddin Aulia for a goosebump-inducing Qawwali session. Every day (except Thursdays), you can catch the Qawwali performances at quarter past 8 (the most ideal time). The closest metro station to get to the Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia is the JNL metro station.

Timings: 5 PM to 9:30 PM

Another great place to head to and be assured you'll have a great time is Jama Masjid. It is one of the best places to witness the beauty of Mughal architecture scattered throughout the city. The closest metro station is Chawri Bazar. Although the entry is free, you've to pay INR 250 if you wish to take your camera.

Timings: 7 AM to 12 PM and 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM

The one thing that should want to take a walk is the Lodhi Art District. The streets in this entire area are full of wall murals on endless buildings. Imagine humongous paintings by artists such as Sameer Kulavoo, Hanif Kureshi, Sajid Wajid, and Shilo Shiv Suleman. Taking a walk here on a brisk winter morning sounds like a dream! The closest metro station to the Lodhi Art District is Jor Bagh. 

Timings: Open 24 hours

Relive in some childhood nostalgia and enjoy a picnic with friends and family at India Gate. They recently updated the landscaping around the connecting underpass for ease. Head to Pandara road right across to gorge on delicious north Indian food at Havemore or Gulatis and have a kulfi to end your meal —the OG Delhi experience that one needs to partake in.

Timings: Open 24 hours

If you are actively looking for a reading community or just feel like reading with a group in nature, then the Lodhi Reads community is as wholesome as it can get. This community meets every week to read for a few hours in peace. You just have to bring your favourite book, a mat, and maybe a snack. If you live in Gurgaon, then you can visit Gurgaon Reads. 

Timings: 4.30 PM to 7.30 PM every Saturday

Slightly ahead of the way of Indian Habitat Center, Kamani Auditorium is always hosting some culturally rich performances and artists, representing the finest crafts of India. Most of their shows require no entry fee, and you will inevitably see a lot of families enjoying the arts. You can check out their website for the schedule, and if you love classical Indian dancing, then this place should be absolutely on your radar, every now and then showcasing some of the icons of the field. 

Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM

Agrasen Ki Baoli is a go-to hangout for many—a historical stepwell that fascinates many. It's a protected monument located on Hailey Road, near Connaught Place. Crowded by college students, locals, and tourists alike, it makes for a fascinating visit and is truly an iconic spot in Delhi that you must check out, costing you zero bucks.

Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Pro-Tip: If you love to explore historical sites and monuments, we've got your ultimate Delhi darshan list!