Also Known As · Qutb Minar · क़ुतुब मीनार
New Delhi, Delhi · monument
The world's tallest brick minaret — five storeys of 12th-century carved sandstone rising over the gardens and ruins of medieval Delhi.
Qutub Minar is the soaring centrepiece of the Qutub complex in Mehrauli, south Delhi, and at 72.5 metres it is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Begun around 1199 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by his successor Iltutmish in the early 13th century, the tower rises in five tapering storeys of fluted red sandstone and marble, each ringed by an ornate balcony and band after band of carved inscription. It is one of the earliest and finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in India and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
South Indian dosas, idli, and thalis — pure vegetarian in a temple-styled setting
Veg coastal and continental plates with a rooftop view over the lake
Chole bhature, aloo parathas, and chaat near the complex
Qutub Minar is the soaring centrepiece of the Qutub complex in Mehrauli, south Delhi, and at 72.5 metres it is the tallest brick minaret in the world.
the tower interior is closed to climbing, so the experience is about walking the gardens, reading the carvings up close, and photographing the minaret against the sky. Visit early in the day for soft light and fewer crowds, carry water and sun protection, and book tickets online to save both money and time at the gate. Allow about ninety minutes to two hours for a comfortable visit.
Visiting Hours
Entry Fee: Indian nationals ₹35; foreigners ₹550; children under 15 free. Book online to skip the queue. (Fees as of 2026 — confirm on the ASI portal.)
🎟️ Book TicketsVerified: June 2026
Address
Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi, 110030
Qutub Complex, Mehrauli, south Delhi
🚇 Nearest Metro: Qutab Minar (Yellow Line) — about 2 km, then a short auto-rickshaw ride; Saket (Yellow Line) is a similar distance
🚶 Walking from Metro: The metro station is about 2 km from the gate — take a short auto-rickshaw rather than walking along the main road.
Distance from
Parking
on-site · ₹20–₹50 (paid)
Paid parking near the complex entrance; fills up on weekend afternoons.
🚕 Ride Hailing Tip: Uber and Ola drop at the complex gate. From the Qutab Minar metro station an auto-rickshaw is the easiest last-mile option.
How to Reach: Qutub Minar is in Mehrauli, south Delhi. Nearest metro: Qutab Minar station (Yellow Line), about 2 km, then a short auto-rickshaw ride (₹40–60). From Connaught Place it is a 40-minute drive; from the airport about 30 minutes. Uber and Ola serve the area reliably.
History
Construction of the Qutub Minar began around 1199 under Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Delhi Sultanate, and was completed by his successor and son-in-law Iltutmish in the 1220s.
🏛️ Architect: The tower is a masterwork of early Indo-Islamic architecture, combining Afghan and Indian craftsmanship in its tapering fluted shaft, projecting balconies, and bands of calligraphic and floral carving. The complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
Significance
Qutub Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world and one of the most important early monuments of the Delhi Sultanate.
A sprawling park of medieval ruins, stepwells, and tombs — atmospheric and far less crowded than the Qutub complex.
A landscaped sculpture-and-flower garden in Saidulajab — a relaxed spot for families and couples.
A medieval reservoir and madrasa ruins ringed by cafés, boutiques, and a deer park.
Family Highlights
💰 Equipment Fees: Free for personal phones and handheld cameras. Tripods and professional shoots require prior ASI permission.
📍 The Golden Spot: The full five-storey tower framed from the south lawn, and close-ups of the fluted base inscriptions in morning light.
🌅 Best Light Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM in winter for warm, low light on the sandstone.
Someone offers a cheap guided tour at the gate and then demands a much higher fee, or rushes you through.
Official AdviceOnly ASI-licensed guides with photo IDs are genuine. Agree the price in writing first, or use an audio guide.
🌅 Secret View: Walk into the adjoining Mehrauli Archaeological Park for a quiet, ruin-filled landscape that most tour groups skip entirely.
🎯 Crowd Hack: Arrive at 7:00 AM opening on a weekday for near-empty lawns and the best photographs.
💎 Secret Fact: The 4th-century Iron Pillar in the complex has resisted rust for over 1,600 years — a metallurgical mystery from ancient India.
⚡ Express Tour
60 minutes — the tower, the Iron Pillar, the Alai Darwaza, and out.
🔭 Deep Dive Tour
Half day — Qutub complex, then Mehrauli Archaeological Park, then a vegetarian lunch in Hauz Khas.
👕 Dress Code: No formal dress code; comfortable clothing and walking shoes for the open, partly unshaded grounds.
📷 Photography Rules: Personal photography is free across the complex. Tripods and professional shoots require prior ASI permission. Drones are prohibited.
🏧 Nearest ATM: ATMs in Mehrauli and Saket (within 2 km).
The complex is open every day from about 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Allow ninety minutes to two hours for a comfortable visit.
Indian nationals pay ₹35 and foreigners ₹550; children under 15 enter free. Booking online saves time at the gate. Fees can change — confirm on the ASI portal.
No. The tower's internal staircase has been closed to visitors for decades on safety grounds, so the experience is about the gardens, the carvings, and photographing the minaret from outside.
Qutab Minar station on the Yellow Line is the nearest, about 2 km away; take a short auto-rickshaw from there to the complex gate. Saket station is a similar distance.
It is about 72.5 metres tall — the tallest brick minaret in the world. It was begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak around 1199 and completed by Iltutmish in the 1220s.
It is a roughly seven-metre iron shaft cast around the 4th century that has resisted rust for over 1,600 years — a famous example of ancient Indian metallurgy, standing in the complex courtyard.
Hauz Khas Village (about 4–5 km) has excellent pure-veg options like Naivedyam for South Indian food, plus veg-friendly cafés; Mehrauli has casual vegetarian dhabas close to the complex.
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