OT Staff & Waquar Habib
A sprawling forest near Vasant Kunj, Sanjay Van is magical in winter fog. Its dense canopy, crumbling medieval ruins, and bird calls create an eerie yet calming landscape few tourists explore.
eThis 14th-century stepwell, hidden amid central Delhi’s bustle, feels surreal in winter silence. Descending its stone steps into fog and shadows, the echoing corridors create an atmosphere steeped in history and legend.
Often overlooked beside Qutub Minar, the park’s 100-plus monuments — tombs, stepwells, mosques — glow in soft winter light. The quiet lanes make history feel like a secret discovery.
The last Mughal emperor’s summer palace, Zafar Mahal lies tucked in Mehrauli village. Mist-filled courtyards and arched gateways whisper tales of a fading dynasty. Few visit, especially in winter calm.
Delhi’s massive ruined fort is dramatic when winter fog wraps its walls. The scattered boulders, ramparts and panoramic views exude raw medieval power, often without another visitor in sight.
In the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, this 16th-century complex holds intricate stucco and red sandstone arches. In winter’s mellow light, the mosque and tomb feel intimate, spiritual and strangely cinematic.
A medieval sluice gate built during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign, Satpula is little known today. In winter mist, its arches over stagnant water look like relics caught between worlds.
Located in South Delhi’s protected forest, the emerald lake is striking on crisp winter mornings. Birdsong, quiet trails and unexpected wild encounters make it a rare natural escape within the city.
This ruined Tughlaq structure in South Delhi has unusual multi-level architecture. Climbing its terrace in winter fog reveals haunting views of Delhi’s blend of wilderness and modernity, largely undiscovered.
South of Tughlaqabad, Adilabad Fort is almost always deserted. The broken walls, moats and open grounds look ethereal under winter’s low light, offering solitude and raw traces of Delhi’s past.