Qutb Minar Delhi: Monuments, History and Visit Planning
Contents
Qutb Minar rises 72.5 metres in southern Delhi. Its red and buff sandstone tower is part of the Qutb Minar and its Monuments World Heritage property, an ensemble of minarets, mosques and other structures. If you are deciding what to see, plan for the wider complex rather than treating the tower as the only stop. UNESCO describes the listed ensemble.
The Archaeological Survey of India says Qutb-ud-Din Aibak laid the minaret's foundation in 1199 and that his successor Iltutmish added three storeys. The Delhi Tourism account calls the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque the earliest extant mosque built by the Delhi Sultans. It describes a courtyard with columns and architectural elements from 27 Hindu and Jain temples. Delhi Tourism's monument history and the ASI monument page give the two accounts.
Choose what to focus on
Start with the minaret's carved balconies, then compare them with the mosque courtyard and its reused columns. The Iron Pillar stands in that courtyard; ASI describes its Sanskrit inscription in Brahmi script as dating to the fourth century AD. Compare the fourth-century inscription with the later mosque and minaret to follow the site's different historical periods.
If you have time for more, continue to the tomb of Iltutmish, Alai Darwaza and the unfinished Alai Minar. ASI identifies Alai Darwaza as the mosque's southern gateway and says Alai Minar was intended to stand twice as high as Qutb Minar but remained at its first storey, 25 metres high. These are distinct monuments within the complex, so use the available visit time to choose between a closer look at the tower and courtyard or a broader walk among the remains.
Things to Do
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GetYourGuide partner offers. GoAsia may earn a commission if you book through these offers. Check whether tickets or transfers are included, and follow the attraction's official booking and admission rules.
Hours and entry
The ASI and Delhi Tourism pages checked on 7 October 2026 list opening from sunrise until 8:00 pm. Delhi Tourism lists ₹50 per person in cash or ₹35 online for Indian citizens and visitors from the named SAARC and BIMSTEC countries, including Thailand and Myanmar, and ₹600 cash or ₹550 online for other visitors. ASI lists free entry for children below 15 years. Confirm the applicable category and amount before paying, and check the latest notice for your date.
| Planning detail | What the official pages list |
|---|---|
| Opening | Sunrise to 8:00 pm on the ASI page, checked 7 October 2026 |
| Children | Free entry below 15 years |
| Indian citizens and named SAARC and BIMSTEC categories | ₹50 cash or ₹35 online per person |
| Other foreign visitors | ₹600 cash or ₹550 online per person |
Delhi Tourism's metro itinerary pairs Qutab Minar station with Qutab Minar and the Garden of Five Senses. Use that as a starting point when comparing transit options, then check the current route and final connection from where you are staying. The itinerary does not give a fare or transfer time. See Delhi Tourism's metro itinerary.
For a compact visit, focus on the minaret, mosque courtyard and Iron Pillar. Add the tomb and gateways if you want to compare more of the complex's architectural periods. Hours, ticket categories and transit details can change, so check the relevant official page for your visit date. For more destinations and onward travel, see our India travel guide.
Sources and background
These sources support the topics listed below, not every statement or current price in this article.
- [1] UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi. Retrieved October 3, 2026. History, Culture
- [2] Archaeological Survey of India: Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi. Retrieved October 7, 2026. History, Admission, Opening hours, Culture
- [3] Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation: Qutab Minar. Retrieved October 7, 2026. History, Culture
- [4] Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation: Metro Itinerary. Retrieved October 7, 2026. Access, Transport
Frequently Asked Questions
The UNESCO property is named Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi. The complex includes the minaret, mosques and other structures such as Alai Darwaza, tombs and the unfinished Alai Minar.
ASI and UNESCO describe the tower as 72.5 metres high. ASI says Aibak laid its foundation in 1199 and Iltutmish added three storeys.
The ASI page checked on 7 October 2026 lists opening from sunrise to 8:00 pm. Check the official page again for your date, since the listing does not guarantee day-of operations.
Delhi Tourism lists ₹50 cash or ₹35 online per person for Indian citizens and visitors from the named SAARC and BIMSTEC countries, including Thailand and Myanmar. It lists ₹600 cash or ₹550 online for other visitors. Confirm your applicable category and the current amount before paying.
The ASI listing says children below 15 years have free entry. Confirm the applicable ticket category and terms in the official ticket flow.
The mosque courtyard and Iron Pillar are nearby parts of the complex. If time allows, add the tomb of Iltutmish, Alai Darwaza and the unfinished Alai Minar, each identified on the ASI monument page.
Delhi Tourism pairs Qutab Minar station with Qutab Minar in its metro itinerary. Use that as a starting point, then check the current route, transfers and final connection from your accommodation. The itinerary does not provide a fare or transfer time.
ASI says the pillar stands in the mosque courtyard and bears a Sanskrit inscription in Brahmi script dating to the fourth century AD. Compare its earlier inscription with the later mosque and minaret to put the site's different historical periods in context.
