Check Out These Ultimate One-Day Picnic Spots Near Hyderabad

Let's start with a childhood favourite— the Nehru Zoological Park. Most of us have visited the zoo as kindergartners, and it's definitely still a great day-long picnic trip today. There's new animals like meerkats and exclusive safari trips that take you a couple of feet close to majestic animals like lions, wild boars and tigers. The zoo is also equipped with buggies now, so you don't have to walk the whole distance. Grab a spot under the trees, dig into your picnic baskets and we're instantly in the 90s! 

Timing: 8.30 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Monday)

Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park was the Nizam's private hunting ground and is now preserved as a heritage park. If you haven't checked into this park yet, you're missing out. Porcupines, blackbucks, egrets, birds and deer—you can spot them all here. What's also cool is that the park is just 5 kilometres from LB Nagar, so you can totally take the metro and then hire a cab to the park if you want to avoid the traffic. 

Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Monday) 

Botanical Gardens, situated at the centre of the concrete urban jungle that is Gachibowli, is a jungle in itself. Flourishing with horticulture, picnic spots, rock formations and sprawling meadows, you really don't have to go too far to picnic. The moment you enter, you’ll be greeted by bougainvillaea and natural rock formations. Walk a little further to discover clean gazettes and straw huts with humble seating. 

Timing: 5.30 AM to 6 PM 

This artificial lake built during the reign of the Nizam is not only a popular bird-watching spot but also a sight for sore eyes. Need more than just a lake to appease you? The Shamirpet Deer Park should do the trick. This deciduous forest is home to not just several species of deer but also blackbucks. 

The Golconda Fort is one of the most iconic places to check out in Hyderabad. Pack your basket till its brim and climb up the fort to catch a stunning glimpse of the city. Sure, you'll be surrounded by way too many people but the view makes up for it. You can also catch the light and sound show in the evening and end your picnic on a mesmerising note. 

Timing: 9 AM to 5.30 PM 

Gandipet Lake (also known as Osman Sagar Lake), as we know, is a feast to one's eye in the evenings. Apart from being a photographer's paradise, it's a popular picnic spot, drawing crowds of all ages. So, if you want a lake-view picnic, go here. Gandipet and the surrounding areas are now slowly developing with bakeries like Concu and Old Madras setting up shop. You could also check out Labyrinth Lakefront—the only lake-view cafe in this area at present and get yourself a hot cuppa before heading back to the city. 

Just a few kilometres away from Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad is a freshwater lake called Nagasamundram Lake. Also famously called as the Kotapally Kayaking Reservoir, you can go boating and kayaking here. Raft in the lake all you like and explore the surroundings when you're done. Several food stalls are set up around the lake and you can indulge in some roasted corn after a strenuous water activity. Or you can picnic at the lake by carrying your own snacks and eatables. 

Ever picnicked under an 800-year-old banyan tree? Now is your chance to do it. Pillalamarri is an iconic 800-year-old banyan tree that's located in Mahbubnagar. While you cannot get an up-close view of the tree, we recommend checking out the tombs of Muslim Sufi saints, Jamal Hussain and Kamal Hussain. Plus, there are sprawling gardens and a zoo in the vicinity too. 

Timing: 10 AM to 5.30 PM (Closed on Monday) 

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is about a three-and-a-half hours drive from the city and makes for a short but amazing road trip. The dam offers a refreshing view that makes photographers and Instagram addicts go nuts. You can take a boat ride to Nagarjunakonda Island, which has an archaeological museum and Buddhist artefacts for you to gawk at. The Dam is best to visit when the gates are open, so keep a lookout on the local news for info on this. Carry food from home and make it a day to remember! 

Surendrapuri is a mythological theme park in Yadagirigutta and it has stunning statues of Hindu Gods and temples. Get lost amidst the vivid frames from Mahabharata and Ramayana, or gawk at Gods and demons churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality at Kunda Satyanarayana Kaladhamam. After exploring the park, you can step out and settle under the cool shade of trees and make it a picnic. 

Timing: 9 AM to 5.30 PM 

Located in Chilkur, Mrugavani National Park is famous for housing over 350 spotted deers. You'll also find over 600 plant and tree species and wild animals like the spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, jungle cat, civet cat, mongoose, monitor lizard, python, Russell's viper, king cobra. Bird watchers are in for a treat, with flower peckers, warblers, peacocks and lapwings commonly sighted in the park. There are high points in the park, which are great for viewing the sprawling area and a water tower to spot the animals. You can go for safari rides with tour guides and also explore their library and education centre that conducts in-depth studies on the flora and fauna found here.

Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Monday)

One of the OG places within the heart of Hyderabad for a picnic, the Public Gardens, was built in 1846 by the then Nizam of Hyderabad. The oldest park in Hyderabad, previously known as the Bagh-e-Aam has been home to several public activities and cultural events. You can visit the Telangana State Archaeology Museum, Lalitha Kala Thoranam and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan, all housed inside the park. While the State Assembly is also housed here, it's not open to the public. However, you can get a close look at the historic building. If you have the whole day to spare, definitely check out what you can do around Lakdikapul and Nampally when you visit Public Gardens. 

Timing: 5 AM to 9 PM 

Consecrated in 1924, the Medak Cathedral was built during the British Era and stands tall as the head of the Church of South India. A day trip to Medak allows you to explore the Medak Fort and the cathedral leisurely. You will find scores of pilgrims visiting the Church with stunning stone walls and stained glass interiors on any given day. 

Timing: 9 AM to 6 PM

The Ramappa Temple was built in the thirteenth century by the Kakatiya Dynasty. It took nearly four decades to build the UNESCO Heritage Site, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The entire temple is filled with intricate carvings of dancers, mythical animals and musicians. The temple is an architectural marvel. A carving of a flute at the entrance sounds like an actual flute when touched, the bricks used for construction float on water and the pillars that hold up this structure depict the four epics. 

Timing (for the temple): 6 AM to 6 PM