Check Out These Ultimate One-Day Picnic Spots In & Around 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! 

Best time to visit: October - February 

Entry fee: INR 70 

Timing: 8:30 AM - 5 PM, Closed on Mondays

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. 

Best time to visit: October - February 

Entry fee: INR 20

Timing: 9 AM - 5:30 PM

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. 

Best time to visit: Anytime expect peak summer

Entry fee: INR 40

Timing: 9 AM - 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. 

Best time to visit: August - April 

Entry fee: Free

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset

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. 

Best time to visit: August - April 

Entry fee: INR 25

Timing: 9 AM - 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. 

Best time to visit: October - February 

Entry fee: Free

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset

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.

Best time to visit: October - February 

Entry fee: Free

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset 

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. 

Best time to visit: August - February 

Entry fee: INR 10

Timing: 9 AM - 5:30 PM

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! 

Best time to visit: July - February 

Entry fee: Free

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset

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. 

Best time to visit: October - February 

Entry fee: INR 350

Timing: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Possibly one of the easiest places you can get to from Hyderabad, Ananthagiri Hills is a much-needed respite from the Hyderabad heat in the summer and a great getaway during the colder months as well. The three-hour drive to the place is beautifully covered with greenery on either side of the road. You can start your exploration with the Hanuman Temple here and go visit a couple of view points around the temple when you visit. The locals are friendly and will guide you as to where you can drive to for the best view. The spot also offers fun activities like Kayaking, subject to the weather and safety conditions. 

Best time to visit: October - March, July for a monsoon experience

Entry fee: Free

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset

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.

Best time to visit: September - February 

Entry fee: INR 10 

Timing: 9 AM - 5 PM

Most people are unaware of the fresh backwaters of Nagarjuna Sagar dam that pass through multiple neighbouring hamlets and villages in Telangana. Vizag Colony is one such place that is relatively unexplored around Hyderabad. The villagers around this colony are descendants of workers who migrated from villages near Visakhapatnam to work on the Dam project decades ago and hence, the name. The place is super peaceful, with activities like boating and coracle rides that take you to a little island amid the waters. What's also unique is you can get food cooked by local families here - they make delicacies like fish fry, fish pulusu and steamed rice at nominal prices. Try scheduling a visit to Vizag Colony on a Friday or Saturday, since most of the families aren't available to cook on Sundays. It's a 2.5 hour drive from the city and is perfect for a day trip. 

Best time to visit: October - February 

Entry fee: Free

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset

You may have seen the Pocharam Dam in multiple travel reels on Instagram lately. The reservoir and adjoining wildlife sanctuary are a great getaway from the city life with thick foliage all over. The dam was built in 1922 and takes a couple of hours to reach from Hyderabad. The reservoir houses several deer and other wildlife. The Pocharam dam, much like Nagarjuna Sagar, is great to visit if the water gates are open. you will find information about the opening of the gates on the local news regularly. Even if the gates aren't open, the drive to Pocharam is great for a one-day trip. 

Best time to visit: August - February 

Entry fee: INR 30 

Timing: 9 AM - 5:30 PM

Get your hiking shoes and head to the Narsapur Forest Range if you're up for some physical activity. The drive to Narsapur Forest in Medak is super scenic, so have your cameras ready. The forest spreads over 30 sq km and has several natural rock formations and ponds, where you can spot birds and butterflies aplenty. Narsapur Forest is also a great camping site to enjoy winter with a bonfire in the winters. 

Best time to visit: October - March

Entry fee: INR 50

Timing: Sunrise - Sunset

For many, this might be the most obvious picnic spot in the city – and honestly, for good reason. Everyone in Hyderabad knows it, everyone’s been there at least once, yet it still works when you just want an easy, no-planning-needed picnic. The park is lush, shaded, and big enough to feel like you’re away from the city even though you’re very much not. People spread out mats under trees, share homemade food, walk the trails between conversations, or just sit around spotting peacocks. It’s popular, yes, but because the park spreads along acres, you can usually find a quiet corner for yourself. 

Best time to visit: June - March

Entry Fee: INR 45

Timing: 5 AM - 9:30 AM, 4 PM - 6: 30 PM

If you don’t mind your picnic turning out to be a full day outing, Ramoji Film City works surprisingly well. It’s the biggest film studio complex in the world, and it’s designed to keep you wandering – themed gardens, open lawns, film sets, and plenty of spots where you can pause, snack, and sit back for a bit. One minute you’re walking through the Bahubali set, the next you’re taking photos near Mughal-style gardens or hopping onto a tour bus. There are food courts and cafes inside, so you don’t have to carry a full spread unless you want to, and the sheer scale makes it great for group picnics. 

Best time to visit: All year round

Entry Fee: INR 1,350 upwards

Timing: 9 AM - 5:30 PM

Japanese Garden feels like a plot twist in the middle of the city, Jubilee Hills out of all places. Inspired by Japanese-style design, one of the prettiest picnic spots in Hyderabad, this place is full of curved pathways, tiny bridges, water features, and gorgeous greenery. Bonus, it works beautifully if you’re in the mood for something quiet and aesthetic – coffee flasks, sandwiches, playlists, and long conversations under the trees. In the right season, you’ll spot flower beds that you would definitely want to show off on your Instagram, time it right.

Best time to visit: All year round

Entry Fee: Free

Timing: 6 AM.- 10 AM, 4 PM - 6 PM

Now, this feels like a picnic destination that is built from scratch just for that. It’s 150 acre of landscaped space designed to mix nature with activities, so a picnic here is a big event on its own. There are huge lawns and themed gardens, but also adventure zones with rope courses, art installations, and many photo ops scattered across the place. Food is easy too – there are restaurants serving 15+ cuisines, great if you don’t want to carry a full picnic basket unless you want to. You can spend hours without getting bored, but you can also just sit back and do nothing but yap and catch up with your gang. 

Best time to visit: All year round

Entry Fee: INR 499 on weekdays, INR 699 on weekends upwards

Timing: 10 AM - 6:30 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. 

Best time to visit: October - March

Entry fee: Free

Timing: 6 AM - 6 PM