Do picnic scenes in movies make you feel like going on one too? Well, not exactly like the Italian countryside but Hyderabad has got the lowdown on spots where you can spend a fun time with your pals, kids, and family. From off-beat nature escapes to historically relevant ruins, here’s a no-frills guide on picnic places in and around Hyderabad. Drive down or hop on a taxi to reach these places and take in the sights to lose the city lights, for once.
Urban Escapes: Explore The Best Picnic Spots In And Around Hyderabad
KBR National Park
First thing to tick off on your to-do list is KBR park, a 400 acre lush, green national park bang in the middle of the city. No matter what your interest is, there's something for everyone here. Call yourself a bird watcher? Dust off your binoculars and spot some rare birds and butterflies. Gardening enthusiast? This place is home to 600 plant species. Enjoy walking and taking in the serenity? Brisk or relaxed, find your pace on the many designated walking tracks. Be it morning or evening, this park makes for a relaxing outing. And the best part? Frequent peacock sightings and adorable doggos. It’s a pet-friendly spot so you don’t have to leave your floof behind.
Entry Fee: INR 20 per adult
Timings: 5 AM to 9.30 AM and 4 PM to 6.30 PM
Ramoji Film City
Entertaining rides, fun games, surreal movie sets, shopping, and huge gardens, Ramoji Film City is an iconic destination for an awesome day out. It’s going to be a busy day for the photographer of your group because there’s just so much to experience. Movie buffs, this is the world’s largest film city, home to many Tollywood and Bollywood hits. Get clicked at the larger-than-life Bahubali sets, the train station from Chennai Express, and the streets of Golmaal. There’s a red tourist bus that will also take you around Indian landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Buland Darwaza, and Brindavan Gardens. Apart from these makeshift sets (which are honestly too many to tell), indulge in their bird park. They have exotic macaws, cockatoos, parrots, and ostriches. So much to do but very little time? Don’t worry, book a tour package and hop away!
Entry Fee: INR 1,350 per adult for day-outing [package cost is separate]
Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM
Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
Seeking some time away from the city’s hustle bustle? Drive down to Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary, 115 km from the city, and walk through rustling trees and chirping birds. TBH, it’s a small area but if you’re there at the moment and time, you can spot deer, peacocks, and forest cats. What’s more? It occasionally turns into a camping spot when adventure clubs organise a good experience.
Entry Fee: INR 300 approx
Timings: 7 AM to 8.30 PM
Medak Fort
This is another place within 100 km from the city limits. Built by the Kakatiya Kings, this fort is not just for history lovers but architecture admirers too as the fort represents Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. The fort is built on a hill and trekking atop the hill is an exhilarating experience in itself. There are 500 steps to reach the fort but the sweat is worth it! Explore the ruins, take in the panoramic view, and catch a break from city life at this 12th-century monument.
Entry: Free
Timings: 9 AM to Sunset
Pillalamarri Banyan Tree
Wouldn’t your little one love to see an 8000-year-old tree, straight out of a storybook? Roughly a 100 kilometers from Hyderabad in Mahbubnagar, Pillalamarri Banyan Tree is spread across 4 acres and is attached to many local folktales, some scary, some silly! The leaves and branches create a layer between you and the open sky and the canopy is truly some of nature’s best work. Beyond this Hagrid of a tree, there’s also a small zoo, a bird park, science museum and an ancient Shiva temple in the vicinity.
Entry: Free
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM
Biodiversity Park
Now let’s get back to the city limits. Gachibowli houses this 13-acre flourishing park and we think it’s worth a visit if all you’re looking for is some quite and peace. It was opened to public in 2015 and many locals have made their morning walk track for fresh air. It’s maintained by the Telangana Forest Department which takes care of 200 species of plants, each for a UN member state. With big boulders, some carved out into interesting shapes, the park has a unique vibe, unusual to its techy area. Well, that’s what makes it a good spot to hang out!
Entry Fee: INR 50 and upwards
Timings: 8 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM
Nehru Zoological Park
Lion Safari, Bear Safari, Bison Safari - Experience all this at the Hyderabad Zoo. One of the first establishments of its kind in India, it’s still well maintained to this day which tells how popular this destination is. It houses 140 species of animals, reptiles, and birds which come out seasonally. Yes, you have to time your visit right! What’s special is their nocturnal creatures section, which is inside a dome. From bats hung upside down to creepy crawlies that are just fascinating, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Apart from that, there’s also a Jurrasic Park section with fossils from many local discoveries.
Entry Fee: INR 60 and upwards
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
