Urban Escapes: Explore The Best Picnic Spots In And Around Hyderabad

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.

Pro-tip: Visiting the park? We have a guide.

Entry Fee: INR 20 per adult

Timings: 5 AM to 9.30 AM and 4 PM to 6.30 PM

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!

Pro-tip: Make the most of your trip with this checklist

Entry Fee: INR 1,350 per adult for day-outing [package cost is separate]

Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM

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

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 

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 

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

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 

Gandipet Landscape Park is one of those picnic spots that instantly makes you forget you’re still within the city. Overlooking the serene Osman Sagar lake, this park is all about wide open spaces, scenic viewpoints, and a calm, laid-back vibe that’s perfect for chilling with friends and family. The neatly designed walking trails, shaded seating areas, and landscaped gardens make it ideal for long and deep conversations, casual photoshoots, or just lying back and watching the sunset paint the sky. All about an aesthetic feel? Visit during the golden hour – the lake views are unreal, and it’s easily one of the most Insta-worthy picnic spots around Hyderabad.

Pro-tip: If you like a good walk in the park, check out these other must-visit parks in Hyderabad.

Timing: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry fee: INR 50

This one feels like a mini-jungle adventure right on the city’s edge. Perfect for nature lovers and wildlife-curious explorers, Mrugavani National Park offers a refreshing break from concrete views with its dry deciduous forest, winding trails, and open safari rides. You might spot a deer, peacocks, wild boars, or even a monitor lizard if luck’s on your side. There’s also a watchtower and viewpoints that give you great forest panoramas, making it a cool place for relaxed picnics with a dash of adventure. Go early in the morning when the park is most alive, carry some snacks, and be ready to swap phone screens for birdsong. 

Timing: 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday closed

Entry fee: INR 10

Right in the middle of the city, Botanical Gardens is perfect for those days when you want a picnic without planning a whole road trip. You can literally step away from the city’s chaos and find yourself surrounded by leafy trails, quiet water bodies, and open lawns that feel miles away from traffic and uhm, deadlines. It’s an easy pick for spontaneous hangouts where you wander through bamboo grooves, and settle down under a shady tree. Especially on the days the weather is cool and pleasant, early mornings and evenings work best. You’re welcome. 

Timing: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry fee: INR 50 

Just a lake, and honestly that’s the whole point. Shamirpet Lake promises open waters, wide skies, and a stretch of land where you can sit, snack, talk, or just stare into the distance without distractions. It’s a short drive to reach here and if you reach here when the sun starts to set, the lake turns golden and the breeze picks up. Doesn’t that sound lovely? Carry your food, pick a spot by the water, and let the scenery work its magic. 

Timing: 5 AM - 6 PM

Entry fee: Free

This one’s far, but absolutely worth it. Nagarjuna Sagar is the kind of picnic destination around Hyderabad that you plan a visit to when you’re craving a proper escape. The long drive pays off with sweeping views of one of India’s largest dams, endless stretches of water, and rugged hills that add a dramatic backdrop to your picnic plans. If you enjoy the whole road trip vibe – windows down, playlists on, and cameras ready, this spot looks straight out of a travel reel. 

Timing: 8 AM - 8 PM

Entry fee: INR 20