A Guide To NTR Gardens, Hyderabad

Things to do / highlights

Admire the beauty around

You can walk along the paved walkways at the garden and admire the stunning beauty around. Bonsai exhibition, mist fountains, full-scale fountains, Desert Garden (showcasing a range of succulents), the Japanese garden, and various art installations – including the N.T. Rama Rao’s Memorial, dedicated to Andhra Pradesh’s former Chief Minister – are some of many notable things worth marvelling at.

Enjoy a picnic

Every such garden is the perfect place for a picnic, but the NTR Gardens more so. The resplendent greenery and excellent maintenance here makes for the perfect backdrop to enjoy some Hyderabadi sun and chatter for the enthusiasts around. However, remember that outside eatables are not allowed inside the premises.

Hitch a train ride

A toy train (of sorts) – Pearl City Express – runs through the gardens’ sprawling area, taking the visitors through the most significant parts. This is a great way to explore the garden for those of you who’re on a slightly time-pressed schedule or if you’re heading there with little ones.

Leave the kids to rollick

Not just a nature retreat, NTR Gardens is also an excellent amusement park for children. There’s a designated play area for them and a section that’s equipped with joy rides. Fun carousels, a Bumper Car ride, giant wheel, Columbus ride, exciting merry-go-round, ball pool, trampoline, bungee jumping area, bouncy castles, and even water slides are all there for kids of all age groups. You can even hitch boat rides for their enjoyment. Else, hook up one of the sketch artists – who can be found hanging around the play area – and get them to create interesting sketches or caricatures.

What to eat

Since you’re not allowed to carry outside eatables into the garden, here are some eateries within the garden’s premises that you can hit up in case you’re getting peckish:

Car Cafe

The unique selling point of this cafe is its car tables wherein each of the tables is set up within vintage car models, offering seating for six each. While there are lots of savoury food options to choose from, popular South Indian street snack, mirchi bajji (pepper poppers) tops the charts! You can also give into some indulgence at the ice cream parlour or devour cotton candy here.

Machan Restaurant

It is housed within the artistic-looking Machan Tree that looks like an art installation from the outside, but step closer to the trunk and you’ll find a staircase winding up. This will lead you into a full-fledged, sit-down restaurant that is often bustling with visitors, so you may face a tad bit of trouble finding a place to sit.

Fruit Restaurant

Much like Machan Restaurant, this one’s also housed inside what looks like a large plate of fruits! As the name suggests, it specializes in fruit specialities, churning out fresh fruits, fruit juices, and some healthy fruit snacks too.

Food stalls

Apart from the cafe and restaurant, you’ll also find food hawkers hanging out outside the gardens’ main entrance. While most of these sell yummy street food, some even sell freshly-cut fruits.They often have other packaged snacks and mineral water bottles also available.

Traveller's tips

Camera fee

While photography on mobile phones does not attract any separate charges, use of professional cameras and other video filming equipment do. You have to pay a fee of about 0.5 - 0.8 USD. These are to be paid at the ticket counter itself, so let the executive manning the counter know.

Best time to visit

Visiting the NTR Gardens is a delight any time of the year. However, from October to February, the foliage at the gardens is touted to be at its most vivacious and abundant best. This is when most photographers/videographers prefer to head for shoots.

Maintain care

Remember that NTR Gardens is public property. You will be expected to ensure that there’s no littering or any unnecessary ruckus. Also, do not damage the foliage or pluck out flowers. Walk on designated walkways, except where there are grounds.

How to get there

NTR Gardens are within close proximity from some of Hyderabad’s other famous touristy spots, such as Hussain Sagar, Lumbini Park, and Birla Mandir If you’re already planning to head to any of these spots, do plan a visit to NTR Gardens as well. Otherwise, you have the following options available:

Car/two-wheeler

You can easily get to NTR Gardens in a rented or private vehicle. It is about a 20 minutes’ journey from Hyderabad Airport.

Bus

NTR Gardens fall on bus no. 5B’s route that runs from Bapu Ghat to Secunderabad Junction. Just remember to get off at the NTR Gardens Bus Stop. Your destination will be a short walk from here.

Auto-rickshaw/taxi

Apart from buses, auto-rickshaws and local taxis are other popular means of getting to NTR Gardens. You can hitch either of these from any of the main roads or ask your hotel to book one for you. Else, private cab operators, such as Ola and Uber also service the city. You can download their apps on your mobile phones and travel around like a pro.

How to get tickets

NTR Gardens feature in almost every pre-planned city tour’ itineraries that are offered by private travel agencies or third-party travel websites. You can book yourself into either of these since the tour tariffs include admission fees. If not, you can purchase the admission tickets on-site. You’ll find the ticket counter right by the gardens’ entrance gate.

NTR Gardens information

NTR Gardens

Address: NTR Marg, Central Secretariat, Khairtabad, Hyderabad, Telangana 500004

Opening hours: 2:30pm - 8:30pm (daily)

Price: 0.1 - 0.3 USD

Official website: NTR Gardens

Department of tourism: Visit Hyderabad