The best parks in Peshawar are Wazir Bagh and Shahi Bagh, both historic gardens dating from the Mughal and Durrani periods, Jinnah Park opposite Bala Hisar Fort, and Bagh-e-Naran in Hayatabad. Peshawar was once known as the city of gardens, and although much of that green has gone, these are still where families spend evenings. Most are free or cheap, but fees and hours change, so check on the day.
Here is each park in a line or two, with one practical tip. If you only have a day in the city, use our Peshawar one-day itinerary and add one garden, rather than trying to see them all.
| Park | Area | Reason to go |
|---|---|---|
| Wazir Bagh | Near the Durrani graveyard | Oldest surviving garden, about 1810 |
| Shahi Bagh | Faqirabad | Largest, about 100 acres |
| Jinnah Park | GT Road, opposite Bala Hisar | Central, next to the fort |
| Bagh-e-Naran | Hayatabad, Phase 1 | Family park with play area and food |
| Khalid Bin Waleed Park | Peshawar Cantonment | Small, shaded, near Mall Road |
Wazir Bagh
Wazir Bagh was laid out around 1810 by Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Barakzai under the Durrani ruler Mahmud Shah. It has four enclosures with a pavilion, a mosque, lawns, ponds and fountains, and the explorer Alexander Burnes wrote about visiting in 1832. Restoration work was announced in 2020. Our Wazir Bagh guide has the history in more detail.
Tip: it is a heritage garden, not a play park, so it is better for a slow walk in the cooler part of the day than for children who need rides.
Shahi Bagh
Shahi Bagh is one of the oldest and largest gardens in the city, about 100 acres in Faqirabad, and dates from Mughal times. It has been used for political and literary gatherings, and today it shares space with a college, sports grounds and the Arbab Niaz Stadium, so parts of it are not parkland at all. See Shahi Bagh for what remains.
Tip: ask locally which sections are open to the public on the day, since events and matches can close parts of it.
Jinnah Park
Jinnah Park sits on GT Road opposite Bala Hisar Fort. It was called Cunningham Park before it was renamed, and it was the venue for the 1947 referendum on Partition in the province. A digital fountain was added in 2011.
Tip: it is easy to pair with the fort and the old city, since both are on the same side of GT Road. Listings give evening closing at about 10 pm, but treat that as approximate.
Bagh-e-Naran
Bagh-e-Naran is a family park in Hayatabad, Phase 1, with swings, a play area, a running track, a food court and an artificial waterfall. Listings give hours as roughly 8 am to 10 pm. Our Bagh-e-Naran guide goes into more detail.
Tip: it works best as an evening stop with children, and it is in the modern suburb rather than the old city, so plan the drive separately.
Khalid Bin Waleed Park
This small park near Mall Road in the cantonment is described by listing sites as having bird cages, swings and a jogging track, with hours of about 6 am to 10 pm. One site reported a ticket of PKR 80, but we could not confirm it from a second source.
Tip: carry small notes, and ask at the gate for the current price rather than relying on a figure you read online.
Other parks worth knowing
Listings also name Tatara Park in Hayatabad Phase 4, said to have boating and a jogging trail, and Garrison Park in Bashirabad. We have not confirmed their current opening or fees, so ask locally before you make a special trip. Peshawar Zoo in Hayatabad is also a favourite with children.
When to visit
Peshawar summers are hot, and average June highs are near 39 degrees. Gardens are pleasant early morning and after sunset from about mid-May to mid-September, and at any hour in winter. Our guide to the best time to visit Peshawar covers the seasons.
Is it safe?
Peshawar has had repeated militant attacks in 2026 and the UK government advises against all travel to the city. Local families still use the parks daily. Choose busy daytime and early evening hours, follow local news that day and check with your hotel before setting out. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which can affect insurance. Our Peshawar safety guide has more.
Which park should you choose?
For history, pick Wazir Bagh. For space, Shahi Bagh. For a short stop beside the fort, Jinnah Park. For children, Bagh-e-Naran. None is a reason to visit Peshawar alone, and Peshawar's parks are plain by the standards of Lahore or Islamabad, so treat them as rest stops between the museum, the bazaars and lunch. See our experiences page for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest park in Peshawar?
Wazir Bagh dates from about 1810, and Shahi Bagh goes back to Mughal times.
Are Peshawar parks free?
Some are, and some charge a small ticket. We could not verify a 2026 fee for most of them, so carry small cash.
What are the opening hours of Peshawar parks?
Listings suggest roughly 6 or 8 am to 10 pm for the newer parks. Check locally, since hours change.
Which park in Peshawar is best for children?
Bagh-e-Naran in Hayatabad has swings, a play area and food. Listings also mention Tatara Park.
Is Jinnah Park near Bala Hisar Fort?
Yes. It is on GT Road, opposite the fort.
