The best picnic spots in Karachi are Safari Park's Kashmir Point and Hill Park inside the city, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim by the sea in Clifton, the beach huts at Hawke's Bay and Sandspit on the western coast, and Haleji and Keenjhar lakes for a full day out of town. For a picnic of an hour or two, stay in the city parks; for a day with the family and a barbecue, book a hut at the beach or by Keenjhar.
Karachi's picnic season is short. November to February is comfortable almost everywhere, and from May onwards the heat and the monsoon make outdoor days hard work. This guide compares the main spots, with a reason to go and a practical tip for each.
| Spot | Type | Distance from the centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Park, Kashmir Point | City park | Gulshan-e-Iqbal | A family day with children |
| Hill Park | City park | PECHS | An evening picnic with a view |
| Kidney Hill Park | Urban forest | Gulshan | Shade and walking trails |
| Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim | Seaside park | Clifton | Sea air without leaving the city |
| Hawke's Bay and Sandspit | Beach, huts | About 20 km south-west | A full beach day with a hut |
| Haleji Lake | Wetland | On the way to Thatta | Winter birdwatching picnic |
| Keenjhar Lake | Lake resort | Roughly 130 km via Thatta | A day or overnight by the water |
City parks for a short picnic
Safari Park, Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Why go: at 148 acres it is the largest of the city's parks, and it has a dedicated picnic area called Kashmir Point alongside lakes, a chairlift and a zoo. It is run as a family-only park.
Tip: the rides and the private adventure park inside the grounds cost extra, so budget for them and arrive in the morning to claim a shady spot. Our Safari Park guide has the detail.
Hill Park, PECHS
Why go: the park sits on raised ground in PECHS, so it catches more breeze than most city parks and has views over the surrounding neighbourhoods. It covers 62 acres, only part of which is developed, and more than 15,000 saplings were planted in 2021.
Tip: it is at its best in the late afternoon and early evening, when local families come to walk. Bring a mat; benches fill quickly on weekends.
Kidney Hill Park, Gulshan
Why go: an 82-acre hill that was occupied by illegal structures for decades until a 2019 anti-encroachment drive. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation has since turned it into an urban forest with tens of thousands of new trees and walking trails, which makes it one of the greener places in the city to sit and eat.
Tip: the trees are still young, so shade is patchy at midday. Go early in the morning or near sunset.
Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, Clifton
Why go: a 130-acre park beside Clifton Beach, with lawns, old colonial structures and the sea in front of you. It is the easiest way to combine a picnic with the coast without driving out of the city.
Tip: the sea breeze makes it pleasant even on warm winter afternoons, but there is little shade, so bring hats and go after 4 pm. Compare it with the other city parks in our guide to the best parks in Karachi.
Beaches for a full day
Hawke's Bay and Sandspit
Why go: about 20 km south-west of the city, this stretch of coast is where Karachi families spend whole days by the sea, often in rented beach huts that give shade, a place to cook and somewhere to change. In early winter green and olive ridley turtles come ashore here to nest.
Tip: the sea is not safe for casual swimming. Drownings have happened at Hawke's Bay over the years, and in summer the authorities often impose Section 144 orders banning swimming altogether. Paddle, keep children close and check whether a ban is in force before you go. Our guide to beach huts in Karachi explains how hut hire works.
French Beach and the western coast
Why go: beyond Hawke's Bay, French Beach is a small fishing village with private huts, quieter than the public beaches.
Tip: access is mostly through people who own or rent huts there, so arrange a hut before you set off rather than turning up hoping to find a spot.
Lakes for a day out of town
Haleji Lake
Why go: a freshwater reservoir created in 1943 from an old saline lagoon, on the way to Thatta. It is a Ramsar wetland and a winter home for migratory waterfowl, which makes it the picnic spot for anyone who likes birds.
Tip: go between November and February, when the birds are there and the weather is mild. Bring binoculars and keep noise down near the water's edge.
Keenjhar Lake
Why go: one of Pakistan's largest freshwater lakes, about 24 km long, around 36 km beyond Thatta, which puts it roughly 130 km from Karachi. It is a long-standing picnic place for families from Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta, with boating, fishing and the shrine of Noori Jam Tamachi out in the water. The Sindh Tourism Development Corporation runs a lakeside resort with huts where barbecues are allowed behind the rooms.
Tip: the lake is shallow in most places but nearly 8 metres deep in parts, and we could not confirm lifeguards, so do not let anyone swim far out. To book a resort hut, contact the STDC directly; each hut takes up to six adults with a few children.
Further afield
- Kirthar National Park, north of Karachi, covers more than 3,000 square kilometres of hills run by the Sindh Wildlife Department. It is a wilderness rather than a picnic ground, and a trip needs planning and local advice.
- Gadani and Hub, just across the border in Balochistan, are popular with some Karachi families. The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, so overseas visitors should check their own advice, and everyone should check local news before going.
For more ideas within a few hours of the city, see our list of day trips from Karachi.
When is the best time for a picnic in Karachi?
November to February is the season, with mild days and cool evenings. March is still pleasant early and late in the day. From April to September, heat, humidity and the monsoon make long outdoor days tiring, and summer sea bans close the beaches to swimming. Our guide to the best time to visit Karachi covers the seasons and the festival calendar.
Sunday is the busiest day at every spot on this list. If you can, go on a Saturday or a weekday.
What to take
- A mat or folding chairs, since benches fill quickly
- An umbrella or sunshade for the parks and beaches
- More water than you think you need, and a cool box
- Sunscreen and hats, even in winter
- Bin bags to take your rubbish home
- Cash for parking, gate fees, rides and boat trips
- Your CNIC if you are booking a hut or resort
Which picnic spot should you choose?
- Two hours with small children: Safari Park or Hill Park.
- A sea view without the drive: Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim.
- A full family day with a barbecue: a hut at Hawke's Bay or Sandspit, outside the summer ban season.
- Something quieter: Kidney Hill Park in the city, or Haleji Lake in winter.
- An overnight escape: Keenjhar Lake, with a hut booked in advance.
More things to do around the city are on our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best picnic spot in Karachi for families?
Safari Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, with its Kashmir Point picnic area, lakes and rides, suits a family day best. For the coast, a rented hut at Hawke's Bay or Sandspit is the usual choice.
Can you have a barbecue at Karachi picnic spots?
At beach huts and at the Keenjhar Lake resort, yes; the STDC allows barbecues behind its huts. City parks have their own rules, so check at the gate before lighting anything.
How far is Keenjhar Lake from Karachi?
Roughly 130 km. Thatta is about 98 km east of Karachi, and Keenjhar is around 36 km beyond it, so allow two to three hours each way.
Is it safe to swim at Karachi beaches?
Not without great care. The currents are strong, drownings have happened, and swimming is often banned in summer under Section 144. Paddle rather than swim, and keep children close.
When is the best season for picnics in Karachi?
November to February, when the days are mild and the humidity is low. Avoid the hot months from April to September where you can.
