The best parks in Mumbai

What is it: A tree-top walkway that takes you through untouched wilderness in one of the poshest parts of Mumbai.

Why we love it: Created to preserve a route through the forgotten Malabar Hill forest in South Mumbai, this Singapore TreeTop Walk-inspired pathway makes for a lovely morning stroll. The wooden structure runs above a forest of banyan, gulmohar, mango, jamun and jackfruit trees, and is filled with birdsong. Labels across the pathway familiarise you with the trees and birds you encounter.

While the walk ends with spectacular panoramic views of the city and the Arabian Sea that cradles Mumbai, try and amble a bit so you can take in the amazing design of the walkway itself, built to make you fall in love with nature as unintrusively as possible. To prevent overcrowding, limited one-hour slots are available from 5am to 8pm – do pre-book at the official website. Morning slots are ideal, but the shaded walk can feel soothing even during the harshest parts of the day.

Time Out tip: In case you feel like extending your stroll: upon exiting, climb down the hill towards Babulnath (an ancient Shiva temple built in the 12th century) and take in the spectacular view of Marine Drive from 1000 feet above. You can also make a detour to the nearby Banganga Tank, one of Mumbai’s oldest and most atmospheric landmarks.

Address: Elevated Nature Trail, Walkeshwar, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400006
Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 5am-9pm. Last entry at 8pm.
Price: Entry fees are roughly ₹25 for Indian citizens and ₹100 for foreigners

What is it: One of the oldest botanical gardens and zoos in Mumbai.

Why we love it: Shaded well enough for you to walk through even on the hottest days, Jijamata Udyaan is lush with flowering and fruiting trees. Plenty of benches are placed all around the park for you to sit and admire the view. Each tree is labelled and the parks are themed to show plants from across the tropics.

The zoo is a popular landmark and has visitors even on weekdays, but you can always find a quiet corner away from the exhibits if you want to read a book or take an easy afternoon.

Time Out tip: If you don’t mind missing the zoo or the museum, it opens from 6am-8.30am exclusively on Sundays.

Opening hours: Thurs-Tues. 9.30am-6pm. Wed closed.

Price: ₹50 for adults, ₹20 for children. For foreigners: ₹400 for adults, ₹200 for children. Digital camera and video camera fees are separate. Museum fees are separate.

Address: Lalbaug Flyover, near Byculla, Byculla East, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400027

What is it: A man-made forest park in Sion that is perfect for birdwatching and casual strolls alike.

Why we love it: Plumb in the middle of a no-parking area by Sion railway station, this urban forest is not easy to visit, but that’s part of its appeal. Open just for a few hours in the day, you’re likely to be one of very few inside. A leisurely stroll down one of the many trails and a quick nap under the trees are the best ways to spend time here. For more ways to experience Mumbai’s biodiversity, Time Out’s guide to the best things to do in Mumbai also highlights nature walks by the Bombay Natural History Society.

Bring a blanket along if you plan to lie down – this is a forest with its fair share of reptiles and critters. For kids and nature-curious adults, MNP holds educational tours and walks on weekends that introduce you to mangrove forests, butterflies, reptiles and even the lake with a resident crocodile. Visit right when it opens to spot over 50 kinds of butterflies.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 8.30am-3.30pm.
Price: Entry fees are roughly ₹20. Tour fees are separate and details are available on their website.
Address: Maharashtra Nature Park, Sion Bandra Link Road, Dharavi, opp. Bus Depot, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400017

What is it: A 25-acre park and playground in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai.

Why we love it: Situated behind the IMAX theatre in Wadala (and that is how most people identify this park), Bhakti Udyan has large rolling grasslands, various playgrounds and a walking path of over 4 kilometres. It is one of the few parks in the city that is open all day round.

There are joggers’ tracks, walking areas, even space for dogs to frolic around, and a little nursery of flowering plants. Four years ago, attempts to start an urban forest led to a wooded patch of land in the middle of this massive park that is surrounded by skyscrapers on all sides.

With trees that keep the area cool even on hot summer afternoons, this is one of the few places where you can bring your friends, children and pets to play, picnic and take it easy for hours on end.

Time Out tip: The park is popular and has a lot more strollers in the evening, so if you are planning a picnic, going in early is recommended.

Address: Bhakti Park Udyan, Behind IMAX theatre, Wadala East, Bhakti Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400037
Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 6am-7pm.
Entry: Free.

What is it: A sea-facing jogger’s track with great sunset and sunrise views in Nepean Sea Road.

Why we love it: Mumbai’s love for parks may be questionable, but everyone sure loves a sea view. Priyadarshini Park combines the two rather aesthetically with a mud track overlooking the Arabian Sea.

It has a jogging track, a sports club that includes a tennis court, a children’s play area and a separate space for senior citizens – all very well maintained and hence quite popular. They also have wheelchair access.

It’s laden with trees, but if you do want to go for a walk, early mornings or evenings are better in the heat. This is also one of the very few parks that lets you carry in food, so you can picnic by the sea without getting sand in your clothes!

Time Out tip: The best time to visit for gorgeous pictures by the sea is golden hour, either sunrise or sunset.

Address: Priyadarshini Park & Sports Complex, Nepean Sea Road, Priyadarshini Park & Sports Complex, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400006
Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 6am-11.30am, 4pm-9pm.
Entry: Sports facilities need to be pre-booked on their site.

What is it: A biodiverse national park within Mumbai’s city limits that offers scenic picnic spots and adventurous trails.

Why we love it: For a 100-square-kilometre forest, entering Sanjay Gandhi National Park is relatively easy – a concrete road through the forest leads right up to the top where you will be welcomed by majestic stone caves.

Kanheri Caves, the 2,400-year-old Buddhist complex built over a millennium from 1CE, is spread over 100 caves, giving you plenty to explore over a few hours. Stay a while at the top of the hill and make yourself a picnic with snacks from the local vendors. On a clear day, the hillscape can be a great vantage point that looks upon the greener parts of Mumbai. You may even spot Tulsi and Vihar lakes, which are a source of freshwater for the city.

If you have time, try one of the various trails leading up here for a path less trodden.

Time Out tip: If you don’t particularly feel like walking, you can rent a cycle and ride up to Kanheri Caves or take the air-conditioned buses that ply the route at a 15-minute frequency.

Address: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali (West), Mumbai – 400066, Maharashtra.
Opening hours: Tues-Sun. 7.30am-6.30pm (last entry at 5pm). Mon closed.
Price: ₹85 for adults, ₹45 for children, ₹300 for foreigners. Separate fees for still and video cameras, and for bringing personal cycles.

What is it: A lush conservation centre in Goregaon/Aarey with a butterfly park and plenty of nature walks.

Why we love it: There’s a relaxed stroll in a park and then there’s falling headlong, body and soul, into nature. CEC falls more into the latter category. Part of one of the oldest wildlife societies in the city, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), CEC is ripe with a variety of birds, insects and floral beauty.

Whether you want your kids to coo at the sight of butterflies and sunbirds flitting through flowering plants or follow leopard trails, CEC’s forest offers a variety of ways to encounter the birds, animals and trees found across the Indian subcontinent.

You can come here on a weekend morning to birdwatch for a few hours before heading for a delightful coastal seafood lunch around Aarey Colony, or you can camp overnight at the centre and encounter the rare and beautiful sight of a moon moth.

Address: Conservation Education Center of BNHS, Film City, Film City Complex, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400065
Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 9.30am-5.30pm.
Price: Entry fees are roughly ₹150-₹200 (higher for guided weekend tours, which can be around ₹450-₹950 per person). Pre-booking visits through the CEC website is recommended.

What is it: A beachfront park with gorgeous viewpoints over Juhu Beach.

Why we love it: Located at the very end of the popular Juhu Beach, the public park in size epitomises every other park in the city – built just to give city dwellers enough space for a brisk walk when the weather allows one to.

What sets the park apart, though, is the spectacular view facing the beach. Strategically placed park benches covered by trees are a great spot to gaze at the sea regardless of how sunny it is, and romanticise the endless horizon in front of you.

Laden with trees and flowering plants that filter the salty sea breeze, the park is well maintained and relatively cool even during the humid months.

Time Out tip: Once you have strolled through the park and visited the beach, head to Dakshinayan for some filter coffee and ghee-laden idlis that make for a perfect 4pm snack, or breakfast.

Address: Juhu Beachfront Park, 15, Gandhigram Rd, Jukarwadi, Juhu Tara, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049
Opening hours: Mon-Sun. 5am-11am, 5pm-8pm.
Entry: Free.