Picnics are a great way to make the most of the sunshine this summer. Whether you want to savour a warm afternoon or while away a balmy evening, now’s the time to pack up the hamper with a selection of moreish savouries, sweet treats and replenishing drinks. If you’re in need of inspiration about where to head out for a picnic, we’ve selected the best spots in the world to spread out a blanket for a bite to eat.
Bite into cucumber sandwiches and pour the Pimms atop Primrose Hill as you take in the views of Regent’s Park below and the London skyline ahead. This hilly expanse is one of London’s Royal Parks and reaches 207 feet (63m) above sea level, with low trees ensuring the views aren’t obscured. Mind you, Primrose Hill is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, so it’s best to head for the hills during the week.
The well-clipped greens of Griffith Observatory’s front lawn are a world away from the bustling streets of Los Angeles. Movie fans will recall it from La La Land, but this Art Deco-style attraction doubles as a wonderfully romantic place for a picnic. Aim for a sunset feast so you can cosy up and watch the evening slowly transform into night, complete with twinkling stars above.
Did you know that Munich’s English Garden is larger than New York’s Central Park? That’s right – and with its size comes plenty of things to see and do. Wrap up a few pretzels, fischbrötchen (small fish sandwiches) and sauerkraut and spread out on the city’s most-loved green spot. Many use the benches outside the Chinese Tower as a picnic area but you’ll need to be quick to nab a spot.
The picturesque Cascade Gardens is a great call for picnic parties of all sizes: there’s a children’s playground, brewery bar and a 19th-century historic site to take in. With gorgeous nature and scenery to admire, like the creek that runs through the site, don’t be surprised if you stumble across a wedding photography shoot taking place too.
This 7.1 million square foot (660,00sqm) urban park is the third largest in Seoul and it’s a relatively quiet spot to enjoy a picnic. For those feeling fit there are badminton and volleyball courts, while those looking for a simple stroll can take in a sway of traditional pavilions, pergolas and Hanok houses. Round it off with a visit to the ultra-cool Observatory (free) for awesome views of neighbouring Mount Byeoko and Mount Opae.
Go back to basics at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden where bringing your own chairs, tables and tents isn’t permitted. You can treat yourself to a hamper from the Kirstenbosch tea room, though, or cheat on your picnic with a takeaway from Moyo Restaurant which is also on-site. Afterwards walk it all off with a stroll through the garden, passing the treetops via high walkways.
The well-clipped lawns of Vondelpark whisks you away from the canals and Dutch-style architecture of Amsterdam’s city centre. This 166-acre park opened to the public in the late 19th century and offers lush gardens, pretty flower beds and the chance of spotting blue herons and wild ducks. Wherever you choose to picnic, it’s worth visiting in the summer when open-air concerts take place, and just around the corner is the acclaimed Van Gogh museum.
Could this be one of the most romantic picnic spots on this list? We like to think so. The Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome is a place where a slow-pace is encouraged, and with so much beauty to soak up, you won’t want to rush your meal. In keeping with this sophisticated theme, graze on a platter of antipasti and sip Italian wines or book a picnic experience where you’ll feast on a pre-prepared meal instead.
Jumeirah Beach Park isn’t just regarded as one of the best beaches in Dubai – its green space makes it a brilliant picnic spot too. Escape the hot, hot heat and relax around a picnic table, before taking a dip in the swimming pool or sea. Fancy a hot lunch? Upgrade your meal by sizzling meats and veg at one of the barbecue areas.
This picnic spot is an attraction in its own right. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (aka Lagoa) is a natural lake in the upmarket Lagoa neighbourhood. Framed by a mountainous skyline, there’s plenty of things to do (or watch others doing) here. Chill out and watch the world go by at a faster pace as rowers glide across the lake and cyclists whizz around the dedicated track that encircles the park.
Southwest Scotland’s Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a beast to navigate – especially when it comes to whittling down the best picnic spot. If its grand views of Loch Lomond you’re after, head to Inverulas where you’ll be rewarded with mountain-peak-lined lakes and architectural artwork. For the ultimate isolation, choose a few items from the local butcher and jump on a boat taxi to Inchmahome Island.
The Czech countryside is highly underrated. City locals take weekend retreats to their cottages to immerse themselves in nature, and this is something visitors can get well on board with too. Velké Karlovice is part of the Beskydy Protected Landscape Area and is peppered with rare flora like orchards, old timbered buildings and idyllic picnic spots. Spread out a blanket on the thick green grass and lay back to savour the views.
Three sections make up Chapultepec Park: Primera contains the zoo and museums; Segunda has a large amusement park and public art; and Tercera is mostly a natural area consisting of woodland and wildlife. Spanning 1,600 acres, there’s ample places to choose from for a picnic, although Tercera is the best choice if you want to keep away from the crowds.
This garden is as historic as it is beautiful. Parque de Maria Luisa became public from the late 19th century onwards and there are nods to its heritage and beyond with classical-style statues, Moorish tile-studded buildings and majestic fountains dotted around. Breathe in the fragrant orange trees as you sit beneath them to escape the heat and enjoy a tapas-style picnic.
Breathe in the fresh air of Mount Aspiring National Park and marvel at your surroundings. With alpine lakes, native forests and long river valleys all vying for your attention, selecting the perfect spot to plonk yourself could be tricky. Just past Haast Pass is Fantail Falls; watch pebbles glimmer beneath translucent waters as you tuck into your picnic.
Pack up macaroni pie, mauby and other local treats for your beach picnic in Barbados. Granted, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to sandy spots here, but the southern coast’s Bottom Bay is one of the dreamiest. Picnic against the high coral cliffs, try to spot a whale or turtle ahead and contemplate how long you can stay here before you have to head back…
This National Trust property is an 18th-century house that was the former home of the earls of Enniskillen. While you can venture inside Florence Court and take in its Georgian-style beauty, outside there’s a garden, summer house and plenty of suitable picnic spots on its sprawling grounds.
Work up a sweat along the seven-mile (12km) Victoria Lines which spans the width of Malta. The trail passes 19th-century fortifications as well as a whole lotta nature. Stop off for a picnic mid-route at the Top of the World in Għargħur. Except there’s nothing middle-of-the-road about it; this viewpoint shows off with incredible panoramics overlooking the north of the country. Settle down on one of the picnic tables or benches with your food fuel and recharge the batteries before pressing on.
Take in the still waters, undulating mountainscapes and archaeological sites in The Sacred Valley. In this peaceful corner of the Andes, visit the likes of Lake Piuray, Moray, Pisac or Lake Huaypo and tuck into a do-it-yourself or organised picnic experience, where you’ll eat local fare like Andean cheese, highland bread and corn.
While you can still do it yourself in the likes of Jebel Bani (pictured), you can also book onto a one-of-a-kind experience for a picnic to remember. These organised trips first take you into the dunes by 4x4 to take in a couple of historic sights. Then, you’ll switch to four legs as you take a camel trek towards the picnic site. Here you’ll dine on a gourmet Moroccan meal beneath shaded palm trees, with endless cups of teas and dates to keep you cool.
Take your pick from 18 different picnic sites in High Park, complete with tables and benches. Within this 399-acre site you can visit a zoo (complete with a llama pen), take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or glide over the ice at the rink. The 30-minute-long trackless train ride trails past gardens, activity spots and plenty of other picnic-friendly spots.
Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens is a special place; spanning 79 acres, it’s home to numerous threatened and vulnerable endemic plant species. The paved walkways wind you past the different trees and flowerbeds with many picnic-friendly spots to stop off at along the way. But keep an eye out, there might be a few cheeky monkeys after your food, and be sure to take your litter with you.
Bring a pair of binoculars along with your food supplies to Nairobi National Park. Among these wide, open-grass plains are lions, leopards, giraffes and more, all set against the backdrop of the city. There are designated picnic sites offering a variety of viewpoints; eat like a hungry hippo overlooking the Hippo Pools and Nature Trail or rest by the riverside at the Kingfisher Picnic Site. Facilities include picnic tables, toilets, water supplies and huts for cooking (bonus: you can even stay over!).
Hunker down with a picnic packed with local Welsh goodies on Rhossili Bay. This handsome beach is located on the Gower Peninsula – the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK – which you can reach via cliffside steps. With three miles (4.8km) of golden sands, go for a pre- or post-picnic stroll to lap up this much-loved spot.
Viktoriapark’s 216-foot (66m) hillside setting in the Kreuzburg district is a slice of wilderness in the city. As you mooch around to find your perfect spot, take in a national memorial, vineyard and beer garden. Its standout is a waterfall tumbling over large rocks ending in a small pond, making for an apt into-the-wild picnic setting.
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Mount Coot-Tha is home to plenty of designated picnic spots where, after feeling suitably well fed, you can also head out on a bushwalk. The Gold Mine Picnic Area makes for a history-fuelled visit where you can relax beneath towering gum trees. From here you can stretch your legs with a walk along the Ghost Hole Track where you’ll come across remnants of the former mine that closed down here in 1959. Otherwise the Summit Lookout (pictured) is a scenic alternative.
There’s no beating Stanley Park. This was Vancouver’s first urban park and is a true greenscape, home to some 500,000 fir, cedar and hemlock trees. As well as lakes, lagoons and beaches there’s also a steam railway and splash park. Suffice to say it’s peppered with picnic spots, mostly complete with tables and benches, but note that some of the more popular spots require advance booking.
If you’re going to picnic in France, you should do it in style. The Gorges du Verdon, near Provence, is home to the biggest canyon in Europe. This gorgeous getaway is home to gushing river streams and swimmable lakes, with whitewater sports also on the agenda. Lake Montmeyan is a particularly lovely place to settle down for a picnic with a sublime beach area near the lower gorges.
There are endless picnic-friendly spots to choose from in the Florida Keys, but Bahia Honda State Park is one of the most reliably gorgeous spots for a hike and an alfresco lunch. While the beachfront picnic benches are nabbed almost instantly, even just sitting on the soft, pale sand makes for a delightful second-best.
With its superlative surroundings demanding you to take your time, the Lake District is arguably the best picnic spot in England. And Elterwater is one of the best places to do so. The forests on the western side lead down to Skelwith Force (get your cameras at the ready) and as you tuck into your picnic keep an eye out for any passing wildlife like hawks or falcons. Afterwards, you can go for a dip in the southern lakes, and you’re also not too far from Langdale Pikes.