Empress Garden
A large old botanical garden near the Race Course, with rare trees, a lake and the city's famous flower shows.
Quick facts
- Location:
- Near Race Course, Camp side
- Known for:
- Old trees and flower shows
- Run by:
- Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India
- Timings:
- Check before visiting
History
Empress Garden was laid out in British times and named after Queen Victoria, the Empress of India. It is run by the Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, one of the oldest such societies in the country.
What you can see today
- Very old and rare trees, some of them more than a hundred years old.
- Shady lawns, a small lake and plant nurseries where you can buy plants.
- Flower and fruit shows held in the winter months.
How to reach
Empress Garden is near the Race Course, between Camp and Wanowrie. Autos and cabs are the easiest way.
Tips for visitors
- Good for a quiet morning walk or a picnic with children.
- Watch the newspapers or PuneDiary events for the dates of the flower show.
More in Gardens and Parks
- Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Garden A big, much-loved garden on Jangli Maharaj Road with Pune's old fish aquarium, a toy fort, fountains and the famous Diwali fort and flower shows.
- Saras Baug A Peshwa-era garden at the foot of Parvati, built around a lake in 1750, with the much-loved Talyatla Ganpati temple at its heart. Free entry.
- Mughal Garden A four-acre garden on Sinhagad Road laid out in the formal Mughal style, with terraces, water channels and fountains that light up in the evening.
- Bund Garden A riverside garden next to the old Fitzgerald Bridge, now called Mahatma Gandhi Udyan. A long-time favourite for evening walks.
- Seven Wonders Park (Late Yashwantrao Chavan Garden) A small theme park near Parvati with models of famous world wonders, from the Taj Mahal to the Pyramids, plus 3D and 4D shows.
- Late Jayantrao Tilak Rose Garden A rose garden in Sahakar Nagar with about 500 varieties of roses, planted in neat rows.
Questions and answers
Who runs Empress Garden?
The Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India.
Why is it called Empress Garden?
It was named after Queen Victoria, the Empress of India, in British times.
Sources: Written by PuneDiary. Facts checked 10 October 2026.