Hyderabad Travel Guide

Facts

Name: Hyderabad
Area: 922 sq. km. (356 sq. mi.)
Population: 9,310,000
Language: Urdu, Telugu, Hindi, English
State: Telangana
Currency: Rupee
Time Zone: UTC+5:30 (IST)
Religions and Beliefs: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism

Along the banks of the Musi River, Hyderabad, the sixth-largest city in India, is located on the Deccan Plateau in northern South India. Dubbed as the “Pearl City”, it’s famous for the beautiful natural scenery, temples, mosques, minarets, shopping malls and bridges. As an ancient city with a history of more than 400 years, Hyderabad is rich in tourism resources, including Charminar Mosque, the symbol of Hyderabad, Salar Jung Museum, the largest collection museum of private and prehistoric antiques in the world, Hussain Sagar Lake and Golconda Fort. Besides, pearls, bracelets, silk, computer software, handicrafts and mouth-watering delicacies add endless charm to this new high-tech city. The rich cultural heritage of arts, crafts and dance will make your Hyderabad travel more wonderful and complete.

Best Places to Visit

1. Charminar
2. Golconda Fort
3. Ramoji Film City
4. Salar Jung Museum
5. Chowmahalla Palace
6. Hussain Sagar Lake
7. Birla Mandir
8. NTR Gardens
9. Nehru Zoological Park
10. Chilkur Balaji Temple

With the literal meaning of “Four Towers”, Charminar Mosque was built to thank divine powers for eradicating the plague from the city. Golconda Fort is a massive fortress and the ruins of its bygone splendor stand proudly even today. In the evening, Golconda Fort comes to life with lighting and sound performance. The world’s largest Film Studio Complex, Ramoji Film City is not only a place for shooting serials and movies but an ideal destination for picnics, theme parties, honeymoon travels and adventure camps. Tourists can experience some sports activities, like mountain biking and archery. More Hyderabad travel highlights include Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar Lake…

Best Time to Visit Hyderabad: November to February

Winters from November to February in Hyderabad are the best time for indulging in outdoor activities when the average temperature fluctuates between 14°C to 29°C (57-84℉). However, this season gets quite chilly after sunsets, so you need to wear some warm clothes like a woolen sweater and a heavy jacket. March to May are the hottest months of the year and the temperature can soar up to 45°C (113℉), which should be avoided! Between August and October, Hyderabad receives moderate to heavy rainfalls, which makes the surroundings greener and fresher. But the humidity level rises greatly, thus it’s not an ideal time.  Read more on Hyderabad Weather. 

Ranking List of Hyderabad Food

1. Hyderabadi Biriyani
2. Pesarattu
3. Haleem

Hyderabadi Biriyani is the highlight of Hyderabad’s cuisine, with colorful decorations and elaborate methods. It’s essentially a one-pot meal of rice, marinated meat and aromatic spices made using a slow-cooking method till the meat is tender and the rice has fluffed up. As a breakfast dish, Pesarattu is thin and crispy crepes made from ground green gram and chilies. They are served with upma and ginger chutney. Haleem, this tasty stew is another popular delicacy, which consists of lentils, meat and mashed wheat, made into a thick paste and topped with peppermint or nuts. Try more food like Phirni, a dessert and Boti Kebab…

Best Restaurants in Hyderabad

1. Dum Pukht Begum's: Survey No 83/1 ITC Kohenur, Plot No 5, Knowledge City, Hyderabad
Luxury decoration and dining environment make it a high-end restaurant, and the per capita consumption is about ₹2,000. You can enjoy Khwaan-E-Shirini, Warqi Parantha…

2. Golconda Pavilion: Plot No 5, Survey No 83/1, Knowledge City, Madhapur HITEC City, Hyderabad
With an affable ambience, Golconda Pavilion provides Indian and international food, including elaborate buffets and a wide choice of a-la-carte.

3. Jewel of Nizam - The Minar: The Golkonda Resorts & Spa, Sagarmahal Complex, Hyderabad
This vegetarian-friendly restaurant offers a panoramic view of the Osman Sagar Lake. Guests can enjoy its opulent interiors and experience Indian and Asian cuisines.

Where to Stay in Hyderabad - 52% People Choose Hotels near Hussain Sagar Lake

1. Hussain Sagar Lake: 52%
2. HiTech City: 44%
3. Shamshabad: 4%

In the city center of Hyderabad, tourists can find luxury hotels, homestays or chain hotels near Hussain Sagar Lake. Staying in this area is quite convenient to stroll around the lake and pay visits to world’s tallest monolithic statue Buddha and Lumbini Park. Hi-Tech City is another popular neighborhood filled with grand shopping malls, vibrant clubs, fashionable restaurants and skyscrapers of multinational corporations. Business hotels are easily found here, such as Red Fox Hotel. Housing Hyderabad International Airport makes Shamshabad the first choice for tourists to get off the plane at night, where the Novotel Hyderabad Airport Hotel is recommended.

Transportation in Hyderabad

Hyderabad Airport, aka Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) is the major airport located 24km (15 miles) south of the city center, which is directly accessible from some international cities like London, Dubai, Kuwait, Hong Kong; and India’s cities such as Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai and Bengaluru for 1h55min, 2h20min, 1h45min, 1h25min and 1h15min. Three main railway stations in Hyderabad are Hyderabad Deccan (HYB), Secunderabad Junction (SC) and Kacheguda Railway Station (KCG), respectively 4km (2.5 mi), 4.5km (2.8 mi) and 4.8km (3 mi) from Hussain Sagar Lake. These railheads connect major Indian tourist cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune.

For internal Hyderabad travel, it’s easy by various local transports like bus, car/taxi, auto-rickshaw and train. The typical cost for a day of sightseeing in a chauffeur-driven car ranges from ₹600 to ₹1,000. Minimum fares of auto-rickshaw are from ₹16-20 within 1.6km (1 mi). The city’s local train system, aka Multi-Modal Transport System, is also a convenient way. The first-class seat tickets from Hyderabad station cost ₹100 to HiTech City and ₹50 to Secunderabad station.

Top Shopping Markets

1. Laad Bazaar: Char Kaman, Hyderabad
The historic market right by the Charminar is famous for delicate bangles and imitation jewelry, which are made from a variety of materials ranging from glass to plastic.

2. Moazzam Jahi Market: Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Abids, Hyderabad
Initially meant to be a fruit market, the market now sells a whole range of items, like vegetables, flowers, groceries and textiles. You can also taste several delicious dessert in Karachi Bakery.

3. Next Galleria Mall: Punjagutta Road, Nagarjuna Hills, Hyderabad
Directly connected to the metro, this mall has a good collection of stores, restaurants, fast food outlets, and cinemas with full AC and good sitting arrangements.