Hyderabad Travel Essentials

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"The City of Nizams"

Hyderabad Tourism

A city of contrasts, Hyderabad exudes an old-world charm of its own with the Old City (Charminar side), Hitech City (Cyberabad) and the other areas lying between the old and the new. The capital and the largest city of Telanaga, Hyderabad is home to stately mosques and noisy bazaars lined parallelly alongside swanky new office buildings and malls, and it is these very contrasts – these glimpses into the city’s rich past with inherent promises of an even better future –that make Hyderabad a city worth visiting. Maybe even more than once.

The city of pearls and biryani, Hyderabad is home to one of the most iconic landmarks - the Charminar. Translating to 'four minarets', the grand edifice is built entirely out of limestone and granite, with four minarets on four sides, each of them facing a different street. The Charminar stands in a labyrinth of lanes crammed with shops, markets, stalls and shoppers - one of the best places to shop for the authentic pearls and relish the tasty biryanis, skewer kebabs and haleem (the smorgasbord of food that Hyderabad is known for).  

The other side of Hyderabad - HiTech City or Cyberabad - is a stark contrast to the Old City. The area teems with grand malls, pulsating clubs, sleek restaurants and hi-rise buildings of the every-growing multinationals. Between the old and new lie the popular city areas of Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills flanked on the northeast by Secunderabad. Hyderabad and Secunderabad together are still referred to as the "twin cities", though they are practically one now. 

Hyderabad pulsates with a spectacular mix of people and traditions. Make a journey through this mind-stirring metropolis and be ready to be amazed, frustrated, confounded and thrilled, all at once!

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Culture of Hyderabad

he influence of this vast royal past shines even today in Hyderabad's culture, food and iconic architectural structures such as Charminar and Golkonda Fort which stand as testaments to the city's glorious history. The locals of the city are referred to as Hyderabadis, and they have developed a culture that is distinctly a mixture of both Muslim and Hindu traditions.

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History of Hyderabad

Hyderabad, one of the largest princely state established by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 has been enriching its historical values and culture ever since. After a century of Qutb Shahi rule Mughal mushroomed their control over this powerful state. History of the city has had an impact on its traditions, practices, food, clothing and language. During the rule of Asaf Jahi, Nizam of Hyderabad, Deccan region along with Hyderabad reached the summit of progress and development in every sense possible. In the beginning, Nizams ruled as a part of Mughals but later on, they split in order to form an independent kingdom. Nizams exercised their control over potent Hyderabad till Indian independence in 1947. Over the years, Hyderabad has established itself as one of the finest amalgamations of ancient and modern history.

The land of the Nizams has a glorious history laced intrigue. The gorgeous Falaknuma Palace, the Charminar, the Golconda fort are majestic structures from this period of time that certainly merit a visit. The delicious Hyderabadi biriyani came into existence around this time. The Chowmahalla Palace is another stunning heritage structure of this era.

Post-British Era:
The wave of modernization that accompanied the IT boom lent a truly cosmopolitan touch to the city. The splendid Ramoji Film City, the breathtaking Birla Planetarium and Science Museum are attractions that are not to be missed. The stunning Husain Sagar Lake is a fantastic example of a combination of nature's beauty and man's ingenuity.

Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabad is evidently a kernel of the existence of Nizams and their recreational culture. However, it has also been an outset of the mouth-watering and slithering flavours of the Hyderabadi cuisine. This mind-blowing cuisine is famous for its traditional ‘Biryani’. The dish was originally a delicacy of South Asian Muslims. Since rice is a staple food of south India, a number of dishes are popular in their culture especially in the state of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. Biryani was prepared in the Mughal royalty on special occasions to manifest and embrace their cultural identity. However, to be specific ‘Hyderabadi Biryani’ has lasted for centuries and is loved by all. Hyderabadi Biryani is served in almost every restaurant you come by. But if you want to please your tummy then visit Paradise. It is one of the most famous biryani joints situated in Secunderabad. In INR 200-300 one can buy a family pack biryani which is sufficient for three people. Also, there are 40+ varieties of biryani to choose from. The food, the attire, the people, the traditions and practices altogether forms a culture. Hyderabad is no monotonous place but beholds multiple identities to itself; a thousand reasons to flaunt none to hide.

Nightlife in Hyderabad

Hyderabad has an energetic nightlife with plenty of pubs and bars remaining open till the wee hours. The city is capable of delivering you energy so that you can party all night. Like all the major cities in India, Hyderabad offers a hugely diverse collection of clubs and bars. The popular nightspots in Hyderabad are 10 Downing Street, Aqua, MOB, Altitude Lounge Bar, Cuba Libre, The Sky Lounge, Mix - The Westin.and Kismet.
Hyderabad does not have many microbreweries as of now, though the craze is catching up in the city. Some of the breweries are Prost Brew Pub, HyLife Brewing Company, Zero40 Brewing, and Over The Moon.

Shopping in Hyderabad

With jewellery that pleases the eye, handicrafts that woo the artistic you and spices to make your food even more luscious, Hyderabad promises to be a shopping fiesta at for everyone. Shopping in Hyderabad is a wonderful and memorable experience and one that won't leave you disappointed. Most of the famous markets are clustered near the Charminar and each of these markets has a unique charm of its own. Charminar market is famous for its lakh jewellery, black metal showpieces and oxidized jewellery items.
Some of the markets worth visiting are Laad Bazar for the bangles, Moazzam Jahi for the food products, The perfume market, and Sultan Bazar for the accessories. There is also the Begum Bazar which is a wholesale market famous for the gold, silver, dry fruits and household items. If you are looking for some saree shopping, do visit Abids. When in the "City of Pearls" you would have an obvious question - Where to buy pearls in Hyderabad? Some of the most prestigious shops for your jewellery escapade are Mangatrai Pearls and Jewellers, Jagdamba Pearls and Kedarnathji Motiwale. If you are looking for high-end branded shopping there is no dearth of shopping malls in the city. Also, when in Hyderabad, do not forget to buy some famous Karachi Bakery biscuits. The Karachi Bakery has plenty of outlets in the city, almost in every area, including the airport. Furthermore, places like Sindhi colony in Secunderabad and Ameerpet wholesale market are the best to purchase the latest trends in clothing at much cheaper rates. 

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Restaurants and Local Food in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is known for the grandeur, richness and flavours of the Mughal and Nawabi cuisines fund here. The city also fosters traditional and staple South-Indian preparations. The Hyderabadi Biryani is the highlight and the centre of the cuisine here with rich, colourful garnishing and an elaborate method of preparation. The cuisine of the city, though houses much more, is almost synonymous to this dish.
Other than these the other local specialities include Pathar ka Ghosht, Nahari, Haleem, Double ka Meetha, Kheer, Mirchi ka Salan, Falooda, Irani Chai and more. Equally sparkling is the street food culture here with the lip-smacking Kachori, Samosa, Aloo Mirchi, Dahi Puri, Pani Puri and Sev Puri.

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Suggested Itinerary for Hyderabad

Day 1: Arrive by morning/midday. Have the fabulously flavourful Hyderabadi biryani for lunch. Walk around the charming bylanes and streets of the older parts of the city. Visit the Charminar and the adjoining market. Don't forget to sample some of Hyderabad's lip-smacking chaat items!
Day 2: Have a good breakfast and check out the Birla Science Museum and Planetarium. Sample some of Hyderabad's famous delicacies like paaya and kheema for lunch. Visit the Husain Sagar lake. Don't miss out on sampling the scrumptious Irani chai in the evening. End the day with a trip to the Chowmahalla Palace.
Day 3: Visit the Falaknuma Palace after having a hearty breakfast. Make a trip to the Ramoji Film City. In the evening take some time to have the amazing sheekh and galouti kebabs on the streets of Hyderabad. Do take out some time to visit the NTR Gardens and Lotus Pond.

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Hyderabad Photos

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Ramoji Film city, spread over 2000 acres, it is the largest integrated film city in Telangana

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Things to do in Hyderabad by Neighbourhood

FAQs on Hyderabad

What is the local food in Hyderabad?

Hyderabad is known for the grandeur, richness and flavours of the Mughal and Nawabi cuisines fund here. The city also fosters traditional and staple South-Indian preparations. The Hyderabadi Biryani is the highlight and the centre of the cuisine here with rich, colourful garnishing and an elaborate method of preparation. The cuisine of the city, though houses much more, is almost synonymous to this dish.
Other than these the other local specialities include Pathar ka Ghosht, Nahari, Haleem, Double ka Meetha, Kheer, Mirchi ka Salan, Falooda, Irani Chai and more. Equally sparkling is the street food culture here with the lip-smacking Kachori, Samosa, Aloo Mirchi, Dahi Puri, Pani Puri and Sev Puri.

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What are the places near Hyderabad?

The top places near to Hyderabad are Secunderabad which is 6 km from Hyderabad, Nagore which is located 7 km from Hyderabad, Warangal which is located 135 km from Hyderabad, Srisailam which is located 151 km from Hyderabad, Nagarjunakonda which is located 125 km from Hyderabad

What are the things to do in Hyderabad?

The top things to do in Hyderabad are Charminar, Golconda Fort, Ramoji Film city, Hussain Sagar Lake, Birla Mandir, Jala Vihar. You can see all the places to visit in Hyderabad here

What are the top hotels in Hyderabad?

There are 507 in Hyderabad which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Hyderabad are OYO 11966 Grand Euro Park Hotel, Spacious 1BR Home in Hyderabad, Luxury Three Bed Room Apartment 8 Vazeer Residency, Premium 1BR Stay Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Ababeel Guest House, OYO 63021 Hotel Hill 9. You can see all the hotels in Hyderabad here

What is the best way to reach Hyderabad?

Hyderabad is well connected to the rest of India via all mediums. It has its own airport with frequent flights coming from all major cities. Its railway station is a junction and trains are connected to all the parts of the country. Road is also excellent and one can take bus or taxis from nearby places and also from places like Bangalore, Mysore, Pune and Mumbai.
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What is the best time to visit Hyderabad?

While planning a trip to Hyderabad, make sure to keep the weather conditions in mind. Late summers in Hyderabad begin from May and last until July. Try to avoid these months since Hyderabad is scorching and humid in Summer. The months between August and October bring in moderate to heavy rainfall, and even though the weather is quite pleasant, you may be on the receiving side of some heavy downpour, thus bringing an end to the outdoor activities. Winters in Hyderabad, which start from November and last till February, are the best time to plan your trip to this place. Characterised by a cold climate, it is ideal for sightseeing and city shopping. Hence, Hyderabad is best visited from October to March.
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Who should visit Hyderabad?

Hyderabad is a place for foodies and the people who love historical architectural sights. In a budget of a pocket, one can make the most out of this dazzling 'City of Nizams'. Hyderabad is undoubtedly a photographer's paradise. Perfect for school excursions and backpackers.

What is not so good about Hyderabad?

Not so developed public transport compared to other metropolitan cities. 

What is famous about Hyderabad?

The city is a beautiful amalgamation of tradition and modernity. The food is fantastic and affordable. The locals are conversant in Hindi, Telugu and English.

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Popular Questions And Answers on Hyderabad

Q. Tell me something about the Hyderabadi Biryani. Is it highly overrated?

Yogesh Joshi

5 years ago
I m Hyderabadi and I just can't live without it ,I have it at least twice a week mostly at santosh dhaba located at begum bazar and paradise hotel :)
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Hyderabad Reviews

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acommon man

4 years ago
The worst city I ever visited horrible people.compares to hyd, Bangalore& Chennai is lovely citys fake development everywhere African city's is better than Hyd worst food copy cat people everywhere.. (Read More).

Unknown Gamer Prasanth

3 years ago
Hyderabad is one of the best cities in India. It is the 2nd most populous city in South India after Bangalore. It has many amazing places to visit. It is the center of Telangana. Top 10 best cities t (Read More)o live, work and tourism in South India are 1. Hyderabad, 2. Bangalore, 3. Kochi, 4. Vizag, 5. Chennai, 6. Trivandrum, 7. Vijayawada and 8. Madurai.

Raju B

3 years ago
We have visited Hyderabad from last month and I'm saying devotional side we have visited the Kanakadurga temple OU colony-RL Nagar, Rampally (Nagaram Municipality) - Secunderabad 501301. Very nice p (Read More)lace for peaceful and near goshala & big lake is there. Visit the temple and get blessing of maa
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