Hyderabad Tourism and Travel Guide

Winter, which lasts from November to February, is the best time to explore Hyderabad tourism. The city does not face the chilly wrath of winter. Instead, Hyderabad weather is at its most pleasant, ranging between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius. It makes the sightseeing of attractions on offer by Hyderabad tourism and being out and about on the streets of the city a delightful experience. On the other hand, if you plan your visit in the summer, the scorching heat is going to make getting out during the afternoon difficult. Summer spans from March to June and the temperature ranges between 25 and 40 degrees Celsius. Nights are more tolerable than the afternoons. Travellers visiting during the summer tend to spend a lot of their time in the more modern region of Cyberabad within its chic and air-conditioned restaurants, cafes, malls and movie theatres. The semi-arid state of Telangana is brought to ease by the monsoon between July and August. The temperature decreases slightly and is in the range of 22 to 35 degrees Celsius, but the humidity is still high. Although the rain can make your experience of Hyderabad tourism unpredictable, the weather overall is agreeable for you to enjoy the city. Keep in mind to follow the forecast and be prepared in case you have to endure the rain while you are outdoors.

Come to Hyderabad and be introduced to the regal charm of ancient Islamic dynasties that continues to influence Hyderabad tourism. The captivating vibe of the Old City is contested by the equally magnetic HITEC City. Hyderabad tourism allows you to step into the past through the vestiges left behind by early rulers as well as enjoy a relaxing time at its chic restaurants and pubs. Hyderabad tourism packs in a multitude of experiences with a unique touch that you will not be able to find elsewhere. Listed below in this Hyderabad travel guide are some of the top places to visit in Hyderabad. 

Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort is undoubtedly the cornerstone of Hyderabad tourism. The marvellous fort has been around since the 12th century and is one of the greatest feats of architecture in the country. Several dynasties such as the Kakatiyas, the Bahamanis, the Qutub Shahis and the Mughals have fought for their rule over this fort, after which it was ultimately left abandoned. It has braved the ravages of time and socio-political tension, and the fort continues to stand tall as a reminder of the region’s past. Besides having a rich political history and magnificent architecture, the fort is also renowned for the many legends associated with it. From being named after a common shepherd to being the place the Kohinoor diamond was stored – Golconda Fort and its stories make Hyderabad tourism a mystical experience. The complex of the fort consists of palaces, mosques and pavilions that are still imbued with a regal charm. The primitive style of architecture and the stunning view of the city from the monument will certainly keep you transfixed, hence you should take a couple of hours to explore the site. A light and sound show is organised every evening, except on Mondays, that showcases the history of the region. If you are opting for Hyderabad tourism for the first time, make sure that you do not miss this!

Chowmahalla Palace

Built in the 19th century, Chowmahalla Palace has been a significant site in Hyderabad’s history. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi kingdom and the residence of the Nizams. The palace has not left the family; the heir of the Nizams, Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, is still its proud owner. Tourists flock to this famous spot of Hyderabad tourism not only for its historical value but also its splendid architecture. Its design is influenced by Persian, Rajasthani, Indo-Saracenic and European styles. As its name connotes, the monument has four grand palaces, two impressive courtyards, a majestic hall, a verdant garden and lovely fountains. The complex all in all is a beautiful sight to behold and has been honoured by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award in 2010. Chowmahalla Palace also invites guests to the various events it hosts. For example, the annual Chowmahalla Music and Dance Festival is a vibrant, celebrated event which includes several traditional music and dance performances. 

Charminar

A monument that has become synonymous with Hyderabad tourism, Charminar has been an eminent landmark in the city since its construction in 1591. It was built in the heart of the city by the Qutub Shah dynasty to mark the establishment of Hyderabad. All Hyderabad travel guides suggest a visit here because even today it is considered to represent the glory of the city. Its significance has landed it on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites too. Travellers are urged to add this place to their Hyderabad tourism itinerary not only to gaze at the iconic edifice but also to experience the bustling life around it. The markets spread out near Charminar, known as Laad Bazaar and Chudi Bazaar, are vibrant and chaotic, but they only add to the appeal of this place in Hyderabad tourism. Street photographers have a blast here since there is not a dull moment in these lanes. You can shop for small trinkets and souvenirs at the markets at extremely cheap rates. There are throngs of street food vendors waiting for you to try the local delicious food as well. Nimrah Cafe is a popular place in the area that serves Irani chai with Osmania biscuits that are a speciality of Hyderabad tourism. After you have seen all there is to see around Charminar, you can head to the nearby tourist attractions of Hyderabad tourism such as Mecca Masjid and Chowmahalla Palace.

HITEC City

HITEC City, also known as Cyberabad, is a technology township, covering the areas of Madhapur, Gachibowli, Kondapur, Manikonda, Thellapur, Nanakramguda and Sharthpur. It is full of high-rise buildings that serve as a workplace for the growing number of multinational corporations. HITEC City is evidence of the fact that Hyderabad is in competition with other IT hubs such as Pune and Bangalore. Hyderabad tourism benefits from HITEC City too, as large malls with branded shops, electrifying clubs and bars, and chic restaurants are spread around the area. Ensure that you have the time of your life on a night out. Some of the other places to visit in the vicinity are Shilparamam, a village that displays and sells handicraft items created by artisans from all over India. You can also visit the sculpture park and the museum inside. Another place you can head to is the Shilpakala Vedika convention, a venue known for hosting music and comedy.

Ramoji Film City

Holding the Guinness World Record for being the largest film studio complex in the world, this is one of the best places to visit in Telangana tourism for lovers of Bollywood cinema. Situated on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the complex covers about 2,500 acres and has the capacity to simultaneously host 20 film sets. The sets include different kinds of locations from around the world, such as a street in London, the Hollywood Sign, a Japanese garden as well as locales such as airports, hospitals, scenic landscapes and laboratories. Sets of well-known attractions in the country such as Amer Fort and other royal courts are also present here. Besides going on a tour of the film city, you can participate in activities such as going on a toy train ride and some adventure sports. You would have to keep a whole day aside for the activities you can indulge in at Ramoji Film City, a highlight of Telangana tourism.

It is fair to expect a city as multifaceted as Hyderabad to have a plethora of things to do. Living up to such expectations, Hyderabad tourism offers a variety of activities that keep tourists busy throughout their trip. Whether you are a history buff, nature lover or a party freak – the different activities available appeals to all kinds of travellers. So no matter what interests you, be assured that your memories of Hyderabad tourism will be nothing short of incredible. You do not need to look further than this Hyderabad travel guide; listed below are some of the best things to do in Hyderabad that you should consider adding to your Hyderabad tourism itinerary.  

Join a heritage walking tour

Hyderabad tourism is making the most of its historical sites by regularly organising walks to acquaint tourists as well as locals with the rich heritage of the city. Hyderabad has a deep history that goes back over five centuries, and its evidence lies in the form of edifices that still stand tall. You can observe the shift of the rulers, namely the Qutab Shahi, the Mughals, the Asaf Jahi Nizams and the British, through the tangible relics that each ruler left behind. A professional guide appointed by Telangana tourism takes you along to visit the various palaces, buildings, monuments, tombs, minarets and fortresses sprawling across the city. The heritage walk takes place every Sunday and the second Saturday of every month. The walk begins at 7.30 am from Charminar and ends at Chowmahalla Palace around 9.00 am. The ticket costs Rs 50. The fee includes the cost of breakfast during the tour. You should carry your own cameras if you wish to take photographs. Keep in mind to be respectful of the locals’ traditions and privacy while you engage with them or occupy their spaces during the tour. If for some reason you cannot join this organised heritage walk, you can go on a heritage walk through other tour agencies or on your own as well.

Enjoy the nightlife

Apart from the culturally and historically rich spots, Hyderabad tourism is impressive for a night out in the town as well. The nightlife of the city is spirited with every pub, club, bar and lounge adding to its electrifying energy. With a pleasing ambience, music that you cannot help yourself from dancing to and delicious food and drinks, your night out is bound to de-stress you and leave you with lasting memories. Some of the top places offered by Hyderabad tourism to make the best of the nightlife are 10 Downing Street, Zero40Brewing, Bottles And Chimney, Amnesia Lounge Bar, Altitude, Sky Lounge, Coco’s Bar and Grill, Zouk, Liquids Pub and TOT. This list barely scratches the surface of what Hyderabad’s nightlife has in store for you. Convince your friends to accompany you on a Hyderabad tourism trip now and enjoy bar hopping! 

Visit the city’s temples

Although the city has been mostly under Islamic rule in the past, there are many temples in the city that contribute to Hyderabad tourism’s popularity. The divinity and the cultural values displayed at the temples here leave you with a unique perspective on the faith and rituals of the Telugu people. Hence, even if you are not religious but want to immerse yourself deeper into the culture of the locals, start by visiting the temples of Hyderabad tourism to get a peek into their beliefs and lifestyle. Some of the holiest temples part of Hyderabad tourism that you can explore are Jagannath Temple, Birla Temple, Pedamma Temple, Shree Adinatha Jain Temple,  Ratnalayam Temple, Shyam Temple, Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Karmanghat Hanuman Temple, Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple and Keesaragutta Temple. 

Relax beside the lakes

Although Hyderabad is now popularly referred to as the City of Nawabs, it was once also known as the City of Lakes. It used to have a large number of both natural as well as man-made lakes and reservoirs. Due to several socio-ecological reasons, many of the lakes have dried up or shrunk. The ones remaining in and around the city now make for great picnic spots under Hyderabad tourism. Take a break from the bustling streets of the city and delight in the pleasing ambience at a lakeside. You will find several other tourists and travellers doing the same. Hyderabad tourism boasts about the following lakes to be its best: Hussain Sagar Lake, Osman Sagar Lake, Shamirpet Lake, Himayat Sagar, Durgam Cheruvu Lake, Saroor Sagar Lake, Dammaiguda Lake, Ameenpur Lake, Nagole Lake and Alwal Lake. Keep in mind that due to several socio-ecological reasons, the number of lakes present in the city today has decreased from thousands to about a hundred lakes (many of which need massive restoration). Hence, do your best to enjoy the lakes offered by Hyderabad tourism without being detrimental to them.

Go on an adventure

Have you had enough of life in the city and are looking for more from Hyderabad tourism? Don’t worry, you can head to the outskirts and be surrounded in nature with loads of adventure activities. In the neighbouring areas of Hyderabad, there are some hills, waterfalls and historical sites situated in impressive locations that will bring out the intrepid side of you. A few of the offbeat places on offer by Hyderabad tourism are Ananthagiri Hills, Ahobhilam, Medak Fort, Bhongir Fort, Gayathri Waterfalls, Kuntala Waterfalls, Koulas Fort, Khilla Ghanpur Fort and Koilkonda Fort. You can plan an impromptu trip here or tag along with one of the many travel groups that keep organising one-day or weekend trips to such locations. A well-known organisation is the Great Hyderabad Adventure Club.

Hyderabad tourism has no dearth of accommodation options owing to its metropolitan status. Thousands of travellers choose Hyderabad tourism every year, hence a number of hotels have come up in the city. This has made visitors’ life much easier because if you choose Hyderabad tourism now, you do not have to stress over finding an accommodation that fits your budget. Whether you are on a budget trip or looking for fancy resorts in Hyderabad, you will easily find the right place for you. We have added a few recommendations to this Hyderabad travel guide. Listed below are some of the best hotels in Hyderabad. 

Luxury hotels under Hyderabad tourism 

• The Taj Falaknuma Palace Hotel, Hyderabad  
• The Taj Krishna, Hyderabad 
• The Golkonda Hyderabad, Hyderabad 
• The Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad
• The Marigold by Green Park, Hyderabad 

Mid-range hotels under Hyderabad tourism

• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad
• Hampshire Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad 
• Fortune Park Vallabha, Hyderabad 
• Aditya Park-A Sarovar Portico Hotel, Hyderabad
• The Lemon Tree Premier, HITEC City

Budget hotels and hostels under Hyderabad tourism

• FabHotel Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
• OYO Premium Himayathnagar, Hyderabad 
• OYO Rooms Q City Gachibowli, Hyderabad
• The Central Court Hotel, Hyderabad

Some of the best hostels that are part of Hyderabad tourism are:

• Beehive Commune Hyderabad
• Slackpackr Hyderabad
• Shepherd Stories, Hyderabad
• Nomad’s Nest, Hyderabad

Although Hyderabad is just a city, its cuisine is distinct and stands out among the food made in neighbouring cities and states. Telugu cuisine is a delight for those looking forward to enjoying an explosion of flavours and feasting on it is one of the best things you can do on your Hyderabad tourism trip. The dishes are loaded with spices, making extensive use of ingredients such as tamarind, spring onions, green chillies and sesame. Hyderabadi food is different as it carries a regal element to it. The food that was prepared in the royal kitchens under several generations of Nizams is now popular in Hyderabad tourism and nationwide. The cuisine’s fusion of Mughal and Telugu influences is impeccable and unique. Dishes such as biryani, salan, haleem, dalcha, murg ka kurma and baghare baingan are some of the delicacies you should not miss to fully enjoy the culinary experience of Hyderabad tourism. If you have a sweet tooth, relish the desserts such as bhakshalu, qubani ka meetha, parda pheni and ariselu. 

From modest eateries to lavish restaurants, you can dine at any place of your choice while exploring Hyderabad tourism. Several restaurants have adopted different kinds of cuisines to appease the range of travellers who choose Hyderabad tourism. Our recommendations for some of the best places to try the cuisine we were raving about earlier in this Hyderabad travel guide are listed below.

• Hotel Shadab
• Paradise Food Court
• Sahib’s Barbeque by Ohri’s
• Jewel of Nizam - The Minar - The Golkonda Resort
• Bawarchi

Within cities, auto rickshaws are easily available. They do not have metres so it is recommended to settle on the fare before the ride begins. State buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation also connect different locations within the city and the state as well as destinations in neighbouring states. You can also take a taxi for commuting, however, that would be more expensive. There are a number of private agencies that can help arrange a taxi for you. You can make your way through Hyderabad tourism via app-based cabs such as Ola and Uber as well. Hyderabad enjoys easy connectivity. Besides the options mentioned above, you can take the Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System, a system of railways in the suburbs. The Hyderabad Metro has the longest network in India after Delhi. Taking the train or Metro cuts down on your commute time between places to visit in Hyderabad tourism significantly as you skip the traffic. Hence, making your way through Hyderabad tourism does not require extensive research and planning via Hyderabad travel guides. It can be managed as you go. It is best to consult the staff at the hotel you are putting up at if you have any urgent queries.

Considering that Hyderabad is a metropolitan city, you may have to shell out more money to enjoy the best of what it has to offer. However, the success of Hyderabad tourism has led to a number of cheaper accommodations and experiences to crop up which make a budget trip feasible. The amount of money you spend on your Hyderabad tourism trip depends on the kind of accommodation and leisure activities you include in your Hyderabad tourism itinerary. 

Budget travellers can expect to spend about Rs 2500 to Rs 4000 per day. This includes budget hotels available for Hyderabad tourism, food and low-cost experiences. Mid-range trips can cost you between Rs 4000 and Rs 10,000 per day. Keep in mind to book your accommodation and flight tickets in advance to not go over your budget. While reading Hyderabad travel guides for your pre-trip research, make a list of the budgetary experiences you want to indulge in when you   are navigating Hyderabad tourism. If you choose luxury accommodations and high-budget experiences of Hyderabad tourism, your cost can go well beyond Rs.10,000 per day.

Written by Shruti Mishra, an in-house writer at Tripoto. She feels most at home on the road and finding intriguing stories in the mundane is her forte.