Hyderabad is one of the dynamic cities of the country that is home to several international convention centers and modern business parks. Standing tall as one of the major technological hubs of the country, the city is a perfect amalgamation of rich history and futuristic development. It is among the top travel destinations of the country, which has a lot to offer to tourists. Called the “Hi-Tech City of India,” Hyderabad has state-of-the-art infrastructure and is home to several international companies. The city is home to Telugu Cinema, i.e., Tollywood, which adds a glamorous touch to the city. People from all religions live here, such as Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains. It is also called the ‘City of Pearls’ and is quite popular for its pearls around the world. Chandanpet is an area outside Hyderabad that is famous for its pearl drilling business.
Best Places to Visit in Hyderabad
Some of the best places to visit in Hyderabad are:
Ramoji Film City
Set up in the year 1991 by Ramoji Group, Ramoji Film City is a must-visit for all cinema lovers. It spreads across 2500 acres and has a record of being the largest film studio complex in the world. It has numerous shooting locations where film directors shoot their films. Some of these locations include the airport, London Street, the hospital, Hollywood signage, etc. Ramoji Film City is one of the most visited places in Hyderabad. Don’t miss this place if you are on a Hyderabad tour. People from different parts of the country visit it and enjoy their time here. However, they can also indulge in several activities such as studio tours, toy train rides, and adventure sports. Apart from that, you can also visit beautiful fountains and gardens such as the Japanese Garden, the Sanctuary Garden, etc.
Hussain Sagar Lake
This is one of the largest artificial lakes in Asia and is a popular tourist attraction. Started by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in the year 1563, the lake is popular for its Lord Buddha monolith. Also called Tank Bund, Hussain Sagar Lake connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The lake is bordered by Sanjeeviah Park, Lumbini Park, and Indira Park on three sides. It is a peaceful retreat from the bustling life of the city. The lake glitters as the lights fall on the shore. Due to the glittering lake, the road is known as the ‘Necklace Road’. The United Nations World Tourism Organization declared the lake as the ‘Heart of the World.
KBR National Park
Situated in the Jubilee Hills area, KBR National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. The park has a variety of flora and fauna and is known for its scenic spots. It got the status of a national park in the year 1998. The park is visited by a large number of tourists who come here from different corners of the country. When you visit the park, you can opt for guided tours, which will let you explore the park in a much better way. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can enjoy your tour of KBR National Park. The park has approximately 600 species of flowers and 100 species of reptiles and birds.
Chowmahalla Palace
The Chowmahalla Palace is perfectly reminiscent of the opulence of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Construction of this place was started in the year 1769 by Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah. The Chowmahalla Palace complex is divided into 4 sections. This building was used as the official residence of the Nizams. This palace received the Asia-Pacific Merit Award from UNESCO for cultural heritage conservation. The palace features lush gardens, large courtyards, and other famous architectural elements. You can also explore the clock tower, the Council Hall, and Roshan Bangla, which offers a great collection of royal costumes, historic documents, vintage cars, etc.
Thrill City
Situated on Necklace Road, Thrill City is an amusement park where you can enjoy a cricket simulator, bowling alley, bumper cars, flying simulator, splash coaster, swimming pool, and so on. One of the features of this place is the single-platform motion theater. You can also see The Monster Theatre, where you can enjoy virtual reality at its best. The theater uses special effects to provide you with a realistic experience while watching a movie. The food court at Thrill City offers delectable food to the visitors. If you are visiting this place with your family, you can take memorable photos here. There are many photo spots where you can capture the best photos with your family members.
GravityZip
Situated at Gandipet, GravityZip is a short distance from Mehdipatanam Bus Stop. Here you can experience indoor skydiving, which fills you with extreme enjoyment. Indoor skydiving at GravyZip is a highly enjoyable activity. Thus, whether you are a beginner or a professional, you will enjoy a great time here. You will enjoy a simulated free-fall at this place.
Golconda Fort
Located in the western part of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is one of the most famous places in the city. The fort was constructed in 1143 on a granite hill. It remained the center of power for many dynasties. The fort is known for its great architecture. The walls, bastions, and gates of this edifice are made with the help of granite blocks. One of the striking features of the fort is the clapping feature, which lets you hear the sound of clapping at the top of the fort. You can also visit the gates and palaces in the fort. The main gate of the fort, i.e., Victory Gate, or Gate, or Fateh Darwaja, is a 13-meter-tall gate with intricate designs and carvings. You will find other gates here, such as Makai Darwaja, Balahisar Gate, etc.
The central area of the fort has many palaces, such as the Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shahi tomb, the Taramati mosque, etc. While the Taramati Mosque has a splendid structure constructed in the 17th century, the Ibrahim Quli Qutb is a famous tomb situated in the fort. One of the most remarkable features of the Golconda Fort is the light and sound show, which is organized in the evening. The audiovisual effects in the show tell you about the history of the fort as well as the rulers who have reigned here. Thus, this show is highly informative not only for the history buffs but also for the tourists.
Best Time to Visit Hyderabad
Winter (November to February)
Winter is the best time of the year to visit Hyderabad. The climate is cool, and the air is fresh during these months. It is quite cold in the early morning and at night. This is the ideal time to visit the city, as the tourists can easily explore Hyderabad without being afraid of the scorching heat.
Summer (March to June)
The summer season in Hyderabad starts in the month of March. May is the hottest month here. While the days are hot in summer, the nights are pleasant. The rising heat makes it impossible to visit worthwhile places in the city. Thus, it is not the best time to visit the city. However, you can avail yourself of discounts in hotels due to the lower number of visitors.
Monsoon Season
Monsoon is the time when it rains heavily in Hyderabad. The rains offer respite from the heat. The temperature is not too hot and cold. Still, it is not the best time to visit the city due to high humidity levels. However, if you like to travel in the rain, you can opt for the monsoon season to go to Hyderabad.
Shopping in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is full of traditional markets as well as modern malls. Right from the vibrant bazaars to the malls, the city has no dearth of shopping zones for shopaholics. Some of the best shopping places to visit in Hyderabad are:
Laad Bazaar
Situated near Charminar, Laad Bazaar is quite popular for its bangles. You will find several traditional jewelry pieces, sarees, and bridal wear. The beautiful design of the bangles is the reason why the market is full of visitors. The sarees and bridal wear available here are perfect for special occasions. Some of the famous markets in Hyderabad are Begum Bazaar, Laad Bazaar, etc.
Charminar Bazaar
It is another bazaar that is much visited by tourists. You can find beautiful pearls, perfumes, and attire here. When you visit the market, you will be amazed by its lively atmosphere. You will get a great shopping experience after exploring Charminar. The market is known for its wide variety of pearls, which are highly affordable.
Begum Bazaar
Begum Bazaar is one of the best wholesale markets in Hyderabad city. Right from groceries to clothing and cosmetics, you will find everything on the market. The best thing about the market is that you can buy everything at the best rates.
Perfume Market
This is also one of the best markets in Hyderabad where you can find a variety of ittars. It is a haven for those who love to buy perfumes.
Abids
It is one of the most popular shopping zones in Hyderabad. If you are a shopaholic, you must not forget to visit this market. Here, you will find a variety of products such as books, clothing, jewelry, and electronics. It is also famous for the Sunday Book Bazaar, where you can find a large variety of second-hand books at the best prices.
Shilparamam
This is also an apt place to buy handmade items such as pottery, paintings, and beautiful jewelry. You can also take part in exhibitions and cultural performances that are organized here. It is the best place to buy traditional crafts in the country.
Inorbit Mall
The visitors can also visit the Inorbit Mall on their Hyderabad tour. This mall has many national and international brands that sell a wide range of items. You will find electronics shops, fashion stores, and several dining options here.
Forum Sujana Mall
Situated in Kukatpally, Forum Sujana Mall is one of the best destinations for shopaholics. It has a large number of shops, such as electronics stores, fashion boutiques, etc. Apart from the shops, the mall also has a multiplex cinema where you can enjoy your favorite movie.
Getting Around in Hyderabad
Getting around in Hyderabad is easy, as you can choose any transport option to move here and there within the city. You can either choose a bus or an auto-rickshaw to travel within the city. Let’s learn about them one by one.
Bus
You can travel within Hyderabad by bus. You can catch the bus to travel to any place within Hyderabad. It is a highly affordable way to commute in the city. There are 5 types of buses that are available in the city, such as Ordinary, Metro Deluxe, Volvo AC, AC, Metro Express, etc.
Autorickshaw
The visitors can also travel in an autorickshaw to get to any place within Hyderabad. However, traveling in an autorickshaw is costly as the drivers never charge by the meter.
Taxis
Hiring a taxi is also a convenient way to travel in Hyderabad. However, you need to pay much more for a taxi service.
How to Reach Hyderabad
Some of the ways to reach Hyderabad are:
By Air
Hyderabad airport is connected with all cities of the country. It is a busy airport, and many airlines are operating here, such as IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, etc. There are regular flights from different cities to Hyderabad. Thus, you can easily catch a flight to this city irrespective of the place you are coming from.
By Train
There are 3 railway stations in Hyderabad, such as Hyderabad Railway Station, Kachiguda Railway Station, and Secunderabad Railway Station. They are connected with all the major railway stations of the country. Thus, whether you are coming from Bangalore, Chennai, or Mumbai, you can easily catch a train to Hyderabad without any stress. Once you reach here, you can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to get to your final destination.
By Road
Hyderabad city is well-connected to all cities of India. The conditions of the roads that lead to Hyderabad are good. Thus, you won’t have any problem in reaching here whether you are coming from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore. APSRTC, or the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, offers a good bus service to visitors.
