Hyderabad

The City of Pearls on the Deccan Plateau, where the Charminar, Golconda Fort and the Qutb Shahi Tombs bear witness to Muslim dynasties, and whose biryani is famous across India.

Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana in southern India, lies in the middle of the Deccan Plateau on the Musi River at an altitude of about 500 m, with a metropolitan population of over 10 million. The city has three parts. South of the Musi, the Old City centres on the Charminar, with the Mecca Masjid, Chowmahalla Palace, Laad Bazaar and the Salar Jung Museum all within walking distance. To the north, Hussain Sagar lake connects Hyderabad with its twin city of Secunderabad, with the Birla Mandir and the Buddha statue in the lake on its shores. In the west, HITEC City, Gachibowli and Jubilee Hills form the new IT district, home to hotels, malls and the Durgam Cheruvu cable-stayed bridge. On the western outskirts, Golconda Fort and the Qutb Shahi Tombs are the main legacy of the 16th–17th-century Qutb Shahi dynasty; to the southeast are Ramoji Film City and Wonderla amusement park, and to the southwest the newly built Statue of Equality. The climate is tropical wet and dry: Oct–Mar is the best season, with daytime temperatures of about 25–30°C and cool mornings and evenings; Apr–Jun often tops 40°C, and Jul–Sep brings monsoon rain. Hyderabad is famous for its biryani, haleem (a meat porridge eaten during Ramadan) and the Osmania biscuits served in Irani cafés, and pearls and lac bangles are traditional specialities. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is about 30 km south of the city, with direct flights to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Around town you can use the metro (three lines), Uber/Ola ride-hailing and electric auto-rickshaws; the Old City's streets are congested, so a taxi is less hassle. Allow 3–4 days: one day for the Old City, one for Golconda Fort and the tombs plus the sound-and-light show, one for Ramoji Film City, and the rest for the lake, the new city or a day trip to Yadagirigutta temple. Note: most museums and palaces close on Fridays; mosques and temples require long sleeves and long trousers, and shoes must be removed before entering.

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Itineraries