Telangana's capital, known for Charminar, Golconda Fort, Nizam-era palaces and biryani.
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Hyderabad was founded in 1591 and still has an Old City of lanes and bazaars around Charminar, a large hill fort at Golconda and the palaces and collections of the Nizams. It suits first-time visitors, families and food lovers, because most sights are close together and entry tickets are cheap. A metro, app cabs and a wide range of hotels make it an easy city to plan.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Charminar in the Old CityView over Hyderabad from Golconda FortGolconda FortGolconda Fort from the airCharminar, a protected monument
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to February
The most comfortable months, about 15 to 30 degrees C and mostly dry. Best for walking the Old City and climbing Golconda Fort.
March to May
Hot, rising to about 40 or 41 degrees C in May. Sightseeing is tiring after mid-morning.
June to September
Monsoon, about 22 to 35 degrees C. August is the wettest month and heavy showers can disrupt outdoor plans and longer drives.
Sights and activities
1
Charminar
The four-towered monument built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, in the middle of the Old City. Mecca Masjid and the bangle shops of Laad Bazaar are next to it.
Distance
About 4 km from Nampally railway station
Entry
Rs 5 for Indians, Rs 100 for foreigners (as listed; may have been revised)
A granite hill fort begun by the Kakatiyas in the 13th century and rebuilt by the Qutub Shahi kings. The climb to the top is over uneven stone, and there is a sound and light show in the evening.
Distance
About 11 km from the city centre
Entry
Rs 25 for Indians, Rs 300 for foreigners; sound and light show Rs 80 normal, Rs 140 executive
Timings
9 am to 5.30 pm daily; show at 6.30 pm and 7.45 pm (Nov-Feb) or 7 pm and 8.15 pm (Mar-Oct)
A white marble temple to Lord Venkateshwara, completed in 1976, on a hilltop with wide city views. Phones and cameras must be left in the lockers outside.
The large lake between Hyderabad and Secunderabad, with a Buddha statue on a rock in the middle reached by boat from Lumbini Park. It is at its best in the evening when the statue is lit.
Distance
About 3 km from Nampally station
Entry
Rs 20 entry; mechanised boat about Rs 55 per adult
Long-distance buses use Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (about 3 km from Nampally) and Jubilee Bus Station in Secunderabad (about 8 km). Many private overnight buses run from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and Mumbai.
By train
Three main stations inside the city: Hyderabad Deccan (Nampally), Secunderabad (about 8 km from Nampally, the largest junction) and Kacheguda (about 5 km).
By air
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad, about 24 km south of the city centre, 35 to 60 minutes by road.
Where to base yourself
Stay around Abids or Nampally for budget rooms near the stations and museums, or in Banjara Hills for quieter mid-range hotels.
Getting around
Hyderabad Metro runs three lines from 6 am to 11 pm, with fares of about Rs 11 to Rs 64 per ride by distance.
TGSRTC Pushpak AC buses link the airport with the city round the clock, about every 30 minutes; fares are about Rs 100 to Rs 300 by day and up to Rs 400 to the farthest stops at night.
Auto-rickshaws cost about Rs 40 to Rs 200 per ride; agree the fare first or book through an app.
App cabs (Uber, Ola) are the usual way to reach Golconda Fort and Ramoji Film City; prices change with demand.
MMTS suburban trains and city buses cover the wider city; the metro does not reach the Old City lanes, so use an auto for the last stretch to Charminar.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Hostels and simple hotels around Abids and the Old City
₹650 to ₹2,200
Mid-range
3-star hotels in Banjara Hills, Madhapur and Hitech City
₹2,400 to ₹6,000
Luxury
4-star and 5-star hotels
₹6,300 to ₹9,500
Food
Biryani costs about Rs 200 to Rs 400 at established restaurants and haleem about Rs 150 to Rs 250; portions are large. A simple restaurant meal is about Rs 200. Paradise and Pista House are well-known biryani names, and the Old City's Irani cafes are the place for tea. Choose busy places with a quick turnover.
Try these
Hyderabadi biryani (rice layered and cooked with spiced meat)
Haleem (slow-cooked meat and wheat stew, mainly in the Ramzan season)
Irani chai with Osmania biscuits (sweet milky tea and a lightly salted biscuit)
Dosa, idli and vada (South Indian breakfast dishes)
South Indian vegetarian food (dosa, idli, vada, meals) is easy to find across the city.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,000
₹500
₹150 per person
Mid-range
₹3,500
₹1,000
₹1,200 per vehicle
Luxury
₹8,500
₹2,500
₹2,500 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permits are needed. Carry a photo ID for hotel check-in. Foreign visitors pay higher entry fees at the monuments and museums.
Safety
By day
The area around Charminar has heavy traffic and crowded lanes, so watch your step and your belongings. Carry water and wear sturdy shoes at Golconda Fort.
At night
The lake front and main commercial areas stay busy in the evening. Use app cabs after the metro closes at 11 pm.
Solo women
No specific official advice found. Usual big-city care applies; the women's helpline is 1091.
Roads
Roads are good but congested at peak hours. The airport road uses the Outer Ring Road expressway, which has tolls.
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