
Home to the iconic Charminar, Hyderabad is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India. People from all over India visit this metropolitan city with great historical significance. Footloose Holidays brings the ultimate Hyderabad travel guide, helping first-timers plan their Hyderabad tour. Hyderabad is the capital of the Indian state of Telangana, offering a myriad of places to explore. One cannot cover all the attractions in a single trip. Hence, we have designed a comprehensive Hyderabad tour guide that will help you enjoy your trip to the fullest, covering the most important attractions. You will get to know how to reach, the best time to visit, and places to explore.
About Hyderabad
The Hi-Tech City of India, Hyderabad, is located in the Indian state of Telangana. Being one of the popular traders of pearls in history, Hyderabad is called “The City of Pearls”. Besides being home to the world-famous Charminar, Hyderabad is a popular town known for its historic legacy and cultural diversity. It is the most populous city of the state as well as the 4th largest city of India. Due to its low crime rates, Hyderabad is one of the safest cities to travel in India. It is safe to walk in the city at any time of the day or night. Hyderabad is famous for its arts, mosques, monuments, and temples. The diversity of the culture can be seen in the architecture of the monuments and other places of worship, with a mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture.
Best Places to Visit in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is famous for the architectural wonders of its historical legacy and food. From historical monuments to museums, cultural centres, and religious places, there are numerous places to visit in Hyderabad. Here is a list of the top attractions of Hyderabad that are a must-visit.
Historic Monuments
Charminar: One of the most popular attractions of Hyderabad is the Charminar. It is the iconic landmark of the city, and no Hyderabad tour itinerary can be completed without adding Charminar to it. It was built by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591, and today it stands tall in the heart of the city on the east bank of the Musi River. The structure is built in a square shape, consisting of four towers with domes over it. There is a staircase that leads to the top floor of the structure. Inside, there is one mosque and a religious place to study on the first floor. This is the most iconic masterpiece of Hyderabad city, rich in culture and history.
Golconda Fort: Located just 9 km from the Hussain Sagar Lake in the western region of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is the iconic landmark of Hyderabad city. This is a testament to the architectural grandeur of the city that no one should ever miss experiencing. This fortress is one of the finest fortress complexes in India that showcases the beautiful blend of Hindu-Islamic architecture. This majestic fortress offers the best panoramic view of the town.
Qutb Shahi Tomb: One of the most popular attractions of Hyderabad is the Qutb Shahi Tombs, known as the Seven Tombs. These tombs are dedicated to the rulers of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The design and size of the tombs vary from each other. Some of them are simple, while some have intricate carvings on them. This is located in the Ibrahim Bagh near the Golconda Fort.
Chowmahalla Palace: This is an opulent palace of the Nizams. It was once the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was built on the order of the fourth Nizam. The palace features exquisite interiors, grand courtyards, and vintage car collections. There is a room that holds the historical exhibits, including arts and crafts and the personal possessions of Nizams.
Religious Sites to Explore in Hyderabad
Not only historical architectures and monuments, but Hyderabad is also famous for its religious sites. Here are the top religious places you must visit in Hyderabad:
Mecca Masjid: Not only in Hyderabad, but it is one of the oldest mosques in India. Located near the Charminar, Mecca Masjid is famous for its spiritual significance and architectural brilliance. Its grand architecture is a sight to behold.
Birla Mandir: One of the top attractions of Hyderabad is Birla Mandir, situated atop Kala Pahad, a twin hillock of Naubat Pahad. It is located at the southern end of Hussain Sagar Lake. Birla Temple is a beautiful white marble Hindu temple, dedicated to lord Vishnu, present in the form of Sri Venkateswara. Not only will the beautiful architecture of the temple astound you, but you will also be captivated by the serene views and peaceful atmosphere it offers.
Chilkur Balaji Temple: Different temples in India are associated with granting or fulfilling a particular wish of devotees. And, Chilkur Balaji Temple is the one that helps devotees get a visa abroad. This temple is dedicated to Lord Balaji and popularly known as the “Visa Balaji Temple” because it helps you get your visa clear.
Best Time to Visit Hyderabad
The best time to visit is during the winter season from October to February. It is the peak tourist season when you can expect a large crowd and costly hotels or homestays. However, the season offers the best weather conditions, apt for sightseeing and exploration. With cool temperatures, outdoor activities become more enjoyable.
March to June is the summer season in Hyderabad with hotter temperatures. The days are quite hot, which makes it difficult for tourists to explore the city.
Besides, the monsoon season from July to September receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making the surroundings greener and more pleasant. If you love nature and rain, this would be the perfect time to visit Hyderabad.
How to Reach
Getting to Hyderabad from any city in India is easy. It is the capital state of Telangana and one of the most important metropolitan cities of the country. Hence, getting there is not tough. You can use different modes of transport, like train, flight, bus, or car, to reach Hyderabad. Let’s see how you can reach here using the different modes of transport from different parts of the country.
By Air: Reaching Hyderabad by flight is the most convenient and fastest way. However, this is an expensive mode too. If your budget allows, you can fly to Hyderabad directly from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. Hyderabad has its own airport named Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
By Train: Hyderabad has two major railway stations—Hyderabad Deccan and Secunderabad Junction. These railway stations are well-connected to the major cities, like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and others. Traveling by train to Hyderabad can be time-consuming, but it is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach the city.
By Road: You can get state-run and private buses from nearby cities and neighboring states to Hyderabad. You can take a bus from cities like Warangal, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune.