Hyderabad

The skyline of Hyderabad is dominated by a stunning building which has attracted visitors for decades. The temple of Birla Mandir is dedicated to Vishnu; its design resembles traditional South Indian architectural styles, and it's made entirely of marble. Its peaceful setting hold promise of a tranquil experience.

Salar Jung is considered to be one of the greatest museum of national importance. The museum is filled with Indian and international artefacts, paintings, books, sculptures and more. One of the highlights is the massive 200-year-old musical clock. Three minutes before every hour, a figure of a bearded man emerges, and appears to be practising some form of smithery.

Sometimes a getaway from the crowded city life is in order, complete with relaxation in a beautiful and peaceful environment. That's exactly what one can expect from the Sanjeevaiah Park. The park is home to a huge variety of bird species, counting over 100, which makes it a huge attraction for bird watchers.

A destination for the romantics among us, the famous heart-shaped lake of Hyderabad. So famous it is that it has been declared the 'World's Largest Heart-Shaped Mark', and has been attracting tourists for many years. There's one object in the park that you can't miss: the 18-meter-high Buddha statue that towers over the trees of the park.

Just 20 kilometres from the city centre lies one of the largest and most impressive Bollywood sets of the country. There are several gardens and streets that you might recognise from the movies you've seen, as well as a spectacular opening and closing show, which one must certainly make sure not to miss.

The Indian rhino, panther, and python are just a few of the inhabitants of the Nehru Zoological Park. It's one of the most visited places in Hyderabad, and it's certainly easy to see why. The zoo is full of exotic creatures, and guarantees a great time for animal lovers of all ages.

This is one place where you can get original Indian jewellery, saris, and handcrafted items. The Shliparamam Society is a cultural village created to pay tribute to India and proudly present much of what the country has to offer. Besides boutiques, you can also find a variety of street food vendors, which will make you fall in love with the local cuisine.

Constructed in the 16th century, the Charminar, or ''Four Minarets'', is one of the most famous sites in the city. There are a lot of markets and festivals organised near the mosque, since it's the epicentre of cultural activity of Hyderabad.

A historic experience awaits those who visit the Chowmahalla Palace. A trip here will offer a glimpse of the lives of royals, and all of the grandeur that has long surrounded them. For some fresh air, take a stroll through the beautiful garden with a pool.

One of the most famous historic sites of the city, the Golkonda Fortand has remained an impressive monument for decades. After a climb to the top of the hill, you will find the breathtaking Taramati Baradari mosque, a building associated with romantic stories of the sultan and his court.

Built by several kings centuries ago, the Qutb Shai Tombs are described by some as the most spectacular in the world. They used to be furnished with red carpets and chandeliers, to ensure a worthy afterlife for the ones buried in the tombs.

North Indian cuisine is what Bawarchi restaurant is all about. It is known for the use of the freshest ingredients, put together to create innovative and varied dishes. Make sure that you have build up quite an appetite – they serve generous portions!

If you want to try a tasty, traditional kebab, Absolute Barbecues is the place to be. You can also create your own dishes by adding ingredients of you choice, to make it just the meal for you. Don't forget to try the ghevar rabri, a traditional dessert guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

A buffet restaurant with trendy decor and a great variety of wines is what you may expect from Feast. They focus on dishes of international cuisine, bringing a variety of culinary influences together on the menu. Brunch comes with a serving of sparkling wine.

The restaurant features rare, traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation. Jewel of Nizam has found the perfect balance between tradition and contemporary dishes by giving the old classics a special twist. A few patron favourites are the gulauti kebab and anokhi kheer.

If you want to try traditional chutney, this is the place to go. Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Chutneys serves meals all day round. What they are especially known for are their vegetarian dishes, which are surely worth a try.

A restaurant serving Italian cuisine, paired with Italian wines, and featuring an Italian-themed decor. Guests can enjoy a huge variety of pastas, risottos and all manner of Italian dishes. There are even tables by the pool, which will make for a romantic setting.

If you are terrible at deciding on a single dish, dining at the buffet of Jonathan's Kitchen might just be the perfect solution. The buffet is made up of everything from traditional Indian cuisine to foods from all over the world. One of the most popular dishes is the spring chicken, which certainly worth a try.

A miniature buffet on a round platter is what you may expect to be served at De Thali. The restaurant serves a modern twist on several traditional Indian dishes on one plate. It's one of the most popular restaurants in the city, so expect there to be a short wait.

From regional dishes to western cuisine, Amara has it all. A few of the many popular dishes are the Vietnamese chao tam, water chestnut salad, and the soft shell crab. Top it all off with a delicious chocolate mille feuille, and your day simply couldn't get any better.

Bite-sized, fresh and delicious food is what you'll find at Cafe Graffiti. Whether you are in the mood for some good old potato wedges or a traditional paneer tandoori wrap, the cafe staff will serve it with a friendly smile.

A cafe and an art gallery at once, The Gallery Cafe there a place to get inspired and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea. The cafe also has a stage, where young artists can perform and show off their talents.

This is not only a good place to have some comfort food, but also a home made milkshake. The ambience of cafe Cubano will make you feel relaxed and at ease, and upon having a cup of coffee or a milkshake, you will feel re-energised like never before.

At this cafe, every day is coffee day. They create heavenly coffee specialities, so good that they are not afraid to call one of their drinks the Devil's Own Cold Coffee – it's simply sinfully good!

Hyderabad is not only famous for its history and beautiful architecture, but also for a very special kind of biscuit. The crispy osmania biscuit is national treasure, and the best ones are made and sold at Cafe Niloufer. Get yourself a drink and grab one of the special biscuits to have a taste of this special treat.

Coffee, sandwiches, tarts, cakes and everything that you could ever dream of can be found at De' Cafe Studio. It's based inside an actual music recording studio, so you can enjoy the sweet sounds of the instruments whilst you take a sip or a bite.

Sometimes you are in the mood for just a simple, yet delicious snack, and a cup of soothing tea. With comfort food and a selection of drinks, Nimrah Cafe and Bakery fits the profile just right. Try the osmania biscuit, one of the traditional biscuits from Hyderabad.

Located at one of the most prestigious hotels of the city, Aqua is a poolside lounge submerged in magical lights and trendy music. There's plenty of drinks to choose from on the extensive wine and cocktail list, ranging from the old-fashioned mojito to some newer creations.

Indian and international drinks are the main focus at Zanzi Bar. The bar creates each cocktail with care, and employs professional bartenders with expertise to make your drink. You can even pick your favourite song or music genre: there is an old-school jukebox with tunes to forge any mood desired.

Dance the night away at Vertigo, where drinks are always flowing and the DJs keep on spinning until late. You can also choose to relax on one of the comfortable couches in the lounge area, overlooking the dance floor. There is live music at the weekends, so make sure to check out the schedule prior to going.

From dancing to beats spun by DJ, to having a freshly made snack with a drink: Spoil is known for bringing the two elements together by serving the best food and hiring the best DJs. They focus on serving cocktails with plenty of fruit, so you are certainly in for a treat.

A pub and a nightclub at once, 10 Downing Street will let you enjoy a plate of Shepherd's pie and dance away on the floor just minutes later. The bar has an American retro feel to it, and even features a karaoke machine, which hold promise of a fun night out.

The mall that has it all, from design pieces to clothing, toy shops, as well as cinemas and food courts. The GVK One mall even has something special in store: the largest free-standing salt water aquarium in India, which you can visit whenever you get tired of shopping or eating national delicacies.

Hyderabad is also called the 'City of Pearls', because it is one of the largest trade centres for pearls in the world. At Mangatrai, you can have a look for yourself and gaze in awe at the beautifully crafted necklaces, earrings, bangles and all manner of jewellery pieces.

When you think of traditional Indian clothing, you most likely imagine gorgeous fabrics. Singhania's sells the most amazing textiles, sarees, lehengas and anarkali suits. When you walk into the shop, you will be blown away by the rich colours of the garments, and feel like you've entered a true fabric wonderland.

Bidriware is a metal handicraft dating back to the 14th century; exquisite Bidri items are for sale at Bidri Crafts. The family-owned business has been around for decades, and sells the most amazing jewellery, vases and ornamental plates. Even if you are not planning on buying, pay a visit to the shop just to take a peek at the beautiful craftsmanship.

One of the largest fashion malls of India, Central is filled with a huge variety of shops. Ranging from designer clothes, to more affordable fashion, to everything in between. They sell over 500 brands, and with so many choices it's close to impossible not to leave the mall with something new.

The Chennai Shopping Mall is full of quality products, and many come with a huge discount. It comes as no surprise that this shopping mall is incredibly popular. It houses a showroom of no less than 5 levels, holding dozens of brands. They even have a special section for sarees for every occasion.

The Indian government offers a traditional visa (stamped inside of the passport), or an eVisa, obtained online. All nationals of the European Union and multiple countries across the world are eligible for an eVisa, which should be applied for at least 4 days prior to travel date and is accepted at 24 airports and 3 seaports countrywide. Special conditions apply to Pakistani passport holders or individuals with familial ties to Pakistan. Citizens of Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives are exempt from visa requirements (if not entering via mainland China).

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is located approximately 24 kilometres away from the city centre. By car, it will take around 1 hour to get from the city centre to the airport.

Bus
The Pushpak is a shuttle from the airport to the most important destinations in the city. A few of those destinations are: Secunderabad, Jubilee Bus Station, and Chandanagar. Most busses depart every 20 minutes, yet it is wise to check the bus schedules that are displayed at the stations.

Taxi
Another option is the taxi; Radio Taxi Service at the airport is provided by Meru and Sky cabs. There is a Radio Taxi pick up point at car park level and counters available at the arrivals. There's an extra charge of 25% during 11pm and 5am.

If you like temperatures to be lower than those of the hot summers, October to February is the best time to visit. The average temperature ranges between 14 and 29 degrees Celsius, and it can get quite cloudy. This time of year is perfect for city and walking tours. March and May are the summer season, the hottest months of the year. Temperatures soar up to 45 degrees. June through September is the monsoon season, which means heavy rains and strong winds. The temperature ranges from 24 to 27 degrees.

Hyderabad has several public transport options, the most common one being the bus. Busses are run by the TSRTC and have a lot of stops throughout the city; the major bus stations are the Jubilee, Dilsukhnagar and Mehdipatnam bus station, from where all the busses depart. There are several kinds of services that TSRTC offers which differ in comfort, price and the amount of stops; these include: Metro Luxury, City Sheetal, Metro Delux and Metro Express. Timetables are located at bus stations.

Red Cabs
+91 40 2255 2255

Yellow Cars Cabs
+91 40 2233 2233

Commut
+91 88861 16688

The main post office of Hyderabad is the General Post Office. There are loads of red letterboxes located around the city.

One of the largest pharmacies is Apollo pharmacy, with multiple shops across the city.

Country code: +91