Hyderabad Holidays

Hyderabad is a hotbed of Islamic and Hindu heritage that sits side-by-side with a cutting-edge tech scene. In the old city, lanes thrum with chai vendors and burqa-clad women who pick through Laad Bazaar, famed for its spices and pearls. Hyderabad’s 400-year history looms around every corner, from the mammoth Makkah Mosque which draws over 10,000 worshippers during festivals with its iconic arch and soil straight from Mecca, to the Chowmahalla Palace’s fountain-filled courtyards, towering minarets and chandeliered halls where the Nizams once ruled. On the outskirts of the city, the 13th-century Golconda Fort lies atop a hill protected by 87 bastions – the view from here across the Decca foothills is supreme.

This historic heart of Hyderabad competes with the modern ferocity of the new city centre to the west, separated from the old quarter by Hussain Sagar Lake. Nicknamed Cyberabad, the area is home to tech giants like Microsoft India and suited office workers who live in its contemporary districts like Banjara and Jubilee Hills. Here, coders and web designers rule the trafficked streets, glitzy malls dominate the skyline and chic eateries and bars attract a young, affluent crowd. Then there’s the amusement and water parks that have sprung up in Hyderabad, the most beloved of which is Ramoji Film City, where you can see working film sets in action.

To soak up Hyderabad’s fascinating blend of history and modernity, talk to our India specialists who have the inside scoop on the city’s best tours and accommodation.