Cheap Flights to Hyderabad Jazeera Airways Tickets from QAR 493*

Discover Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital of southern India's Telangana state. A major centre for the technology industry, it's home to many upmarket restaurants and shops. The Old City of Hyderabad is steeped in history and echoes of a more regal era. It was once the capital city of the Nizam, the ruler of the richest princely state, and the twin city of Secunderabad. Here, the British established a military base to be close to the Nizam. It is worth taking time out to see this area.

Medical services in Hyderabad are good and there's a choice of good hospitals and clinics. The city is fairly safe and there's also a good choice of banks, travel agents, currency exchange places, hospitals, pharmacies and some excellent restaurants.

Sports are extremely popular in Hyderabad, so if you're passionate about golf you have five excellent courses to choose from, or pick up a tennis racket and have a game at one of the city's tennis courts. Find out more about the spiritualism of the region at the Buddhist temples, or go hunting for exquisite jewellery in the city's boutiques.

Charminar

The Charminar is a 16th-century mosque whose legendary four arches support towering minarets. The towers rise to a height of 48.7m above the ground with 140 steps leading up to them.

Golconda Fort

The most popular place for many visitors is the magnificent Golconda Fort, a former diamond trading centre. Don't forget to bring a camera along.

Hussain Sagar Lake

This beautiful artificial lake was built in 1562 by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah by damming the Musi. This effectively marks the boundary between Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and is surrounded by various parks, temples, statues and historical buildings.

Mecca Masjid

Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in the city and by far the biggest. The mosque is a colossal creation, with the main hall measuring 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long, large enough to accommodate 10,000 worshippers.

Shopping

Hyderabad is known for its traditional jewellery, especially pearls. Ask for Jagdamba Pearls, one of the oldest and the largest pearl companies in India. The Lilac Boutique on Liberty Road is well-known too. Here you can have made to order suits, sarees and fancy tops delivered surprisingly quickly.

If you're in a mood for shopping your best bet is a trip to The Golden Mile. It is lined with shopping plazas, malls, designer boutiques, jewellery stores, and upmarket shops. In addition, there's loads of handicraft shops and speciality bazaars. You'll be spoilt for choice.

Food And Drink

You haven't explored Hyderabad if you haven't savoured its renowned cuisine. It is a delicious combination of Mughlai flavours, the best from the Nizams period, and the hot dishes of South India.

Top of the list is the legendary Hyderabad biryani. It is prepared with a blend of Mughal kitchen and the style of cooking refined by the Nizams. Hyderabadi biryani has a distinct aroma like no other, particularly the Hyderabadi dum biryani. Other favourites include: pathar-ka-ghosht, nahari, haleem, double-ka-meetha, khubani-ka-meetha, and kheer.

The old city of Hyderabad is a better bet to find good and affordable food. On the other hand, places like Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills have excellent restaurants that are more expensive. There are also restaurants around Hi Tec city, or ask for Ohri's and the BJN Group, two of the biggest food chains.