– "The City of Nizams" Hyderabad is the capital of in Southern . Hyderabad is home to old and bazaars lined parallelly alongside swanky new office buildings and malls, this is what exactly makes Hyderabad a city worth visiting. A city rich with history and tradition, now competes with Bangalore and for the crown of India's IT capital; Microsoft and Google have their India headquarters here. Hyderabad's many epithets include the City of Pearls, the City of Nawabs, the City and, because of its high-tech industries, Cyberabad.

The most iconic landmark and oldest of Hyderabad is the , which is a distinguished monument that clearly exhibits the Indo- of its times. Charminar, which literally translates to four , is built entirely out of limestone and granite, with four minarets on four sides, each of them facing a different street.

Another impressive tourist attraction in Hyderabad is the , which was considered as nothing less than an architectural marvel during its times. The entire fort is bordered by a 10-kilometre long wall, and with over 80 bastions, four drawbridges, and several mosques, halls and royal residences, the fort is nothing short of imperial. While most of the fort is in ruins, hints of its regal ambience and its past grandiose still linger on.

Located at a distance of approximately 850 metres away from the Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs consist of tombs of seven Qutub Shahi rulers. Considered to be few of the oldest monuments of Hyderabad, these tombs captivate their visitors with the architectural excellence presenting a beautiful blend of Persian and Indian architectural styles.

An oasis in the midst of an otherwise landlocked city, Lake in Hyderabad is an entirely manmade lake which boasts of a 450-tonne statue of Buddha in the middle of the lake. Carved entirely out of white granite, the monolith shines brightly under the moonlight and is a beautiful place to sit and spend an evening under the stars.

Weather Hyderabad receives heavy rainfall and the downpour brings about a pleasant atmosphere and allows the tourists to go out and have fun. Monsoon starts from mid-June and ends in October, the temperature ranges from 38 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Culture and Attitudes Hyderabad is the meeting ground between North and South India. The city has a culture that is distinct from the rest of Telangana, showing Islamic influences and a courtly presence imparted from its period as the capital of the Nizamate. This is more evident in the old city. The new city resembles many provincial state capitals in India. is more cosmopolitan, as the Cantonment area is in this part of the city. Due to an influx of young men and women from various parts of the country, Hyderabad's culture and attitudes have taken a turn towards "modernity". However, the city is still a deeply conservative place, so dress appropriately, especially in the old city.

Culinary delicacies of Hyderabad include:  Hyderabadi dum biryani. Dum refers to the baking process and basmati rice and meat or vegetables are mixed in a pot and heated for a long time. During the Nizam's time, the biryani was made with lamb carefully cooked with rice.  . A made from , milk and dry fruits.  Hyderabadi A dish which is available only in the month of Ramadaan (Ramzan).  Irani chai. This is the tea of Hyderabad, available at any of the ubiquitous "Chai" shops. Although, not all of them have the best hygiene and it is best to go with a local.  . A dish made with chili and peanut curry that serves as a tasty accompaniment to any rice dish.

Markets

 Laad Bazar is firmly established for selling bangles of all kinds, the speciality being the Lacquer bangles from which the place acquired its name. Laad Bazar is in business for 200 years right from the time of the Nizams. The place also displays semi-precious stones, pearls, jewellery, Nirmal, Kalamkari paintings, products such as silverware, Bidri ware, and hand-woven materials of silk, cotton and also velvet, brocade, and gold embroidered fabrics, traditional Khara Dupattas, and perfumes. Timing: 11:00 am to 10:30 pm

 Char Minar Bazaar: Adjacent to the monument, Charminar Bazaar is stretched on four roads. It is renowned for the Barsa Pearl embellished with gold and silver that's well known in the world. You can also get a variety of clothing like sarees, Hyderabadi khada dupattas, and cute footwear. Timing: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

 Shilparamam is the arts, crafts and cultural village of Hyderabad. It is a tribute to the cultural legacy of India. If authentic and rich indigenous fabric, Local Crafts, Wooden Sculptures and Jewellery are your thing, Shilparamam is the perfect place for you. Aside from shopping, the village also has museums and a recreational area where you can have a good time your shopping adventure. Timing: 10:30 am to 08:30 pm