One of the country’s rapidly growing IT hubs, this capital city also boasts a rich cultural heritage going back many centuries.

The famed Charminar and Golconda Fort are big tourist draws and the market around Charminar is great for a bargain. Another architectural gems include the Falaknuma Palace and Mecca Masjid.

The Hussain Sagar and Sharmipet lakes and the gardens and parks nearby all present wonderful picnic opportunities. Of course there are numerous mosques and temples to not only seek some spiritual upliftment but also to feast your eyes on.

And while your travelling the length and bre h of the city, make sure to load up on plenty of Hyderabadi biryani, you won’t regret it!

Getting there: The city’s Rajiv Gandhi airport is located 22 km out of the city centre and has flights from most major international and Indian cities.

By train, visitors can alight at Secunderabad, Hyderabad or Kachiguda stations and travel on. Alternatively, the city is connected by national highways 7 and 9, connecting Bangalore and Mumbai respectively.