Twinning in Hyderabad

1MORNING AT BIRLA MANDIR

Begin the day at Birla Mandir, perched on Naubat Pahad. Built from white marble a little over a half-century ago, the temple sits upon one of Hyderabad’s granite hills and looks out across the city, towards the waters of Hussain Sagar. At this hour, the city below is still stirring. The hilltop breeze carries the faint sound of temple bells, and the sweeping view introduces you to Hyderabad’s geography — a city shaped as much by rocky terrain and lakes as by history.

Next stop: 10 minutes downhill

2A DOSA BREAKFAST

Back at street level, head to Kamat Hotel for breakfast. Plates of crisp dosas arrive quickly, served with coconut chutney and strong filter coffee. The tables fill steadily with officegoers, bankers and regulars easing into their day. It is the sort of place Hyderabadis have relied on for decades, for simple food, quick service, and a comforting start to the day.

Next stop: 10 minutes on foot

3STREET ART & BAGH-E-AAM

A short walk to Public Gardens takes you past an unexpected stretch of colourful street art. The walls opposite the Telangana assembly building — built in the Indo-Saracenic style — sparkle with murals, adding bursts of contemporary expression to this historic neighbourhood. Beyond the painted walls lies the shaded expanse of the Bagh-e-Aam (as the Public Gardens have historically been known), where walkers pass old fountains and colonial-era buildings that once formed part of Hyderabad’s administrative centre.

Next stop: Inside the gardens

4EGYPTIAN MUMMY SIGHTED!

Inside the grounds of the Bagh-e-Aam — one of Hyderabad’s earliest public parks, established in 1846 — stands the Telangana State Archaeology Museum. It is home to artefacts from the Kakatiya dynasty, Buddhist site excavations — and an unusual exhibit: an Egyptian mummy of Princess Naishu, brought to Hyderabad in 1930 and still among the rare few preserved in India.

Next stop: 20 minutes’ drive

5MOMENTS IN MOZAMJAHI

On the way towards the Old City, drive past Mozamjahi Market, a granite arcade from the age of the Nizams. Its rugged stone arches and clock tower still stand out along this busy stretch of the city. The market remains lively, with grocery shops, earthenware stalls, and fruit vendors lining the arcades. It is also known for its old-style ice-cream parlours, the most popular being Famous Ice Cream, where freshly churned scoops have been served for decades.

Next stop: 10 minutes via road

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6TREASURES OF SALAR JUNG

Few museums in India rival the scale of the Salar Jung. The vast collection here ranges from Persian carpets and jade daggers to European sculptures and miniature paintings, collected over decades by the Salar Jung family. Around noon, visitors gather near the museum’s famous musical clock, waiting for the small mechanical figure to appear and strike the hour—a cameo that continues to delight onlookers. Allow at least two hours here; the museum rewards unhurried exploration.

Pista House offers kebabs, sweets, and other favourites from the city’s rich culinary repertoire

Next stop: 10 minutes’ drive

7LUNCH IN THE OLD CITY

By early afternoon, the aromas of the Old City begin to guide lunch decisions. Hotel Shadab is known for its fragrant Hyderabadi Biryani served with mirchi ka salan and raita. Nearby Pista House offers kebabs, sweets, and other favourites from the city’s rich culinary repertoire. The surrounding lanes bustle with vendors calling out, diners gathering, and conversations flowing across tables.

Next stop: 10 minutes via road

8ROYAL AFTERNOON AT CHOWMAHALLA

After lunch, head over to Chowmahalla Palace, once the ceremonial seat of the Nizams. Elegant courtyards lead into grand halls lined with chandeliers, vintage cars, and royal memorabilia. The palace offers a glimpse into an era when Hyderabad ranked among the wealthiest princely states in India. Arrive before closing time, so that you can discover the complex at your own pace.

Next stop: 5 minutes’ drive

9A CHARMINAR EVENING

As evening approaches, the area around Charminar becomes increasingly animated. Laad Bazaar swells with shoppers browsing lacquer bangles and pearls while vendors arrange colourful displays beneath glowing shop lights. A seat at one of the cafés facing the monument, pairing a cup of Irani chai with freshly-baked Osmania biscuits, offers the perfect vantage point to watch the square fill up with visitors and locals alike.

Next stop: 20 minutes via road

10SUNSET ON NECKLACE ROAD

End the day by Tank Bund, where the road curves beside the waters of Hussain Sagar Lake. On nearby Necklace Road, families stroll down the promenade as cafés alongside the lake light up. The evening breeze softens the warmth of the day, and the city gradually settles into the rhythms of the night. A cup of coffee or hot chocolate here makes for a fitting close to a day spent between hills, museums, bazaars, and palaces — the many faces of Hyderabad in just a few hours

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