Hyderabad – A charming city, known as the “City of Pearls”. The town is famous for food, culture, historical monuments, and IT hubs. In this blog post, we will explore the vibrant city in 2 days and 3 nights. On the first day, you explore Hyderabad and spend a full day at Ramoji Film City.
Day 1: Historic Hyderabad
Begin your day with the traditional food of Hyderabad: idli, dosa, sambhar, and chutney. Energise your body and gear up for the first destination. To explore Day 1 destinations, you can easily hire a cab driver for a full day at a cost of around Rs. 5000/-.
Charminar/Bhagyalakshmi Mandir
At the entrance of Charminar, a famous temple of Bhagyalakshmi Mata Mandir, take blessings of Devi for a wonderful day. When I went with my family, we first stood in a queue; then we took the blessings of Mata, and finally we received prashad from Pujari Ji.
After that, take a ticket for Rs. 20/- to explore Charminar, which is also known as the heart of Hyderabad.The narrow stairs take you to the top of the palace, from where you can see mosques and street shops. A renowned place for its architecture and the vibrant Laad Bazar that mesmerizes tourists. Moreover, you can enjoy shopping at low prices, especially for pearls, bangles, sarees, and Hyderabadi food.
Nehru Zoological Park
For animal lovers and those who take a keen interest in wildlife, the Zoological Park has all you need. The zoo occupies 380 acres and is adjacent to the 600-acre Mir Alam Tank. Visitors can explore the park on foot or rent a toy train (chargeable).
- Closed on: Monday/Holiday
- Timings: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs. 100/- per adult (Above 12 years) and Rs. 50/- per child (3 – 12 years)
- Toy Train Charges: Rs. 80/- per adult (Above 12 years) and Rs. 40/- per child (3 – 12 years)
To know more about the charges of other facilities, visit the website.
Golconda Fort
A must-visit place in Hyderabad and a UNESCO Heritage Site.Golconda Fort, also known as “Round Shaped Hill” or “Shepherds Hill,” showcases the history of the Kakatiya Dynasty; later on, the Mughals attacked and occupied the fort. In fact, builders used granite to construct the entire fort, which stands 120 feet tall. The architecture and engineering amaze visitors; hire a guide to fully understand Golconda Fort.
- Golconda Fort Timings: Opens all days from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Ticket Fare: For adults, Rs. 25/- per person.
- Sound & Light Show: They offer two 1-hour shows—the first in English at 6:30 PM, and the second in Hindi/Telugu at 7:45 PM. The charges are Rs. 80/- for adults and Rs. 60/- for children.
Salar Jung Museum
The museum has a rich collection of art, sculptures, and manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, and Urdu.
The museum is expansive, featuring 39 galleries and various sections for exploration. Don’t miss the Veiled Rebecca Statue. Authorities prohibit photography, so keep your mobile in your pocket to avoid a fine of Rs. 500/-.
- Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Booking Counter Closing Time: 4:15 PM
- Closed on: Fridays and National Holidays.
- Entry Fee:
- 50/- per Adult (above 18 Years) for Indians
- 20/- per child (above 5 years) for Indians
- 500/- per person for any Foreign Visitor
- 50/- per still camera/smartphone (Mobile)
- The audio guide ticket is free with a mobile ticket.
After exploring the museum, it is time to fill the tummy with delicious food. The nearby food shops are Pista House and Udupi.
Birla Mandir
Devotees dedicated Birla Mandir to Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Venkateswara. The temple rises 280 feet high, and its white granite structure enhances its beauty.When I reached there, it was raining, which enhanced the beauty. After taking blessings, you can eat snacks and buy artefacts from the shops situated near the temple.
Lumbini Park/Hussain Sagar Lake/Tank Bund
The final destination of the Day 1 Hyderabad Tour is Lumbini Park. We told our driver to drop us here and rest for the day. We want to spend family time, and this is the best place. In the evening, the beauty is at its peak; on one side is the Telangana Chief Secretary’s Office, and beside a park dedicated to NTR. We didn’t go there, as our plans were different.
I installed the Telangana Government App to avoid the long queue at the ticket counter. The ticket price of Lumbini Park is Rs. 20/- for adults and Rs. 10/- for children. The park offers rides for children at a nominal cost. We went to watch the laser show that cost Rs. 50/- (only cash), and that was a memorable moment for us. The show demonstrates the history of Hyderabad. You can check out my Insta handle for clips.
After watching the show, we went for a boat ride. There are lots of options you can choose from, as per your wish.We chose the Buddha Ride because we wanted to explore the Buddha Statue, carved from a single stone and installed in Hyderabad in 1992.
While returning, we ate delicious street food at Tank Bund. Our favourite was mango sprinkled with salt and chilli, chaat, and homemade Turkish sweets.
Day 2: Ramoji Film City – A Cinematic Wonderland
We dedicated the entire day to Ramoji Film City and left after having breakfast. We decided to go by bus; thus, we reached the nearest bus stop. The bus drops off at the opposite side of Ramoji Film City, which is 30 km from Hyderabad.
This is the world’s largest film studio complex, and it feels like stepping into a Mayavi World where nothing is real. The cost of the ticket is Rs. 1450/- (without AC bus), and the other is Rs. 2999/- (with AC Bus + Food). The weather was in our favour, so we chose the first option. I am sharing the highlights of the tour, and remember, there is no time constraint. You can enjoy as much time as you can. Once finished, reach the bus stop for the next destination.
- Guided Studio Tour: The studio tour shows the sets of movies, like the title song of Pushpa 2, Singham’s Police Station, replicas of cities, palaces (shot in the Chandramukhi movie), jails, airports, railway stations, streets, and gardens that changed colour based on the heroine’s dress. There are countless places, and that shows cinema life.
- Adventure Park: Fun zones and rides for both adults and kids.
- Bahubali Set: The most famous set is the Bahubali Set. We clicked the end number of photographs and ate Kattapa Dosa.
- Filmi Duniya: A tour across replicas of world-famous landmarks – from the US to Paris – all in one place.
- Shopping & Dining: At the end of the tour, visit a souvenir shop and buy a memorable gift that reminds you of your memorable journey.
- Live Shows: At the end, around 6:00 PM, the artists perform dance performances that keep the energy alive.
This section does not cover all sites; sometimes, you simply need to visit a place to feel its essence. After reaching the hotel, the body feels tired but completely mesmerized by this cinematic journey.
Departure (Night 3)
Time to say goodbye to the charming city. We decided to visit Necklace Road for a relaxing lakeside dinner. The perfect decision to bid goodbye to the city.
Travel Tips for Hyderabad
- Best Time to Visit: October to March (pleasant weather).
- Getting Around: Book cabs (Ola/Uber) or use the Hyderabad Metro for quick and affordable travel.
- Must-Try Foods: Hyderabadi Biryani, Haleem (especially during Ramadan), Irani Chai with Osmania biscuits, and Double Ka Meetha (a sweet delight).
- Shopping: Pearls from Charminar markets, bangles from Laad Bazaar, and handicrafts from Shilparamam.
Final Thoughts
Hyderabad is a city where people can fall in love with history, food, weather, and the people who make the place beautiful. If you are planning a short trip to Hyderabad, this blog will guide you. While returning, don’t forget to buy a souvenir for your loved one, especially pearls or something from Ramoji Film City.
Pack your bag and explore unexplored places with Hema……
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