Hyderabad Diaries: A 4-Day Adventure of Fun, Food, and Friendship
If my life were a book, I would flip through this chapter countless times!
I love traveling but surprisingly, traveling with friends taught me something new I never experienced—carefreeness! Yes, it was a journey of carefree laughs and endless talks exploring life again with my inner child. It was a 4-day journey to the city of pearls—Hyderabad. We planned well, packed our essentials, and made it halfway to the boarding station when Swathi dropped a bomb—she had forgotten her sketchbook! We had to travel back to grab her sketchbook as she loves it. Thankfully, we still managed to board the train that night.
We got down the train in Secunderabad at 5 in the chilly morning, booked a cab, and arrived at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Jubilee Hills (nearest stay to our ideal destinations). It felt like a sanctuary that welcomed us with a warm hug. The cozy rooms and the serene ambiance were like a welcome relief from an exhausting night journey. We got into our rooms, had a tight sleep till 8.30 am, woke up, and had a refreshing Ghee Karapodi Idli and Button Vada with sizzling filter coffee. In one word, it felt like a Home away from Home! We got ready, packed essentials, and stepped out at 10 am all excited, although those cozy beds kept calling us back 🙁
Day 1: Lights, Camera, Carnival at Ramoji Film City
First memories are like the first droplets of rain—refreshing and aromatic! Our first memory started with a journey in Ramoji Film City, one of the must-visit tourist places near Hyderabad within 50 km. We took a metro from Peddamma Temple to LB Nagar, followed by a quick 12 km cab ride to Ramoji Film City. That was really a jaw-dropping entrance! Although we were aware of what it looked like, seeing it in person made the butterflies in us wander around—simply awesome! We had booked in advance a basic day tour ticket for ₹1,350 each, which included a guided bus tour of the famous sights in Ramoji Film City. Star Ticket holders get extra privileges like food, exclusive seating, and quick access to attractions. The Winter Carnival was one of the most beautiful experiences in the Ramoji Film City—it was a festive wonderland. We boarded the bus and were welcomed by the sights and sounds of the grand carnival parade. The bus dropped us off at various attractions like majestic film sets, serene gardens of Bhagavatam, an adventure zone, and the Butterfly Garden, giving us enough time to feel the grandeur and we realized why this place tops the list of Hyderabad tourist destinations. While me, Nikhitha, and Sowmya were imprinting the beauty in mind, Swathi was hand-printing them in her sketchbook!
Somebody made a grand announcement growling ‘lunch ‘o’ clock’, we realized it’s our stomachs and had our lunch at one of the in-house restaurants enjoying a mix of delicious local and continental cuisines with never-ending gossip and selfies of course! Adrenaline rushed back into our veins at the sight of a giant Ferris wheel. With no second thought, we got ourselves into it, and let me tell you, the aerial view was breathtaking, and the ride was so damn good! Ramoji is undoubtedly one of the famous places in Hyderabad city because just when we were about to exhaust, the carnival all of a sudden became a radiant moonbeam with all the lights flashing over and the live performances ignited the energy, and then we craved a masala sweetcorn all of a sudden! With some good snapshots, we bid goodbye to the film city. We headed back to the hotel and had a comforting dinner that left us on cloud nine!
Day 2: Tranquility and Traditions in Hyderabad
The next day, we woke up early to witness the serene sunrise at Durgam Cheruvu Lake Front Park, the ‘Secret Lake’ of Hyderabad. The early morning light made the lake’s surroundings peaceful and picturesque, a perfect start to our day. After drowning in the warmth of the sun, we returned for a rejuvenating breakfast—this time we had Podi Idly and Set Dosas.
After enjoying the privileges, we visited Peddamma Temple, one of the sacred places to visit near Jubilee Hills. The architecture, spiritual ambiance, and divine energy were like a holy flame that burnt away the darkness and negative energy from within. We again returned to the hotel, gave ourselves enough time, and spoke with the staff to seek guidance for the next part of our tour. For lunch, we had mouthwatering Subz Dum Biryani, Veg Fortune Rice, Paneer Tikka, and Paneer Cassata.
In the evening, we had delicious Masala Mirchi Bajji with a cup of Chai at our Hotel. We then went to Gachibowli for a refreshing walk via Metro to witness the glory of IT hubs. Especially at night, the view was so captivating with lush greenery and streetlights everywhere. It was such a pleasant place you should definitely visit for its surreal view. We had ice cream all along our long walk and headed back again for a cozy dinner and warm sleep.
Day 3: Discovering Hyderabad’s Culture and Handicrafts
Saturday is the sacred day for Lord Venkateshwara, which felt ideal for our visit to Mini Tirupathi, one of the must-visit Hyderabad tourist attractions. Designed after the famous Tirupati temple, it offered a peaceful ambiance. The sacred prayers of Vishnu Sahasranama flowed through every vein of my body, and the divine presence of Lord Venkateswara made me tear up. It was such a divine aura one should experience! Our next stop was the Jagannath Temple of Jubilee Hills, which is an example of the beautifully red sandstone architecture and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. It was a visual wonder with its complex carvings plus a peaceful atmosphere.
After some brief respite and a bite of food back at the hotel, the rest of the evening went by as we visited Shilparamam, which was a one-of-a-kind arts and crafts village among Hyderabad tourist destinations. This cultural jewel was laced with the liveliness of the stalls offering handmade jewelry, textiles, and more. We selected the colorful earrings and bangles we liked, and we were caught up by the lively and breathtaking beauty of Shilparamam. Indeed, the cultural richness and artistic heritage of Hyderabad were showcased at every corner. We headed back to our hotel feeling delighted, relished a warm dinner, and rounded off what had been a very fine day.
Day 4: A Farewell of Memories and Little Joys
On our last day of vacation, our morning was spent at the GVK One Mall, one of the places to visit in Hyderabad city. We visited various stores and did some shopping. Early in the afternoon, we packed our things at the hotel. The hotel staff, who had been kind and generous and helped us with the directions and tips, made our farewell feel personal.
Looking back on our trip, I realized that staying at one of the best Hyderabad tourism hotels near Jubilee Hills can make traveling more convenient. Having a cozy place that allowed us to travel back and forth to explore the Hyderabad tourist attractions made our experience truly unforgettable. As we boarded the train, Swathi shared her incredible art with us, leaving all of us in dead silence. Every work of art by her is a masterpiece that captured our journey very well. The silly laughs and the little moments we didn’t know would be this beautiful—not just an art, it was our memory for a lifetime. It was then I realized, the return that day was worthwhile!
