Planning a Trip to Hyderabad with Friends in 2019? Don't Forget to Visit These Amazing Places.

If you are planning a holiday with friends, then Hyderabad is a nice option to consider. There is a lot to explore in the city and doing so with friends will make the experience all the more enjoyable. Also, there are several group activities and experiences that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. For a group of friends looking to explore Hyderabad on a budget, there are affordable options of stay, travel and food. So, it is time to consider Hyderabad for your next holiday with friends!

Hyderabad is a beautiful confluence of history, culture and modernity! There is something for everyone in Hyderabad; from the forts and palaces of the Nawabs to the famed film city. It also houses some iconic monuments including Charminar, Golconda Fort and Chowmahalla Palace. There are fun activities also that one can try like treks, rappelling, camping and go-karting. Apart from sightseeing, the city also offers delicious Hyderabadi cuisine; lip-smacking dishes like biryani, mirchi ka salan, paaya, keema samosa and kebabs are must-try. The city also has a lot to offer shopping enthusiasts- pearls, lac bangles, saris and fabrics are some things that you can look for.

We have researched and compiled a list of the top hot spots that you must surely visit when in Hyderabad with friends. The lists consist of modern experiences, heritage monuments, leisure spots, amusement parks and more. So, there is something for everyone in your group of friends. Read further to see the list of such top 8 places in Hyderabad.

For the filmy buffs, Ramoji Film City is a must-visit; and, even if you don’t hold a very innate interest in films, you will still find several astonishing things about the entire process of film-making. It is the world’s largest integrated film city and is spread over 2000 acres. You can experience several things including a film studio, performance arena, bird park, shopping outlets and multi-cuisine restaurants. There is a special kids park as well. It is a full-day experience.

The film city is open for visitors from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Ticket price ranges from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,799. There are different categories with and without food being included. One of the current highlights of Ramoji Film City are the sets of the worldwide success ‘Baahubali’ and you can buy a separate ticket to see the grandeur of the Kingdom of Maahishmati for real. It is soon going to be dismantled and removed.

After a well-spent day in the city, you should surely visit Lumbini Park for a nice evening to unwind. It is a modern park located opposite the Secretariat, almost at the center of the city, and is dedicated to Lord Buddha. The park has been named after the garden where Lord Buddha was born. It has beautiful landscaping done and the cool breeze from the lake is all you need to relax. Attractions include a floral clock, musical fountains, water cascades and a jetty service. There are several other places around the park also, at a short distance that you can visit; including the Birla Temple, NTR Gardens and several cafes and restaurants. Wherever you go, don’t forget to come back on time, late in the evening, to witness the magical laser show which is a major crowd puller.

There is no entrance fee for the park and it is open on all days of the week from 9 AM to 9 PM. The laser show is scheduled at 7:15 PM on weekdays and on weekends a second show is also done at 8:30 PM.

Ethipothala waterfall is a beautiful sight to behold. Situated on the Chandravanka river at a height of 70 feet, the waterfall is basically a meeting point of three smaller streams. It is well managed and kept clean along with being very lush green. You can enjoy a few hours here and maybe have lunch as well while enjoying the sound of falling water and the cool breeze.

This waterfall is situated away from the city and should be taken as a daylong excursion. You can also combine places like the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and other small yet fun nearby attractions. The best plan would be to book a day cab and visit all these places which are roughly about 156 kilometres away from the main Hyderabad city.

One of the most famous historical sites of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is a must-visit place. Several dynasties have ruled through the fort which now overlooks the city. One can see the ruins of armouries, mosques, water reservoirs, royal courts, royal housing complexes and some gardens around. There are several distinct features that have carved a special place for Golconda including a unique signalling device, clever water supply system and Fateh Rahben, the world-famous cannon. A sound and light show is also conducted in the evenings which illuminates the fort in magical colours, it is a completely out of the world experience.

The fort is situated about 11 kilometres from the city and you can easily take a bus or taxi towards it. If you have signed up for a city tour, then it should surely include Golconda Fort. The ticket price for Indians is just Rs. 5 and Rs. 130 to see the light and sound show in the evening. For videography, an additional fee of Rs. 25 is applicable.

One of the experiences that you must add to the list, especially when exploring the city with friends, is the Wonderla Amusement Park. It is one of the country’s finest amusement park and also the first to bring the reverse roller coaster ride to people looking for an adrenaline rush. There are 43 rides in total with about 25 beings land-based while the rest and water-based rides. There are shopping avenues, several food outlets and other experiences as well which all together promise a fun-filled day at Wonderla.

Wonderla Amusement Park is located on the Nehru Outer Ring Road. You can take a cab, bus or even avail the pick/drop facility of the park by paying Rs. 250. The park is open throughout the week and operates from 11 AM to 6 PM. The ticket prices are different for all days of the week, so do check once. It is better to go on a weekday as not only is the ticket prices less expensive but also the place will be less crowded. If you and your friends are students, then it is a good idea to carry your ID Card as you can avail a student discount.

Hyderabad houses a very unique zoo. Named the Nehru Zoological Park and spread over 375 acres, it houses over 1500 animal species along with animal habitats, research facilities, ecological programs and several visitor-oriented attractions. It has been operational for half a century and if you are in the city then this is a must-visit place. Attractions include a toy train, bicycle rides, boating and food kiosks. The butterfly park in the zoo is one of the first of its kind to be started in the entire country. One of the highlights is to take a walk around a very big aquarium that has several marine flora and fauna species housed in it.

The zoo is open 6 days a week, Monday being a holiday. It is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, it is recommended that you check the timings once as often the winter timings are slightly different. The cost of the entrance ticket is Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 15 for children. The popular lion and tiger safari costs Rs. 40 per adult and Rs. 20 per child. There are separate tickets available at nominal prices for attractions like a toy train, nocturnal animal house, battery-operated vehicles and more.

Spread across a huge area of over 16,000 sq. feet, the Snow World in Hyderabad is the first such experience to have started in the country along with also being the pioneers of introducing live snowfall experience. The temperatures go up to -5 degree Celsius and the whole place has been themed with penguins, polar bears, snowman, trees and, of course, snow all around. One can enjoy the snow slides, merry-go-round, snow basketball, snowy mountain and dancing in the snowfall. There is also an ice hotel featured in here.

Snow World is located beside Indira Park and along the Hussain Sagar Lake. The place is open all days of the week from 11 AM to 9 PM. The ticket price is Rs. 450 for adults and Rs. 250 for kids. You should definitely check out this place, especially, if you are going to Hyderabad in the hot summer months.

A visit to the Botanical Garden is a fascinating experience. Situated around 16 kilometres away from the city and spread over 120 acres, you immediately get the feeling of stepping into a different world altogether. The gardens have over 600 species of plants and they all complement the beautiful landscaping that has been done, including several water bodies. It has been divided into 19 sectors, each to house a different category of plants like medicinal plants, fruit plants, aquatic plants, ornamental plants and more. There is a beautifully designed walking track and benches scattered all around to sit and enjoy the blissfulness of the place.

To reach the park you will most probably need to book a cab or take the bus as it is located on the outskirts of the city. The entrance fee is a mere Rs. 25 only.

Travelling with friends is always fun and an opportunity to create lifelong memories. However, when travelling with friends, the most important part is to manage money efficiently. As everybody is pooling in money for the holiday, it is natural that everyone would have an equal say in the matter. Often people overlook planning a budget for the holiday, and, say things like ‘money doesn’t matter between friends’ or ‘let’s go, we will talk about the money later’. When things go wrong not only is everyone left with a bitter taste but even friendships have a long-lasting impact. We have listed below some tips that can help you (and, your friends) manage money efficiently and enjoy the trip with no worries.