North Hyderabad

North Hyderabad, also known as Secunderabad or Sikandarabad (sih-kuhn-duh-rah-bahd), is a district in Hyderabad. The roads are better maintained and broader. It has nice parks, open spaces like the parade ground, and some excellent restaurants. It was founded in 1806 as a British cantonment (permanent military camp). To this day it contains large military presence, now of the Indian military. Secunderabad and the rest of Hyderabad are together referred to as the "twin cities".

North Hyderabad is something of an industrial and suburban zone, with pharmaceutical factories, and middle-class housing. Other than the occasional park and the odd restaurant, it is most visited for the resorts on the outskirts of the city.

Get in

By metro

Secunderabad is connected with the rest of Hyderabad through a metro line. The line starts from the MG Bus Station and ends at the JBS Parade Ground.

See

Bansilalpet Stepwell

Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Parasitology

Sanjeeviah Park

• 1 Bansilalpet Stepwell (Naganah Kunta) (A stepwell near Husain Sagar.). 8am - 1pm and 4pm - 8pm. Nothing much is known about the stepwell and its builder. But architectural features state that it dates back over 300 years and was built during the Nizam rule. The Pharaoh & Co map mentions the well as Naganah Kunta in their 1954 map' Later a Britisher named T.H. Keyes developed the area and the project was funded by local businessman Seth Bansilal, after whom the stepwell is popularly known. In the 1980s two men died falling into the well. After this, the well was abandoned and turned into a garbage pit. In 2020 tonnes of garbage were removed and the stepwell was restored. The surrounding was landscaped and galleries were added. The galleries exhibit the transformation process along with the history of the stepwell. ₹50. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 The Hyderabad Public School, SP Road, Begumpet (Nature Cure Hospital MMTS Station), ☏ +91 40 2776 0038. A former Nizam's palace and the Jagirdar's College. This Institution was founded in 1923 and is one of the oldest and largest public schools in the country. The campus is a recognised heritage site. 
• 3 Moula Ali Dargah. 400 stairs brings you to a place of worship built by the Asif Jahis. The Moula Ali Dargah was built in the memory of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Legend has it that Yakoob, a eunuch in the court of Ibrahim Quli, went to the hill after he saw Hazrat Ali seated on it. To his surprise, he saw the impression Ali's palm on a stone, which he had dreamt. He had the impression cut out and installed in a shrine. Ibrahim Shah later built a mosque beside the dargah. A Ashurkhana , a Baradari (pavilion) and an Nqqar khana (place for beating drums) were built during the Qutb Shahi period. 
• 4 Rashtrapati Nilayam (formerly Residency House) (MMTS: Cavalry Barracks  SB ). The official retreat of the President of India in Hyderabad, where the President stays for at least two weeks during winter and conducts official business. Like the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the retreat's premises include a landscaped garden, seasonal flowering plants and display of potted plants around the main building, natural cascading water falls and seven different types of nutrition gardens. (updated Jun 2023)
• 5 Secunderabad Clock Tower. The landmark clock tower in Secunderabad. (updated Jun 2023)
• 6 Shamirpet (24 km away to the north of Secunderabad). Shamirpet has a beautiful lake and a deer park. The peaceful environs make it a great picnic spot. Telangana Tourism offers comfortable cottages facilities for accommodation (under private management), while the forest lodge can be booked with the Telangana Forest Department office at Saifabad. 
• 7 Sir Ronald Ross Institute Of Parasitology. The medical laboratory where Ronald Ross discovered that malaria was transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Presently under Osmania University, the lab has been transformed into a museum exhibiting old photos of Roland Ross along with his family members. Also, a set of diagrams and charts explains Ross' research. Outside the building is a bust of Ronald Ross and a marble plaque commemorates the event. (updated Dec 2022)

Do

• 1 Army Golf Course Club (Bolarum Golf Club), ☏ +91 40 2786 1943. Risala Bazar, Bolarum, Secunderbad. 
• Park View Enclave Tennis Centre, ☏ +91 40 3296 0203. Boinpally Secunderabad. 
• Ace Tennis Academy (Begumpet), ☏ +91 94404 22920. 
• 2 Sanjeevaiah Park (సంజీవయ్య ఉద్యానవనము) (MMTS: Sanjeeviah Park  HF  FL ). An open space north of the Husaain Sagar. It houses the second-tallest flag of India. About 100 species of resident and non-resident birds and more than 50 species of insects and butterflies are present in the park. The park hosts several events for the public occasionally. Events ranging from roller-skating races to social awareness campaigns, the park has encouraged public initiatives. (updated Jun 2023)

Buy

Bazaars

• 1 General Bazaar. Budget clothes shopping. 
• 2 Monda Market, Secunderabad (near Secunderabad railway station). Vegetable market.  

Eat

Budget

• Alpha (opposite Secunderabad Railway Station), ☏ +91 40 2770 2291. Popular for beja fry, available only in the morning and served for breakfast. 
• Paradise Restaurant, Paradise Circle, M G Rd, Secunderabad. 11:30-23:00. This restaurant is one of the oldest places serving Biryani and of late has lost some of its sheen owing to explosion of business Also serves the best falooda in Hyderabad. It has both a sit-down restaurant and takeaway. They have various branches, but confusingly there imitators with similar names. There is another branch at Kothapet which is roughly 3 km from Dilsuknagar 

Mid-range

• Aangan, 1-8-1/0/B, Yatri Nivas, Sardar Patel Rd, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 2781 6881, +91 40 2781 6882, +91 40 2784 0005. 10:30-23:30. Mughlai, Chinese and Hyderabadi dishes. ₹300. 
• Nanking, 103 Parklane, S D Rd, Secunderabad (near Hussian Travels), ☏ +91 40 2772-9893, +91 40 2784-3634, +91 40 2784-8986. 11:30-15:30, 18:30-23:00. Hyderabad's oldest Chinese restaurant. 
• Utsav, 221 Tivoli, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 2772-0638. 11:00-15:30, 19:30-23:00. Indian vegetarian cuisine, has received good reviews. ₹400. 
• Villa No 1-8-46, P.G. Rd, Sindhi Colony, Secunderabad (next to Food world), ☏ +91 40 66481846. 
• Malgudi, 6-3-1192/2/1-16, 1st Floor, My Home Tycoon, Begumpet (Lifestyle Building), ☏ +91 40 6662-8800, +91 40 6663-2277, +91 40 2383-9671. The name is inspired by the fictional South Indian town created by R K Narayan. It has an ambience that suits the name, with waiters clad in dhotis. Serves food from the four southern states that are rare in other restaurants, like gutti vankai or kodi pulusu. Service is extremely fast. In Hyderabad, it has 3 branches. ₹500. 
• Tulips - The Coffee Shop, 1-26, Hotel Green Park, Greenlands Rd, Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 2375-7575, +91 40 6651-5151. 24 hr. Famous for its midnight biryani and buffet. 

Drink

Pubs

• Cloud9, ICICI bank near old airport. Have dance floor but not a very good crowd.
• Passport, Ramada Hotel Manohar, (Old) Airport Exit Road Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 2790 3333, +91 40 5531-3333. 
• Sparks, My home Tycoon, Building 6-3-1192/2/1-16 Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 6662 9977. 11:00-23:30. Redone pub, nice hip ambience, reasonable rates. 
• 10 Downing Street, #10, Ground Floor, My Home Tycoon Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 6662-9323, +91 40 6662 0015. 11:00-23:00. Expensive place, nice music, good crowd, but small dance floor. ₹ 300-1,000. 
• Torque (The pub), Hotel Green Park, Greenlands Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 2375 7575. 18:00-02:30. No cover charge, large screen TVs for sports fans, a separate smoking room, reasonable prices, good food, and nightly dance music mixed by resident and guest DJs daily; Saturday night is ladies night (ladies drink for free 20:00-22:00). 

Sleep

Budget

• Dwaraka Heritage, 116, Chenoy Trade Centre, Parklane, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 27845020, +91 40 2789 5111. 50 rooms, basic facilities, internet ₹ 600-1,100. 
• Parklane, 115, Park Lane, S D Rd, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 2784 0466, +91 40 2784 0399, +91 40 2784 0377. 30 years old and looks its age. Rooms are comfortable, with both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned rooms. Breakfast is complimentary. The hotel caters mainly to senior government officials. Park Lane has a vegetarian restaurant Madhura. ₹ 950-1,800. 

Mid-range

• Asrani International, Plot Number 179, M G Rd, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 2784 6901, +91 40 2784 2271, +91 40 2784 2267. Check-in: 24hr. Has most basic facilities you'd expect from a business hotel. Located in Secunderabad, which is far from Hi-tech city, but close to the main city. Hosts a popular pub called Spanish Fly. ₹ 2,500-3,500. 
• Grand Solitaire, 1-240, 41 & 43, Parklane, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 4433-3999. Clean and functional hotel, suitable for business travellers. ₹ 3,200-4,500. 
• Leo Continental (Chobbs), Number 2-4-77, M G Rd, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 4006 8050. Small rooms, but good facilities otherwise. ₹ 2,500-6,000. 
• 1 Hotel Baseraa, 1-9-167/168, Sarojini Devi Rd, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 2770-3200. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. If the location fits, this is an excellent choice for a good, reasonably priced hotel. The rooms are plush without being opulent. Free WiFi and a complimentary breakfast. Dining is available at Mehfill a restaurant with live Ghazal shows every evening. It also has a coffee shop and a cricket themed pub. ₹ 2,500-6,500 (extra for foreigners paying in dollars). 
• 2 Minerva Grand Secunderabad, Sarojini Devi Rd, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 6611 7373. This is closer to the city centre. It has a lounge bar Enigma, and Fiesta, a 24-hr coffee shop. ₹ 4,000-8,000. 
• 3 Kamat Lingapur, 1-10-44/2, Chikoti Gardens, Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 2776 4242. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. This used to be close to the airport before they moved the airport. Adequate place to stay for the average traveller who isn't looking for frills. Has a pretty good restaurant Shrirang which offers vegetarian food. Free breakfast — the menu heavily favours South Indian vegetarian. ₹ 2,500-3,500. 

Splurge

• 4 The Manohar (formerly: Fortune Select Manohar), Old Airport Exit Road, Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 6654 3000. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. As the name suggests, this used to be the hotel closest to the old airport. Though it has lost that advantage now that the airport has moved, it hasn't lost the advantage of being close to the busy commercial area of Begumpet. Free breakfast, and hi-speed internet is available, well-equipped business centre. Has good, but not great dining options. ₹ 10,000-18,000.