Secunderabad
Secunderabad (Telugu: సికింద్రాబాద్ Sikindrābād, Urdu: سکندر آباد Sikandar Ābād) is the twin city of Hyderabad, north and east of the Hussain Sagar Lake. Despite being a part of the Greater Hyderabad area, Secunderabad has its own history, separate from Hyderabad. The roads are better maintained and broader, with nice parks, open spaces like the parade ground, and some excellent restaurants.
Named after the Mir Akbar Ali Khan Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III, Secunderabad was established in 1806 as a British cantonment to keep the army within striking distance of the Nizam. To this day, it maintains large military presence north of Hussain Sagar, as it is the headquarters of the 54th Infantry Division of the Indian Army. The city also hosts the winter office of the President of India at the Rashtrapati Nilayam.
Get in
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Map of SecunderabadBy metro
Secunderabad is connected with Hyderabad through a metro line. The line starts from the MG Bus Station and ends at the JBS Parade Ground.
See
- 1 Bansilalpet StepwellCategory:Has map markers (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.
- 2 The Hyderabad Public SchoolCategory:Has map markers, 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 Musheerabad MosqueCategory:Has map markers (Jama Masjid). A congregation mosque, originally built in 1560 by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah of Golconda. The mosque has five lofty arches and two minarets at the corners, similar to Hayat Bakshi Mosque. After the fall of Golconda, the mosque went into disuse till the area became a jagir of Nawab Arastu Jah, the Prime Minister during the reign of Nizam Ali Khan. Although the mosque was repaired in 1951, it is now dilapidated. A new four-storey mosque is later built to accommodate the namazis.
- 4 Osmania Arts CollegeCategory:Has map markers (Osmania University Arts College), Osmania University, Amberpet (Bus stop Manikeshwari Nagar). Built during the period of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The imposing façade of the building is a great sight.
- 5 Rashtrapati NilayamCategory:Has map markers (formerly Residency House) (MMTS: Cavalry Barracks SB ). 10AM - 7PM (Monday closed). 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.
- 6 Secunderabad Clock TowerCategory:Has map markers. The landmark clock tower in Secunderabad.
- 7 Shamirpet LakeCategory:Has map markers (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.
- 8 Sir Ronald Ross Institute Of ParasitologyCategory:Has map markers. The medical laboratory where Ronald Ross discovered that malaria was transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a division of Osmania University, and 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.
Churches
- 9 All Saints ChurchCategory:Has map markers.
- 10 Basilica of Our Lady of the AssumptionCategory:Has map markers.
- 11 Centenary Baptist ChurchCategory:Has map markers.
- 12 Garrison Wesley ChurchCategory:Has map markers.
- 13 Holy Trinity ChurchCategory:Has map markers.
- 14 St. John's ChurchCategory:Has map markers.
- 15 St. Thomas CathedralCategory:Has map markers.
Do
Parks
- 1 Indira ParkCategory:Has map markers (E of Hussain Sagar). A sprawling 76-acre park near Tank Bund with a nice, but polluted, little pond and boating.
- 2 Sanjeevaiah ParkCategory:Has map markers (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.
- 3 Snow WorldCategory:Has map markers, Lower Tank Bund Road (next to Indira Park), ☏ +91 40 6599-0167. One of India's largest snow-themed parks. Adults ₹ 450, children ₹ 250 if under 4 ft tall.
Sports
- Category:Do listing with no coordinatesAce Tennis AcademyCategory:Has map markers (Begumpet), ☏ +91 94404 22920.
- 4 Army Golf Course ClubCategory:Has map markers (Bolarum Golf Club), Risala Bazar, Bolarum, ☏ +91 40 2786 1943.
- 5 Gymkhana GroundCategory:Has map markers. The sole cricket ground in Secunderabad.
- Category:Do listing with no coordinatesPark View Enclave Tennis CentreCategory:Has map markers, Boinpally, ☏ +91 40 3296 0203.
Buy
Bazaars
- 1 General BazaarCategory:Has map markers. Budget clothes shopping.
- 2 Monda MarketCategory:Has map markers, Secunderabad (near Secunderabad railway station). Vegetable market.
Eat
Budget
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesAlphaCategory:Has map markers (opposite Secunderabad Railway Station), ☏ +91 40 2770 2291. Popular for beja fry, available only in the morning and served for breakfast.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesParadise RestaurantCategory:Has map markers, 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
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesAanganCategory:Has map markers, 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.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesNankingCategory:Has map markers, 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.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesUtsavCategory:Has map markers, 221 Tivoli, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 2772-0638. 11:00-15:30, 19:30-23:00. Indian vegetarian cuisine, has received good reviews. ₹400.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesVilla No 1-8-46Category:Has map markers, P.G. Rd, Sindhi Colony, Secunderabad (next to Food world), ☏ +91 40 66481846.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesMalgudiCategory:Has map markers, 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.
- Category:Eat listing with no coordinatesTulips - The Coffee ShopCategory:Has map markers, 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.
Splurge
Drink
Pubs
- Cloud9, ICICI bank near old airport. Have dance floor but not a very good crowd.
- Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesPassportCategory:Has map markers, Ramada Hotel Manohar, (Old) Airport Exit Road Begumpet, ☏ +91 40 2790 3333, +91 40 5531-3333.
- Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesSparksCategory:Has map markers, 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.
- Category:Drink listing with no coordinates10 Downing StreetCategory:Has map markers, #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.
- Category:Drink listing with no coordinatesTorque (The pub)Category:Has map markers, 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
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesDwaraka HeritageCategory:Has map markers, 116, Chenoy Trade Centre, Parklane, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 27845020, +91 40 2789 5111. 50 rooms, basic facilities, internet ₹ 600-1,100.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesParklaneCategory:Has map markers, 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
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesAsrani InternationalCategory:Has map markers, 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.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesGrand SolitaireCategory:Has map markers, 1-240, 41 & 43, Parklane, Secunderabad, ☏ +91 40 4433-3999. Clean and functional hotel, suitable for business travellers. ₹ 3,200-4,500.
- Category:Sleep listing with no coordinatesLeo ContinentalCategory:Has map markers (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 BaseraaCategory:Has map markers, 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 GrandCategory:Has map markers, Sarojini Devi Rd, ☏ +91 40 6611 7373. Promoted as a "Boutique Business Hotel". Rooms are elegantly furnished and provide a cozy atmosphere without pampering you too much. It has a business centre, internet in all rooms, and both locations have branches of Blue Fox, a multi-cuisine restaurant. It has a lounge bar Enigma, and Fiesta, a 24-hr coffee shop. ₹4,000-8,000.
- 3 Kamat LingapurCategory:Has map markers, 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
- Marriott has 2 properties within walking distance of each other in the Tank Bund area near Hussain Sagar Lake and the Courtyard:
- 4 Courtyard HyderabadCategory:Has map markers, 1-3-1024 Lower Tank Bund Rd, ☏ +91 40 2752 1222. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Business hotel, many rooms have a view of the lake. ₹5,000-7,000.
- 5 Marriott Hotel & Convention CentreCategory:Has map markers, opposite Hussain Sagar Lake, Tank Bund Rd, ☏ +91 40 2752-2999. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The more expensive rooms have a view of the Hussain Sagar Lake right across the street. Wi-Fi and wired internet available in all rooms, charged extra. There are 3 restaurants and a bar, including Bidri an Indian restaurant serving Hyderabadi cuisine. ₹7,000-16,000.
- 6 The ManoharCategory:Has map markers (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.
- 7 Vivanta Hyderabad, BegumpetCategory:Has map markers.