Being the abode of former Nawabs and Nizams, Hyderabad and its surrounding areas offer an amzing list of heritage sites to explore over the weekends. The region has great historical significance and for someone who is interested in getting a first-hand experience on India's glorious royal past, Hyderabad can be the perfect base. Apart from the heritage quotient, the capital city of the newest Indian state of Telangana is blessed with some amazing destinations of scenic beauty. There is no dearth of awesome places to be visited from Hyderabad over a weekend. A look at this hand-picked compilation of top 20 weekend getaways from Hyderabad will make you realize the huge tourism potential of the destinations in and around the Deccan Plateau. Best Weekend Getaways from Hyderabad - The Top 20 20. Warangal Distance: 144 KM Travel Time: 3.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1 Day Destination Category: Heritage, Nature About the Location: Warangal is a place wrapped in heritage that can take you back to the era of the kings and kingdoms. Situated at a distance of 144 KM from Hyderabad, it can be a perfect date with historical attractions dripped in natural beauty. Warangal is an ideal place to venture out with your family members, friends and colleagues. Tourist Attractions and Activities: Warangal Fort is the most important tourist attraction, closely followed by the Thousand Pillar Temple and Bhadrakali Temple. The Warangal Fort, constructed in the 13th century, is a gem of a structure that depicts Sanchi-styled elements seamlessly blended with the Dravidian architecture. Perched atop a ridge on the Hanumakonda Hills, the massive Thousand Pillar Temple shows intricately carved doorways and pillars. The ceiling is decorated with such lovely inscriptions that you will be amazed by the finest craftmanship on display. This ancient structure was constructed way back in the 11th century and it shows distinct design elements from the Kakatiya-styled architecture. The other places of interest at Warangal includes the Bhadrakali Temple (8th Century), Ramappa Temple (12th Century) and the serene Pakhal Lake. 19. Adilabad: Distance: 302 KM Travel Time: 5.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2-3 Days Destination Category: Religious, Nature, Wildlife About the Location: A lush green destination which is home to some fascinating waterfalls and wildlife reserves, Adilabad is a place to spend a revitalizing weekend away from the mad city life. Situated at a distance of 304 KM from Hyderabad, it would require you to spend at-least a couple of days to explore all the interesting places scattered around this region. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The temples in Basara, Utnoor and Keshlapur are the main pilgrimage centers at Adilabad. However, what takes the cake is the picturesque natural landscapes that tempt the trekkers and nature lovers into visiting this beautiful place. Trekkers are going to fall in love with the unexplored trekking trails. Trek to Pochera and Kuntala Waterfalls can be enthralling. Wildlife enthusiasts would love to visit the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary and Pranahita Reserve Forest. 18. Karimnagar Distance: 164 KM Travel Time: 3.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1 Day Destination Category: Heritage, Nature About the Location: An ideal destination for a heritage tour, Karimnagar finds itself high on the list of weekend destinations around Hyderabad for most of the tourists. Situated at a distance of merely 164 KM from the Hyderabad city, the place is lined up with a number of historical forts, ancient temples and architectural marvels to bowl you over. Tourist Attractions and Activities: You get not one, but two outstanding forts in Karimnagar. The first one is the Jagityala fort, while the second is the Elagandal fort. Dhaulikatta is another place of interest at this place, while the Shivaram Sanctuary is there to keep the nature lovers engaged. To sum things up - if you are looking for a place that bears the true reflection of rich Indian culture, then Karimnagar can be the perfect getaway for you. 17. Pattadakal Distance: 388 KM Travel Time: 7.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1 Day Destination Category: Heritage About the Location: A UNESCO World Herita Site, head to Pattadakal in Karnataka for witnessing the riches of Indian architecture, royal heritage and splendid culture all under a single roof. The beautiful township 388 KM away from Hyderabad can provide you an enlightning weekend and a treasure of memory to cherish for the years to come. Tourist Attractions and Activities: Pattadakal is one of those exotic Indian heritage sites that you have always wished to capture on your lenses. The historical rock-carved Virupaksha Temple or the majestic Sangameshvara Temple or the elegant architecture of the Chandrashekhara Temple or the detailed stone-art portrayed in the Jambulinga Temple - you will be spoilt for choices when it comes to the variety of architectural styles that the ancient sites at Pattadakal depicts. 16. Bidar Distance: 147 KM Travel Time: 3.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1 Day Destination Category: Heritage About the Location: Bidar falls under the jurisdiction of neighboring Karnataka state and it's a 147 KM drive away from the Hyderabad city. This historical place had served as the capital of the Chalukyas, Khiljis, Brahmani and Tughluq dynasties during the period of 11th to 16th century. Glorified in rich culture and heritage, this flourishing city of 12th century offers you the opportunity to witness some of the finest architectural marvels of all time from close quarters. Tourist Attractions and Activities: Quite a few historical structures and ruins are scattered around this quiant little place which offer you an opportunity to relish the rich heritage of India. The Bidar Fort, constructed by Sultan Alla-Ud-Din Bahman, is one of the finest specimans of Persian architectural style in India. The huge fort complex houses a plethora of historical structures. The most notable among them are Rangin Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Takhat Mahal, Jami Masjid, Solah Khamba Masjid and a fascinating museum with artifacts belonging to the royal dynasties that had ruled Bidar. Other must visit places are the cluster of 12 Bahamani Tombs, Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple and Chaukhandi (Tomb) of Hazrat Khalil Ullah. 15. Nizamabad Distance: 176 KM Travel Time: 4 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1-2 Days Destination Category: Heritage, Nature About the Location: Aptly called the Nizamabad, it is a place where the breeze carries the aroma of yesteryears' Nizams and their legacy. A 4-hour drive away from Hyderabad, the town of Nizamabad is equally blessed with Nature's serenity - thus making it a perfect getaway to be explored over a weekend. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The historical temple at Kanteshwar, which dates back to the 15th century, is a major tourist attraction here. The Nizamabad Fort, built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty, is another site of historical significance. The rich heritage of Nizamabad Fort has seen many battles and change of hands. It was snatched from the Rashtrakutas by Allauddin Khilji, then it went under the control of Bahamanis before being occupied by the Shahis and eventually the Mughals. Among the places of natural beauty, the Ashok Sagar Lake and Sriram Sagar Dam deserve to be visited. Ali Sagar Dam, constructed by the Nizams of Hyderabad before independence, is a popular picnic spot. For nature lovers, the Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary, established around the huge Pocharam Lake, is a treasure trove. The Mallaram forest is quite popular among the trekkers and serves as an excellent camping site. 14. Bapatla Distance: 312 KM Travel Time: 6 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Beach, Religious, Heritage About the Location: Situated at a distance of 312 KM from Hyderabad and 51 KM from Guntur, Bapatla is a coastal town that has a beautiful sea-shore besides places of religious and historical significance. The place is surprisingly devoid of the mad rush of tourism - which is actually the best reason to visit this beach-town and spend a quiet, peaceful weekend. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The Bapatla Beach, also popular by the name of Suryalanka Beach, is by far the most impressive tourist attraction in the town. The soft golden sands and gentle waves make it an ideal place to spend a fun-filled day by the sea-side. The Bapatla Beach also offers various water sports activities like wind-surfing and jet-skiing to keep you engaged during your stay. For the religious travellers, visiting the famous Sai Baba Temple is a must. The historical Bhavannarayana Swami temple, constructed by the Chola kings in the 14th century, is another site that attracts the tourists. Under the maintenance of Archeological Survey of India, the temple has featured in a number of historical documentaries. 13. Hampi Distance: 371 KM Travel Time: 7 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Heritage About the Location: Hampi is one of the richest heritage sites in India. This remote village is situated on the Tungabhadra valley in the Bellary district of North Karnataka at a distance of 372 Km from Hyderabad. Once the capital city of Vijaynagar Empire in the medieval period, Hampi is an ideal sneak-peak into the glorious past of Indian history and culture. Tourist Attractions and Activities: Hampi is packed with rock-cut temples, exquisitely carved palaces, fortified citadels and other historical ruins of great architectural value. The Vuirupaksha temple, constructed in the 7th century, is one of the prime tourist attractions. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this ancient temple is a gigantic craftwork of delicate rock carvings. You can also include the 15th century Vittala Temple in the same bracket. You must not miss out on visiting the scattered Riverside Ruins of Hampi. The site brings you a collection of several rock carved artifacts constructed between the 7th and the 14th centuries. The Royal Enclosure is equally admired for its impressive archetectural elements. This sprawling fortified palace used to be the residence of the Vijayanagar Emperors. The Lotus Mahal, which exhibits a unique blend of both traditional Hindu as well as the Islamic architecture styles, is another must visit historical site at Hampi. 12. Anantagiri Hills Distance: 81 KM Travel Time: 1.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Hills, Nature, Adventure About the Location: Merely 81 KM from the Hyderabad city, a trip to the Anantagiri Hills offer you the opportunity to drive on a winding road with many twists and turns. Anantagiri's lush green valley, dense foliage, cofee plantations, serene atmosphere, tranquil lake and treks off the beaten trails can make it a weekend to remember for the nature lovers. Tourist Attractions and Activities: There may not be any popular touristy spots to explore at Anantagiri, but who is complaining when you can spend some leisurely time to rejuvenate yourself in the company of nature! The Galikondalu View Point offers spectacular views of Anantagiri's rolling grassy hills. Trekking towards Kerelli through the forest trails can be an enjoyable experience. A longer trekking route can take you to the picturesque Nagasamudram Lake situated at a distance of 20 KM from Anantagiri. Adventure tourists can pitch their own tent on the lake shore and enjoy a thrilling overnight camping. You can pay a visit to the Padmapuram Botanical Gardens. Anantapadmanabha Swamy Temple is a popular religious place to visit here. 11. Gulbarga Distance: 212 KM Travel Time: 4 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1-2 Days Destination Category: Heritage, Religious About the Location: Another place of interest in the neighboring state of Karnataka, Gulbarga is a cultural treasure that has an abundance of heritage sites to make it a truly worthwhile weekend trip. Situated at a distance of 212 KM from Hyderabad, it takes only around 4 hours to settle the distance by road. Tourist Attractions and Activities: In terms of popularity and grandeur, the Gulbarga Fort, constructed in the 14th century by the Bahamani Kings, is the most striking historical attraction at Gulbarga. The architectural brilliance of Jama Masjid, with a massive central dome and four smaller ones around the corner, is sure to leave you bemused. The mausoleum of the 14th century Sufi saint Khwaja Bande Nawaz, built by the then Bahamani King Ahmed Shah Wali, is another must visit place in Gulbarga. Sharan Basaveshwara temple and Gulbarga Buddha Vihar are the other two major tourist attractions in the town. 10. Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary Distance: 280 KM Travel Time: 5.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1-2 Days Destination Category: Nature, Wildlife About the Location: Situated in the Adilabad district of Telengana around 280 KM away from Hyderabad, the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary can be an excellent weekend getaway for the residents of Hyderabad. Established in 1964 and spreaded across an area of 893 square kilometers, the dense forests consisting of bamboo, teak, terminalia and cassias trees serve as a natural habitat for a number of wild animals and birds. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the mammalian wildlife species like tigers, leopards, barking deers, sambar, nilgai and sloth bears. Among the reptiles, it serves as an ideal habitat for the pythons, crocodiles, star tortoises and monitor lizards. Bird lovers can spot many native bird species including peacock, partridge, qualis, crested serpent eagle, white collared kite, and various species of owls, mynahs and kingfishers. Safari rides into the core areas of the reserve forest are available in two slots - first in the morning hours and again in the evening. Besides guided wildlife safari tours in a 4WD vehicle, interested tourists may also opt for overnight camping to feel the ambience after sunset. Forest camping is organized by the Forest Guest House at Jannaram and to get the approval from the forest officials, you need to book your camping slots in advance. 9. Guntur Distance: 257 KM Travel Time: 5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1-2 Days Destination Category: Heritage, Religious About the Location: With sacred temples, historical forts and pre-historic caves - there's an exciting weekend on the cards for you at Guntur. Roughly a 5 hours' drive from the Hyderabad city along NH-9, the place is considered as a cultural hub that depicts seamless integration of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islamic cultures. It's a perfect destination for a grand family trip with ample attractions to suit the different tastes of people from all age-groups. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The glorious history of Kondaveedu Fort dates back to the 10th century. Constructed by the Reddy Kings of Deccan plateau, there are ruins of at-least 21 ancient structures scattered around the entire site. Situated on a rocky terrain, the place is a favorite among the trekkers as well. The untouched greenery of Trikutaparvattam (tri-peaked hills) can be a good choice for trekking enthusiasts. You may also go for an adventurous caving expedition to the Guthikonda Caves. Situated towards the Southern end of the Guntur town, the Uppalapadu Nature Conservation is a must visit place for the nature lovers. The place provides shelters to a large number of endangered species of birds. The Krishna Barrage constructed over the mighty river Krishna is another beautiful site that deserves to be visited during your Guntur trip. For the religious travellers, the famous Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is a must visit place. You may also pay a visit to the Amaravathi town. Located at a distance of 29 KM from Guntur, Amaravathi is a site of great historical and religious significance. 8. Kothapatnam Distance: 342 KM Travel Time: 7 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Beach About the Location: Lying on the Coromandel coast near the Oongle town, Kothapatnam boasts of a virgin sandy beach devoid of much tourist activities. Just a 7 hour drive away from Hyderabad, the place is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Andhra Pradesh which can serve as the perfect weekend destination for an amazing short vacation. Tourist Attraction and Activities: A beach-lovers paradise, the Kothapatnam beach offers a large expanse of golden sand covered shore for you to explore, relish and unwind. Besides swimming and sunbathing, you can also indulge in quite a few recreational activities at this lovely beach. Banana Boat Ride and Inflatable Tube Ride have been introduced recently to lure more tourists to this beach destination. You can also negotiate with a fisherman to take you on a fascinating fishing boat ride. 7. Bijapur Distance: 375 KM Travel Time: 7.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1-2 Days Destination Category: Heritage About the Location: Bijapur, recently rechristened as Vijayapura, is a town located in the Northern part of Karnataka which is famous for its rich historical heritage. It was the Kingdom of the Adil Shahi dynasty between the 15th and 17th century. Located at a distance of 375 KM from Hyderabad, a tour to Bijapur is no less than a 'dream-come-true' experience for the Indian history enthusiasts. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The monuments at Bijapur exhibit a unique blend of Persian Islamic architecture with traditional Indian craftsmenship. It has many important monuments and historical remnants - including minarets, domes and palaces - which bear the proofs of architectural brilliance of its regal past. Bijapur’s greatest attraction is unarguably the world-famous Gol Gumbaz. The Gol Gumbaz is regarded as the largest unsupported dome in the world. It's no less than an engineering marvel in the sense that it does not have a single supporting pillar. It has a floor area of 1700 square meters, height of 51 meters and diameter of 37 meters. The highlight of Gol Gumbaz is its resonance effect. Even the slightest of sounds turns in to a series echos which can be heard from the opposite side of the dome. You can climb up the turret passages and can have a fabulous view of the entire Bijapur town from the top of Gol Gumbaz. The second important historical interest at Bijapur is the Ibrahim Rouza. It is the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II constructed in the year 1626. More than 5 thousand craftsmen took nearly two decades to build this marvel. When you stand in front of this magnificient monument, you can't but wonder whether the world famous Taj Mahal drew its inspiration from Bijapur's Ibrahim Rouza. Other important heritage sites at Bijapur includes Burj-E-Sherz, Malik-e-Maidan, Gagan Mahal, Bara Kaman, Asar Mahal, Sat Manjil, Mehtar Mahal and the Bijapur Fort. 6. Nallamala Hills Distance: 217 KM Travel Time: 4.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Nature, Hills About the Location: The forested hill-surrounded getaway of Nallamala is situated at a distance of 217 KM from Hyderabad. If you are a nature lover based out of Hyderabad, interested in spending a quiet weekend in the lap of nature, then Nallamala should be on top of your list of must visit places. A section of the Eastern Ghats Mountain Ranges, Nallamala Hills is nestled between the Krishna and Pennar valleys and offers magnificent views of the lush green valley parallel to the Coromandel coast. Tourist Attractions and Activities: Two beautiful waterfalls are the major crowd pullers to the Nallamala regoin. The first one is Nemaligundam Falls - which originates from the Gundla Brahmeswara peak and dances down the rocky ravine before jumping off from an overhanging cliff to produce a magnificent site. The second one is the Mallela Theertham falls. It is formed by the Krishna river and is located deep in the Nallamala forest. The place is dotted with several trekking trails. Nallamala to Ugra Stambham natural rock formation is a very popular trekking route among the adventure seekers. The beautiful Cumbum lake is another attractive natural splendor over here. Mahanandi temple located on the foothills of the Nallamala is another popular tourist attraction. 5. Kuntala Distance: 270 KM Travel Time: 4.5 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1 Day Destination Category: Nature About the Location: If you are looking for a place to spend a relaxed, fun-filled day with your friends, then Kuntala is the perfect weekend getaway for you. Situated in the Adilabad district, Kuntala is famous for being the home to Andhra and Telengana's largest waterfalls - the Kuntala Falls. Located off the Hyderabad-Adilabad national highway, it takes around 4.5 hours to arrive at this scenic location from the Hyderabad city. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The mesmerizing Kuntala waterfalls gushing down from a height of around 150 feet is a sight to behold. Formed by the Kadem River, the falls is situated on an extended branch of the Eastern Ghats Mountain Ranges amidst lush greeneries all around. Apart from the falls, the adjacent areas also serve as excellent trekking sites and you can see many ardent trekkers exploring the forested terrains to quench their thirst for nature's scenic beauty. 4. Machilipatnam Distance: 342 KM Travel Time: 7 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Beach About the Location: A beautiful beach town located at a distance of 342 KM from Hyderabad, Machilipatnam can be your perfect weekend retreat to relax and rejuvenate in the company of the sea, sands and the sun. The place is not flocked by a lot of tourists, so you can be assured of a quiet, playful weekend at this lesser known beach destination. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The pristine sandy sea-shore at Machilipatnam is an ideal spot to spend a leisurely day counting the waves crashing into the shore. Don't miss out on catching memorable views of sunrise over the Bay of Bengal from the Manginapudi Beach. A romantic stroll on the vast coastline is also on the cards and you can get into the inviting blue waters and have lots of fun with your spouse and kids. 3. Chirala Distance: 300 KM Travel Time: 6 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Beach About the Location: By far the most happenning beach-town in the state of Telengana, Chirala promises a great weekend with lots of fun. Situated at a distance of 300 KM from Hyderabad, it can be an ideal destination to travel with your family or a group of friends. Tourist Attractions and Activities: The center of all attractions here is the Vodarevu beach - located 6 KM away from the Chirala town. Apart from its scenic beauty, the beach is a favorite hangout joint for the adrenaline junkies with the prospect to indulge in some thrilling water sports activities. From wind-surfing to paddle-boarding, motor-boat rides and water scooter rides - you have a lot of options to choose from. The fun-part aside, don't forget to taste the yammy sea-food cuisines prepared at the beach-side shacks. 2. Nagarjunasagar Distance: 165 KM Travel Time: 3 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 1 Day Destination Category: Nature About the Location: Situated around 165 KM away from the city of Hyderabad, Nagarjunasagar is by far the most visited weekend retreat from Hyderabad. Famous for its majestic dam flanked by equally enchanting panoramic vistas of lush green surrounding, Nagarjunasagar is a versatile attraction to the Hyderabadis of all ages. You just need to plan a trip to Nagarjunasagar to witness how an action-packed day unfolds. Tourist Attractions and Activities: Built over the mighty Krishna River, the Nagarjunasagar dam is the place to go for a motor-boat ride. Measuring 150 meters in height and 16 KM in length, the boat ride can offer you captivating views of lush green surroundings which adds to its serene charms. Situated at close proximity to Nagarjunasagar, the Ethipothala Waterfalls is a sight of sheer beauty and elegance. The Chennakesava Swamy temple, constructed during the rulings of Haihaya Kings in the 13th century and the Nagarjunakonda Buddhist Museum are the other important tourist attractions around the place. 1. Srisailam Distance: 213 KM Travel Time: 4 Hours Suggested Trip Duration: 2 Days Destination Category: Nature, Religious, Wildlife About the Location: Srisailam, situated at a distance of around 213 KM away from Hyderabad, is one of the best options for a weekend trip from the Telengana state capital. The place is not only blessed with nature's bounties, but it is also dotted with important sites of relegious and historical significance. The prospect of trekking, wildlife safari and adventure caving makes it an equally tempting destination for the adventure seekers. Tourist Attractions and Activities: With a hill-surrounded natural setup on the backdrop of the Krishna River, Srisailam is famous for Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this ancient temple designed in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards is one of the finest specimans of Indian architecture built during the 2nd century. The Srisailam Dam built over the Krishna River is a very scenic site ideal for picnic. The Mallela Teertham waterfalls is not far from this place either. And yeah, don't miss out on the exciting ropeway ride over the Srisailam dam - it's a breathtaking experience indeed. Adventure caving and trekking to the Akka Mahadevi Caves attracts lots of youngsters. There are two ways to reach these caves - one is by boat and the second by a ropeway - so you can assured of a high dosage of adrenaline burst. The lush and dense Nallamala forest range is a popular destination for trekking, hill climbing and forest exploration. For the nature lovers, the prospect of a wildlife safari at the Srisailam-Nagarjunasagara Tiger Reserve is a mouth watering temptation. Home to a diverse species of flora and fauna, this is the largest tiger reserve in India spreaded across an area of over 3500 square kilometers. Regards, Deb
I did not know Hyderabad is now in the state of Telangana. Last time I visited Hyderabad it was in Andhra Pradesh. When I visited Hyderabad, I had made it an overnight stop therefore I did not get opportunity to the places mentioned above. I am aware about Hyderabad's glorious past and how the last Nizam tried to retain his royal status after India was free.
