`Be a tourist in your own city’: On World Tourism Day, NewsMeter takes you on a tour of Hyderabad

Hyderabad: On World Tourism Day, the call to “be a tourist in your own city” resonates strongly in Hyderabad. For many residents, everyday routines leave little room to explore the spaces that draw visitors from across the world.

From heritage walks through centuries-old lanes to plates of biryani eaten shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, the city reveals itself differently when seen through the eyes of a traveller.

Walking Where History Lives

The starting point for many is Charminar, where locals often pass by but rarely pause. On a guided walk with the Hyderabad Trails collective, 26-year-old participant Shravya said, “I have lived here all my life, but today was the first time I heard why the four minarets were built. Knowing the story changes how you look at it.”

Close by lies Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. The granite courtyard, still an active place of worship, gives residents a perspective on Hyderabad’s religious and cultural layers.

Markets as Living Museums

A short walk from Charminar is Laad Bazaar, famous for bangles and pearls. Vendors invite browsing even without buying.

Mohammed Rafiq, a fourth-generation shop owner, speaking to NewsMeter, said, “We see tourists from everywhere. But when locals come and ask about the craft, that makes us happiest, it means our traditions survive at home too.”

For a quieter stop, Sultan Bazaar and Moazzam Jahi Market offer fruits, spices, and stories of trading routes that once connected Hyderabad to the wider Deccan.

Food as a Travel Map

For many, the tourist experience in Hyderabad begins and ends with food. At Hotel Shadab, plates of biryani emerge from the kitchen in rapid succession. 32-year-old software engineer Sameer, visiting with his family, said, “We usually order biryani in, but eating here with the crowds feels like part of the city’s heartbeat.”

Beyond biryani, exploration can include Irani chai and Osmania biscuits at Nimrah Café, haleem year-round in some kitchens, and regional dishes like Andhra gongura curries or Telangana jonna rotte in local messes.

Museums and Quiet Corners

Hyderabadis often skip museums, but Salar Jung Museum houses over 40,000 artefacts, from Tipu Sultan’s sword to European clocks. “It is one of the world’s largest collections by a single individual, yet many residents have never visited,” noted curator Anjali Menon.

Another overlooked spot is the State Archaeology Museum, where Buddhist relics from Amaravati and artefacts from the Satavahana period connect the city to an older history beyond its Nizam heritage.

Lakes, Parks, and Urban Nature

At Hussain Sagar Lake, morning walkers and families share space with tourists taking boat rides to the Buddha statue. Environmental activist Dr. Kavitha Rao said, “Locals should use these spaces not just for leisure but also to understand how lakes have shaped Hyderabad’s settlement and identity.”

Further exploration includes KBR National Park, a reminder that urban biodiversity exists even amid high-rises.

Day Trips Around the City

Being a tourist in Hyderabad also means looking just beyond the city. Golconda Fort, with its acoustic marvels and evening light-and-sound show, draws thousands but remains a missed experience for many residents. Nearby, the Qutb Shahi Tombs have recently been restored, giving insight into a dynasty that shaped the city before the Nizams.

For a different lens, Shamirpet Lake and Ananthagiri Hills offer natural escapes within a short drive.

Why Locals Should Explore

Tourism scholars argue that local exploration builds belonging. Shravya said, “When residents engage with heritage and culture as tourists, it strengthens both civic pride and conservation efforts. People protect what they value.”

World Tourism Day 2025

The UN’s theme this year, “Tourism and Peace,” invites reflection on how travel fosters understanding. In Hyderabad, the message can begin at home. As resident-traveller Shravya summed up after her walk near Charminar: “I realised I don’t need to fly somewhere to feel like a tourist. I just need to see my city with new eyes.”