AIG IBD Summit 2027 / About Hyderabad
About
Hyderabad
The summit is held in a city that has been a crossroads for four and a half centuries. Hyderabad was founded in 1591 around the Charminar, grew under the Qutb Shahi kings and the Nizams, and today runs on software, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Granite forts and 400-year-old bazaars sit a short drive from glass towers and one of India's largest hospital campuses.
At a glance
- Founded1591By Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, around the Charminar
- PopulationAbout 11 millionIndia's fourth largest urban area
- LanguagesTelugu, Urdu, HindiEnglish is widely spoken and used on all signage
- Weather in April32-40°C by dayHot and dry, cooler after sunset. Pack light cotton and sun protection
- Time zoneUTC +5:30India Standard Time, with no daylight saving
- CurrencyIndian Rupee (INR)Cards and digital payments are accepted almost everywhere
Getting here
Hyderabad is well connected to the Gulf, South-East Asia and Europe, and to every major Indian city.
By air
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (airport code HYD), at Shamshabad, is about 30 km from the venue and roughly 40 minutes by road on the Outer Ring Road. It handles direct international flights from the Gulf, South-East Asia, East Asia and Europe, with onward connections worldwide.
Airport to the venue
Pre-paid taxis and app-based cabs run around the clock from the arrivals hall. The Pushpak airport coach service connects the airport with HITEC City and other hubs. Many delegates find it simplest to arrange a hotel pickup in advance.
Around the city
The Hyderabad Metro is clean, air-conditioned and the fastest way to cross the city in traffic. App-based cabs and auto-rickshaws are inexpensive and easy to book on a phone. Allow extra time in the weekday evening peak.
By rail
Secunderabad, Nampally and Kacheguda are the three main stations, with long-distance trains from across India. They are a 45-minute to one-hour drive from the venue, depending on traffic.
Where to stay
Hotels in HITEC City, Gachibowli and Madhapur are closest to the venue. Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills, about 20 to 30 minutes away, have a wider choice of hotels and restaurants.
Registration desk
Details of the summit venue, the delegate shuttle and the registration desk timings will be published here closer to the summit.
What to see
Most of the historic sites sit in the old city, south of the Musi river, and can be combined into a single day. Travel times below are from the HITEC City and Gachibowli area, where most delegates stay.
- Landmark
Charminar
The monument the city was built around, raised in 1591 with four arches and four minarets. The surrounding lanes are at their best in the early evening, when the whole quarter is lit.
About 45 minutes away - Fort
Golconda Fort
The Qutb Shahi citadel on a granite hill, known for an acoustic system that carries a hand clap at the entrance up to the summit. An evening sound and light show tells the story of the dynasty.
About 20 minutes away - Heritage
Qutb Shahi Tombs
A necropolis of domed sandstone tombs set in restored gardens, close to Golconda. One of the largest surviving complexes of its kind anywhere, and far quieter than the fort.
About 25 minutes away - Palace
Chowmahalla Palace
The seat of the Nizams, with a durbar hall, courtyards and a collection of vintage cars and clocks. A short walk from the Charminar.
About 45 minutes away - Museum
Salar Jung Museum
One of the largest collections assembled by a single person anywhere in the world, from Mughal miniatures to European sculpture. Allow at least two hours.
About 45 minutes away - Lakeside
Hussain Sagar and Tank Bund
A 16th-century lake in the middle of the city with a monolithic Buddha statue on an island. The promenade along Tank Bund is a favourite evening walk.
About 30 minutes away - Temple
Birla Mandir
A white marble temple on a rocky outcrop above the lake, with one of the best open views across the city. Worth timing for sunset.
About 30 minutes away - Crafts
Shilparamam
A crafts village in Madhapur where artisans from across India sell textiles, metalwork and handicrafts. The closest cultural stop to the venue, and an easy evening.
About 10 minutes away - Day trip
Ramoji Film City
An enormous working film studio complex on the city's eastern edge, with sets, gardens and shows. A full day, best kept for before or after the summit.
About 90 minutes away
What to eat
Hyderabadi cooking came out of the Nizams' kitchens, where Mughal technique met the spice and sourness of the Deccan. It is rich, slow-cooked and generous with chilli, though almost every restaurant will adjust the heat if you ask.
Vegetarian, Jain and halal food is easy to find across the city, and most hotel restaurants cater to every dietary requirement. If you are cautious about spice or raw food, stick to freshly cooked dishes and bottled water.
- Hyderabadi biryaniRice and marinated meat sealed in a pot and cooked over a slow fire. The dish the city is known for.
- HaleemWheat, lentils and meat pounded for hours into a thick, savoury stew. A Ramzan speciality, so availability depends on the calendar.
- Irani chai and Osmania biscuitsStrong milky tea and a lightly salted sweet biscuit, served in the old Irani cafes that have defined the city's afternoons for a century.
- Mirchi ka salan and bagara bainganChilli and aubergine in a peanut, sesame and tamarind gravy, the classic accompaniments to biryani.
- Qubani ka meethaStewed dried apricots served with cream, the traditional close to a Hyderabadi meal.
- Andhra and Telangana mealsFiery regional thalis served on banana leaf, a very different tradition from the Nizami kitchen and worth trying once.
Markets and shopping
Hyderabad has been called the City of Pearls since the Qutb Shahi era, when it was a trading centre for pearls and diamonds. Laad Bazaar, in the lanes beside the Charminar, is the place for lacquer bangles, pearls and silver. Buy pearls from an established dealer and ask for a certificate.
For textiles, look for Pochampally ikat and Gadwal and Narayanpet handloom saris. Fixed-price state emporia and Shilparamam are the easiest option if you would rather not bargain. In the bazaars, bargaining is expected and good-humoured.
Practical notes
Money
The Indian Rupee is the only legal tender. Cards work in hotels, restaurants and most shops, and ATMs are everywhere. Carry some cash for auto-rickshaws and small bazaar purchases.
Electricity
230 volts at 50 Hz, with three round-pin sockets. Bring a universal adaptor; most hotels can lend one.
Water and food
Drink sealed bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth if your stomach is sensitive. Eat freshly cooked food and be a little careful with cut fruit and salads from street stalls.
Getting a local number
An Indian SIM needs your passport and travel documents and can take a day to activate. An international roaming plan or an eSIM bought before you travel is usually simpler for a short stay.
Dress
Light cotton clothing for the heat, with something to cover shoulders and knees for temples and mosques. Shoes come off at places of worship. Conference halls are strongly air-conditioned, so bring a layer.
Health
No vaccination is required for most arrivals, though check your own country's travel advice. Sunscreen, a hat and steady water intake matter more than anything else in April.
Tipping
Not obligatory and never expected aggressively. Rounding up a cab fare, or around 10 per cent at a restaurant where service is not already included, is normal.
Safety
Hyderabad is among the safer large Indian cities and the old city is busy well into the evening. Usual city precautions with bags and phones in crowded markets are enough.
