Hyderabad is one of the most amazing places to stay in if you love food. But if you like to travel a lot then this is a tricky place to live in. Sure, there are several nearby 1-day trips that can be done to Srisailam, Warangal, etc. but most of these places stay hot throughout the year.
So, if you are looking to escape the summer heat of Hyderabad, it becomes very difficult to find an appropriate vacation spot. Thankfully, after staying 3 years in this city for my job, I have an idea about a few nearby destinations that one can head to for experiencing a cooler climate.
Are you looking for some weekend destinations to escape the Hyderabad heat? Then, here are the top 10 places to consider for your weekend getaway.
Distance from Hyderabad: 705 km
How to Reach: In order to reach Araku Valley, you will first need to take a bus/train to Visakhapatnam and then a cab/toy train to Araku Valley. It will take approximately 20-21 hours to reach Araku Valley from Hyderabad so go during a long weekend.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
One of the most picturesque valleys in Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is known for its rich flora and amazing coffee plantations. Located in the Eastern Ghats, Araku Valley is far away from the hustle bustle of city life and has a pleasant climate throughout the year.
This hill station is the home to several indigenous tribes about which you can learn in the Araku Valley museum. And there is also the Borra Caves and water dams here which makes this place a good weekend getaway from Hyderabad.
Dandeli
Distance from Hyderabad: 565 km
How to Reach: You can take a train/bus to Hubbali and then reach Dandeli by taking a taxi/local bus from Hubbali. It will take around 14-15 hours for you to reach Dandeli from Hyderabad.
Best Time to Visit: June to March
One of the most exciting and adventurous places to visit from Hyderabad, Dandeli lies on the banks of river Kali and experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. Surrounded with lush green forests, Dandeli offers you scenic spots along with wildlife adventure to enjoy your stay here.
So, if you want to escape for the weekend and have some adrenaline rush in a cool climate then Dandeli is the perfect spot for you.
Distance from Hyderabad: 630 km
How to Reach: You can take a direct bus or train from Hyderabad to Lonavala. It will take around 13-15 hours to reach Lonavala from Hyderabad.
Best Time to Visit: June to March
Another popular hill station for a weekend getaway from Hyderabad is Lonavala in Maharashtra. Lonavala's scenic view points along with lush greenery and cool breeze make it a popular hill station for both Mumbaikars and Hyderbadis.
Apart from the green pastures and scenic views, Lonavala is also home to a few lakes and forts which makes it such a good place to hang out during the weekend. So, if you are tired of the dust and the deccan plateau in Hyderabad then head to Lonavala for a rejuvenating experience.
Matheran
Distance from Hyderabad: 690 km
How to Reach: Take a bus/train to Pune and then catch a local train to Neral. From Neral, you can take a shared cab or the toy train to reach Matheran hill station. It will take around 13-15 hours to reach Matheran from Hyderabad.
Best Time to Visit: July to March
Another popular hill station in Maharashtra which is known for its misty climate and colonial architecture, Matheran is a perfect weekend getaway from Hyderabad. This place is filled with lush greenery and requires a short trek through the forest in order to reach Matheran.
One can also take the Neral-Matheran toy train to experience the beautiful scenery here. There are several waterfalls and viewpoints to enjoy here which makes it a good place to visit from Hyderabad.
Horsley Hills
Distance from Hyderabad: 530 km
How to Reach: Take a bus to Madanapalle from Hyderabad. From Madanapalle, you can take a local bus or auto to Horsley Hills. It will take around 12-13 hours to reach Horsley Hills from Hyderabad.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
One of the smallest hill stations which can be covered in a day trip, Horsley Hills is another great place to travel from Hyderabad to enjoy a cool and pleasant climate. This hill station includes a dense forest and offers several viewpoints and temples for the travelers to explore.
This place stays windy throughout the year and one can also indulge in activities like trekking, bird watching, etc. here.
Distance from Hyderabad: 650 km
How to Reach: You can reach Chikamagalur by taking a bus to Bangalore and then a cab/bus to Chikamagalur. You can also drive to Chikamagalur for a road trip adventure. Ideally, it will take you around 13-14 hours to reach Chikamagalur.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
Chikamagalur, located in Karnataka, is another great hill station to visit from Hyderabad and offers a lot of trekking and adventurous activities. This hill station is surrounded by dense forest and amazing mountains and offers amazing mountain views from every corner.
There are many waterfalls and viewpoints here as well which you can explore or simply enjoy the relaxed, cool climate here.
Ooty
Distance from Hyderabad: 855 km
How to Reach: In order to reach Ooty, you can take a bus or train to Coimbatore and then from there, a cab or local bus to Ooty. Ideally, it will take around 16-18 hours to reach Ooty. So, make sure you plan a trip here during a long weekend.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
Ooty in Nilgiri Hills is another good getaway from Hyderabad and is perfect place for all the mountain lovers. In Ooty, you can enjoy a cool, pleasant climate along with some scintillating mountain views. But that is not all, Ooty is also surrounded by some gorgeous lakes which you can explore and make the most of your time in this hill station.
Must read: wonderla hyderabad, ikea hyderabad, jala vihar
Also, if you travel to Ooty then make sure that you ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway which runs between Mettupalyam and Ooty.
Munnar
Distance from Hyderabad: 1,050 km
How to Reach: There are a couple of direct buses which run from Hyderabad to Munnar and take around 20 hours to reach. But if you want to avoid such a long journey then you can always take a flight to Kochi from Hyderabad and then take a bus/cab to Munnar from Kochi.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year
Although Munnar is a little far from Hyderabad, but trust me, it is worth all the effort you will put to reach here. The wide expanse of mountains, tea plantations covering the mountain tops, and the numerous viewpoints on the way. Munnar is one of the best hill stations in South which offers a lot to the travelers and allows you to simply relax and enjoy your surroundings here.
So, if you are tired of the city life and want a cool and pleasant climate to relax in then Munnar is definitely the best choice for you.
Mahabaleshwar
Distance from Hyderabad: 590 km
How to Reach: You can take a bus/train from Hyderabad to Pune. From Pune, you can take a cab/bus to reach Mahabaleshwar. It will take you about 13-14 hours to reach Mahabaleshwar from Hyderabad.
Best Time to Visit: September to March
A popular hill station in the Western Ghats range, Mahabaleshwar offers many amazing viewpoints like Elephant Viewpoint, Lingmala Waterfalls, and so on. You also have the famous Pratapgad Fort here which and the famous Venna lake where you can spend some time and enjoy your surroundings.
This hill station is also famous for its strawberries so make sure you try their Strawberry ice cream and Jam when visiting here.
Panchgani
Distance from Hyderabad: 568 km
How to Reach: Reach Pune from Hyderabad and then take a cab/bus to Panchgani from Pune. You can also drive your own vehicle to Panchgani from Hyderabad. It will take around 12-13 hours to reach Panchgani.
Best Time to Visit: September to March
Surrounded by 5 hills, Panchgani is another great hill station to reach from Hyderabad and is best known for its sunrise and sunset points. You can stay for a day or two here and enjoy the cool climate here and head to some popular viewpoints like Table Land, Sydney Point, etc.