Once you have exhausted the sights and sounds of Hyderabad or you just feel like getting out of the bustling city for a while, head towards the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park located at Jubilee hill, 25 km out of Hyderabad. This park covers an area of 156.30 hectares of southern tropical vegetation, with nearly 600 species of trees, shrubs, climbers, herbs, as well as 113 species of birds, 20 species of reptiles, 15 species of butterflies, 20 species of mammals and numerous invertebrates, a haven and refuge for the flora and fauna located just outside the city center.
For a more animated visit, the Ramoji Film City (RFC) this is the largest integrated film studio with theme park. It is one of Asia’s most popular recreation centers, and has even entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. It is at a 30 minutes drive from Hyderabad on Vijayawada Highway.
The Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali Park, located 15 km from Hyderabad is another nature haven and animal sanctuary. This area was once a hunting ground belonging to one of the Nizam rulers and has now been transformed into a protected national park. Here you may admire blooming species of flowers during the monsoons and spot the Black Buck deer, which roam about the grounds. Other animals can be seen, including cheetahs, wild boar, monitor lizards, mongooses, porcupines and innumerable variety of snakes. Several species of birds like quails, partridges, doves, peacocks, pond herons, kingfishers, egrets, cormorants are also found here in great numbers, over 80 species of migratory birds can be also be seen basking in the sun.
If you are planning a day trip outside the city make sure you visit Bidar an important historical site, 140 km away from Hyderabad. The Bidar fort, which was built in the 11th century AD, houses a museum, mosque and palaces like the Thakht Palace and Gagan Mahal. The ruins of the University built by Prime Minister Mahmud Gawan from the Bahamani Dynasty in the 15th century must not be missed. Bidar also boasts one of the most famous Gurudawaras with its personal history.
Kondapur is an important archaeological excavation site, 90 km west of Hyderabad. Relics of a Buddhist complex, coins in copper, lead, silver and gold of the Roman and Satvahana era were found here, dating back to 300 B.C. Sculptures in limestone and megalithic graves have also been unearthed near Kondapur.
Another day trip worth taking lies 100 km out of Hyderabad towards Medak. Here you may visit one of the largest and best churches in the country. A Gothic structure built on an immense scale in solid granite, famous for its pointed stained multicolored glass windows, which depict the story of the bible. Just 16 km from Medak, in Pocharam is a beautiful lake and wildlife sanctuary.
In Kolanupaka, 80 km away from Hyderabad, you may admire a 2000-year-old Jain Mahavira Temple famous for its 1.5-meter high image carved in jade. While at Yadagirigutta, 69 km away, east of Hyderabad on top of a hillock is situated the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. People believe that a bath in the holy water of Vishnu Pushkarini cures all incurable diseases.