Telangana is a landlocked state in south-central India on the Deccan Plateau, home to Hyderabad, the Qutb Shahi and Nizam heritage of Golconda and Charminar, and the Kakatiya temples of Warangal and Ramappa.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Hyderabadi pearls
Natural and cultured freshwater pearl strings, earrings and sets, a trade Hyderabad has held since the Nizams.
Price: INR 1,500-25,000 (approx. USD 16-260) for cultured strings; natural pearls cost far more
Where: Pearl shops around Charminar and Patthar Gatti; certified jewellers in Banjara Hills
Laad Bazaar lac bangles
Glass and stone-studded lac bangles in bright colours, sold by the dozen, a signature Old City purchase.
Price: INR 100-1,500 per dozen (approx. USD 1-16)
Where: Laad Bazaar, Charminar
Bidriware
Blackened zinc-copper alloy pieces inlaid with silver, made in Hyderabad since the Bahmani era.
Price: INR 500-15,000 (approx. USD 5-156)
Where: State emporiums and Old City shops; Numaish exhibition
Pochampally ikat saris and dress material
Handwoven double-ikat fabric with geometric patterns from Bhoodan Pochampally, GI-protected.
Price: INR 1,500-15,000 (approx. USD 16-156) for saris; INR 300-800 per metre for fabric
Where: Pochampally village; state handloom emporiums in Hyderabad
Gadwal and Narayanpet handloom saris
Cotton-silk saris from Jogulamba Gadwal and Narayanpet with contrast borders.
Price: INR 3,000-20,000 (approx. USD 31-208)
Where: Handloom emporiums and Sultan Bazar
Cheriyal scroll paintings
Hand-painted narrative scrolls and masks from Cheriyal village in Siddipet district, in bold reds and yellows.
Price: INR 500-25,000 (approx. USD 5-260) depending on size
Where: Shilparamam, state craft emporiums
Nirmal toys and paintings
Lightweight wooden toys, fruit models and gold-tinted panel paintings from Nirmal, GI-protected.
Price: INR 300-8,000 (approx. USD 3-83)
Where: Craft emporiums and Shilparamam
Kalamkari
Hand-painted or block-printed cotton with natural dyes depicting mythological scenes.
Price: INR 500-6,000 (approx. USD 5-63)
Where: Handloom emporiums and Shilparamam
Karachi Bakery biscuits and Hyderabadi sweets
Osmania biscuits, fruit biscuits, Double ka Meetha mixes and dry fruits, easy to carry.
Price: INR 150-800 (approx. USD 1.50-8) per pack
Where: Karachi Bakery stores and Abids/Begum Bazaar sweet shops
Hyderabadi biryani masala and spices
Ready-made biryani masala, haleem mix and dried chillies, packed for travel.
Price: INR 100-500 (approx. USD 1-5)
Where: Begum Bazaar, Sultan Bazar
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Laad Bazaar
A 400-year-old market street running west from Charminar, known for glass and lac bangles, pearls, saris and traditional perfumes.
Where: Old City, Charminar
Hours: Approx. 10:30AM-9PM daily; peaks in evenings and during Ramadan
Charminar Pearl Market (Patthar Gatti)
A cluster of pearl jewellers between Charminar and Laad Bazaar, where Hyderabad's pearl-cutting and stringing trade has been active since the Nizams.
Where: Old City, near Charminar
Hours: Approx. 10:30AM-9PM daily; many shops close on Friday afternoons
Begum Bazaar
One of Hyderabad's largest wholesale markets, selling household goods, spices, dry fruits, brassware and textiles at trade prices.
Where: Old City, north of the Musi River
Hours: Approx. 10AM-9PM, Mon-Sat; many shops close Sunday
Sultan Bazar
A busy shopping street of sari shops and wedding-goods stores near Koti, popular with local families.
Where: Koti, central Hyderabad
Hours: Approx. 10:30AM-9PM daily
Abids Road and Gunfoundry
Hyderabad's classic central shopping district, with book stalls, textile shops and Irani cafes around Abids Circle.
Where: Abids, central Hyderabad
Hours: Approx. 10AM-9PM, Mon-Sat
Koti Women's Market (Koti Bazaar)
A dense lane market around Koti and the Osmania Medical College bus station, known for bargain accessories and dress fabric.
Where: Koti, central Hyderabad
Hours: Approx. 10AM-9PM daily
Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporium, Gunfoundry
A state-run emporium selling handicrafts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at fixed prices, useful for authenticity checks.
Where: Gunfoundry, Abids
Hours: Approx. 10AM-7PM, closed Sundays (hours may vary; check locally)
Gandhi Bhavan Handloom Emporium (Telangana State Handloom Cooperative)
Government-backed handloom outlets in the Nampally area sell certified Telangana weaves at fixed prices.
Where: Nampally, central Hyderabad
Hours: Approx. 10AM-7PM, closed Sundays (verify locally)
Shilparamam Arts and Crafts Village
An arts and crafts village near Hitech City with craft stalls, artisan demonstrations and seasonal festivals featuring craftspeople from across India.
Where: Madhapur, Hitech City
Hours: Approx. 10:30AM-8PM daily; craft fairs on weekends and festivals
Numaish (All India Industrial Exhibition)
A 45-day annual exhibition-cum-market held since 1938, with hundreds of stalls from across India.
Where: Nampally Exhibition Grounds
Hours: Jan 1 - Feb 15 annually; typically 4PM-10PM on weekdays and 12PM-10:30PM on weekends
Bhoodan Pochampally Handloom Weavers Village
The GI-protected ikat weaving village, where cooperatives and homes sell saris, fabric and home furnishings at weaver prices.
Where: Pochampally, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district (about 45 km from Hyderabad)
Hours: Approx. 9AM-6PM daily; weaver cooperatives close some afternoons
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Old City (Charminar, Laad Bazaar, Patthar Gatti)
The historic core for pearls, bangles, attar, textiles and Bidriware, best visited in the evening for atmosphere.
Best for: Pearls, bangles, traditional crafts, bargaining
Begum Bazaar and Sultan Bazar
Wholesale and retail markets across the Musi River for spices, dry fruits, saris and household goods.
Best for: Spices, dry fruits, saris, wedding goods
Abids, Koti and Nampally
Central shopping district with book stalls, fashion, handloom emporiums and the Numaish exhibition.
Best for: Books, textiles, government handloom emporiums
Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills
Upscale boutiques, designer stores, jewellers and GVK One.
Best for: Luxury brands, designer wear, jewellery
Hitech City, Madhapur and Kondapur
Modern malls including Inorbit and Sarath City Capital, plus Shilparamam craft village.
Best for: Malls, international brands, dining
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Inorbit Mall Hyderabad
One of Hyderabad's best-known malls, located near Hitech City, with major fashion brands, a multiplex and a food court.
Hours: Daily 11AM-10PM
Sarath City Capital Mall
A large mall in Kondapur housing fashion, electronics and entertainment options.
Hours: Daily 10AM-11PM
GVK One
An upscale mall in Banjara Hills with luxury labels and restaurants.
Hours: Daily 10:30AM-10PM
Forum Sujana Mall
A large family mall in Kukatpally with department stores, food court and a multiplex.
Hours: Daily 10AM-10PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected in Laad Bazaar, Begum Bazaar, Sultan Bazar and Koti; start at 40-50% of the first quoted price
Government emporiums (Lepakshi, handloom cooperatives) and malls charge fixed prices
Pearls should be bought only from established jewellers; ask for a certificate and test for authenticity (real pearls feel gritty when rubbed against a tooth)
Ask for a GST bill for purchases of value; foreign visitors may claim GST refunds only through eligible schemes, which are limited
Carry small change and use UPI or cash; many Old City vendors do not accept foreign cards
Shops in the Old City often close on Fridays for prayers and on Sundays; check timings
Avoid buying antiques or items that may be restricted for export without paperwork
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Shops in the Old City often close on Friday afternoons and around prayer times; bargaining is customary in bazaars but not in malls or emporiums.