Welcome to Hyderabad – the City of Pearls and the land of Biryani – and the destination for India’s second KubeCon + CloudNativeCon. As someone who has spent more than a decade in the city exploring the alleys and charms of the old fabled town, navigating the rocketing skyscrapers in the Cyberabad region, I feel I must help all of you coming to Hyderabad for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon.
So this post is for everyone who’s coming to Hyderabad and want to know everything about the city. As a seasoned food and travel blogger in the city, I’ve got you covered.
History of Hyderabad
As a history buff myself, I love sharing Hyderabad’s fascinating story. Founded in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the city served as capital under the Qutb Shahi dynasty for nearly 170 years. The Mughals took control in 1687, but the real game-changer came in 1724 when the Asaf Jahi dynasty- better known as the Nizams – established the princely state of Hyderabad.
These seven Nizams ruled for over 220 years, making Hyderabad one of the wealthiest princely states in the world. The city finally joined the Indian Union in 1948 and today stands as the vibrant capital of Telangana.
Modern Hyderabad
Today’s Hyderabad is where Mughlai architecture meets cutting-edge cloud computing. The city hosts the largest international campuses of Microsoft, Amazon, and Google outside the US – with Amazon’s HYD13 being their biggest office building globally and Google’s upcoming campus set to be their second-largest worldwide.
With over 900,000 tech professionals across 1,500+ companies, Telangana captures 31% of India’s software exports. But it’s not just about code – Hyderabad also dominates as India’s “Bulk Drug Capital” and “Vaccine Capital of the World,” contributing 40% of the country’s pharmaceutical production through its renowned Genome Valley.
Now that you know why Hyderabad is such an exciting destination for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, let’s talk logistics – because good planning means more time for biryani and networking!
Planning Your Visit
While I’ll be at the conference excited to meet all of you, here’s some practical tips for you to make your trip to Hyderabad and commute smoother.
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Venue
- HICC, HITEC City – Google Maps
- August 6-7, 2025
- Complete Schedule
Weather & Packing
- August: Post-monsoon, 24-30°C, occasional showers
- Pack: Light layers, comfortable shoes, light rain jacket
- For accurate, real-time weather updates, follow Telangana Weatherman – the entire state of Telangana follows him!
Getting There
- Flights:
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) – 45 mins to city
- Direct flights from major global cities
- Airport taxi/Uber/Meru/Sky Cabs/Ohm Cabs: ₹800-1200 to HITEC City
- Airport Bus/Pushpak bus: ₹300-400 to HITEC City
- Train:
City Commute
There are multiple options available if you want to commute within the city
- Metro: Connects most major parts of the city HITEC City and Old City (₹15-60) – Hyderabad Metro Map (can get crowded at peak hours)
- Ride-sharing: Uber/Ola/Rapido widely available
- City buses: Lots of air condition and regular buses
- Auto-rickshaws: Short distances, negotiate fare
Things To Do in Hyderabad
Having spent considerable time in Hyderabad over the years, I can tell you that KubeCon + CloudNativeCon is just the beginning! Beyond those intense cloud native sessions, this city has so much to offer.
Whether you’re looking to unwind after a day of technical deep-dives or exploring during your extended stay, I’ve curated some of my favorite spots that perfectly capture Hyderabad’s unique blend of heritage and innovation. From biryanis that’ll ruin you for any other version to ancient forts that make you appreciate good architecture, here are the places I always recommend.
🍽️ Food
Biryani (The Crown Jewel)
Hyderabad is known for its Biryani – a traditional dish made from rice and meat (Mutton or Chicken) with vegetarian options also available. People of Hyderabad swear by their Biryani and are very attached to particular restaurants. So this is not a comprehensive list, but some of the well known places in the city.
- Bawarchi (RTC X Roads): The original since 1994 with no branches – aromatic spice-forward biryani that locals swear by.
- Cafe Bahar: Old-city institution serving traditional Hyderabadi dum biryani since 1973
- Pista House: Famous for biryani and sweets, multiple locations.
Cafes & Coffee
- Roast CCX: Specialty coffee with cozy ambiance and the largest cafe in Hyderabad.
- Roastery Coffee House: the OG cafe of the city that brought the coffee culture to the city.
- True Black: A popular cafe with excellent single origins and food choices, perfect to work from.
Breweries
- Zero40 Brewing: Hyderabad’s original craft brewery with multiple locations
- Broadway: Gastropub with craft beers, delicious food and live music.
- Forge Brew Hous: Industrial-themed brewery with wood-fired pizzas
Dosa & Breakfast
- Panchakattu: Authentic Rayalaseema (a region in Telangana) styled dosas (crepes) with Pongal.
- Taaza Kitchen: Traditional tiffin center with excellent idli-dosa combos.
🛍️ Shopping
Closest to Venue
- Shilparamam: Arts & crafts village in HITEC City showcasing traditional handicrafts from across India, closest from the conference venue.
Traditional Shopping
- Charminar/Laad Bazaar: Famous for bangles, pearls, and traditional wear. Bustling old-city market experience.
- Koti: Wholesale clothing market, great for Indian ethnic wear and accessories.
Modern Malls
- AMB Mall: Premium mall with luxury brands and IMAX theater in Gachibowli.
- PVR Nexus Mall: Popular mall in Kukatpally with diverse shopping and dining.
- Inorbit Mall: Large shopping destination in Madhapur near HITEC City.
🏛️ Exploring
Heritage Highlights
- Charminar: Iconic 400-year-old monument with four towers, the symbol of Hyderabad.
- Golconda Fort: Majestic hilltop citadel with diamond mine history, famous for its acoustics.
- Salar Jung Museum: One of the world’s largest art museums with diverse global collections.
- Qutb Shahi Tombs: Royal mausoleums showcasing Indo-Persian architecture from the 16th-17th centuries.
Entertainment
- Ramoji Film City: World’s largest film studio complex spread across 2,000 acres, you’ll need one full day to explore the film city and experience the grand sets of blockbuster movie Bahubali.
💡 Pro Tip: For detailed reviews and hidden gems, check out my First Time in Hyderabad guide for an insider’s perspective on each of these spots or a list of even more places to explore.
Travel Smart: Most heritage sites are clustered in Old City, while modern attractions are in HITEC City/Gachibowli area. Plan by location to maximize your time.
See you in Hyderabad
I’m genuinely excited about KubeCon + CloudNativeCon India 2025! With over 57 sessions lined up and the cloud native community converging in Hyderabad, this is going to be an incredible opportunity to learn from the best minds in the industry, network with fellow practitioners, and dive deep into the latest innovations shaping our space.
The speaker lineup looks fantastic, the sessions promise cutting-edge insights, and honestly, there’s no better backdrop than Hyderabad for this gathering. From morning keynotes to evening networking over some legendary biryani—it’s going to be epic!
If you haven’t registered yet, grab your tickets now. Whether you’re a seasoned Kubernetes pro or just starting your cloud native journey, there’s something for everyone.
Got questions about Hyderabad, need restaurant recommendations, or want insider tips? Hit me up on @atulmaharaj on X or@atulmaharaj on Instagram – I’m always happy to help fellow tech folks make the most of their Hyderabad experience!
Can’t wait to see you all there! 🚀