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Secunderabad pronunciation is twinned with the city of Hyderabad, the latter being the fifth largest metropolis in India and the state capital of Andhra Pradesh. The two cities are popularly called 'Twin cities'. In common parlance however, Secunderabad is seldom used these days outside the twin cities. Instead 'Hyderabad' is used normally. Though they are called twins, the cities present different fusion of cultures with Secunderabad having developed under direct British rule until 1948, and the city of Hyderabad, as the capital of a princely state.

Secunderabad was founded in the 18th century as a British cantonment, and has a large Army and Air Force presence to this date. Today, the Secunderabad Cantonment is the largest in India and of the largest in Asia. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, till recently Secunderabad had its own municipality and city government. Now it is a part of the Hyderabad, the district. Secunderabad celebrated two hundred years of its formation in 2007. The population of Secunderabad Cantonment is 204,182 (2001 census}.

Lake Hussain Sagar, which separates the city of Secunderabad from HyderabadThe Cantonment area is farther from the Hyderabad portion than rest of the city. Adjoining Hyderabad is the mostly civilian portion of Secunderabad which is commercially active and centrally located. Begumpet International Airport is close to Secunderabad and served both the cities till early 2008. Secunderabad Railway station is also the main station for the twin cities and is the headquarters of the South Central Railway. The Twin cities are separated by the man made Hussain Sagar lake, which was built during the reign of the Qutb Shahis in the 16th century. The lake is a heart shaped jewel keeping the two cities together, and has become very dear to its citizens.

Sir Ronald Ross conducted his initial research on the cause of malaria in the city of Secunderabad. The original building is today called the Sir Ronald Ross Institute and is located on Minister Road. The city of Secunderabad which was once said to be modern compared to its twin during the Nizam rule, has grown tremendously over the years to catch up with the metropolis of Hyderabad. Populous places of the city include Paradise Circle, Trimulgherry, Marredpally, Kharkhana, James Street, etc..