Situated along the banks of the Musi River, Hyderabad is a city that is rich in history and culture. Everything from the historical landmarks and lifestyle to the cuisine and tourism scene of Hyderabad is stunning. There are numerous interesting places to visit in Hyderabad. This city is among one of the most populous in the country. Hyderabad offers the perfect blend of history and modern development. This is one of the most developed metropolises in India.
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Founded in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, Hyderabad was conquered by the Mughals in 1724. Hyderabad was until 1948 the capital of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Hyderabad was annexed to the Republic of India in 1948 following a successful military operation by the Indian army. In this article, we take a look at some of the best attractions in Hyderabad.
10 Places to Visit in Hyderabad
- Charminar
- Golconda Fort
- Salar Jung Museum
- Hussain Sagar Lake
- Chowmahalla Palace
- Ramoji Film City
- Makkah Masjid
- Birla Temple
- Qutb Shahi Tombs
- Nehru Zoological Park
Charminar
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Charminar is the face of Hyderabad’s tourism. Charminar is one of the most beautiful monuments to exist not just in Hyderabad, but in entire India. This iconic monument is the official emblem of the state of Telangana. Eid-ul-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are two of the most celebrated festivals at Charminar attracting devotees from across the country. Charminar is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in Hyderabad.
Charminar also housed a mosque for more than 400 years. The architecture of Charminar is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The name Charminar literally translates to four pillars. Standing tall at a height of 48.7 metres, this monument was designed by Mir Momin Astarabadi. The market surrounding this iconic attraction is equally popular.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Major Attractions: The four pillars
Ideal Duration to Visit: 1 Hour
Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort is one of the major historical attractions in Hyderabad that draws visitors from around the world. Such is the prominence of Golconda Fort that it was put in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2014. This citadel is also known as Golla Konda. The name of this fort literally translates to “shepherds’ hill” in Telugu, the regional language of Telangana. Golconda Fort is one of the major tourist places in Hyderabad.
This fort was built by the Kakatiyas and has been captured by the Bahmanis and the Mughals. A vault at the Golconda Fort was once used for keeping the famed Koh-i-Noor Diamond. Golconda was once one of the major diamond mines in the world. The Bala Hissar Gate to the east of the Golconda Fort is its main entrance.
Famous For: Being home to the Koh-i-Noor Diamond
Tickets: INR 25 Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 AM to 05:30 PM
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 Hours
Exact Location: Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad
How to Reach: Bus, auto-rickshaw, cab
Salar Jung Museum
Situated on the southern bank of the Musi River, Salar Jung Museum is a prominent art museum that should not be missed. Salar Jung Museum is one of the top places to visit in Hyderabad for art lovers. As the name suggests, the art collection here was once owned by the Salar Jung Family, a noble family under Nizams of Hyderabad.
After the death of Salar Jung III, this art collection was passed on to the Republic of India. This art museum was first opened to the public in 1951. Since then, this has been a popular attraction in the city. Veiled Rebecca, one of the most popular works of Giovanni Maria Benzoni, is one of the star attractions at Salar Jung Museum.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Veiled Rebecca, Dagger of Jahangir Nur, and artworks of Raja Ravi Varma
Ideal Duration to Explore: 2 Hour
Hussain Sagar Lake
Hussain Sagar Lake is the heart of Hyderabad, literally. This heart-shaped lake is one of the most famous places to visit in Hyderabad. This lake was built in the 16th Century by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. He was the fourth ruler of Golconda. Situated in the centre of Hussain Sagar Lake is the Gibraltar Rock. On this rock, a monolithic statue of Gautam Buddha was built in 1992.
This lake was built across one of the tributaries of the Musi River. Hussain Shahi Wali was a Sufi saint who was the chief architect during the reign of Ibrahim Qulo Qutb Shah. This lake was named after him as a gesture of respect. Hussain Sagar Lake is also referred to as Tank Bund.
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Major Attractions: Shimmering waters of the lake and the Buddha statue
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Chowmahalla Palace
The construction of the Chowmahalla Palace began in 1750 and was completed only during the 1880s. This alluring palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Chowmahalla Palace was built by Nizam Salamat Jung. Chowmahalla Palace is among one of the many magnificent structures built by the Nizams across Hyderabad. This magnificent palace was the recipient of the UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation in 2010.
The Khilwat Mubarak darbar hall is the centre of attraction at the Chowmahalla Palace. Apart from this, there are numerous courtyards, fountains, and gardens that add to the beauty of the palatial complex. Visiting this mesmerising palace is a must for those with an interest in architecture and history. Chowmahalla Palace is one of the most interesting places to visit in Hyderabad.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Khilwat Mubarak darbar hall
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Ramoji Film City
Certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest film city in the world, Ramoji Film City should definitely be a part of your itinerary. This sprawling complex was built in 1996 by Ramoji Rao. He is one of the most successful film producers in the Telugu Film Industry and in entire South India. Ramoji Film City is visited by over 1.5 million tourists annually making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Telangana.
Ramoji Film City was designed by art director Nitish Roy. With six hotels, a central kitchen, an amusement park, and a wide range of permanent as well as temporary sets, the magnificent Ramoji Film City is definitely worth a visit. This film city was built after Ramoji Rao was inspired by Hollywood. Ramoji Film City is one of the best places for sightseeing in Hyderabad.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Wide range of permanent film sets
Ideal Duration to Explore: 3 Hours
Makkah Masjid
Also known as Mecca Masjid, this is one of the largest mosques in the country. With a capacity to hold more than 10,000 people, this magnificent mosque is truly beautiful. The construction of this mosque was completed in 1693. Makkah Masjid is one of the best examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The mosque is named such because the bricks used for the construction of this religious building were made using soil from Mecca.
This is one of the most-visited and most important religious destinations in Hyderabad. The construction of Makkah Masjid began during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah. The work of this magnificent building was completed during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Whether for admiring the architecture or offering prayers, visiting Makkah Masjid is a must.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 04:00 AM to 09:30 PM
Major Attractions: Architecture
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Birla Temple
Situated on Naubath Pahad, Birla Temple is a significant Hindu Temple that was built in 1976. The work of the temple began in 1966 and was completed in a time span of one decade. This temple was officially inaugurated by Swami Ranganathananda and was built by the Birla Foundation. Birla Temple is made using pure white marble and is one of the most important religious attractions in Hyderabad.
The architecture of this temple is a mixture of Dravidian, Rajasthani and Utkala styles. The chief deity of Birla Temple is Lord Venkateswara. Visiting this temple is highly recommended for those with an interest in Hindu culture and architecture. Birla Temple is one of the most important places to visit in Hyderabad for Hindus.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 07:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday to Sunday from 02:00 PM to 08:00 PM
Major Attractions: The architecture
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Qutb Shahi Tombs
Qutb Shahi Tombs is one of the best historical attractions in Hyderabad. It is situated near the Golconda Fort. At the centre of each tomb, there is a sarcophagus. This complex is dotted with tombs of various rulers of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Here, you will find numerous one-storey and two-storey tombs. Each tomb here features intricate carvings and is aesthetically pleasing.
The domes and pointed arches are the common features among all the tombs here. Tombs of sultans were adorned with golden spires. The tombs here reflect Indian and Persian architecture. Mausoleum of Hayat Bakhshi Begum, Mausoleum of Jamsheed Quli Qutb Shah, Mausoleum of Fatima Sultana, and Mausoleum of Kulsum Begum can be seen during your visit here.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:30 AM to 06:30 PM
Major Attractions: Tombs of Qutub Royalty
Ideal Duration to Explore: 1 Hour
Nehru Zoological Park
Nehru Zoological Park is an attraction that is visited by locals and tourists alike. Also known as the Hyderabad Zoo, this zoological park was first opened to the public in 1963. The works of Nehru Zoological Park began in 1959. This zoo is situated adjacent to the Mir Alam Tank and covers a total area of 380 acres (150 hectares).
Birds, animals, and reptiles of over 100 different species can be seen at this zoo. Bengal tiger, Indian rhino, Indian elephant, antelopes, and panthers are some of the star attractions here. Taking a safari trip organised by the zoo is one of the best ways to explore the nooks and corners of this beautiful attraction. Nehru Zoological Park is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Hyderabad for families.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Major Attractions: Bengal Tiger
Ideal Duration to Explore: 3 Hours
Things to do: Take the safari
The administrative capital of Telangana is also its tourism capital. With numerous attractions and landmarks dotted across the city, there will never be a dull moment during your visit to Hyderabad. There are different places to visit in Hyderabad for couples making it an ideal destination for love birds. There are also plenty of places to visit for families in Hyderabad making it ideal for all types of travellers.
FAQ
Which area is best in Hyderabad?
Although the entire city of Hyderabad is developed and safe, there are some neighbourhoods like Ammerpet, Begumpet, and Banjara Hills that are more popular than the rest.
What food is Hyderabad famous for?
Delectable dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani, Hyderabadi Haleem, Mutton Samosas, Dum Pukht are some of the most popular dishes in Hyderabad.
Which language is spoken in Hyderabad?
Telugu, the regional language of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is spoken in Hyderabad. A majority of the population here also speaks fluent Hindi and English. No matter where you are from and the language you speak, you will have a great time in Hyderabad.
