Traveling to different places in your life could give you the experience and education, which you cannot hope to obtain by doing any other activity. Today’s lifestyle demands people to be confined to a particular place and remain tied to work. Breaking away from such tiresome routine is welcome by all. If you are planning such a trip with your family this holiday, you may consider visiting Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. If you are wondering about the places to visit in Hyderabad, here are some quick facts. The city not only offers stunning landscape views but it also reveals the rich cultural heritage of the past. Taste a bit of Hyderabad this summer and visit the below mentioned 15 tourist places in Hyderabad to satiate your appetite for travel.
1. Charminar
- Famous for: History, Architecture, Heritage Site.
- Tickets: 5 INR for Indians and 100 INR for Foreigners.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Duration: 1 hour
The first tourist attraction that comes to mind when you think of Hyderabad is Charminar, which is located in the heart of the city. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah constructed this monument in the year 1591. The architecture of Charminar reflects Cazia style. The idea behind constructing the monument was to ward off deadly epidemic, which claimed many lives during that period. The four minarets are 48.7 meter tall. There is a mosque and 45 prayer spaces inside Charminar. Do not get discouraged by the crowd there if you want to have a feel of the old city and its culture. The shopping area around the monument offers products for cheap rates.
Things to Do at Charminar:
- Shopping.
- Sample Cuisines.
- Visit Makkah Mosque.
2. Golconda Fort
- Famous for: Architecture, Heritage, Fort, History.
- Tickets: 5 INR for Indians and 100 INR for Foreigners.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Duration: 1 hour.
A place you cannot afford to miss during your tour of Hyderabad. The name Golconda finds its root in “Golla Konda”, which means Shepherd’s Hill. The fort was originally constructed during the period of Yadava Dynasty and later it was under the control of many other dynasties namely Kakatiya Dynasty, Bahmani Dynasty from whom it went into the control of Qutb Shahis and later Mughal Dynasty. The Golconda fort dates back to 13th century. The acoustics effects are excellent in the fort. If you clap your hands at Fateh Darwaza, the sound can be clearly heard at Bala Hissar, which is located a kilometer away. The royal palaces and whispering walls are some of its main attractions.
Things to Do at Golconda Fort:
- Light and Sound Show.
- Shop for handicrafts.
- Explore this massive fort.
- Visit Toli Masjid.
3. Makkah Masjid
- Famous for: Islam, Devotion, Monument, History.
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 4AM to 9:30 PM. Tourists not allowed during prayers.
- Duration: 1 hour.
This ancient mosque is more than 400 years old and was built by the founder of Hyderabad, Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah. He personally laid the foundation stone and planned the whole city around this mosque, making it the centerpiece of the same. The central arch of the mosque was built from the soil especially bought from Mecca and one of the rooms here is believed to have the hair of prophet Muhammad. A visit here is recommended for people of all faiths for its historic, religious and architectural importance.
Things to Do near Makkah Masjid:
- Visit the Old City.
- Visit the other monuments nearby.
4. Old City.
- Famous for: Shopping, Monuments, Hyderabadi cuisines.
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days.
- Duration: Depends on the visitor.
A major tourist spot and the heart of Hyderabad, the old city of Hyderabad has been an important part of the city since it was first founded. All the major monuments in the city like Charminar, Taramati Baradari, Makkah Masjid and many more are located in or in the vicinity of this city. The famous Laad Bazaar known for pearls, traditional jewellery is also here and along with The Madina Market, this place is a shoppers paradise. This is also the birthplace of biryani and therefore the Hyderabadi cuisine here is to die for.
Things to Do at Old City:
- Eat Hyderabadi Cuisine.
- Shopping.
- Visit the many monuments.
5. Salarjung Museum
- Famous for: Museum, History,
- Tickets: 20 INR for Indians, 500 INR for foreigners and free for students/children.
- Opening Timings: Open all days except Friday from 10AM to 5PM.
- Duration: 1.5-2 hours.
Salarjung Museum was founded in the year 1951. The museum has stunning collections and most of them were from Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, famously called as Salar Jung III. The collections are exhaustive and could be classified as Indian Art, European Art, Art of the Middle East, Far Eastern Art and a section for children. The collections include antiques from various parts of the world. Indian sculptures, bronze statues, Persian carpets, Chinese porcelain, jade carvings, woodcarvings and many more. This museum has the distinction of having the largest personal collection in the world.
Things to Do near Salarjung Museum:
- Visit Badshahi Ashurkhana .
- Also visit the Nizam Museum.
6. Qutb Shahi Tombs
- Famous for: Architecture, Heritage, Tombs, History.
- Tickets: 5 INR for Indians and 100 INR for Foreigners.
- Opening Timings: Open all days except Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Duration: 30 mins.
A series of seven tombs belonging to the rules Qutubuddin Dynasty, Qutb Shahi Tombs are a major heritage site in Hyderabad. Built in the 1500’s, this site draws many tourists for its unique architecture, which happens to be a mixture of Hindu and Persian styles. The whole structure rests on a raised platform and has intricate stonework on the arches. Interestingly, these tombs are unique for being the burial ground of a whole dynasty.
Things to Do at Qutb Shahi Tombs:
- Visit Golconda Fort at a walking distance.
- Shop for handicrafts.
- Explore all seven tombs.
7. Hussain Sagar Lake
- Famous for: Artificial Lake, Heart Shape, Boating, Parks.
- Tickets: No entry fee. Charges for boating.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 9 AM to 9:30 PM.
- Duration: 1-2 hours.
Yet another popular tourist spot in Hyderabad is Asia’s largest artificial lake named Hussain Sagar Lake. It connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad, called the twin cities. It was excavated during the period of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1562 AD. The statue of Buddha in the middle of the lake is 16 meters tall. Boating facilities are available here. You could take part in watersports namely boating, skiing, cruising and para sailing. Apart from Hussain Sagar Lake, even the surroundings offer entertainment as you can find NTR Gardens, Sanjeevaiah Park, Lumbini Park and so on.
Things to Do at Hussain Sagar Lake:
- Relax in parks nearby.
- Water Sports.
- Boating.
- Visit the tomb of Saidani Maa Saheba.
8. Birla Mandir
- Famous for: Temples, Birla, Architecture, Marble.
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 7AM to 12PM & 3PM to 9PM.
- Duration: 30 mins to 1 hour.
Birla Mandir is situated at the southern end of Hussain Sagar at the top of the hill. This beautiful temple built using white marble offers a stunning view of the lake and the city. The construction resembles the architectures of South Indian and Oriya temples. The amazing construction makes you want to revisit this place. A tour to Hyderabad is complete only if you visit Birla Mandir.
Things to Do at Birla Mandir:
- Attend the morning or evening aarti.
- Shopping near the temple.
9. Chowmahalla Palace
- Famous for: Nizam, History, Architecture, Opulence.
- Tickets: 50 INR for Indians, 200 INR for foreigners and extra 50 INR for camera charges.
- Opening Timings: Open all days except Fridays from 10AM to 5PM.
- Duration: 1.5 hours.
Located at the heart of Hyderabad, Chowmallah Palace has been standing tall for 200 years. It was the official seat of Nizams during their glorious days and all important ceremonial proceedings were held here. The palace is divided into three parts which are Southern Courtyard, Northern Courtyard and Khilwat Mubarak. These three parts have their own unique features and their intricate exteriors and opulent interiors are some of the things to look forward to while visiting. In 2010, it won the prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation.
Things to Do near Chowmallah Palace:
- Visit the Old City.
- Go to Charminar.
10. Ramoji Film City
- Famous for: Film industry, Lawns, Tourism
- Tickets: Approx 1100 INR for Adults, 1000 INR for children (between 3 & 12 years).
- Opening Timings: Open all days except Sunday from 9Am to 6PM.
- Duration: 1 hour.
Ramoji Film City has the Guinness Book Record of being the world’s largest film studio. The lavish gardens and open spaces have been featured in many Indian films, the most recent example being Bahubali, which was shot extensively here. A tour of this film city is an experience on its own and therefore, Ramoji Film City is one of Hyderabad’s main attraction.
Things to Do at Ramoji Film City:
- Film City Tour.
- Eco Tour.
- Eat at restaurants.
11. Spanish Mosque
- Famous for: Spanish- Moorish architecture, Islam, Paigah
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 5AM to 9PM.
- Duration: 45 mins.
The Spanish Mosque is inside the complex of Paigah Palace and is one of the stunning structures built by the Paigah nawabs. It is said that during Paigah Nawab Iqbal Ud Daula’s european tour, he was inspired by the architecture and decided to build something similar in Hyderabad. The result was Falaknuma Palace and Spanish Mosque, which borrow heavily from european architecture. This mosque is a one of a kind in India as it is not built in the traditional Islamic style but is instead inspired by Spanish- Moorish architecture.
Things to Do near Spanish Mosque:
- Visit the Paigah Palace.
- Relax at Hussain Lake.
12. Paigah Tombs
- Famous for: Spanish- Moorish architecture, Islam, Paigah
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days except Fridays from 10AM to 5PM.
- Duration: 45 mins.
Paigah Tombs are the final resting place of Paigah nawabs who held significant amount power during the rule of Nizams. Their stature was second only to the Nizam himself and their influence can be still seen through the many monuments that they built around Hyderabad. Paigah Tombs have a mixture of Rajputana, Mughal, Persian and Deccan architecture. The intricate stonework, floral designs, mosaic tile works and delicately carved marble are a sight to behold. A walk through this beautiful tomb is sure to enthrall anyone.
Things to Do at Paigah Tombs:
- Explore the tombs.
- Photography.
13. Chilkoor Balaji Temple
- Famous for: Visa, Hinduism.
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 8am to 8pm. Extremly crowded during Tuesday and weekends.
- Duration: 45 mins.
Famously called Visa Balaji, Chilkoor Balalji is visited by thousands of US aspirants. The deity here solves all visa troubles and because of this, this temple has been also featured in many documentaries and tv shows. This also happens to be only the second temple in India where no VIP treatment is allowed. The temple also does not accept any money from devotees.
14. Nehru Zoological Park
- Famous for: Wildlife, Zoo, Rides.
- Tickets: Entry fee are 30 INR for adults and 15 INR for children below 12 yrs. Extra charge of 20 INR for Still Camera (Amatuer).
- Opening Timings: Open all days except Monday from 8AM–5:30PM.
- Duration: 1.5 hours.
The 300-acre park with over 1500 wildlife was established in the year 1959 and inaugurated in 1963. You will find lion, royal Bengal tiger, white tiger, rhinoceros, orangutan and a lot more. Reptiles such as Indian cobra, star tortoises, and giant tortoises are also here. Elephant rides are available to enjoy the lush greenery here. Some other main attractions in this area include Lion Safari Park, Children’s Train and Natural History Museum.
Things to Do at Nehru Zoological Park:
- Picnic.
- Train Ride.
- Safari Ride.
- Nocturnal Animal House.
- Battery operated vehicle.
15. Shamirpet
- Famous for: Artificial Lake, Birds,
- Tickets: No entry fee.
- Opening Timings: Open all days from 9AM to 5PM.
- Duration: 1-2 hours.
Shamirpet offers a peaceful atmosphere with its beautiful man-made lake. It is there since the period of Nizam. There is a deer park in Shamirpet where you will find deer in great numbers and birds as well. It has all the elements required for a picnic spot right from the serene atmosphere to proper accommodation facilities.
Things to Do at Shamirpet:
- Picnic.
- Birdwatching (seasonal).
- Ratnalayam Temple.
- Jawahar Deer Park.
Hyderabad has a lot to keep you engaged throughout your Hyderabad tour. Whichever part of Hyderabad you are in, you would love the cuisine served, as it is a combination of Mughal, Persian as well as Telugu cuisines. If you love spicy food, you would love the food served at all parts of Hyderabad. A city bustling with activity offers you everything from active tourist spots to serene locations, from where you can view the magical landscapes.
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