Hyderabad, the city of Nizams, has been drawing visitors from across India and faraway places for a long time. It is one of those cities in India, which showcase different areas in different shades of light. While the old city of Hyderabad, located on the southern bank of river Musi, evokes an aura of its elegant and royal past, the new city of Hyderabad, located on the northern bank of the river, effuses a modernistic appeal. It is this consummate blend of the past and the present that has made Hyderabad one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Indeed, there are a lot of things to explore in Hyderabad.
The city has earned a number of epithets. It is known as the Pearl City, the City of Nizams, and more. Nevertheless, it is not the epithets that describe the city; it is the other way around. There are just too many activities to do here.
Hyderabad is one of those cities that boast of a twin city. For Hyderabad, it is Secunderabad, just across the Hussain Sagar Lake. As you travel from Secunderabad to Hyderabad you can experience the two cities unfolding in different vibes. After entering the city of Hyderabad and exploring its different parts, sights, monuments, relics of the past and the towers of modernity, an overwhelming dose of history, geography, middle-age scientific acumen and sense of aesthetics are bound to overpower your senses. No issues; have a plateful of sumptuous Hyderabadi Biryani, proceed to your hotel and get a good night’s sleep; there are a lot of things to do in Hyderabad from the next day onwards.
At a distance of about 11 kilometers from the city center and on the western side of the old city lies the magnificent Golkonda Fort. It is a medieval monument standing tall as a testimony to the architectural magnanimity and scientific acumen of the medieval kingdoms. The fort has a checkered history right from the time it was built by the Kakatiya Kingdom. It is one of the renowned forts of India. It has changed hands several times and during the rule of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty in the 16-century, it was rebuilt into its present form.
It is a fortified castle sitting atop a 120-meter high granite hillock and surrounded by massive parapets designed for defensive manoeuvre during attacks. The fort has eight gates and 87 strongholds and is well connected to the rest of the city. It boasts of impressive walls as high as 18-foot and a perimeter of about 11 kilometers. This brilliant citadel displays a blend of brilliant architecture and a medieval acoustic system that has few parallels in the annals of history. Nonetheless, visiting the fort is akin to indulging in adventurous activities since the big staircases and uneven area pushes the physical boundaries of visitors.
You can enjoy the light and sound show in the fort, which is relayed in Hindi, English, as well as Telugu language and the voiceover, is done by none other than Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary Bollywood superstar. While you can take pictures inside the fort, you are not allowed to bring camera tripods inside.
The fort is open from 8:00 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening on all days. For Indians, the entry fee is INR 15 per person and for foreigners, it is INR 500 per person.
It is the principal landmark of the old city of Hyderabad and a visit to Hyderabad is woefully incomplete without visiting the Charminar. It boasts of an enduring synergy of Indian and Islamic architectural ethos. Charminar has a square-shaped architecture with a tall four-storied minaret in each corner. Overall, the structure is 30 metres in width and 56 metres in height. It is made of lime mortar and granite. There are giant arches on all four sides, which overlook four major thoroughfares of the city. Each arch is 11 metres in length and 20 metres in height.
This monument was built by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the shifting of his Kingdom’s capital to Hyderabad from Golconda. The structure derives its name ‘Charminar” from the four intricately carved pillars known as minars.
The monument is open from 9:30 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening on all days. For Indians, the entry fee is INR 5 per person and for foreigners, it is INR 100 per person.
The Hussain Sagar Lake, an artificial lake, connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It is known as the largest man-made lake in Asia. The lake is situated on a tributary of River Musi, and a 3-kilometre long dam wall on it connects the twin cities. This dam is also known as Tank Bund. A 16-metre high statue of Lord Buddha, the tallest of such statues in the world, located right at the middle of this lake, is the centre of attraction. There are a number of parks and entertainment zones around the three sides of the lake such as Indira Park, Lumbini Park, Sanjeevaiah Park, etc.
The lake offers a relaxing and attractive locale far from the city. While standing on the dam road, you can experience the lake sparkling like a necklace as the lights along the shore sparkle in the evening. This is the reason that this road is called ‘Necklace Road’. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has bestowed it with the title ‘Heart of the World’ because of its unique outline in the shape of a heart.
You can engage in adventurous activities like boat rides in speed boats and water sports in the lake. You can also do motor boating, parasailing, water-skiing, cruising, etc. There is a 48-seater launch with an arrangement for dinners and private parties.
The lake is open for boating and other activities start from 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night on all days. There is no entry fee, but for boating, you have to pay INR 55 per person on Mechanised Boats, INR 250 per person on Jet Ski boats, and INR 100 per person for Rajhansa boats. For parasailing, you have to pay INR 400 per person.
A tour of Hyderabad will be incomplete without visiting the Ramoji Film City, located on the NH-9 at a distance of 30 kilometres from the city of Hyderabad. There are a lot of fun activities and things to explore here.
The studio has a proud place among the most glamorous and the largest film studios in the world. A sprawling 2500 acres dedicated to the nuances of film making offers everything that is relevant to the production of films. It offers a wide range of settings, which entice filmmakers from across India.
It has a capacity for 50 film units at a time and offers a number of sets like Hollywood sign, London Street, airport, Japanese gardens, hospital, buildings, landscapes, and laboratories.
To experience this amazing place you need to visit early since it takes time to cover the entire area. The studio is open from 9:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening.
While in Hyderabad and have visited the Charminar, you should not give the Chowmahala Palace a miss. The wide variety of things to explore here makes it an integral part of Hyderabad tourism.
The palace has two courtyards divided into northern and southern ones. It is the Southern courtyard which has four palaces, namely – Tahniyat Mahal, Afzal Mahal, Aftab Mahal, and Mahtab Mahal. It is from this part that the palace derives its name. The biggest of the four palaces is Aftab Mahal, which is a two-storied building. Though visitors are restricted from entering this building, you can get a peep into the luxurious lifestyle of the Nizams of Hyderabad through the large glass windows and a door.
The northern courtyard consists of Bara Imam, Khilwat Mubarak, Clock Tower, Council Hall, Roshan Bangla, and Shishe Alat.
Bara Imam has a long corridor and several large rooms. Opposite to the Bara Imam is the Shishe Alat. This is a building that is built as a replica of Bara Imam.
Right at the centre of the palace, you can find Khilwat Mubarak. This building used to be the seat of the ruler. It boasts of an enormous durbar hall and massive pillars. The Belgian crystal chandeliers adorning this hall is a sight to behold.
Just above the main gate, there is the Clock Tower, which is also known as Khilwat Clock. It is surprising to note that this 250-year-old clock is still ticking.
In the Council Hall, you can go through an array of collections of rare books and manuscripts.
These palaces display an array of items including clothes worn by the Nizams, crockery, coins used during the Nizams time, furniture, currency notes, vintage cars, buggee, and several nostalgic pictures from the Nizams time. You can also go through an awe-inspiring display of weapons on walls and glass cabinets.
The palace remains open on all days except Fridays and national holidays, from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. For Indians, the fee is INR 80 per person and for foreigners, it is INR 200 per person.
Located on the bank of Musi River, Salar Jung Museum is the crowning jewel of Hyderabad and a compelling sight of Hyderabad tourism. Spread over an area of 10 acres and consisting of 2 floors, this magnificent building is counted among the largest national museums of India. In fact, it is the third largest museum in India and the biggest one-man collection in the world.
The museum has a bewildering collection of things to explore, including artefacts from all over the world. It boasts of more than million intriguing sculptures, paintings, carvings, artefacts, and manuscripts. The artefacts have a combined artistic, historical, and heritage value that far surpasses many famous museums. There are some really priceless sculptures in the museum like the Veiled Rebecca and Double Statue of Mephistopheles and Margaretta, which get entrenched in the memories of visitors.
On display also are weapons and garments of entrenched historic value like the daggers used by Jehangir and Shah Jahan, the sword used by Aurangzeb, and a wardrobe used by Tipu Sultan. The musical clock dating back to the 19-century and consisting of over 350 parts is also one of the biggest attractions of the museum.
The museum is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening on all days except national holidays and Fridays. For Indians, the entry fee is INR 20 per person and for foreigners, it is INR 500 per person.
You can find the Qtub Shahi Tombs within 1-kilometre of Golconda Fort. It comprises of seven tombs belonging to seven Qutb Shahi rulers. It is amazing to see that even at their death the Qutb Shahi Dynasty had entombed the mortal remains of their kings in captivating and architecturally magnificent tombs that showcase a beautiful synergy of Indian and Persian style of architecture.
All the essential parts of the tombs – the false ceilings, the terraces, and the central pillars – are intricately decorated. This quadrangular structure has a two-tire terrace with a dome shape at the top. Tombs are surrounded by lofty arches, which add to the magnificence of the tombs. Even the tombs are artistically decorated and ornamented, although the ornamentations have faded with time.
The tombs are open from 9:30 in the morning to 4:30 in the evening on all days except Fridays and National Holidays. You have to pay INR 10 per adult as entry fee and INR 5 per child. If you are carrying a camera you need to pay an extra INR 20. You are not permitted to capture videos.
The Falaknuma Palace is a majestic palace standing atop a 2000-feet hill about 5 kilometres from Charminar in Falaknuma. With a sprawling area of 32 acres and spectacular Italian marble all around, the palace stands testimony to the glamour and luxury of Nizam Era. It boasts of 242 beautifully designed halls and rooms with lavish interior decoration and a number of beautiful and majestic Venetian chandeliers.
While the chandeliers enhance the look of the rooms and halls, the carved railings on the porch, terrace and balcony, and the marble staircases make the palace exude a unique aura. It has a rosewood dining table, which can accommodate 100 guests at a time. There is also a massive collection of rare statues, paintings, furniture, books, and manuscripts. The Jade collection of this palace is famous throughout the world. The palace also has a number of splendid gardens, namely – Mughal garden, Japanese garden, and Rajasthani garden.
The only thing that constrains people from visiting this palace is that it is not open to the public. However, you can book a ticket in the Nizam Palaces Tour conducted by Telangana Tourism. This is one of the most adventurous activities that one can indulge in Hyderabad. You can devour the sights and sounds of the palace when the lights and chandeliers are lit up for the evening. Sipping a cup of tea in this enchanting and spectacular palace can become a souvenir for life.
By the Hussain Sagar Lake and near the Buddha statue lies Lumbini Park, a place where you need to pay a visit in order to soak in the ensemble of sights and sounds that Hyderabad has to offer. It is not just a park for relaxation; it is a mini entertainment arena where children can engage in fun activities and adults can enjoy some adventurous activities.
There are attractions galore in Lumbini Park. There is a giant clock at the entrance embellished with colourful and seasonal flowering plants, rocks, and cactus. There is more. Yet, it is the musical fountain and the laser show on it that enthrals visitors. With water shooting high up and the history of Hyderabad being played in its backdrop with the help of a 3D laser show in the evening, it creates a magical and enchanting evening right in the middle of the park.
The laser show and the musical fountain are integral parts of this park in particular and of Hyderabad tourism in general. While the musical fountain is open from 6:30 to 8:00 in the evening, the laser show is enacted just twice, once at 7:15 and again at 8.30 in the evening.
Within 1-kilometre of Charminar, towards the southeast of Afzal Gunj Bridge and near Dewan Devdi, lies a single-storied European style building with a U-shaped complex that used to be the residence of one of the Peshwas of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah.
In contrast to the Chowmahala Palace, the Purani Haveli boasts of a European essence in architecture, interior decoration, and antique furniture. While the vast courtyards surrounded by rooms evoke the feel of a traditional Indian design, the verandas with semi-circular arches, the U-shaped complex, and the building are quintessentially European.
The haveli houses the longest wardrobe in the world at two levels connected with a wooden elevator. The wardrobe can accommodate 730 pairs of royal attire. It also houses the Nizam’s Museum, which displays various artefacts belonging to the last Nizams. A Packard, a 1930 Rolls-Royce, and a Jaguar Mark V occupy their pride of place in this haveli.
The haveli is open to tourists on all days except Fridays from 10:30 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. You have to pay INR 80 per adults and INR 15 per children. If you take a camera you have to pay anything between INR 150 to INR 500.
In essence, visiting Hyderabad can give you a range of emotions, but it will certainly leave you in awe of the place. With a range of activities to do, fun activities for children, and things to explore this is the place to be during your holidays.
Do something different. Enjoy full truly mesmerizing panoramic view of Hyderabad at 1000 ft from the sky, during the first of its kind, Joyride organized by Accretion Aviation, using Cessna 2 seater Aircraft, with an expert commentary provided on the sights by the pilot, during the flight.
It is sure to provide a memorable, once in a lifetime experience of a panoramic view of the breathtaking beauty of Hyderabad and its surrounding areas, including the coastline. Before the flight takes off there is a pre-flight briefing. The flight duration will be for 30 min.
You can engage in this adventurous activity of rappelling, from 300 feet above ground, from the top of the monolithic rock at Bhongir Fort near Hyderabad. Bhongir, Bhongiri or Bhuvanagiri is a town situated at 48 km from Hyderabad. Bhongir is famous for its fort, which became prominent during the rule of the Kakatiyas.
The fort is located in Shanthi Nagar, Nalgonda in Telangana; the rock structure offers plenty of adventure activities like rock climbing as well.
The egg shaped rock actually poses a challenge to adventure lovers and tests their agility and strength, while they descend from such a height with the aid of tight ropes and other rock climbing equipment. Rappelling, also known as abseiling, is a technique of descending from vertical faces with the aid of ropes and specialized rappelling equipment. It is the quickest and easiest way to experience the sport of mountaineering. It is perfect as an introductory adventure and Rappelling also has a psychological application in boosting confidence and courage among the participant. It facilitates an attitude of overcoming challenges. The session begins with an introduction of the activity with information about climbing and rappelling equipment like Carabiners, descenders, harnesses and rappelling ropes. There is a demonstration of rappelling techniques and anchoring and safety system followed by guided attempts by participants.
In case you decide to venture out, UIAA “Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme” (French acronym for International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) or CE certified instructors are there to help you throughout.
This mansion is called the Koti or British Hyderabad Residency and has a charm about its self in providing the glimpses of the bygone Colonial British Raj. Built during 1798-1805 by James Kirkpatrick, one of the British residents in Hyderabad, it was his private mansion then.
The architecture of the British Residency is believed to be inspired from the White House in the U.S. In the past, it served as the embassy of the East India Company and was later converted as Osmania University College for Women.
British Residency, high and elegant, now stands as one of the protected monument in Hyderabad, and should definitely find its place in your travel itinerary among the places to visit in Hyderabad.
It features in the 2002 William Dalrymple’s book White Mughals. The house was designed by Lieutenant Samuel Russell of the Madras Engineers and construction began in 1803. Kirkpatrick built the mansion for himself and his Indian wife Khair-un- Nissa, who bore him two surviving children who were sent to England by the age of five and never saw them again due to the early deaths of their parents.
In 1949 it was converted into a women’s college, Osmania University College for Women. After a court directive to the Archaeological Survey of India, it is now a protected monument.
As a break from visiting the amazing art and the architectural masterpieces in Hyderabad, experience another wilder side of this city, the Nehru Zoological Park.
Established back in 1959 and opened to the public on 6th October 1963, Nehru Zoological Park is an ideal place to spend time sightseeing, amidst the nature and its wonderful creations. Nehru zoological park Hyderabad was established with the objective of conserving and breeding of endangered species, specially the wild life of Deccan Plateau as well as with the intention of rehabilitating them.
The safari and jungle visit provides a relaxed experience and also provides enjoyment seeing the wildlife around. The exotic species of animals are yet another major attraction this park offers for tourists in Hyderabad.
During the jungle safari you can spot some of the exotic wildlife species like the Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Panther, Indian Elephant and several others.
Some of the facilities that the Zoo offers include safe drinking water, first aid facility, toilets and washrooms, battery operated vehicles, separate parking area, along with strategically placed benches and other shelters for rest. For those who intend to spend the entire day at the zoo, there is accommodation facility as well.
Of the many things to do at the Zoo, these are some that needs to be mentioned:
The duration of buggy ride is about 30 min to 1 hr. For school kids concession in the ticket price is offered. Buggy ride is the best option for people who face difficulty in walking for long, yet would not like to miss seeing the major attraction of the zoo.
Hyderabad has been successful in conservation of its past glories and grandeurs and the delicious cuisines are not an exception in this regard. This 4-5 hours tour to savor gastronomic specialty offers a splendid way to witness and experience the old world charm and authenticity of Hyderabad delicacies.
At the Charminar, two of the best and most delicious specialties of the city, a cup of Irani Chai and Osmania Biscuits are a best way to start. You can also savor upon other delicacies and confectionaries like puffs, pastries, stuffed bread like Dil-Pasand and Dil-Khush here.
Towards Patherghatti, some of the best varieties of dosas are to be tasted and as you head towards a local spice market, known for its exotic and flavorsome spices, you can experience the wide range of Hyderabadi spices.
After this, a visit to the nearby market offers delightful delicacies like Nahari Kulcha, Roti Kheema and Bhaja Curry, to name only a few. After 11:30 am, you can also taste the most authentic Hyderabadi Biryani in this market. However, Naan and Marrg (soup), Lukhmi (patty) with Mincemeat, Kebabs and Patther ka ghosht are some of the other delicacies which you should not miss.
There is a delightful way to end the day’s gastronomic tour of Hyderabad by savoring different desserts like double Kameetha, Khubani kameetha, Malai and several others for the sweet tooth tourists.
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