Take a dive into the royal past of the ones who ruled over these very lands. Welcome to the City of Pearls, Hyderabad. The elegance of architecture, the aromatic Tea (Chai), the ancestral heritage, the appetizing cuisines and the craftsmanship of locals, all coalesced into one city. Accounting for Hyderabad proclaiming multiple epithets such as City of Nawabs, Biryani City and Cyberabad (because of its contemporary technological advancement). Make this city a destination on your next trip during your long vacations (for there is a lot to explore).
Beyond the agitated population, the sprawling markets, rising buildings and the influx of traffic lies a grand modern city with a beautiful past flourishing in the present. This city rejoices in having something for everyone. So, start booking your hotels if you want a sliver of this marvelous city.
Here’s a list for top 10 things to do and tourist places to visit in Hyderabad.
1) HYDERABAD’S GEM – CHARMINAR
Charminar, the Crown Jewel of Hyderabad. Located at the heart of Old city standing tall in amidst the hustle bustle of local markets and the sprawling common folks. An assuredly distinctive facet of this symbol of Hyderabad. This piece of elegance and beauty is a is among one of the most recognised and prized treasures of India. If you have not been to Charminar while at your tour of Hyderabad, you haven’t actually been to this place.
A gift bestowed upon us by the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty, Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah in 1591. Charminar is a square structured mosque with four dainty grand arches and four ornate pillars or minaret. These bulblike pillars have been engraved with delicate petal works at the bottom. Exceptionally remarkable for its arrangement of handrails and balconies and the myriad of stucco decorations. A marvel of a site indeed.
Explore the graceful jewelleries, colourful bangles shops, or walk through the boulevard known for its pearls, Pathar Ghati. All these positioned around the four pillars in market place known as Lad Bazar.
I don’t think any further persuasion is needed for putting this place as a must visit site on your trip. This is among the top Hyderabad tourist places.
2) VISIT THE QUTUB SHAHI TOMBS
The Qutab Shahi Tombs, a cenotaph exhibiting the synchronization of Persian and Indian architectural excellence, located in the garden precinct, Ibrahim Bagh. A bequest of beauty by the Qutab Shahi Dynasty.
Tomb was built to commemorate the rulers of Shahi dynasty, but after they lost their sovereignty, the tombs were left desolate. The degradation caused due to negligence was restored by Sir Salar Jung III in the early 19th century. Once again, these toms are held in great reverence and has become a major element of attraction in the city.
The refined and intricate work done on the stones reflect the meticulousness of the stone-workers. Beautiful landscape gardens encircle the square base tombs.
This place should definitely be put your itinerary of a full day Hyderabad sight-seeing.
3) EXPLORE THE RUINS OF GOLCONDA FORT
Explore the massive spectacle the Golconda Fort, the capital city of the Qutab Shahi kingdom. Better hire a guide to navigate through the fort, for one can easily get confused or lost in the vast ruins. This gigantic fort is widely scattered around an area of 11 KM, so spotting its every corner going to be a herculean task.
This monumental fort is a testimony to a marvelous engineering of those time. Designed in such a way that a hand-clap somewhere below the dome at Fateh Darwazaan resonates almost a kilometer to the highest point, ‘Bala Hisar’ pavilion, and is clearly audible. This was used to signal the Royals in case of an ambush.
Golconda fort really is a feat of architecture. This makes it Hyderabad’s one of the most famous sites and it attracts a lot of tourists.
4) EXPLORE HYDERABAD’S BEAUTIFUL TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE
Have a walk-through heritage and have a glance at the royal and luxurious life of one of the most grandiose palaces of Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace. The name literally translates to “Mirror of the sky”.
The monumental Grand Palace offers a keen insight into the architectural marvels of places all over the world but majorly it reflects the intricate designs of Italy and Tudor. A consequence of its benefactor Sir Vicar-ul-Umra travelling enthusiasm. Embellished by soaring wood-crafted ceilings, ornated fabrics with fine wood fittings and ample space that can accommodate quite a few guests. It houses the longest dinning hall in the world, capable of seating 101 guests. You’d be blown away seeing the elegance and refined craftsmanship all across the palace.
You can even have a stay in this palace as this was opened for hotels bookings in 2010. Experience the life of a celebrity in a deluxe 5-star palace. Finally end your journey sipping the taste of the fine Iranian Chai (tea) at Charminar. This is sure one of the most pleasing things to do in Hyderabad.
5) A JOURNEY THROUGH THE TEXTILE CENTER POCHAMPALLY
Have a brush of knowledge at the antique tradition of yielding handicraft textiles at the Pochampally textile village. This exquisitely beautiful tradition of theirs’s has been able to keep such an elegant form of art alive since ages. Definitely a place worth checking out.
The intricacy of the work and the meticulousness of the hand workers just opens the mind to questions as to how can such fine and recherché tasks can be done manually. Explore and interact with the villagers and local folks who all pitch in to contribute their roles as fine weavers. Discover the answer to how are they able to produce textiles whose elegance far exceeds even the designs from latest artificial technologies. The techniques they use for weaving textile are carried out in houses, including tie-dye.
This place produces India’s one of the best qualities and most beautiful sarees called Pochampally sarees which are exported all over India. Undoubtedly among the top places to visit near Hyderabad.
6) DAY EXCURSION TO UNESCO RAMAPPA TEMPLE AT WARANGAL
Immerse yourself in the sanctity of a place so pious where prayers resound and blessings resonate, a structure that’s supposedly over 800 years old, Ramappa temple. Be blown away in ecstasy by the brilliance and magnificence of the ancient temple, which apparently was named after the craftsman who designed the temple. Quite a peculiar thing as this happens to be the single case in India.
One more facet that sets this temple apart is that it was constructed out floating bricks (literally means bricks that float) which is a symbol of the excellence in technology and engineering marvel of those bygone days. This magnificent piece of architecture is located in the ancient capital of the Kakatiya Dynasty. Ramappa temple had been entitled as “the brightest star in the galaxy of temples” by Marco Polo during his visit to the Kakatiya Empire.
On your Hyderabad sightseeing, make sure not to skip out this place from your itinerary.
7) STROLL THROUGH THE “CROWN OF KARNATAKA”, BIDAR FORT
Bidar Fort, the “Crown of Karnataka”, perched at the hill-top city of Bidar in the north-eastern part of Karnataka, India. Get prepared to have a blast form the past. Reminisce the fortitude and extravagance of this nation’s great history. Travel back to the times when these vast lands were under the sovereignty of Southern dynasties.
This grand fort was built by Ahmad Shah Wali Bahman. He also undertook its renovation where many gorgeous gardens, magnificent madrasas, elegant mosques and majestic palaces were raised again. It has the fusion of Islamic and Persian architecture interspersed at every corner. Bidar fort was revered for its vigorous sturdiness. Various levels of protections were provided to the fort for all sides. Although all these things have gotten lost to the sands of time, but the ruins are still reminiscent of the beauty and strength of this fort at its prime. Remains of the bastions and gates, royal artifacts, grand arches and some beautiful pavilions can still be a feast to sight. Karez, the water supply system in Bidar, is among its most unique aspects.
This majestic fort is well-known for many other things which you’ll get to experience once you get there. One of the best places to see in Hyderabad.
8) RAMOJI FILM CITY, A FULL DAY OF AMUSEMENT
Take a break from the prolonged yet elegant history of Hyderabad and come back to the present times for a moment of fun and amusement. Credited by the Guinness World Records, as the world’s largest film studio complex, Ramoji Film City is an Elysium for the zealous travelers searching for a day of unlimited fun and entertainment.
This place is an unparalleled destination for a family vacation. Have a glimpse of Bollywood and Tollywood in India biggest amusement park. Take a tour of the Live Studios where your most beloved celebs have shot their most iconic scenes. Or saunter through the largest Aviary and discover the profusion of most vibrant avian preserved safely. Famished from all the exploration? Unleash your gluttony for here you are severed with the most delectable multi-cuisine delicacies to satiate your hunger. And finally, when you are exhausted at the end of the most awesome day, go back and relax at your luxurious hotels in the park itself furnishing you with 5-star treatment.
Hyderabad offers you wonderful vacation full of sublimity, reminiscence, awe-inspiring elegance and jam-packed fun and adventure. Assuredly one of the most fun things to do in Hyderabad.
9) KOTI RESIDENCY / BRITISH RESIDENCY/ HYDERABAD RESIDENCY
One of the very few British legacies which we got in the unfair bargain of precious treasures during the plunder of East India Company. British Residency or “Hyderabad Residency”, a princely mansion niched in the suburbs of Koti, Hyderabad. In recent years this place too has become a spot for tourist travelling here to explore the grandeur of this city.
A symbol of magnificence and splendor as well as cogent evidence of colonial aristocracy and its supremacy. Its construction was authorized by the James Achilles Kirkpatrick. Mansion’s design (Palladian style) has the essence of the White House, the official residence of the president of United States.
This is a trove of beauty and luxury, and boasts of a plethora of magnificent artifacts inside the giant hall. Have a flavor of the British Era on your Hyderabad sightseeing tour and be sure to visit place.
10) HUSSAIN SAGAR LAKE, A SYMBOL OF LOVE
End your beautiful journey of Hyderabad beside the ‘Heart of The World’, Hussain Sagar Lake. The title was bestowed upon it due to the fact that it’s the World’s Largest Heart-Shaped Mark. This became the symbol of love in the city of Hyderabad, for it transcended the feeling in many senses.
This heritage site due to its pertinent location has influenced a lot of tourist attraction places built around it. For instance, the Lumbini park built adjacent to the Hussain Sagar lake. It’s a great place for a soothing day around this place for it holds various attractions such as laser auditorium, boating facilities and musical fountains. Or you can also have a one of its kind experiences at Snow World, an amusement park built alongside the lake. Or have a tranquilizing visit to Birla Mandir. Marvel at the sight of the pure white marble temple.
The best of all the structures build around the lake, the Buddha statue. A monolithic statue of Lord Buddha perched atop the Rock of Gibralta. You can sit around the lake and enjoy the night view of the luminous statue at the center with the lights of city in the backdrop being mirrored with the serene water of the lake. Among the foremost Hyderabad tourist places.
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