Places To See In Hyderabad

Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions ranging from Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks, Gardens and Resorts, Museums.

Heritage Sites - Forts and Monuments

Charminar

One of the most important landmarks of the city, the Charminar was built by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah as a lucky charm to mark the end of the deadly plague. Everyday, thousands of tourists descend on this impressive square granite edifice. There are four grand arches facing North, South, East and West. Four gracefully carved minarets sit atop these arches and rise 56 metres above the ground. There are 45 prayer spaces and a small mosque inside the Charminar. Spiral stairs lead up the minarets. The Charminar is open daily from 9 am - 5:30 pm and is illuminated daily from 7 pm - 9 pm.

Golconda Fort

A mute testimony to the Nawabi culture that epitomized the city, the Golconda Fort overlooks the sprawling city of Hyderabad. Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah built the Fort in 1525. The fort is known for its opulent palaces, its acoustics, its skillfully designed internal water supply system and the Fateh Rahben gun, one of the cannons that Aurangazeb used to capture and seize Golconda. A sound and light show is part of the exciting package at Golconda. This runs in the evenings from 7 pm - 8 pm during March to October.

Qutb Shahi Tombs

The final resting place of the rulers of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty, these tombs are a kilometer away from the Golconda Fort. One of the oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad, these tombs have Hindu, and Persian architectural influence.

Museums

Salar Jung Museum

The museum has one of the largest private collections. It was entirely put together by one man Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III. The museum boasts of 35,000 exhibits including sculptures, manuscripts, woodcarvings, Persian carpets etc. from all parts of the world. It has a grand collection of more than 50,000 books. The museum opens Saturday to Thursday from 10 am - 5 pm.

Religious Places - Temples

Birla Mandir

This white marble beauty is located on Kala Pahad, overlooking the Hussainsagar Lake or the Tank Bund. The idol inside is an exact replica of the deity at Tirupati. The temple can be seen in all its splendor in the evenings when its lit up.

Mosques

Mecca Masjid

A revered shrine for Muslims world over. The Mecca Masjid derives its name from the bricks that were brought in from Mecca to build the central arch. One of the largest mosques in the world, the Mecca Masjid can house up to 10,000 worshippers at any given time. The impressive Masjid has a hall stretching 67 metres and soaring high up to 54 metres. 15 grand arches support the roof. The colonnades and the door arches have inscriptions from the Quran and are made from single slabs of granite. It opens everyday from 8 am - 12 noon and then from 3 pm - 8 pm. Non-muslims are not allowed entry into the Masjid.

Lakes

Hussainsagar

This beautiful man made lake divides the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Boating, water sports are some of the main attractions for tourists visiting the lake. The lake is also known for one of the world's tallest monolithic statue of the Buddha, which stands right in the middle.

Osmansagar

Also known as Gandipet, this lake is one of the two on the city's outskirts that provides drinking water to Hyderabad. The lake is actually a reservoir created by a dam built across the tributary of the Musi River. Surrounding the lake are lush green picnic spots and a heritage building called Sagar Mahal, which is now a lake resort being managed by AP Tourism.

Parks and Gardens

Brahmananda Reddy National Park

Located in the posh Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad, this park is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna. The park has more than 600 species of plant life, 140 species of birds and 30 different species of reptiles and butterflies.

Others

Birla Planetarium

It is one of the most modern planetariums in India. Part of the Birla Science Center, it has other sections of tourist interest as well. Shows are held in both Telugu and English at the planetarium.

Ramoji Film City

Located just outside the city, this sprawling 10,000 acres complex recreates the magic of the celluloid world right before our eyes. The film city is equipped with all the material needed for the production of any kind of movie with sets, props etc. Guided tours are organized within the film city.

Hitec City

One of the reasons why Hyderabad has been in the news lately, is the technological progress the city is making. Located outside the core city center, the Hitec City houses all the technological companies. Cyber Towers is the main attraction here.

Snow World

India's first theme park recreating the magic of the white stuff called snow. The park is located in the Lower Tank Bund Road and has some artistic features made from artificial snow.

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