Top things to see and do in Hyderabad
Charminar. The city's emblem and its beating heart. Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah to mark the founding of Hyderabad — by tradition, in thanksgiving for the end of a deadly epidemic — this square, four-arched monument takes its name from its four minarets (char minar), each rising some 48 metres, with a small mosque on the upper level. It stands at the centre of the Old City, ringed by one of India's most atmospheric bazaar quarters. You can climb the narrow internal staircase for a view over the rooftops and the surrounding markets, though access to the upper levels can be restricted; the monument is generally open through the day and entry fees are modest for Indians and higher for foreign visitors. Verify current prices and climbing access before visiting, and come early to beat both the heat and the crowds.
Golconda Fort. A magnificent ruined citadel on the western edge of the city and, for many, the equal of the Charminar as an experience. This was the original Qutb Shahi capital and the fortress-city from which the dynasty ruled before Hyderabad was founded; in its vaults, legend holds, the Koh-i-Noor and Hope diamonds were once stored, for Golconda was the diamond-trading capital of the world. The granite fort climbs a hill through a series of gateways to a summit citadel, and its celebrated acoustics — a hand-clap at the entrance Fateh Darwaza can be heard at the highest pavilion — were built into its defences. Allow a couple of hours and sturdy shoes for the climb. A managed sound-and-light show runs in the evenings, narrating the fort's history across the ruins, typically with shows in English, Hindi and Telugu on a rotating schedule; it is a fine way to end a day here. Entry to the fort is inexpensive for Indians and higher for foreigners, with a separate ticket for the evening show; verify current fees and show timings before visiting, as they vary by season.
Qutb Shahi Tombs (Qutb Shahi Heritage Park). A short distance from Golconda, this serene necropolis is the resting place of the Qutb Shahi sultans and their families — a park of over a hundred monuments, domed mausoleums, mosques and stepwells spread across roughly a hundred acres. It has been the subject of a major, long-running conservation programme led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (in partnership with the Tata Trusts and the state government), which has painstakingly restored the tombs using traditional techniques. The result is one of Hyderabad's most rewarding and least hurried sights, best in the cool of the morning. It is generally open daily except Fridays with modest entry fees; verify current timings and prices before visiting.
Chowmahalla Palace. The seat of the Asaf Jahi Nizams and the ceremonial heart of their court, this walled complex of courtyards, a grand durbar hall with Belgian chandeliers, fountains and the Nizams' famous collection of vintage cars offers the most intimate window into the dynasty's world. The name means "four palaces". It is generally open daily except Fridays, with separate, modest fees for Indians and foreigners and an extra charge for cameras; verify before visiting. Allow an hour and a half.
Mecca Masjid. One of the largest and oldest mosques in India, standing barely a hundred metres from the Charminar. Begun under Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and completed decades later under Mughal rule in the late 17th century, it takes its name from bricks said to have been brought from the holy city of Mecca and set into its central arch. Its vast prayer hall can hold thousands, and the colonnade near the entrance holds the graves of the Asaf Jahi Nizams. Entry is free, as at working mosques generally; dress modestly, cover your head where asked, remove shoes, and be mindful of prayer times.
Salar Jung Museum. One of the largest museums in India and among the biggest one-family art collections in the world, assembled largely by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III), a prime minister to the Nizam. Its galleries range across Indian, Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and European art — jade, textiles, manuscripts, arms and armour, ivories and paintings — and it is famous for a handful of showpieces, above all the marble sculpture The Veiled Rebecca, a double-faced wooden statue, and a much-loved musical clock. It is generally open daily except Fridays and public holidays, with modest entry for Indians and higher fees for foreigners plus a camera charge; verify before visiting. Give it at least a couple of hours — you could easily spend half a day.
Hussain Sagar and the Buddha statue. The great heart-shaped lake dug in the 16th century links Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and its promenade, Tank Bund, is the city's favourite place for an evening stroll. Rising from a rock in the middle of the water is a monolithic statue of the Buddha, some 16 metres tall and carved from a single piece of granite — among the largest such statues of its kind. Boats run out to the rock from the lakeside; boating is generally available daily (often with a weekly closure — confirm the day), and there are landscaped parks along the shore. A calm counterpoint to the Old City's intensity, and lovely at sunset.
Birla Mandir. A gleaming temple built entirely of white Rajasthani marble, completed in 1976 and set atop the 280-foot Naubat Pahad hillock overlooking Hussain Sagar. Dedicated principally to Lord Venkateswara, it commands one of the finest panoramic views over the lake and the city, especially at dusk when the temple is lit. Entry is free; photography is generally not permitted inside, and shoes are left at the gate. It pairs naturally with a lakeside evening.
Laad Bazaar and the Old City markets. Radiating from the Charminar, Laad Bazaar (also called Choodi Bazaar) is a centuries-old market street famous for its lacquer-and-glass bangles, studded with imitation stones, and for pearls, wedding finery, fabrics and perfumes. It has traded here since Qutb Shahi times and is at its most dazzling in the run-up to festivals and weddings. The surrounding lanes are Hyderabad's pearl and jewellery heartland — the city's "City of Pearls" nickname is not idle. Bargaining is expected; take your time and enjoy the theatre of it.
HITEC City and the new Hyderabad. For a complete change of register, the western districts of HITEC City, Gachibowli and the surrounding "Cyberabad" show the city's modern face — a planned technology hub, home to the campuses of major global software and internet companies, alongside malls, restaurants and nightlife. It is less a ticketed sight than a district to experience, and it explains why so many young Indians move to Hyderabad. Combine a look around here with the nearby lakes and rock formations on the city's western fringe.