Things To Do In Hyderabad

History lovers and architecture buffs should make a beeline for the grand Qutub Shahi Tombs. Situated in Ibrahim Bagh, the tombs are a short distance away from Golconda Fort and you can include a visit to both these attractions in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary.

A tribute to the seven Qutub Shahi rules, the tombs are built in accordance with Persian, Hindu and Pashtun architecture. Like most historical places, enormous efforts have been made to restore and maintain the glory of this gorgeous monument. A visit to the tombs should be on your list of things to do in Hyderabad since it’s a great way to know more about the enthralling history of this city. There are 40 mausoleums, 23 mosques, a hammam and several pavilions located in the landscaped gardens of the area. All the edifices are mounted on cubical platforms which are adorned with lime stucco decorations. 

If you truly want to do justice to this must-visit tourist attraction, it’s strongly recommended to keep aside at least two to three hours in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. If you are exploring the tomb during summer, we suggest carrying a scarf to cover your head and a bottle of water. 

It’s no surprise that the Qutub Shahi Tombs are a delight for history lovers, but it’s also a major crowd puller for photographers owing to the glorious frames. In the evening, just as the sun is about to set, the rays of the sun play hide and seek and it’s a sight you have to see to believe. The monument is closed on Friday so avoid scheduling a visit here in your things to do in Hyderabad at the end of the week.

Cost: It will cost approximately Rs.100 per person to explore the Qutub Shahi Tombs in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. This includes the cost of entry tickets and transportation.

An iconic landmark of the city, Golconda Fort is among the top attractions in things to do in Hyderabad itineraries. An example of architectural brilliance, the fort was built during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty. Situated on a granite hill, the historic monument gives you a glimpse into the royal past. Serving as a fortress in the olden days, Golconda Fort was the first line of defence for the Nizams. 

You can include an audio tour or an enthralling heritage walk in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary to explore the fort. Besides the extraordinary architectural feat, Golconda Fort is also known for its engineering prowess. The fort is situated nine kilometres away from Hussain Sagar Lake and you can easily manage to cover both these tourist attractions on the same day. You must keep aside between three and fours in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary if you want to explore the fort at a comfortable pace. 

The most enthralling feature of the fort is that it once stored the precious Koh-i-Noor diamond as well as other diamonds such as the Hope diamond and the Darya-i-Noor. What also fascinates visitors is that if you clap your hands at the bottom of the fort, it echoes all the way to the top. This is an especially enthralling activity for children. 

Another activity that you should add to your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary is the light and sound show. The show takes place every evening and takes you on a wondrous journey into the past. The show starts at 6:30 pm and lasts for about an hour so ensure you keep aside sufficient time in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. The splendid performances combined with the architectural brilliance of the fort effortlessly take you into another world. 

Cost: A visit to Golconda Fort in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will cost you between Rs.250 and Rs.400 per person. This cost includes transportation, entry tickets and the cost of the light and sound show.

The royal city of Hyderabad is known for its intriguing historical past. A trip to this city is incomplete without including a visit to its palaces and forts in things to do in Hyderabad itineraries. The Chowmahalla Palace is an attraction which has fascinated travellers for decades. The erstwhile official residence of the Nizams, the Chowmahalla Palace offers you a glimpse into the grand past of the royal family.

As the palace served as a royal residence for the Nizams, it has been the venue for numerous royal functions and celebrations. The splendid architecture and the intricate detailing has always enthralled art lovers and continues to do so. The palace is divided into northern and southern courtyards and is surrounded by lush gardens. Owing to the constant flow of visitors, the palace is in pristine condition and quite a delight to explore. While all parts of the palace are dazzling, the Khilwat Mubarak deserves special mention in things to do in Hyderabad itineraries. A royal court adorned with 19 chandeliers, it is home to the Nizam’s personal possessions and other exhibits. 

What you must keep aside time for in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary is the collection of vintage cars and carriages which is exhibited in the southernmost courtyard. The rare collection will take your breath away and time will pass by swiftly as you admire several classics including the 1937 Buick Convertible. 

If you want to learn more about the history of the palace, we suggest including a heritage walk in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. The walk takes you to the most beautiful parts of the palace and also gives you an opportunity to learn about the royal way of life. 

Cost: Including a visit to the Chowmahalla Palace in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will cost you between Rs.150 and Rs.250 including entry tickets and transportation.

If you thought that exploring Hyderabad was only about forts and palaces, then a visit to Ramoji Film City will surprise you. Movie buffs and cinema lovers must tick this off their things to do in Hyderabad itineraries. The film city is situated on the outskirts of Hyderabad and was established in 1991. 

Ramoji Film City is said to be the largest film studio complex in the world and is also part of the Guinness Book of World Records. Sprawled over a vast expanse of land, the film city can accommodate more than 20 film units at any given time. We recommend including a guided tour in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary if you are interested in exploring all the sections. The tour will take you on movie sets of famous enterprises as well as show you recreated sites for Japanese gardens, the streets of London, an airport and even Amber Palace. 

There is much to keep you busy here and we suggest keeping aside at least three to five hours in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. Besides enthralling sightseeing tours, Ramoji Film City also gives you an opportunity to enjoy adventure sports. There is a special section dedicated to bungee jumping and zip-lining. If you are travelling with little ones, a visit to the Movie Magic Park is highly recommended. The combination of virtual reality with technology is superb to experience and children will have a great time here. 

For those who want to enjoy some live-action drama, there are shows scheduled throughout the day. Theatre, music and dance performances see participation from well-known local artists and a live show here will be the highlight of your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary.

Cost: If you are planning a visit to Ramoji Film City in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary, we recommend keeping aside between Rs.2500 and Rs.4000 per person depending on your tour package.

The iconic landmark of Hyderabad, Charminar, is situated in the midst of bustling markets. The name of the monument is derived from the four majestic pillars supporting it. Erected by Quli Qutub Shah, it is counted among the first monuments to be built in Hyderabad. 

As is with most iconic landmarks, a trip to the city will be incomplete if you don’t include a visit to Charminar in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. Charminar has four minarets which are also symbolic of the first four caliphs of Islam and towards the north of the monument, there are four gateways or Char Kaman. The monument was constructed to serve as a mosque which is now located at the western end of the open roof. 

According to local legend, there is a tunnel which connects Charminar to Golconda Fort. It’s said that the tunnel was to serve as an escape for the royal family during an emergency. 

With Indo-Islamic and Persian influences, the intricate architecture of the monument has garnered much attention for art lovers. At the same time, one can find traces of Hindu architecture in the balconies and the outside walls of the monument. 

The very popular Laad Bazaar, which is located in one of the streets emerging from Charminar, comes alive in the evenings and the sight is mesmerising. In fact, most travellers prefer admiring this grand monument in the evening when it’s lit up with lights – serving as the perfect frame for photographers to capture Hyderabad in all its glory. We recommend keeping aside at least four to five hours in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary because you won’t be able to resist shopping in the busy streets of this old market.

Laad Bazaar is known for its array of shops selling wedding paraphernalia, lac bangles, pearl jewellery and perfumes. For food lovers, there is a separate lane which serves a plethora of delicious local dishes and should make it to your list of things to do in Hyderabad. 

Cost: If you want to include a visit to Charminar in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary, it will cost you between Rs.100 and Rs.500 including the cost of transport.

One of the best experiences in things to do in Hyderabad itineraries is admiring the awe-inspiring sunset at Hussain Sagar Lake. The lake is heart shaped and is among the largest artificial lakes in Asia. The lake was excavated in 1562 from a tributary of the Musi River. Primarily built for irrigation requirements of the area, it was used for the same purpose till 1930, before becoming a highlight in things to do in Hyderabad itineraries. 

The lake is located around two kilometres away from the city centre and can easily be reached by hiring an autorickshaw. The lake is surrounded by Indira Park, Sanjeevaiah Park and Lumbini Park which ensures that everywhere you see, you are greeted by lush greenery. Hussain Sagar Lake is popular among all age groups, but it holds a special place for little ones. During the weekends, the park around the lake is dotted with picnic mats and intense games of badminton. Most locals also use the area around the lake for their everyday walk. 

If you want to spend an hour away from the chaotic sounds of city life, we suggest hopping on a boat to admire this beautiful lake. Travellers can enjoy boating on speed boats as well as good-old paddle boats. If you are in the mood to try something different, you can also include a mini cruise in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. The mini-cruise seats 48 people and gives people the option of enjoying a lavish meal on board. 

Hussain Sagar Lake is also a crowd puller for adventure enthusiasts. Giving you the option of trying parasailing and yachting, there are many tour operators who arrange customised tours for you to include in your things to do in Hyderabad packages. The approximate cost of including parasailing in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary is Rs.400 per person.

The most prominent and attractive feature of the lake is the 16-meter-tall statue of Lord Buddha. The statue is made from white granite and comes to life during the light show held in the evenings. June to February is the best time to visit Hussain Sagar Lake. The lake is best experienced either early in the morning or after 5:00 pm so you can plan your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary accordingly.

Cost: Including a visit to Hussain Sagar Lake in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will cost you between Rs.250 and Rs.500 per person, depending on the inclusions in your itinerary.

Hyderabadi cuisine is counted among the most popular cuisines in the world. The flavours, the preparation process and age-old recipes have continued to please foodies around the world. So, it’s no surprise that we would recommend including a tour of the best street food places in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. 

It’s a well-known fact that Hyderabadi cuisine is most popular for its non-vegetarian fare but there are an array of vegetarian dishes as well. If you are exploring Hyderabad with the help of locals, you are in luck since you’ll be taken to the best places for street food. 

Hyderabad biryani, mirchi ka salan, keema samosa, dum phukt, crispy dosas, Karachi bakery products, guntur idlis, badam ki jalli and fruit ice-cream are few classics that you will find almost everywhere in the city. We have all tried many renditions of Hyderabad biryani and kebabs, but nothing beats the original. The biryani served in the streets of the city is unlike any other and you can’t afford to miss including a food tour in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. 

Among the most popular eateries in the city, we recommend including a visit to Nizam Club for authentic biryani, Gokul Chat for ragda samosa, Minerva Coffee Shop for masala dosa, Lama Kaan for mirchi bhajji and Chicha’s for patthar ka gosht in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. Another wonderful thing about trying local cuisine in Hyderabad is that the food isn’t expensive and you can hope to have a grand meal in under Rs.500. 

Cost: Including a foodie tour in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will not cost you more than Rs.500 per person. This cost also includes transportation.

The royal city of Hyderabad is a treasure for history lovers and museum buffs and is home to numerous museums. For a journey into the past, you should include the Salar Jung Museum in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. Located at Darushifa, the museum is one of the national museums in the country and also the third largest. The sheer volume of exhibits, paintings and relics is astonishing and you will need to keep aside at least three to four hours in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary to explore the museum. In fact, we highly recommend keeping aside half a day in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary if you want to enjoy this renowned museum. 

The artefacts exhibited in the museum belonged to Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, who is also credited as the collector. Also known as Salar Jung III, he collected all the items that are on display today. The museum is also home to a well-stocked library which has more than sixty thousand books and eighty thousand manuscripts – a dream for bibliophiles. Booking a guided tour in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will make it far easier for you to explore the different sections of the museums. With more than one million paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, artefacts and art exhibits, a guided tour will be an enthralling experience. 

Some notable artefacts and paintings garner more attention here and you must keep aside enough time in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary to see them. Paintings by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, daggers that belonged to Shah Jahan and Jehangir, a sculpture of Veiled Rebbeca, the Double Statute of Mephistopheles and Margaretta and the wardrobe of Tipu Sultan are some of the stand-out exhibits at the museum. 

You shouldn’t miss visiting the section that houses the Quran written in gold and silver. The section on manuscripts includes a rare collection which is divided according to language. Storing rare manuscripts written on glass, wood and textiles in many languages including Arabic, Urdu and Turkish, the section on manuscripts offers a delightful experience. Photography is not allowed inside the museum and we recommend keeping phone usage to a minimum. 

Cost: A visit to the Salar Jung Museum in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will cost you between Rs.100 and Rs.150 depending on the mode of transport. The entry fee for Indian Nationals is Rs.20 and Rs.500 for foreigners.

What is a vacation without shopping? Laad Bazaar in Hyderabad is a bustling market which has been serving locals and visitors alike for decades. Known across the country for its huge variety of bangles made from lac, Laad Bazaar should be on your list of things to do in Hyderabad if you want to complete your souvenir shopping.

Situated close to the iconic Charminar, the market is also visited by tourists who have included a visit to Charminar in their things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. Besides lac bangles, you can buy colourful dupattas, artificial jewellery, surma and attar from the many shops here. Lac bangles are a speciality here and come in myriad shapes and sizes. The artisans are passionate about their work and you can see this in the high-quality craftsmanship. Crafting a single bangle can take up to four hours depending on the level of intricacy. While bangles with simple designs can cost anywhere between Rs.100 and Rs.500, for more elaborate designs, you will have to shell out more. 

Laad Bazaar should also make it to your list of things to do in Hyderabad if you have an upcoming wedding to attend. Most of the shops make customised designs, offer a huge variety of wedding attires and exquisite silk jewellery. 

We also suggest taking a break from your shopping spree and enjoying the local delicacies served here. The snacks you can try here are samosas, chaat, kebabs, kachori and tikkas. If you have a long shopping trip planned, it's best to schedule a visit in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary in the morning. This will give you the entire morning to explore the market as well as markets nearby. Bargaining is an asset that you shouldn't ignore and that will help you score good deals.

Cost: If you would like to include a visit to Laad Bazaar in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary, it will cost you between Rs.50 and Rs.150 depending on the mode of transport.

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park provides respite for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. It’s also a refreshing change from the usual sightseeing tours and should feature in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary if you are looking for a different experience. Home to Chiran Fort Palace, Mor Bungalow, Gol Bungalow and other attractions, it gives you a glimpse into the local flora and fauna. Declared a national park in 1998, it is more popular for the grand Chiran Fort Palace located here. 

There are more than 600 species of plant life, 130 species of birds, 15 species of butterflies and 20 species of reptiles. If you are travelling with little ones, we recommend making this beauty a part of your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary. The park is divided into different sections and a guided tour is the best way to make the most of your trip. The guides are well informed and ensure you have an informative tour. 

KBR National Park hosts several conservation programmes throughout the year. In fact, there is a dedicated conservation zone which serves as a platform for awareness programmes. While this section is not open for the general public, you can learn more about the good work from the tour guide. The best time to visit the park is late afternoons when you can enjoy the sunset and the cool breeze that is a huge relief from the heat. 

Cost: A tour of KBR National Park in your things to do in Hyderabad itinerary will cost you between Rs.100 and Rs.150 including the cost of transportation.

Written by Kirat Sodhi. She is a proud mom of three cats and lives for lemon tea, a good book and spontaneous travel plans.

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