Known as the City of Pearls, Hyderabad is the largest city as well as the capital city of the South Indian state of Telangana. Once home to the Qutb Shahis, Mughals and Nizams, this city is known for its historical places, which are not only restricted to palaces and monuments. There are numerous mosques, temples, historical markets, and churches here. Hyderabad was once the only global trade center for large diamonds, natural pearls, and emeralds.
Apart from diamonds and pearls and emeralds, the markets in Hyderabad also offer hand woven materials in silk and cotton, kalamkari paintings, stone-studded lacquer bangles and artifacts. Listing down the major historical places to visit when you are in Hyderabad.
Golconda Fort
Famous for being the origin of some of the world’s largest diamonds like Koh-i-Noor, Hope, Daria-i-Noor, Akbar Shah and many more, the magnificent granite fort of Golconda is one of the must visit historical places in Hyderabad due to its rich historical significance.
Built by the Kakatiya rulers, the old Golconda fort was completed by Rani Rudrama and her successor, Prataparudra. However, the fort was taken into custody by the Bahamani sultanate, which was taken over by the Qutb Shahi dynasty around 1538 and became the seat of their government.
The present structure that stands was renovated by Sultan Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk, the first Qutb Shah and is considered as an engineering marvel of its own. An echo of a hand clap below the dome of Fateh Darwaza can be heard till Bala Hissar pavilion, which is almost one kilometer away and is also the highest point of the fort. This acoustical effect was used to warn the fort residents.
There are 8 gateways, numerous temples, mosques, royal chambers, halls, and stables inside the fortified premise. The fort also has mounted cannons and 4 drawbridges. The fort has been on the ‘tentative list’ of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Location: Khair Complex, Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: Indian Nationals – INR 15. Foreign Nationals – INR 200
Charminar
The most prominent landmark of the city of Hyderabad, the iconic Charminar literally means ‘The four Minarets’ and is yet another historical site of Hyderabad which must be in your visit list. The structure which has become the identification feature or face of Hyderabad, was built by Quli Qutb Shah to commemorate the founding of the city in 1591. The entire structure is made of granite, marble, limestone and mortar, the minarets being supported by four grand arches.
If one goes by the history and legends, the four minarets are believed to be representation of the first four prophets or khalifas of Islam. The mosque on the top floor of the structure is more than 425 years old and the clock of the Charminar was installed by the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan in 1889.
The four gateways of Charminar are called ‘Char Kaman’. Along with Golconda fort and Qutb Shahi Tombs, the Charminar has also been on the ‘tentative list’ of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Location: Char Kaman, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, all days of the week
- Entry Fee: For Indian Nationals – INR 5. Foreign Nationals – INR 100 per person
Qutub Shahi Tombs
Located at about a kilometer from the Banjara Darwaza of Golconda Fort, within the Ibrahim Bagh premises, the Qutb Shahi Tombs are also referred to as the seven tombs, that belong to the seven great rulers of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty that ruled Hyderabad for around 170 years. In total, there are around 30 tombs that are built in enclosures and few smaller open-air tombs. The design and historical significance of the tombs make it a must for people to visit them when in Hyderabad.
All the tombs are built on raised platforms, some having simple architecture and others with elaborate structures and intricate designs. The galleries of the simple and smaller ones are single storied, and that of the bigger ones are double storied structures. However, the architecture of all the tombs have elements of Persian, Pathan, Deccan and Indian blend. An interesting fact about the tombs here is that the dome shapes of all the tombs are different from each other. The largest tomb here is that of Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah.
- Location: Fort Road, Toli Chowk, Hyderabad
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Open all days of the week except Fridays
- Entry Fee: Children – INR 5. Adults – INR 10
Mecca Masjid
Built in the 17th Century, by the south of the Musi River and named after the grand mosque of Mecca, the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad is the oldest mosque and is one of the largest in India with a capacity to host 10,000 people at one time.
The arches of the main prayer hall are embedded with bricks made from the soil from the holy land of Mecca and hence the name of the mosque. The construction of the mosque was commissioned in 1614. The actual work started during the reign of Sultan Mohammad Qutb Shah, the 6th sultan of Golconda in 1617 and it took another 77 years and 8000 workers for the entire structure to be completed in 1694.
The south end of the courtyard alongside the grand entrance is a gravesite of Asaf Jahi rulers that houses the tombs of 2nd to 6th Nizams.
Given the fact that the mosque stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Quli Dynasty, it should make it to the must visit historical places in Hyderabad. However, only males who follow Islamic faith are allowed inside the main prayer hall.
- Location: Laad Bazaar Road, Khilwat, Hyderabad
- Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:30 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Chowmahalla Palace
The 18th Century official seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, built between 1857 and 1869, the Chowmahalla Palace literally translates into ‘The Four Palaces. It is a must visit and a significant stop to your exploration of historical places in Hyderabad for its magnificent architecture and rich heritage.
The Chowmahalla palace is said to be a replica of the Shah Palace of Tehran, Iran with massive palace grounds that also has gardens, fountains, and smaller palace structures, two huge courtyards – the northern and the southern courtyard, the grand dining hall which is called ‘Khilawat’.
Apart from these grand structures within, the palace also features some of the most impressive architectural art pieces evident through the intricate designs on its domes, life sized windows, and arches. The architecture of the entire structure is a blend of several elements from Persian, European, Indo- Saracenic, and Rajasthani styles.
The central courtyard hall which houses the seat of the Nizam is called Khilawat Mubarak and it is here that the court proceedings and celebration of festivals took place. The four palaces within the Chowmahalla Palace complex are named as Aftab Mahal, Afzal Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Mahtab Mahal.
- Location: Khilwat, Moti Galli, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All days of the week except for Fridays
- Entry Fee: Indian Nationals – INR 80. Foreign Nationals – INR 200. Children – INR 20. Photography – INR 50. Videography – INR 100
Salar Jung museum
The Salar Jung museum is one of the largest museums in India which has also gained the status of being ranked amongst the three National museums of India. This makes it a must visit place when one is in Hyderabad. The museum is located at the southern bank of the Musi River in the quaint part of Dar-ul-Shifa in the city of Hyderabad, which is famous for its unani medicines.
The museum is the only museum in India to have the largest one-man collection that includes exquisite art pieces, antiques, sculptures, and statues, a reason why it attracts tourists not only from within the country but also from across the world.
Apart from the personal collection of the Salar Jung family, the museum also houses artifacts and sculptures that were imported from various countries including Japan, Europe, North America, Burma, Persia, Egypt, Nepal, and China. These also include several miniature paintings, Quran written in gold and silver, veiled Rebecca by Giovanni Benzoni, Aurangzeb’s sword, and many more interesting artifacts.
- Location: Salar Jung Road, Near Minar Function Hall, DarulShifa, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All days of the week except for Fridays
- Entry Fee: Indian Nationals – INR 10 per person. Foreign Nationals – INR 150 per person
Taramati Baradari
Situated within the Ibrahim Bagh Complex, just outside the Golconda Fort on the Gandipet Road, the Taramati Baradari was built in the 1880s by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah. It was built as a music hall cum sarai (inn) with impressive acoustics, in honor of the King’s favorite courtesan, Taramati, who was a famous Kuchipudi dancer of her times.
The heritage structure which has 12 open doors, is built in Persian style architecture and now serves as a cultural complex with an open- air auditorium which can accommodate 1600 people at a time. There is also a theater, a banquet hall, and a multi-cuisine restaurant. The theater can accommodate a total of 500 people at one time.
- Location: Ramdev Guda, Imbrahim Bagh, Hyderabad
- Timings: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Paigah Tombs
Known for their featured marble carvings and intricate floral works on mosaic tiles, the Paigah tombs are the resting place of the members of the famous Paigah tribe, the high-ranking nobles, who served the Nizams of Hyderabad for several generations by being the patron of arts and bravery. The first of them was Abdul Fateh Khan Tegh Jung, who served under the second Nizam. There are, in all, 100 tombs here.
The tombs are built in the rare Indo- Saracenic architectural styles with stories of valor of the Paigahs inscribed on palettes and epitaphs including the tales of relationships between the Paigah and Nizam. The tombs span across 40 acres of land and are considered one of the most important places of historical significance, which makes it a must visit place for everyone coming to Hyderabad.
There is a separate burial place of about 2 acres within the 40-acre complex, wherein the tombs of Paigahs married to the daughters of the Nizams are located as a special honor. Each tomb here is patterned in a different manner and each design is unique.
- Location: Qalandar Nagar Road, Santosh Nagar, Kanchan Bagh, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All days of the week except for Fridays
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Falaknuma Palace
Located on a hillock, at a height of 2000 meters above the city of Hyderabad, the Falaknuma Palace is the most luxurious hotel in the city. Built by Paigah Amir Nawab Sir Viquar-ul-Umra in 1884, it was once home to the renowned Paigah family and was later owned by the Nizam of Hyderabad.
It is spread across 32 acres and the entire palace is built with Italian marble, in the shape of a scorpion. It has 22 halls and 220 rooms. The walnut roof of the library at the Falaknuma palace resembles that of the library at the Windsor Castle. Every piece of art, architecture, decoration, and furniture at the palace speaks out loud about the luxurious life led by the Nizams.
The palace has been converted into a 5-star luxury heritage hotel.
- Location: Falaknuma, Hyderabad
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Entry Fee: There are 2 tour options
Option 01: Adult – INR 3100, Child – INR 2480. Includes entry tickets, tea & snacks, A/C transport and tour guide
Option 02: Adult – INR 2000, Child – INR 1600. Includes A/C transport and tour guide
Haveli Khadeem or Purani Haveli
Built by Mir Momen, the Peshwa of Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah in the 19th Century, the Purani Haveli was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad and is a symbol of European architecture. It was built by the 2nd Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur Asaf Jah II for his son and successor, Sikander Jah, Asaf Jah III. The palace is a U- shaped structure and is also known as Masarrat Mahal Palace.
- Location: Near Princess Durru Shehvar Hospital, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All days of the week except Friday
- Entry Fee: INR 80 for adults. INR 15 for children. Camera Charge – INR 150
Nizam’s Museum
To get a sneak peek into the lavish royal lives of the Nizams of Hyderabad, a visit to the Nizam’s Museum is a must. Everything from artifacts to clothes to jewelry to utensils scream opulence here. The museum was built by Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan in 1936.
- Location: Purani Haveli, Pathar Gatti, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Toli Masjid
Often referred to as the Damri Masjid as per the old records, the Toli Masjid is one of the must visit places in Hyderabad that boasts of being a lesser-known cousin of Charminar in terms of architectural style and looks, due to the four minarets.
Located in the area known as Karvan, around 2 kilometers from the famous Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, the Damri Masjid or Toli Masjid was built in 1671 by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, the finest architect of the Qutb Shahi court. Legend has it that when Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar was building the Mecca Masjid, he was given one Damri (ancient Indian currency) against every rupee spent. The architect used the same money to build the mosque and hence its name, Damri Masjid.
Built according to the Qutb Shahi architecture styles, the mosque has 20-meter minarets on either side along with six small minarets and 5 arches at the frontage that are adorned with lotus medallions on the spandrels. Among the five arches, the central one is the broadest and has a little more elaborate design.
- Location: Golconda Road, Kulsumpura, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Spanish Mosque
Located within the Paigah Palace in Begumpet, the Spanish mosque, as it is famously called due to the Spanish architectural influence and church-like structure, is also known to some as Masjid Iqbal Ud Daula or Jam e Masjid Aiwan-E-Begumpet. It is a historical structure of Hyderabad.
The entire structure of the mosque was inspired by Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba in Spain which explains the spires instead of the typical domes. The mosque is managed by the descendants of Paigah Amir Sir Viquar-ul-Umra and can accommodate around 2500 people at a time.
The mosque was commissioned by Vikar-ul-Umra, Iqbal ud Dowla, under the rule of Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan Bahadu and was completed by his son, Nawab Sultan Ul Mulk Bahadur. With Moorish architecture, the Spanish mosque is one of its kind in India.
- Location: Sardar Patel Road, Begumpet, Hyderabad
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Hayat Bakshi Mosque
Also known as the Hayath Bakshi Begum Masjid or the Grand Mosque, the Hayat Bakshi Mosque was built in 1672 by Abdullah Qutb Shah, the seventh ruler of the kingdom of Golconda or the Golconda Sultanate, in loving memory of his mother, Hayat Bakshi Begum, who ruled as a regent during early years of his reign.
Built in typical Qutb Shahi style of architecture, the mosque also houses a rest house, also known as the caravan sarai with 130 rooms. The prayer hall of the mosque is built on a raised platform.
- Location: Hayathnagar, Hyderabad
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
Bella Vista
Built in Indo-European architectural style in 1910, the Bella Vista (literal meaning – beautiful sight) was once a royal palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad and was named so by its French architect since the palace overlooked the Hussain Sagar Lake, which was the most beautiful view from the palace.
The palace currently is used as Administrative staff college of India.
- Location: Saifabad, Hyderabad
- Timings: NA
- Entry Fee: NA
Khairatabad Mosque
Built in 1626 by Khairunisa Begum, the daughter of the VI Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah, the mosque was constructed in the honor of her teacher, Akhund Mulla Abul Malik. This mosque too, was designed by Hussain Shah Wali and has now been declared as a heritage site by INTACH AP.
- Location: Khairatabad, Hyderabad
- Timings: NA
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
Chilkur Balaji temple or Visa Balaji temple
Considered as the alternative to the famous and most revered Tirumala temple, the Chilkur Balaji temple was built more than 500 years ago and is considered to be one of the oldest temples of Hyderabad. It is located in the quaint little village of Chilkur, 30 kilometers from the city of Hyderabad. If legends are to be believed, the temple was built by a devotee who couldn’t visit the Thirupati temple after becoming too weak to travel due to long illness.
Also known as the ‘Visa Balaji Temple’, the temple is situated on the banks of Osman Sagar Lake, very close to the Vikarabad Road and has a footfall of around 1 lakh devotees in a single week. Lord Balaji Venkateshwara is the main deity of this temple and is accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
- Location: Chanda Nagar Village, Chilkur, Hyderabad
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM. All days of the week
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Begum Bazar
Regarded as one of the oldest marketplaces in Hyderabad, Begum Bazar was built by Humda Begum in 1812 and is close to the old city. You must visit the market for its old-world charm. The market houses the second largest fish market of Hyderabad.
- Location: Afzal Gunj, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
Hussain Sagar Lake
Famous for being the largest man-made lake in Asia, the Hussain Sagar Lake was built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562 and was commissioned by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah thus making it a must visit historical place in Hyderabad. The lake was named Hussain Sagar Lake after Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali.
The lake is spread across an area of 5.7 kilometers and lies on a tributary of the Musi River. It separates the two famous cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It has been declared as ‘Heart of the World’ by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) because of its unique heart shape compared to every heart shaped landmark across the globe.
- Location: Hyderabad
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Closed on Mondays
- Entry Fee: INR 5 per person
- Boat Transfers: For adults – INR 30. For children – INR 20
Osman Sagar Lake, Gandipet Lake
Constructed during the reign of Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, the Osman Sagar Lake was created out of the dam on Musi River built in 1920 which was the main source of drinking water for the city of Hyderabad. The dam was also built with the intention to save the city from floods.
- Location: Gandipet Village, Ranga Reddy district, Hyderabad
- Timings: NA
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Sri Ram Chandra Temple, Ammapalli
Built in the 13th Century by the Vengi Kings, the ancient Sri Ram Chandra Temple is a must visit for its rich history and architecture. The temple is said to be older than the Golconda fort and is located 30 kilometers from Hyderabad at a village called Ammapalli. The central deity is Lord Rama, and the idol of the lord is believed to be 1000 years old, older than the temple itself.
The temple is built in Rajasthani style architecture with a step well and a gopuram which is a seven-story tower, making it one of the most beautiful and best tourist places in Hyderabad. The temple is also used as a shooting location for regional movies.
The most interesting fact about the main idols in the garbhagriha of the temple is that all the idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman, along with the Makara Thoranam have been carved out of a single black rock.
The pond beside the temple is believed to be ancient, surrounded by coconut trees and porticos which were once built to provide shelter for the pilgrims. The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated every year with great pomp and makes an occasion for hundreds of devotees to arrive here and attend the festivities.
- Location: Nagarguda- Shamshad Road, 5 km from Shamshabad Bus Stop
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM All days of the week
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
Durgam Cheruvu
Built by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1518, Durgam Cheruvu is an ancient lake spread across an area of 63 acres and is hidden between granite rocks believed to be around 2500 million years old. Visitors can indulge in pedal boating, trekking, and camping in the surroundings.
- Location: CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee
