Renowned as the 'City of Pearls', Hyderabad is a bustling metropolis. The city preserves its rich history dating back to the 16th century. It is also India's economic, technical, and educational powerhouse. Its cosmopolitan population and vibrant arts and cultural environment also attract people from all over the world. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Hyderabad in 1 day to help you have an enriching city experience.
Hyderabad is renowned for its iconic heritage monuments, delectable cuisine, elegant vibe, and bustling bazaars. The city boasts a unique blend of history and modernity, evident in its architecture and culture. Our one-day Hyderabad itinerary will take you through some of the most popular tourist attractions that the city has to offer.
Itinerary 1:
- Hussain Sagar Lake
- Birla Mandir
- Salarjung Museum
- Charminar
- Chowmahalla Palace
- Golconda Fort
Itinerary 2:
- Full Day Ramoji Film City
- Sanghi Temple
Itinerary 3:
- Statue of Equality
- Nehru Zoological Park
- Thrill City
- Shilparamam
Hyderabad Places to Visit in 1 Day
Here is the list of places to visit in Hyderabad in 1 Day:
Ramoji Film City
Set up by Ramoji Rao in 1991, Ramoji Film City is a perfect place for all cinema lovers. The massive entertainment wonderland has been crowned as the World's Largest Film Studio Complex. It can accommodate 20 film units at a time. Various shooting locations include Japanese Gardens, London Street, Hollywood Signage, Airport, Hospital, Prison, Landscapes, Buildings, and Laboratories. Smaller replicas of famous monuments are also present.
It is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Hyderabad. You can also indulge in adventure sports like Bungee jumping, swinging, football, bungee ejection, climbing through the loop, basketball, and cricket. Encounter the various gardens through a studio tour. It is a fun place to explore Kids' Park, Eureka, Wings Bird Park, and Movie Magic Park and enjoy live shows.
Charminar
Constructed in 1591, the Charminar is named so as it has four minarets. It lies on the east bank of the Musi River, with the Laad Bazaar to its west and Makka Masjid to the southwest. It was built to mark the eradication of cholera that ravaged the city during the 16th century. It is a perfect square-shaped structure inspired by the Shiya Tazias.
The four grand arches open into four streets. Each 56-m-tall minaret at each corner has a double balcony. On top of each minaret is a bulbous dome. It awes the visitors with its elaborate stucco work. You can climb 145 steps to reach the upper floors to capture splendid views of the city.
Golconda Fort
In the 11th century, Golconda Fort was a fortified citadel built out of mud. Originally named Shepherd's Hill, it is situated on a 120-m-high granite hill. As you enter through the ruined city through the Bala Hissar Gate on the east side, you can notice the arches and elaborate decorations. Marvel at the 10-km wall that stretches across the ruins.
It is lined with gateways, cannons, and drawbridges. Learn about the ancient mosques, armories, and chambers at the top of the hill. You can explore the famously powerful Rahban Cannon, peer through vent holes in the walls, and witness the old apartments. Admire the intricacies and ingenuity of the 700-year-old architecture.
Hussain Sagar Lake
The heart-shaped Hussain Sagar Lake was constructed in 1563. It is fed by the Musi River. Due to its unique outline, it has been declared as the ‘Heart of the World's by the UNWTO. It is Asia's largest artificial lake. The lake separates Hyderabad and Secunderabad. At its center stands one of the worlds tallest monoliths of Lord Buddha. It is flanked by landscaped parks like Lumbini Park, Indira Park, and Sanjeevaiah Park.
It is an ideal recreational spot for families and friends, also called Tank Bund. It is renowned for thrilling activities like water sports, boat rides, and fish culture. You can enjoy relaxing evening strolls along the lake's boulevard.
Thrill City
Thrill City is a virtual reality (VR) amusement park. Considered to be the 1st futuristic amusement park, it is a fun place for visitors of all ages. You can engage in 50+ fun games and activities. Monster Theatre and Dome Theatre offer a unique experience of watching entertainment shows. Children can enjoy the Kids' Arcade and rides like Magic Train, Horse Carousel, and Pendulum at Thrill City.
Get a next-level VR experience on rides like Real Apache Bike Simulator, VR Roller Coaster, Real Skoda Car Simulator, VR Beat Hero, and Flight Simulator. The food court provides a variety of meal choices. There are many photo spots for the perfect captures.
Statue of Equality
The 216-foot-high Statue of Equality is the world's 2nd tallest sitting statue. The vast, golden monument is dedicated to the 11th-century saint Shri Bhagavad Ramanujacharya, who worked tirelessly to promote equality. Climb 108 steps to the statue and acquire stunning views.
Thirty-six beautifully carved elephants stand near the statue, each spouting cool water along with 108 Divya Desa Centers. The ground floor is dedicated to the saint's life and teachings. The 2nd floor is a temple, and the 3rd floor contains a Vedic Library and research center. Witness the dancing water show with light and music.
Chowmahalla Palace
The erstwhile residence of the Nizams, Chowmahalla Palace, is a magnificent heritage monument. Supposed to be the replica of Iran's Shah Palace, it is home to 12 acres of courtyards, halls, fountains, and gardens. It is made up of 4 separate palaces with connecting courtyards.
As you walk past the various courtyards, you can admire the intricately carved walls and ceilings, domes, arches, windows, marble columns, chandeliers, and rare artifacts from Nizam's collections. You can also admire the Clock Tower and the classic cars from the early 20th century. Photography enthusiasts can also capture photos of the building reflected in the lake.
Birla Mandir
Built in pristine white marble on a 380-foot-high hillock, Birla Mandir in Hyderabad is a perfect amalgamation of divinity and elegance. The shrine is sure to leave you mesmerized with its impressive architecture and serene atmosphere. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara.
The architecture is a mix of Rajasthani, Dravidian, and Utkala styles. It has an 11-foot granite idol of the Lord with a carved lotus forming an umbrella on the top. There is a 42-foot-high brass flagstaff on the premises. Several Hindu and Buddhist shrines are present in the complex. You can also admire the finely sculpted images from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Salar Jung Museum
Salar Jung Museum is the 3rd largest art museum in India, preserving a huge range of ancient academic journals, rustic weaponry, and precious royal items throughout the ages. The exhibits are categorized by the region of their origin. It is the biggest one-man collection of antiques on the earth. Audio guides are available if you want to learn more about the significance of the displayed objects.
Its 39 carefully curated art galleries showcase rare paintings, sculptures, carvings, carpets, and metallic artifacts. Special highlights of this museum are The Veiled Rebecca, British Musical Clocks, Shah Jahan's daggers, Double Statues of Mephistopheles & Margaretta, and Marie Antoinette's Dressing Table.
Shilparamam
Shilparamam is a unique arts and crafts village that was conceptualized to preserve the rural lifestyle and traditional handicrafts of AP and Telangana. Ethnic festivals happen throughout the year to promote the environment. It is full of greenery, cascading waterfalls, and village models. The ambiance at Shilparamam is pleasant, and the place is well-maintained.
Each section depicts a region of the country. The dioramas are quite real-life-like. Night bazaars and handicraft shops make the place lively. You can get a wide variety of home décor and Indian dresses. It has a rock museum, a rural museum, a recreational zone, and boating activities for visitors.
More Attractions to Explore in Hyderabad
Hyderabad has much more to offer than just these top ten attractions. The city is well-known for its rich heritage and history, with many forts, tombs, and ancient temples waiting to be explored. Nature and space explorers can visit Taramati Baradari, Nehru Zoological Park, Birla Planetarium, and KBR National Park.
Wonderla, GravityZip, and Jala Vihar are popular amusement parks with food courts, outdoor rides, and indoor gaming zones. For an offbeat experience, you can visit the Snow World, Hyd Selfie Museum, and Sudha Cars Museum.
Begum Bazaar is one of Hyderabad's largest and oldest commercial spaces, dealing in bidriware, household commodities, and dry fruits. Nampally Market sells blingy ethnic stuff like Kalamkari fabric, footwear, and electronics. Other bustling markets of the city are Laad Bazaar, Begum Bazaar, Abids, and Pot Market. These are a must-visit for shopping for traditional bangles, pearls, and local handicrafts like Nirmal paintings, Bidriware artifacts, and Kondapalli toys.
Hyderabad is famous for its biryani, and there are many places to try this delectable dish. Some popular options include Paradise Biryani, Shah Ghouse, Bahar Cafe, and Bawarchi Restaurant. Other notable dishes to try are Hyderabadi Haleem, Mirchi ka Salan, and Osmania biscuits. For those with a sweet tooth, visit Karachi Bakery for its famous fruit biscuits or Pista House for its mouth-watering Irani chai and Sulemani tea.
You must also try mouth watering street food like Dahi Bhalla, Masala Pav Bhaji, Papdi Chaat, and Samosa. Dosa, Haleem, Boti Kabab, Paaya, Phirni, and Nihari are other must-try dishes on your 1 day trip to Hyderabad.
