The 12 things to do in Hyderabad

Are you going to South India? Enjoy it to visit Hyderabad! Discover our selection of the city's must-sees!

The capital of both Andhra Pradesh and the new state of Telangana, Hyderabad appears as a major metropolis to the developed IT industry. Turning to the future, it remains a highly renowned city for its history, culture and architecture. At the border between North India and South India, it is located north of the Deccan Plateau, on the edge of the Musi River. With a population of 40% Muslim, it is a symbol of cohabitation between Hindus and Muslims. Hyderabad was built in the 16th century. Since then, many palaces and religious buildings have been created, making it a tourist destination not to be missed on a trip to India.

To help you organize your day on site, we offer a selection of the 12 places to visit Hyderabad!

1. Charminar

The Charminar is the most famous building in Hyderabad. This is the icon of the city, like the Taj Mahal for Agra. Built in 1591 at the time of the foundation of the city, it was founded by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth sovereign of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. His purpose? Mark the end of a plague epidemic that ravaged the city during this period.

In the form of an arc of triumph, it is 56 meters high for 30 meters wide. Four rings of minaret support him. Inside, there are 45 prayer rooms, as well as a mosque, all in a magnificent indo-Islamic architecture decorated with some persian elements. The historic and Muslim centre is situated around this monument. So you can complete your visit with a tower in this slumbering neighborhood!

2. Makkah Masjid

Two hundred meters southwest of Charminar, don't miss the visit of Makkah Masjid. This large mosque was named after the bricks composing its central arch reported from Mecca. Died in 1694, its construction lasted more than 80 years. The Qutb Shahis sovereigns have never completed its construction and it was the Moghol Emperor Aurangzeb who finished it. Today, the monument is considered one of the oldest mosques in India. Its huge size allows to accommodate nearly 10,000 faithful. Its gates and arcades bear the inscriptions of the Koran, its ornaments – massive arches and pillars – are magnificent.

If non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the main prayer room, on the other hand, all visitors can admire the main gate of the mosque and the large square. Don’t forget to wear long, wide clothes and a scarf for women.

3. Laad Bazar

Located in one of the arteries leading to the Charminar, the Laad Baazar is the oldest market in the city. Uncontournable when you come to visit Hyderabad, it is said that there exist from the time of the Qutb Shahis and Nizams sovereigns. Once specialized in the sale of bracelets, this very lively place today offers jewelry, beads, wedding clothes, saris, semi-precious stones and many other accessories. Boasting and colourful, the Land Baazar is a must-see site to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and local culture.

Did you know? Laad means "resin", with reference to the resin used to insert stones and diamonds on the bracelets.

4. Fort de Golconda

The ancient capital of the kingdom of Golkonda between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Fort of Golconda became the seat of the Qutb Shahi, these Muslim conquerors of perse origin. An architectural marvel that was dated in the 12th century, the fortress stood on a hill, about ten kilometers from the centre of Hyderabad. The Golconda site is actually composed of four distinct forts with a wall surrounding the whole over 10 kilometers long.

Inside, you can admire several royal apartments, temples, mosques, stables, etc. Its particularity: a hand claquement under the dome at the entrance can be reached at almost one kilometer, in another pavilion of the site. At the time, the goal was to prevent the royal family from an imminent attack. As imposing as richly ornamented, the fort is one of the essential things to do in Hyderabad.

5. Tombs of the Qutb Shahi Sovereigns

A few steps from the Fort of Golconda stand the tombs of the sovereigns Qutb Shashi. The indo-Islamic style of tombs is found in the dome that overlooks some of them. In total, there are 21 tombs of important figures of the time (physicians, leaders, courtisans) and almost as many mosques as you can admire. Visiting Hyderabad does not pass these true symbols of local culture.

6. Chowmahalla Palace

A luxurious 18th century splendour, the Palace of Chowmahalla owes its fame to the finesse of its ceremony hall. The Khilwat Mubarak represents the heart of the palace. It is decorated with 19 huge sparkling Belgian crystal chandeliers and a white marble floor on which the royal seat stands. The monument has four palaces: Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal. It is also to these architectural elements that we owe the name of the palace, chow meaning four and mahal The palace.

Chowmahalla long remained the seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty and the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad when they ruled the city. Today, the exhibition halls that testify to the life of the Nizams of Hyderabad are being explored. For example, we find a very beautiful Rolls Royce of 1911! If you ask that you do in Hyderabad to discover its royal roots, here you are at the right address.

7. Lake Hussain Sagar

This artificial heart-shaped lake separates the city of Hyderabad from its neighbor Secunderabad. Powered by the Musi River, it was built by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1563 to provide the city with water. A large monolithic statue of the Gautama Buddha, erected in 1992, stands in the middle of the lake.

At night, the statue lights, which gives even more interest to admiring it. Good news: boats frequently return from the garden of Lumbini to the statue, up to 22h. What to visit Hyderabad from another angle!

8. Nehru Zoological Park

If you travel with children, the Nehru Zoological Park is a good option to visit Hyderabad with your family. On 150 hectares, the zoo houses many iconic animals in the country, such as Asian lion, Indian rhinos, Bengal tiger, panther, Indian elephant, python, slender lori. There are also other species such as antelopes, deer and birds.

Among the activities of the park, you will be able to attend animal feeding or safari in search of wildlife.

9. Ramoji Film City

What to do in Hyderabad if it is not plunging into the Bollywoodian universe? Advice to amateur and film lovers! Ramoji Film City is the world's largest film studio complex. It was built by producer Telugu Ramoji Rao in 1996. When you enter, you will see what the scenes of a successful film look like. You can spend half a day there, but there’s something to take care of for a whole day! With a little luck, you'll watch a live shooting.

On site, many restaurants and an ornithological park complete the range of activities of this non-standard complex. In the way of Hollywood studios, people can visit film sets, theme parks, rides, sound scenes and permanent decors. Ramoji Film City is one of the must-see places to visit in Hyderabad for all lovers of the 7th art!

10. Salar Jung Museum

By entering the Salar Jung Museum, you enter one of the three national museums in India. That is to say if his visit is one of the things to do in Hyderabad! Its size is huge and its exciting collections, so prepare yourself to walk a lot.

It includes the largest collection of world antiquities owned by a single man, Nabab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. Among the 43,000 art objects it contains, one can admire paintings, sculptures, textiles, engravings, ceramics and carpets. These pieces come from all over the world: Burma, China, Japan, Nepal, Persia, Egypt, Europe, America... The works of the famous painter Raja Ravi Varma and Veiled Rebecca, a sculpture by the Italian artist Benzoni are among the most famous pieces of the museum.

11. Birla Mandir

This Hindu temple was built in 1976 by a foundation of the rich industrialists named Birla. Built over ten years with 2,000 tons of white marble from Rajasthan, it adorns one of two rocky hills of Hyderabad, commonly known as Kalabahad. It is dedicated to Venkatesvara, a form of the god Vishnou, and is a place of pilgrimage famous for Hindus. The architecture of the Birla Mandir temple is a mix of typical styles of North India and South India. The tower of the temple or “Gopuram” thus presents the highlights of the temples of southern India.

Through the site you will see scenes of the Ramayana and Mahabharata swords, finely carved on the walls and ceilings. The temple overlooks the waters of Lake Hussain Sagar and offers a panoramic view of the twin towns of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

12. AP State Archaeology Museum

Do you like archaeology and look for what to do in Hyderabad around this theme? So take the time to visit Hyderabad by visiting the exhibitions of the oldest museum in the city! You will find a rare collection of art and antiques, starting with Buddhist sculptures of the II and III centuries BC. Other Hindu sculptures of the Chalukyan and Vijayanagara period will be passionate about herbal archaeologists.

By curiosity, one can also admire an Egyptian mummy given by the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad: that of the daughter of the sixth Pharaoh of Egypt.

How to get to Hyderabad?

From France

To reach Hyderabad from France, the easiest way is to fly directly to the city via a stopover. Several airlines provide this connection. The best is to compare prices on a comparison of flights such as Ulysses to choose your route according to the selected dates. At the start of Paris, you can count an average of 13 hours (for a stopover) and plan a budget of about €800 per person (excluding school holidays). Remember, the cheaper the flight, the longer it is!

From Mumbai, Bangalore or Chennai

If you are already in India, you can take an indoor flight. Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai are flying to Hyderabad (duration: 1h to 1h30). If you are not in a hurry, you can go by train, bus or private car. Just know that roads are not very good and very dense traffic. It can be more prudent and safer to opt for the train or aircraft.

On site

With Hyderabad Airport located 20 kilometres from the city centre, you can choose between several options:

• The shuttle : several shuttles provide the connection between the airport and various locations in the city centre. Some hotels offer this service.
• Taxi or private transfer : you can choose the private transfer or taxi to reach the center of Hyderabad. To do this, make sure you book your trip in advance.
• The car : various car rental agencies offer their services at the airport. Once your vehicle is in hand, you just need to borrow National 7 to reach the centre.

Where to stay in Hyderabad?

Accommodation options are numerous in Hyderabad and the range of prices, varied. Whether you choose to sleep in the historic centre or the most modern areas of Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills or HITEC City, you'll find both luxury hotels and cheap hostels. Take a ride on one Compare hotels : Enter your dates of stay in Hyderabad, it will select for you the most interesting offers according to your criteria.

You now know a few must-sees to visit Hyderabad! And what were your heartburns in the capital with two faces?