10 Best Things To Do In Hyderabad, India

1. Visit Salar Jung Museum

Salar Jung Museum is one of the three national museums of India and also one of the best historical places. Located in Hyderabad, Telangana, this is a pretty large museum so be prepared to have tired legs by the end of your visit. Although your legs might be tired, your eyes will have feasted on some impressive stuff, on display at the museum.

The museum has a collection of paintings, sculptures, textiles, carvings, ceramics, manuscripts, metallic artefacts, clocks and carpets, from countries like Burma, China, Japan, Nepal, Persia, Europe, Egypt, North America, as well as India. The museum’s collection is said to be sourced from the property of the Salar Jung family. It is open on all days except Friday, from 10 am until 5 pm.

Entry fees for Indians - 10 INR per adult (0.15 USD approx), 5 INR per child (0.08 USD approx) For foreign tourists - 150 INR per person (2.30 USD approx) An additional 50 INR (0.78 USD approx) for camera

Salar Jung Museum

Address: Darulshifa Road, Near Minar Function Hall, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002, India

Website: Salar Jung Museum

2. Boating on Hussain Sagar Lake

Hyderabad has a lot of Mughal influence in its cuisine and architecture, owing to the rulers who ruled here, several decades ago. Hussain Sagar Lake is one such product of a Mughal ruler. The heart-shaped, artificial lake was built by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, in 1563. Another highlight of this lake is the monolithic Gautama Buddha statue, erected in 1992.

This lake separates Hyderabad from its twin city, Secunderabad. You can go on a boat ride on this lake on all days of the week, from 8 am until 10 pm. You can choose among the different boats available and the cost ranges from 55 INR to 300 INR per person (0.85 - 4.70 USD approx). You can also try your hand at parasailing - charges come to about 400 INR per person (6.20 USD approx).

Hussain Sagar Lake

Address: Hyderabad, Telangana, India

3. Visit Charminar

Charminar, translated as “Four minarets”, was built as a mosque in 1591. Today it is the monument that comes to mind when you think of Hyderabad. To the west of Charminar lies Laad Bazaar (see below), which is a marketplace for bangles of all kinds. Truly one of the best places to visit, the monument is now taken care of by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Charminar

Address: Char Kaman, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002, India

Website: Charminar

4. Shop at Laad Bazaar

As mentioned above, Laad Bazaar is a huge marketplace for bangles and is also referred to as Choodi Bazaar (choodi means bangles). Laad refers to lacquer and that is what is used to make the bangles. You can also find cheap jewellery, accessories needed to match your clothes and wedding-related accessories in this lovely bazaar that still maintains its old world charm.

Laad Bazaar

Address: Laad Bazar, Char Kaman, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002, India

5. Visit Golconda Fort

The name Golconda refers to a round shaped hill and it is a citadel and fort, located in Hyderabad. This region is known for its diamond mines, from which the world’s most famous gems such as the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond and the Nassak Diamond were found. The fort is an archaeological treasure, now being restored by the Archaeological Survey of India. It was built as a defence by the Kakatiya dynasty, who ruled from 900 AD. Then Mughal rulers took over and the fort acted as a marketplace for diamonds.

It still attracts a large number of visitors every day and it is very intriguing to see how a fortress city functioned. It is open every day from 9 am until 5:30 pm and the entry fee is INR 100 for foreign tourists (1.50 USD approx). Don’t forget to catch the light and sound show in the evening, one of the famous things in Hyderabad. However, timings vary during different times of the year, so do check that out, before you head there.

Golconda Fort

Address: Khair Complex, Ibrahim Bagh, Hyderabad, Telangana 500008, India

Website: Golconda Fort

6. Visit the Visa Balaji Temple

Images of the Visa Balaji Temple are currently unavailable

Funny name eh? This temple dates back to the 14th century and was originally called the Chilkoor Balaji Temple. Every year a number of people apply for a visa from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, to go to the USA. It is a popular belief that if one offers prayers here, his or her visa will be approved without a hitch. This temple is located in Chilkoor village, in Telangana, about an hour’s drive from Hyderabad.

Visa Balaji Temple

Address: Chilkur Balaji Temple Rd, Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500075, India

Website: Chilkur Balaji Temple

7. Visit Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace is the palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad, from when they were in power. Chowmahalla roughly translates to “Four Palaces” and is located near Charminar. It is open every day, except Fridays and national holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. An entry fee of INR 80 (1.23 USD approx) is charged for Indian tourists while INR 200 (3.07 USD approx) is charged for foreign tourists.

Chowmahalla Palace

Address: 20-4-236, Motigalli, Khilwat, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002, India

Website: Chowmahalla Palace

8. Visit Nehru Zoological Park

Since all children love to visit a zoo, this is a fun activity for kids. Nehru Zoological Park is one of the most popular tourist spots for locals as well as tourists, in Hyderabad. The zoo houses a lot of indigenous animals like the Asiatic lion, Indian rhino, Bengal tiger, panther, Indian elephant, python, slender loris, as well as other animals such as antelopes, deer, and birds. There is a nocturnal section in the zoo as well, which has fruit bats, barn owls, hedgehogs and fishing owls, to name a few species.

The zoo is closed on Mondays and open from 8 am to 5.30 pm, the rest of the week. Hours can vary by season, so do check before heading there. Entry fee is INR 30 (0.46 USD approx) for adults and INR 12 (0.18 USD approx) for children, below 12 years.

Nehru Zoological Park

Address: Bahadurpura, Hyderabad, Telangana 500064, India

Website: Nehru Zoological Park

9. Catch a film shoot at Ramoji Film City

Ramoji Film City is the largest integrated film city, in India. Take a tour around the film city to experience what it is like, behind the scenes of blockbuster or regular budget movies. You may even be lucky to see a hero in action! There are a lot of packages available for you to choose from, whether you want to spend the entire day or half a day, here.

There are also many restaurants here, serving delicious food and there is a bird park to keep the kids entertained, among other activities. Tickets start at INR 1000 per head (15.40 USD approx).

Ramoji Film City

Address: Anaspur Village, Hayathnagar Mandal, Hyderabad, Telangana 501512, India

Website: Ramoji Film City

10. Visit Shilparamam Cultural Society

This is an arts and crafts village, located in Madhapur, Hyderabad. It is located near the hi-tech city of the capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The reason for the development of this society was to nurture and protect the traditional arts and crafts of the region. There are a lot of interesting things to see and do inside this place, such as a museum and a display of arts and crafts. It is open every day, from 10:30 am until 8 pm.

Entry Fees: INR 20 per child (0.30 USD approx) and INR 40 per adult (0.62 USD approx).

Shilparamam Cultural Society

Address: Hi Tech City Main Road, Madhapur, Near Cyber Towers, Hyderabad, Telangana 500081, India

Website: Shilparamam Cultural Society

Visit Hyderabad & enjoy the best of both worlds

Hyderabad offers both old-world charms as well as traditional richness and modern conveniences. It is also a lovely city with amazing, delectable foodie delights, including rooftop restaurants and spots for biryani. Plan a trip and enjoy your visit.