Things to do in Hyderabad

Set up by Ramoji Rao, the head of Ramoji group in 1996, the Ramoji Film City is a beautiful holiday get away with cinematic themes in the happening city of Hyderabad. While there are several other things to in Hyderabad, this definitely tops the charts. There is so much for you to see, learn and experience as new treat comes towards you from every nook and corner. It is also certified as the World's largest Filmstudio Complex by the Guinness World Records. Ramoji film city is a proud destination of India that attracts millions of people every year due to its unique and beautiful themes.

Renowned as Asia's largest artificial lake, the Hussain Sagar Lake is one of the most popular tourist hotspot situated in Hyderabad. The lake itself was built by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1563 during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah. Renowned for its monolith of Lord Buddha which is right in the centre of the lake, this place is famously known as Tank Bund as well. Among the several activities that the lake offers, it has an amazing sound and music show. Another activity is boating which offers gorgeous views of the lake and the city and it is one of the most sought after things to do in Hyderabad.

Charminar is the most prominent landmark located right in the heart of Hyderabad. The monument was erected when Quli Qutb Shah shifted his capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. The imposing structure looks awe-inspiring during the night when it is illuminated. The life around Charminar never ceases to throb, as this part smells and feels like the real Hyderabad. Walking past the Charminar and trying the famous Irany chai is one of the top listed things to do in Hyderabad.

When you are in Hyderabad, you are bound to try out the very famous Hyderabadi Biryani that comes alongwith a curry and raita. It is one of the top things to do in Hyderabad and it comes with mutton, chicken and even with vegetables (for all you vegetarians). Other than that, the popular mouth watering foods of the city include Mirchi ka Saalan, Dam Pukht, keema samosa, Paaya, khatti daal etc.

Situated in the city of Hyderabad, Durgam Cheruvu is a serene and picturesque lake that is an ideal place to spend some quality time with friends and family. Also known as the 'Secret Lake', the scintillating waters of Durgam Cheruvu are bound in the bosom of granite rocks which is a unique phenomenon in its own right. The visitors here visit mainly for its calm and scenic beauty and the astonishing sight of the sunset that the place offers. Visiting the lake is one of the top things to do in Hyderabad, owing to its surreal beauty and gorgeous environs.

Once the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, the Chowmahalla Palace was built in Hyderabad between the years 1857 and 1869. This splendid monument served as the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad during their reign. The palace is designed very intricately and is well known for its unique style and elegance which holds a unique Nawabi charm in itself. Taking a tour to the exquisite palace is one of the most exciting things to do in Hyderabad.

Situated in the Western part of the beautiful city of Hyderabad at a distance of near about 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake, the Golkonda fort is spread over an area of three square kilometres which is 4.8 kilometres in length. This mighty fort falls in the list of the most humongous fortresses of India. One interesting phenomenon observed at the Golconda Fort is that if a person standing at a certain point near the dome entrance claps his hands, it can clearly be heard at the hilltop pavilion which lies at a distance of about one kilometre. Among the myriad things to do in Hyderabad, this one should definitely be one of your topmost.

Hyderabad is well-known for its exclusive jewelry, pearls, embroidered clothes and numerous street shops. It is the ideal place for shopaholics. When in town, you definitely have to put this on your list of essential things to do in Hyderabad. It has beautiful, colorful and bustling bazaars which provide a memorable experience. Every bazaar is unique in its own way and has something different to offer from its peers. One must surely pay a visit to these shops whenever a trip to Hyderabad is planned.

Known as Kashmir of South India, Papi kondalu is a hill range in Khammam district, one should not miss while in this area. These hills are one of the most visited tourist attraction in Andhra Pradesh and is definitely one of the topmost things to do in Hyderabad. The beautiful scenery all around blends with the lush green hills and sparkling skies. The river is clean and a wonderful place enjoy a boat ride.

One of the oldest mosques in the city, the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad is one of the largest masjids in India. It is believed that Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah laid down the foundation stone of the edifice, and the arch embellishments over the main sanctum are made from the soil of the Holy Land of Mecca. It is due to this reason that it is called the 'Makkah Masjid' as well. Together with the Chowmahalla Palace, Laad Bazaar, and Charminar, the mosque forms the four very important heritage attractions in the city. However, entry to Makkah Masjid is restricted for non - Muslims.

Located about 30 kilometres away from Hyderabad, the famous Chilkur Balaji Temple is located in the small picturesque village of Chilkur and is a favourite pilgrim spot. The presiding deity at the Chilkur Balaji temple is Lord Balaji Venkateswara, along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi accompanying him. The temple houses the Visa Balaji or the Visa God, otherwise famous as a shining ray of hope and faith for US-Visa aspirants. It is believed that a visit to the temple, can grant the aspirants, a US Visa. The steps to pray for a visa here include a usual prayer and three rounds of pradakshina around the temple, followed by 108 rounds after getting the Visa. Make sure you visit the temple as it is one of the most unique things to do in Hyderabad.

Somewhere between the city of Hyderabad and a district called Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, is one of India's earliest and largest dams. It is also the second largest dam in the world, built entirely of rock. The attractions that one must not miss while here is a island in the reservoir called Nagarjuna Konda, a Buddhist museum and many excavations and relics related to the Buddhist civilization. Try boating in the country boats as it is one among the most surreal things to do in Hyderabad.

The Salar Jung Museum is located at Darushifa, on the southern bank of the Musi River, in Hyderabad. It is one of the three national museums in the country and one of the largest in the world giving us an insight of civilizations that have preceded us. With over one million collections of paintings, sculptures, carvings, manuscripts and artefacts, the museum is a repository of art collections a few of which date as back as the first century. Among the other several amazing things to do in Hyderabad, make sure you put this somewhere on the top.

The city of Hyderabad is well known for its royal past and heritage, of which Purani Haveli forms an integral part. Displaying some of the most exquisite forms of craftsmanship, this palace was originally built to serve as the home to the Peshwa of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, Mir Momen. Today, Purani Haveli is undeniably one of the significant parts of Hyderabad's golden era and is one of the most amazing things to do in Hyderabad.

Lumbini Park is a gorgeous urban park named after Lumbini of Nepal. Located alongside Hussain Sagar, the park has an artificial water tank. A huge statue of Lord Buddha is installed in the tank which can be reached through paddle boats. The park also holds musical fountain shows and is an important tourist spot in the city. Visiting the park is one of the topmost things to do in Hyderabad.

Located in the Ibrahim Bagh, Qutub Shahi Tombs are a group of small and big mosques and tombs built by the rulers of the Qutub Shah dynasty. The tombs are all built on a raised platform and have a dome shaped structure. The little tombs are single storeyed while the bigger ones are double storeyed. Going historical sightseeing at Qutub Shahi Tombs is one of the best things to do in Hyderabad.

Located in the Ibrahim Bagh complex, Taramati Baradari is an olden days inn ?saraiê built by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah. The building is now a cultural complex which has an open air auditorium for 1600 people, air cooled theatre which can accommodate 500 people, a banquet hall and a multi-cuisine restaurant. You should definitely put it on top of your itinerary or on your list of top things to do in Hyderabad.

On the outskirts of Hyderabad, also known as Gandipet is the Osman Sagar lake. Elless world, Ocean park and Treasure island surround this lake, making it a must-visit tourist destination and one among the most popular things to do in Hyderabad. The water body was made by building a dam on Moosi River in the year 1920 by Mir Osman Ali Khan and the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad find a water source in this lake. Spend some relaxed and enjoyable time here, with gardens and a pool, all making it an ideal spot for picnics.

Necklace Raod is a picturesque promenade lined adjoining to the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad in Telangana. The Road also connect two pretty parks- NTR Gardens and Sanjeevaiah Park to each other. Replete with restaurants, cafes and recreational facilities, the spot is a busy tourist place of the city. Along with several other attractions in town, taking a walk here is one of the topmost things to do in Hyderabad.

Sanghi Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Venkateswara situated at a distance of about 35 kms from Hyderabad in Sanghi Nagar. Perched atop the Parmanand Giri Hill, the temple has a magnificent gopuram and boasts of marvellous architecture. The temple houses idols of other Hindu deities as well and is said to be a replica of the Tirumala Temple.

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park i.e. KBR National Park is situated in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. KBR park boasts of rich flora and fauna and provides a pleasant respite from the din and chaos of the city. Also known as Chiran Fort Palace, the park is divided into conservation zone where entry is restricted and visitorês zone where tourist entry is regulated. While there are several amazing things to do in Hyderabad, this one definitely tops the charts.

Located adjacent to the Hussain Sagar Lake in hyderabad, NTR Gardens is a tiny but gorgeous park dotted with bright coloured plants and tall trees. Boasting of well-groomed landscaping, ornate lamp posts and brilliant water fountains, the park also has a souvenir shop, toy train, freefall, restaurants and variety of fun activities for both kids and adults. Relaxing at the beautiful gardens is one of the must things to do in Hyderabad.

Located in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Jagannath Temple is a modern Hindu temple built by the Odia community dedicated to Hindu God Jagannath- God of the Universe. Constructed in red sandstone, the temple follows the ancient shikhara style pattern. Besides the main deity, the temple has smaller shrines dedicated to Lakshmi, Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman and Navagraha.

Located in the suburbs of Pisal Banda in Hyderabad, Paigah Tombs are a group of tombs of the Paigah royal family. Although now in a derelict and dilapidated state, the tombs still boast of striking architecture and marvellously carved marble panels. The monument is managed by a family of caretakers who reside in the premises. This is another one of the historical retreats and among the top things to do in Hyderabad.

Situated in Madhapur area of Hyderabad, Shilparamam is a traditional crafts village created with the idea to preserve and conserve traditional crafts. The village has been set amidst cascading waterfalls and lush greenery; it has sections designated to depict each region of the country. Besides, it has a rock museum, rural museum, a recreational area and boating activities for visitors. While there are several other things to do in Hyderabad, this is one of the most exciting.

A one of its kind planetarium, the Birla Planetarium was inaugurated in 1985. With technological help from Japan, this planetarium has had some huge development. With periodical sky shows throughout the day, the theme is varied teaching us about various elements of the universe, such as comets, meteors, the cosmos, the eclipses. With its startling sound quality and the amount of information disseminated, Birla Planetarium and Science Museum is one of the places that a visitor should not miss in Hyderabad.

The Birla Mandir in Hyderabad forms a pleasant serene atmosphere and is a perfect place for those who wish to get away from the city life and immerse themselves in prayer and meditation. Created in 1976 by Swami Renganathananda from Ramakrishna Ashram and constructed by the Birla Foundation, the Birla Mandir has been a safe haven for all those looking for a few hours of peace amongst the glorious landscape. Along with the several other amazing things to do in Hyderabad, make sure you definitely put this one on your bucket list.

Sudha Cars Museum is a private museum established in 2010 by Kanyaboyina Sudhakar who displayed hand made cars created by him. All the cars have been personally designed to look like everyday objects. Every exhibit has a plaque stating the time and cost of manufacture and the maximum speed it can attain. The cars can be driven but are not for sale.

This age old town is located in the North Central part of the state and has a rich historical significance, one must witness, while here. It is located in the banks of the River Munneru which is one of the tributaries of the Krishna River. This town's most alluring attraction is the famous Narasimha Swami temple which is located on top of the hill and is said to have been built centuries ago. Taking a trip to this ancient twee town is one of the essential things to do in Hyderabad.

Malwala Palace is an 18th century historical monument located on the Moghalpura, Hyderabad. The ancient structure boasts of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles and has special imported teak wood furniture. Marvelling at the gorgeous architecture is one of the most amazing and best things to do in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad is known for its art and architecture owing to its stunning buildings and heritage monuments. There are also several art galleries in Hyderabad adding to the artsy essence of the city. These gorgeous art galleries in Hyderabad have a charming decor and boast of a world class collection of art works and paintings. Besides providing the young and budding artists with very many opportunities, these art galleries in Hyderabad also promote the seasoned artists. Gallery hopping is one among the most sought after and topmost things to do in Hyderabad.

IKEA is a global leader in home furnishing, and the IKEA in HITEC city, Hyderabad, was the very first location in India. It is affordable furniture, and home essentials shopping mall spread across 13 acres. Ikea has on display more than 7500 products, including home furnishing. Being the only store in India, it has become a popular place to visit in Hyderabad.

Timings : 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day