Places to see in Hyderabad

The city of smiles, Hyderabad, also known as the Pearl City, offers a plethora of places to see, ranging from lakes, parks, heritage monuments, museums, gardens and resorts, in addition to delightful shopping centers. Hyderabad is a rich mix of historical tradition and cultural heritage. A number of airlines operate flights to Hyderabad during weekends with added frequency and convenient flights during weekdays too. Some of the must visit places in Hyderabad include:

•    Charminar: Situated at the city’s center, this historical site is 46 meters high, built by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 AD. The monument stands as a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood. Markets around the monument are very famous, and are a major center of attraction for tourists.

Charminar (Photo Courtesy:  http://www.cityhyd.info)

•    Nehru Zoological Park: This is a 380 acre zoo, located near the Mir Alam Tank, managed by the Andhra Pradesh Government. It houses more than 100 species of birds, animals and reptiles, including the Asiatic lion, gaur, Indian rhino, orangutan, crocodile, panther, python etc. Different breeds of owls, nocturnal birds, antelopes, deer and kangaroos also live here. There are artificially created embankments, which attract migratory birds too every year. You can also enjoy boat rides and ferry rides in the park.

Nehru Zoological Park: (Photo Courtesy: http://commons.wikimedia.org)

•    Mecca Masjid: This is one of the biggest and oldest mosques in India. This huge structure can accommodate around 10,000 people at a time. Built by Md. Quli Qutub Shah, this structure epitomizes  the rich architecture of his times.

Mecca Masjid (Photo Courtesy:  http://www.beautifulmosque.com)

•    Lakes: There are several lakes in the city too, including the Hussain Sagar Lake, Osman Sagar Lake, Himayat Sagar Lake, Mir Alam Tank, Shamirpet Lake, Secret Lake, etc. You could indulge in water sports or boating. These tourist spots are ideal for getaways, picnics and sightseeing.

Hussain Sagar Lake (Photo Courtesy:  http://www.indiantravels.com)

•    Ocean Park: This is a 20-acre gardened park situated at Gandipet. This amusement park features several pools and water slides, and is a major attraction during summer. Some amusement rides include super loop, cars, tora tora, roller coaster, slam bomb, swinging ship etc. Video games, trains and jet skiing are also famous. The park is open from 11 am to 8 pm, and entry fee is Rs. 100 for children, and Rs. 150 for adults.

Ocean Park (Photo Courtesy:  http://www.mapsofindia.com)

If you are contemplating a visit to Hyderabad, book one of those Hyderabad flights this vacation. And do not forget to mark these places on your itinerary because they are sure to make an indelible mark on your holiday memories! Other than these, there are several museums, temples, tombs, forts and palaces in Hyderabad to visit and make your trip worth the while and fun too!

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Hyderabad : Off the beaten path

Hyderabad is an attractive city and draws many people not only by virtue of being the city of Nizams historically, not only because of the food and neither only for its excellent city planning. Sure, Hyderabad was home to Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, who was the richest man in the world during the early 1900s. And when in Hyderabad, the recommended tourist spots will likely be:

The Beautiful Hussain Sagar Lake (Photo Courtesy: WikiPedia)

1. Charminar and Chudi bazaar 
2. Mecca Masjid  
3. Golconda fort
4. Salar Jung museum
5. Nizam's palace
6. Hussain sagar lake

But besides these well known Hyderabad sights to see, what are those that are a little different and yet defining of Hyderabad? Experience Hyderabad by taking the road less travelled, and have a whale of a time. Make sure you visit these sights:

Bhongir Fort, Hyderabad  (Photo Courtesy: populartemplesofindia.blogspot.in)

- Bhongir fort: Also known as Bhuvanagiri fort, is about 50 kilometres from Hyderabad city. The fort is located atop Bhongir hill and one can see some breathtaking views of the city from the hilltop and the hill also has a Hanuman temple on it. The fort is known for its association with Queen Rudramadevi's rule and her grandson. It is believed that an underground tunnel connected this fort to Golconda fort.

Qutb Shahi Tombs Hyderabad (Photo Courtesy: incredibleap.com)

- Qutb Shahi tombs: Not far from Golconda fort are the seven tombs of the kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The place is peaceful and one can spend a few hours looking through all the tombs and marvelling at the architecture.

Birla Mandir  in Hyderabad (Photo Courtesy: aztux.com)

- Birla Mandir: Constructed by the Birla foundation, this temple is built in white Rajasthani marble. While the chief deity of the temple is Lord Venkateshwara, other Hindu deities are also represented here.

- Chowmahalla palace: A palace that once belonged to the Nizams of Hyderabad, its construction began in 1750 and was completed sometime between 1857 and 1869, making the construction time over a hundred years. Visitors can also take a tour of the museum and other surrounding rooms to experience a bit of the Nizam culture and history. It is a beautiful place to see, particularly at night when it is beautifully lit, bringing to life the intricate chandeliers. 

The Famous Paradise Hotel in Secundrabad (Photo Courtesy: virtualtourist)

It goes without saying that one must try the food in Hyderabad, particularly the non vegetarian food. Make sure to visit Paradise restaurant in Secunderabad for Hyderabad's best biryani! Make your way to this city around Ramzaan and try the haleem that's available at Pista house. Visit Famous Ice Cream for something to cool you down. 

With so much to do in this city, the next step is hop on a Hyderabad flight, enjoy one of the best international airports in the country - the Rajiv Gandhi international airport, and have a great time!

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36 hours in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is known countrywide for its delicious spicy food, particularly biryani. It was also home to Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, who was the richest man in the world during the early 1900s.  If you have 36 hours to spare in Hyderabad, be prepared to have a packed agenda. Here are the must-dos:

Charminar and Chudi bazaar - Iconic landmark of Hyderabad, Charminar (literally translates to four towers) was built in 1591 by the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. At night, this symbol of the elimination of a plague epidemic from the city is beautifully lit, but you can enjoy it just as well during the day.

Charminar, Hyderabad

Around the Charminar, at the heart of Hyderabad's charming old city are finger-licking good biryani and kebab joints, a heaven for any non-vegetarian. And for the shopaholics, Chudi bazaar and Laad bazaar are right around the corner. Known to have a large variety of colorful bangles and pearls, this place is usually teeming with people. Altogether, some great photo opportunities. This will take up at least 2 to 3 hours of your day.

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad (Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Mecca Masjid - Opened in 1694, this is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad and one of the biggest in the country. 

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad (Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Golconda Fort - Built during the reign of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty, these ruins offer a fantastic view of the entire city that was ruled by this dynasty before the British Raj. A great spot for a family outing, you will surely spend half a day here. And while you're at Golconda, make a small detour to check out the Qutb Shahi tombs, only a kilometre away. 

Salar Jung museum - One of the three national museums in India, Salar Jung museum has a collection to die for.

Salar Jung museum, Hyderabad  (Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Nizam's Palace - For a glimpse of the wealth of Hyderabad, one must go to the Nizam's Palace and see the immense wardrobes, the artifacts and other possessions the Nizams had.

Nizam's Chowmahalla Palace Hyderabad (Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Hussain Sagar Lake - This man made lake hosts many sailing competitions, and has an amusement park at the water's edge. Pit stop at eat street along the water for a quick bite.

Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad

Satisfy your taste buds by stopping at Paradise for Hyderabad's best biryani! Make your way to this city around Ramzaan and try the Haleem that's available at Pista house. Visit Famous Ice Cream for something to cool you down. 

With so much to do, all that's left to do is hop on a flight to Hyderabad, be amazed by one of the best international airports in the country - the Rajiv Gandhi international airport, and have a great time!

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