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Things to See & Do in Hyderabad

A 400 year old city that has grown its charm as it has grown in years, Hyderabad is undoubtedly the most enchanting and mysterious city in the country. A marvel for any visitor, the city hasn't let the Nizami Hyderabad fade even as the ultra-modern Cyberabad grew. In Hyderabad you can see age old wonders like Char Minar and Golconda Fort standing along with Cyberabad, their hi-tech counterpart.

The mysterious journey of Hyderabad started with the Qutb Shahi dynasty when the ruler wanted a new capital out of his earlier Golconda. It was here that the foundation of the ever-enchanting Charminar was laid. It was supposed to be the center of the city. Later the Mughals and then the Nizams added to the glory of the gorgeous city.

Charminar is something which no visitor to Hyderabad can afford to miss. It is a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture and is almost synonymous to Hyderabad. The balconies of the minar give panoramic views of the bustling bazaars that surround it. A reminiscent of the pre-Hyderabad era is the Golconda Fort that lies west to the city. A mighty fort with imposing granite walls, the fort occupies a circumference of around 5 kilometers. The fort is definitely a must-visit in the city. One should try to visit it during the hours when a light show is held in the premises.

A distinct characteristic of the rulers of Hyderabad has always remained their love for opulence and grandeur. This is particularly reflected in the many lavish palaces and other buildings that are present in the city. The Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad is one masterpiece by an Italian architect. Picturesquely placed on top of a hill, the palace was taken up by the Nizams as their royal guest house. Interestingly, the palace is designed in the shape of a scorpion with its stings spreading out towards north. Rich in regal items, one of the gems treasured by Falaknuma Palace is a 100-seater rosewood dining table. Another such regal residence in the city is the Chowmalla Palace. It was the royal residence and office of the Asif Jahi dynasty.

Though predominantly Muslim, Hyderabad has a cosmopolitan population with Bengalis, Coastal Andhraites, Gujaratis, Marathis, the Sikh Community, and the people from different regions residing here. A good number of religious places are present in the city, which form major tourist attractions too. The Mecca Masjid is the largest and the oldest mosque in town. Moula Ali Dargah is revered for being the dargah in the memory of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet. Other religious places that attract huge crowds are the Birla Mandir and Balaji Temple. ISKCON Temple and St. Paul's Cathedral are other places that draw people from all faiths.

Food is something that Hyderabad is known for. Hyderabadi Biryani is something every foodie can die for. Mostly known for its Mughlai and Persian style of cuisine Hyderabad has evolved a taste of its own in these years. Typically spicy, the city thrives on

vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delicacies. As the Mall culture has well invaded the place, one can find several other types of cuisines here too.

A city that has so much to offer that you can hardly think of sitting back, Hyderabad is a place where almost anyone would want to shop for. And when it comes to shopping, it's the pearls that grab the fancy of all shoppers. Rice pearls and Basra pearls are the most popular here. The oldest and most popular market here is the Laad Bazaar known for its artifacts, antique paintings, cotton dress materials, handloom cloths, saris, silverware, and unique handcrafts.