Hyderabad, India Hotels and City Guide

Hyderabad - Attractions

Hyderabad Attractions

Hyderabad is one of the most techno savvy states in India. It is also well regarded the world over as a unique city where Muslim and Hindu cultures harmoniously co-exist and thrive.

Acknowledged as the prosperous ‘city of pearls’, Hyderabad is the fifth largest metropolis in India. No longer confined to traditionalism, Hyderabad is undergoing a major transformation and is presently witnessing a booming cyber revolution. This 400-year old city features a beautiful mosaic of mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes and modern architecture. Hyderabad’s cuisine is famous for its exclusive flavour that emphasises on spice and chilli.

Hyderabad… its very name conjures up images of traditional finery, royal clothes and exquisite jewellery, mainly from the legacy of the Nawabs, the connoisseurs of such adornment.

Merchants located in quaint by-lanes around the city’s most symbolic edifice Charminar, trade in fine jewels, crafts, pearls, carpets, silks, antiques, perfumes and objects of art. At Lad Bazaar, little boutiques dot the landscape selling everything from beautiful glass bangles, sequins, braids and gold-thread work embroidery to toys and leather products.

The city boasts a wealth of variety in performing arts that is as unique as it is ritualistic. Kuchipudi is one such classical dance form. Kuchipudi narrates Hindu epics and mythological tales through musical dance-dramas. Shadow puppetry is another famous folk art. Perforated leather puppets depicting mythological characters from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, are handled with bamboo sticks against a brilliant lamp-lit background. As many as 19 tribes inhabit the Araku Valley, 115 kilometres from Visakhapatnam. Their repertoire of colourful dances and folk songs, religious processions and harvest celebrations are another facet of the state’s cultural traditions.

Popular Hyderabad Attractions

Arch of Triumph of the East (Charminar)

A masterpiece of Qutub Shahi architecture, this is an imposing square structure with four minarets piercing the sky. The surrounding area features a large number of shops and street vendors selling vaiours goods and items.

Salar Jung Museum

A historical museum displaying 35,000 rare objets d’art; the collection comprises jade, gem-studded boxes, marble statues, ancient manuscripts, miniature paintings, arms and armour, Chinese porcelain, and a fascinating collection of old clocks.

Golconda Fort

One of the most magnificent granite fortress complexes in India, where a simple clap at the entrance gate can be heard 61 metres away. A city within the fortress’ walls was infamous for its diamond trade. Legend avows that the world’s famous Kohinoor Diamond was discovered nearby.

Hussain Sagar

A picturesque large lake separating the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the Hussain Sagar is a man-made lake, built on a tributary of the River Musi. A 16-metre high monolithic Buddha statue stands amidst the shimmering waters of this magnificent lake, and the Hussain Sagar connects with the beautiful Lumbini Park from one side.

Mecca Masjid

A glorious stone-sculptured mosque, with a courtyard capable of hosting a crowd of ten thousand worshippers, the Mecca Masjid is an edifice worth visiting because of its heritage and architectural splendour.

Prasads IMAX Theatre

The pioneering IMAX theatre to be inaugurated in South India

Ramoji Film City

The world’s largest movie studio, this artificially created film-maker’s paradise boasts of 2000 acres worth of mountains, hills, lakes, parks and recreations of almost everything in the world that’s of use to a movie.

Salar Jung Museum

Houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world and is recognised by the Indian parliament as a place of national importance. The diverse collection available at the museum includes European, Asian, and Far Eastern objects of antique value.

Sanghi Temple

A celebrated temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, this abode of the deities is located on the hillock commonly referred to as the Paramanand Giri. The devotees can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the grounds of this temple, which features a raja gopuram of 15-feet in height.

Snow World

The Snow World is the world’s largest and India’s first snow-themed amusement park. The country, well-known for its high temperatures and summer conditions throughout the year, welcomed this park with great enthusiasm and is it’s now a great attraction in Hyderabad.

Nagarjunasagar-Nagarjunakonda

The excavated remains of an ancient Buddhist settlement dating back to the 3rd century BC, this is among the most visited attractions in Hyderabad. Evidence of one of the earliest hydro-electric projects in South India is available here.

Qutb Shahi Tombs

The tombs erected in the memory of the departed kings of Golconda are truly magnificent monuments that have stood the test of time

Falaknuma Palace (Mirror in the Sky)

A royal palace belonging to the Nizam dominion of Hyderabad, the architectural style of the palace is Italian and the stone-marble structure houses rare treasures of value to the heritage of the city and country.

Birla Mandir

An arresting site built entirely out of marble from Rajasthan , the blend of architecture used to design temple include South Indian, Rajasthani and Utkal temple styles.

Tank Bund

Hyderabad's most popular promenade, it’s lined with 33 statues of famous Indian trial-blazers. This lake is a popular venue for many water sport events. The water of the Hussain Sagar is controlled by the Tank Bund.

Birla Planetarium

An ultramodern scientific research institute dedicated to the advancement in astronomy

Nehru Zoological Park

This is one of Asia’s largest zoological gardens, with over 3000 uncommon bird and animal species. Large recreational parks, gardens, a mini train and animal rides, make it an ideal spot for a family outing.

Laad Bazaar

A colourful shopping district with everything imaginable up for sale for a highly attractive price

Hotels in Hyderabad, India