Places to visit in Hyderabad for one day

[SandipBhalla]

I am going to Hyderabad for two days, one of the days will be spent doing some work, and the other day will be totally free. I would like to know what places to visit in Hyderabad for one day.

I don't want to get too drained out by the end of the day as I also have a flight to get at night, so only mention places which are most popular with tourists.

Thank you

 

[briannagodess]

Hi there, welcome to the forum!

Overview

Hyderabad has definitely grown over the last few years, even being home to second largest IT hub in the country. Still, the city has preserved many of its heritage sites so it's a must visit for the history lovers. These sites provide you a glimpse of the once glorious era that flourished in the city. But amidst these sites are the elements of modernity, shopping centres and commercial centres. All these mix together to form the Hyderabad we know today. Of course, as is with any other city, Hyderabad has a unique cuisine too, a fusion of both Mughal and Persian cuisines that make everyone's mouth water at just the thought of them. Delicious biryanis, authentic pearls, the land of the Nizams, whatever you call it, one thing is clear, Hyderabad is one of the top destinations in India.

Best Places to Visit in Hyderabad for One Day Trip

• Charminar - Enclosed by four minarets, the Charminar is the most important landmark of Hyderabad. It was built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah by the ending quarter of the 15th century. These four minarets have about 149 steps leading to the topmost floor. As you reach the top floor, you would find a mosque, terraced by galleries, which acts like its roof. Supposed to be, this is the oldest functioning mosque in the city as well. From a distance, the Qutub Shahi style of architecture is evident in the structure. As you look into the minute details, you'd also find some elements of Hindu architecture. To put it simply, the Hindu elements of ornaments like floral and lattice cravings balance the masculine elements of the base Qutub Shahi architecture. While the real reasoning behind the building of the monument is not known, some say it's to mark the end of a plague, while others say it's because of a promise the ruler made to Allah, the Charminar stands tall as the best example of architectural prowess of the bygone era which flourished in Hyderabad.

Charminar in Hyderabad ​

• Golconda Fort - Hyderabad has its own ingenious fortification by the name of Golconda Fort. You might have heard about it as the place where diamond mining once flourished, or maybe a place where the Qutub Shahis ruled, all of which are true. But the fort has more than these interesting facts. For instance, the architectural and engineering prowess during that era is evident in this fort alone. The important details, like the secret acoustics system, the underground tunnels, the ventilation system and even the water supply system, give you a glimpse of the ingenious engineering during that time. The walls and gates of the fort tell the tragedies and stories back then too, and their mere strength gives you an idea of the fort's power during the Qutub Shahi's rule. Transforming from a mud fort into a granite and stone fort that it is today, a visit to the Golconda Fort is enough to showcase the rich heritage of the city.

• Qutub Shahi Tombs - About one kilometre away from the Golconda Fort, you can find the Qutub Shahi Tombs. There are seven tombs here dedicated to the Qutub Shahi rulers, housed in domed mausoleums. It was Sultan Quli Qutub-ul-Mulk who initiated the building of these tombs, starting with his own tomb. Ironically, his tomb is the simplest one here with just a few geometrical patterns on it. The son of Sultan Quli, Jamshed Quli Qutub, also has a tomb here and in contrast with all the others, his is a two-storeyed structure. The most elaborate tomb is that of Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah's, which is flanked mostly by Islamic styles of architecture like central pillars and false entrances. There are also other tombs around the area belonging to the families of the rulers.

Qutub Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad ​

• Chowmahalla Palace - When you think about the grandeur of the bygone era in Hyderabad, the Chowmahalla Palace is the perfect example of this. This is a palace complex, as the name suggests, which literally translates to four palaces. Expansive lawns, exquisite furniture, elegant interiors... You name anything royal and the palace represents it. Built over a period of 100 years, there's this unique blend of not just one or two but four architectural styles like Persian, Mughal, Indo Saracenic and European. It can be divided into two parts, namely: the Southern Courtyard and the Northern Courtyard. The Southern Courtyard houses four palaces (Aftab Mahal, Afzal Mahal, Taniyat Mahal and Mahtab Mahal), from which the complex derived its name from. All these palaces are now museums which display the antiques used by the royals back then. From vintage cars, antique furnitures, royal costumes, you can view the lavish lifestyles of the royals back then. The Northern Courtyard mainly house the administrative structures like the Bara Imam and the Khilwat Mubarak.

• Salar Jung Museum - The Salar Jung Museum is the third largest museum in the country. What's even more fascinating is that all the artefacts in the museum are collected by one man only, Nawab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan, also known as Salar Jung III. And yet even more interesting is that this isn't even the whole collection yet, as half of the collection was stolen, and until now, they are not yet found. Regardless, the remaining collections are still massive and can take a few hours to explore. Originally, the artefacts were exhibited in Diwan Devdi, the residential palace of the Salar Jung family. The collections were transferred to the present Salar Jung Museum by the middle of the 15th century. Salar Jung's collections are expansive, spread over 2 floors, with about 38 galleries. Artefacts from all over the world are on display, like an Arabic and Persian Manuscript Gallery, an Egyptian and Syrian Gallery, European Paintings Gallery and of course, various Indian galleries like Modern Indian Paintings Gallery and Miniature Paintings Gallery. The Founder's Gallery showcases family portraits of the Salar Jung family as well as personal items used by the members, especially Salar Jung III. There are also quirky items around the museum, like the two-faced statue, placed upon a mirror so you can see the intricacy of the design.

Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad ​

• Hussain Sagar and Statue of Lord Buddha - Another attraction made by a Qutub Shahi ruler is the Hussain Sagar Lake. It was Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah who initiated the creation of the lake during the middle of the 15th century. The lake connects the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. But what draws tourists is the large Statue of Buddha located in an island in the middle of the lake. This statue was built in 1990 but tragedies occurred while installing it, so it remained underwater for 2 more years. In 1992, the government installed the statue on the famed Rock of Gibraltar, the place where it stands now. The statue is only reachable by a boat ride from the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake. Alternatively, you can also just view the statue from the banks of the lake.

• Lumbini Park - Last on the list is the Lumbini Park, a great way to end your hectic touring schedule around Hyderabad. It is located by the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake. It is the green space of Hyderabad, with its well-manicured lawns, cascading waterfalls and seating areas to enjoy the views. At the end of the day, there's a laser show here as well that attracts a huge number of tourists. It starts at 7:15 pm and entrance fee is at Rs. 50. The laser show highlights the history of Hyderabad, which wraps up your visit to the city. During weekends, there are two shows as well, one in 7:15 pm and another in 8:15 pm.

Lumbini Park in Hyderabad ​

Enjoy your trip in Hyderabad.