Hyderabad, one of India’s premier metropolitan cities, is a beautiful medley of history, heritage, technology, natural beauty, and flavorful cuisines. From edifices that belong to the glorious era of the Nizams and old bazaars brimming with colorful goodies to lush green gardens, national parks, and placid lakes, the city boasts of a wide range of attractions. What’s more, the world’s largest studio complex Ramoji Film City is also located here, making the city a favorite with travelers of all kinds.
Are you planning a trip to the City of Nizams? Given below is a list of top 12 tourist attractions in Hyderabad to help you plan your itinerary.
- Charminar
Topping the list of must-visit places in Hyderabad is Charminar, an iconic four-storied structure that is rightfully called the Arc de Triomphe of the East. Literally meaning “four turrets”, the monument was built under the orders of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. An Iranian architect by the name Mir Momin Astrawadi is often credited with the design of this 400-year-old structure which follows an Indo-Islamic style of architecture with Persian influences. Standing tall in granite and limestone, Charminar offers commanding views of the surroundings from its top floor. The area surrounding the monument has a pulsating bazaar named Choodi Bazar or Laad Bazar and several eateries where you can relish authentic Hyderabadi dishes.
- Golconda Fort
A remnant of the Kakatiya Dynasty, Golconda Fort oozes history and architectural splendor. Dating back to the 13th century, the fort was later expanded and it also served as a citadel and capital during the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. An amazing architectural feature of the fort is that if you clap from Fateh Darwaza (the doorway), the echoes can be heard clearly a kilometer away at Balal Hissar, the highest point at the fort. While visiting the fort, don’t forget to watch the stunning light and sound show held in the evenings. Golconda Fort is best known for once being home to some of the rarest diamonds in the world including the iconic Koh-i-Noor, Daria-i-Noor, the White Regent, the Dresden Green, and the Hope Diamond.
- Ramoji Film City
Spread across 2000 acres of land, Ramoji Film City is the largest studio complex in the world. With over 1.5 million visitors each year, the place counts among the top thematic holiday destinations in the county. The studio complex brings the cine-magic alive through a wide range of attractions including shooting backlots, live shows, thematic gardens, and more. Besides these, the film city houses an adventure park named Sahas, a play zone for kids named Fundustan, an exotic birds park called Wings, a bonsai garden, a butterfly park, shopping zones, several restaurants, and other attractions. Ramoji Film City is also a widely popular choice for accommodation in Hyderabad, as it takes more than one day to cover the entire studio. The complex has 6 hotels housed within or around it, ranging from luxury hotels and villas to shared accommodation and service apartments.
