Top 10 things to do in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, the city of pearls is known for its rich culture and heritage, delicious food and the growing IT industry. The city has stories scattered on every corner and is home to people from various parts of India who come together to contribute to its ever-growing and ever-changing colourful culture.

Things2do brings to you a glance at all the wonderful things and experiences you can be a part of in this majestic city.

1Take a Tour of Ramoji Film City

Ramoji Film City is the world’s largest film studio complex, which is spread over an area of 1,666 acres. It comprises 47 sound stages and has multiple permanent sets, ranging from railway stations to temples. The famous set of the world-famous movie ‘Bahubali’ can also be seen here. The most famous attractions include Princess Street, North Town, Japanese Garden, and Mughal Garden among others.

It is also home to Asia’s largest aviary, where you can spot exotic birds from across the world. The 7200 square feet butterfly park is a dedicated laboratory featuring countless exotic species of butterflies in thousands of colours. Fundustan is a kid’s park with themed rides and other activities, making it a paradise for children. To all the foodies out there, Ramoji Film City has multiple restaurants serving a wide variety of food, which includes celebrity favourite dishes, a Bahubali-themed restaurant, authentic Hyderabadi food and also ‘star dining’ with your favourite celebrities

2Visit India’s Third Largest National Museum

The Salar Jung Museum is an art museum located at Dar-ul-Shifa, on the southern bank of the Musi River. A major portion of the collection of the museum was acquired by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung III. It is one of the largest museums in the world. The museum has a large collection of artefacts, textiles, coins, jewellery, clocks, weapons, sculptures and paintings, with a room dedicated to each of them. The Salar Jung Museum is the largest one-man collection of antiques, one of a kind in the world. The museum has a collection of the Quran, with ones made entirely of gold and silver. In 1961, the museum was declared an “Institution of National Importance.”

3Go on a Shopping Spree near Charminar

Have you heard of the poem, “The Bazaars of Hyderabad”, by Sarojini Naidu? It beautifully depicts the beauty of the Bazaars and the colourful ambience around Charminar. From the famous bangles of Laad Bazaar to the fragrance of the Hyderabadi Attar, there is nothing you will not find here. Starting as low as INR 10, the bazaars around Charminar offer you a wide range of options to choose from. Whether it is your favourite ‘Bollywood style maang tikka’ or a fashionable wardrobe filled with clothes and accessories, these bazaars are the perfect places to be in.

4Explore the Area Around Hussain Sagar Lake

Hussain Sagar Lake is one of the iconic landmarks of Hyderabad. It is the largest artificial lake in Asia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations and connects the twin cities. It is surrounded by greenery and parks. Birla Mandir, NTR Gardens, Lumbini Park, Sanjeevaiah Park and Snow World are among the most popular places around the lake. The lake also has a  monolith statue of Lord Buddha weighing 350 tonnes, which is 16 metres tall and made of white granite. It is the world’s tallest monolith of Gautama Buddha. 

5Spend a Few Hours at Shilparamam

Shilparamam is a craft village in Madhapur, spread over over 50 acres of land.  It is a popular shopping destination with artisans from all over India showcasing their best products.  The village was designed with the idea to create an environment for the preservation of traditional crafts. It also has a gallery and museums preserving traditional artwork. They also host classical dance and music shows and other cultural events and are one of the best places to be, if you love exploring a place’s cultural aspects.

6Visit Lamakaan – Hyderabad’s Most Loved Cultural Venue

Lamakaan is an iconic open cultural space, located in Banjara Hills, which encourages all forms of expression- theatre, art, debate, discussion or literature. It has slowly developed into one of the favourite places for people willing to learn new things and participate in open discussions. Their famous ‘samosas’ and ‘nimbu paani’ are the talk of the town. With a wide range of activities to be a part of, this place soothes the artist in you. 

7Weekend Getaway in The Hidden Castle

The Hidden Castle is a castle-themed resort designed like the mediaeval times. It is spread across an area of 30 acres, in an untamed terrain, feeding into the souls of adventure lovers. They have heritage and royal suites, camping and other activities like water sports, you can be a part of. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this can be your dream home for a day or two.

8Spend a Day amidst Wildlife in the Nehru Zoological Park

The Nehru Zoological Park is ranked amongst the best zoos in Asia. A paradise for everyone who loves nature and wildlife, this place should be on your ‘Hyderabad bucket list. There are more than 1500 species of birds, and majestic animals like the Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, elephants, panthers and Rhinos. Be a part of the safari rides, or take a ride on the toy train, this place has numerous activities you can indulge in on a fun day in Hyderabad.

9Experience Royalty at the Taj Falaknuma Palace

The Taj Falaknuma Palace is built on a hill at a height of around 2000 feet at Engine Bowl in Falaknuma, with mesmerising views of the cityscape. This palace was built in the 1800s and is the epitome of the grand royalty the city had seen. The palace is made of Italian Marble and is often referred to as the “mirror of the sky.” The Nizam of Hyderabad purchased the palace to use it as a royal guest house. 

The palace is currently transformed into a 5-star heritage hotel managed by the Taj Group making it a royal experience with modern amenities. The royal experience is beautifully preserved and will take you through a journey in time.

The Nizam’s priceless collections of Jade, priceless artwork, furniture, manuscripts, and books have all been kept in the corresponding chambers in excellent condition. To see the magnificent palace and get a sense of the opulent lifestyle of the Nizams of Hyderabad, you can also ask for a one-day tour of the building.

10Visit a car museum like no other in the world

The Sudha Cars Museum is the world’s only Handmade Car Museum. You can witness all the bizarre and outrageous vehicles that are in vogue all over the world. Mr Sudhakar, who holds the Guinness World Record for building the world’s largest tricycle for the first time, is the creator of the Sudha Cars Museum. At the age of 15, he built his first “basic rider bike,” which marked the beginning of his journey. His museum now houses a sizable collection of historic cars, inventive vehicles, a train with compartments shaped like jewellery, cars in handbag forms, and more.

We’re sure you want to add to this list of fun Things to do in Hyderabad, so go ahead, and drop us a DM on Things2doinHyderabad. 

by Sreeja Maitra

Content Writer at Things2do