10 Tourist Places In Hyderabad That Are Bucket-List Worthy

Ramzan is one of the best times to visit Hyderabad's Old City, where you can marvel at the 444-year-old Charminar and Mecca Masjid, shop around the Laad Bazar for gorgeous bangles and, mainly, gorge on the food! You'll find everything from marag and paya to season's special haleem here, so come with an empty belly. The crowds are insane during peak season so make sure you're with a big group and dress modestly. There are many oral historians and food bloggers who conduct walks here during Ramzan. If you have more time to spend than just an evening, here's what you can do at Charminar. 

Tank Bund is a hotspot for activity, where families and friends hang out by the lakeside in the evenings. You'll get to see one of the tallest Buddha statues in the country here, at around 58 feet. Get to the adjoining Lumbini Park, and you can get tickets to a boat ride that'll take you to the statue. The grounds where the statue stands tall are huge, and have plenty of space for photo-ops. Despite the crowds, you'll always find yourself calm at this spot thanks to the oldest man-made lake—Hussain Sagar—existing since centuries. Once you're done, you could also walk by the lakeside, get yourself a serving of Jhalmuri and soak in the calmness of the lake that binds the twin cities together. You could also head to By The Bay to have a beautiful view of the lake while sipping on some beer. 

Secunderabad, with its colonial history, has scores of old churches, some even centuries old. Each of them have unique history—the Holy Trinity Church in Trimulgherry was once visited by Queen Elizabeth II. The 175-year-old St. Mary's Basilica is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. Head closer to Gunfoundry—you'll find the huge clock gifted by the last Nizam of Hyderabad to the St. Joseph's Cathedral, speaking volumes about the cosmopolitan, tolerant nature of the city that still thrives today. Here's a guide on the best churches in the city to get you started. 

Hyderabadis and our love for biryani is well known but did you know that we all have our personal favourite joints in the city for Biryani? If you love a spicy affair and would like to soak in the local culture, head to Hotel Shadab at Old City and order a double masala mutton biryani. The biryani here feels like a hug and the service is fast. So when you're famished after lugging around all those shopping bags in Laad Bazaar, head here for a meal. You can finish it off with a warm cup of Irani Chai. Other favourites you can check out are Cafe Bahar, Hotel Grand, Shah Ghouse and Chicha's.

If you thought South Indians are crazy for movies, you've seen nothing until you catch a movie at RTC Crossroads. It was the only hub of theaters in Hyderabad before the fancy multiplexes came into the picture. The locality houses iconic single-screen theaters like Sandhya 70 MM, Sudarshan 35 MM and Devi, among others. Watching a movie here is an experience, especially if you can do it on the first day. It's pure, mad euphoria, and we recommend getting used to the noise or better yet, join in on the fun! 

Lamakaan in Urdu means 'a home without boundaries'—the intention behind the space is to make everyone feel welcome. The thought totally shines through when you visit the cultural centre that's always brimming with activity. Whether it's a play, live performance, a poetry recital, an art exhibit or panel discussions—there's never a dull moment at Lamakaan. You will regularly find like-minded folks here. Do not miss their legendary kitchen, which serves amazing lemonade, chai and samosa. They're to die for and nominally priced. If you're ever missing home in Hyderabad, Lamakaan is where you should head to. 

Hyderabad has the beautiful tradition of Irani cafes that serve some of the best tea in the country along with rich baked goods that are a mini-meal in themselves. Get yourself a cup of hot Irani chai with Osmania biscuits. If you're hungry for more, try the luqmi (deep-fried puff pastry with minced meat) or chota samosas. There are multiple spots around town like Blue Sea, Nimrah Cafe and others. However, if ambience is what you want, head to Niloufer Cafe and don't forget to try their bun maska. 

If you love Ikat, there's no better place to score fabrics than in Telangana. Pochampalli is a village filled with clusters of weavers who specialise in Ikat weaves. What's cool is that fabric at many stores here is sold by the kilo, and not meter, so you get superb value for money. You can get fabrics and get them stitched into clothes or home linens; the clusters here have excellent variety and great value for money. South Indian weddings have a tradition of gifting sarees to several family members, so people often head here to get their hands on good-quality sarees and fabrics. You might even catch weavers live in action and develop a new found love for the art. 

The lanes of MS Maqtha district are the hub for street art in Hyderabad pioneered by St+art India, a non-profit organisation. The entire street art in the locality merges seamlessly with the prevailing culture of the neighbourhood and is a sight to behold. The art makes creative comments on topics including the environment, education and more. You will also find an entire wall painted by the children of Maqtha. The neighbourhood is great for some creative inspo if you're in a rut, and great for your Insta feed too! 

Hyderabad's history has thankfully been preserved through various restoration efforts over time. While you must visit the city's bonafide historic spots to catch a glimpse of the Nizami history, we recommend visiting the Taj Falaknuma Palace at least once in your life. The heritage palace was the property of the Nizams before it was taken over by the Taj group and converted into a luxury hotel. Reserve a table at The Gol Bungalow—one of the most romantic rooftop restaurants in town for dinner and get a panoramic view of Hyderabad. The dinner is complete with a horse-carriage bringing you to the palace from the entry gates, a welcome with showers of rose petals and a brief walk-through of the property speaking about its historic significance. You'll also catch a glimpse of the world's largest dining table, which can seat 101 people effortlessly. Dinner at the Gol Bungalow is accompanied by Sufi singers serenading you with soulful music. You could also book a stay here for a super luxe staycation or opt for high-tea based on your budget. We do suggest you reserve well in advance since the roster at Falaknuma is always full.