20 Tourist Places In Hyderabad That Are Bucket-List Worthy

One of the popular tourist places in Hyderabad, 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. 

Timings: 8 AM to 10 PM
Entry fee: INR 55 onwards for boating

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.

Pro Tip: 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, and Shah Ghouse. 

Timings: 10 AM to 11:30 PM

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. This is one of those hidden-gem tourist places in Hyderabad. 

Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM, Monday closed

Contact: 096427 31329

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. 

Timings: 7 AM to 11:30 PM

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. 

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

One of the off-beat tourist places in Hyderabad, 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 inspiration if you're in a rut and is great for your Insta feed too! 

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry Fee: Free

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, Taj Falaknuma Palace is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Hyderabad. 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. 

Timings: 9 AM to 6:30 PM, Friday closed

Entry Fee: INR 2,500 for adults, INR 2,000 for children

Spread over 1,666 acres, Ramoji Film City is the largest film studio complex in the world, certified by Guinness World Records. You can easily spend a whole day here going through all the movie sets, theme parks, adventure arenas and food spots. From Bahubali to Kalki and even Golmaal, you can click plenty of pictures and even get a guided tour to learn some fun trivia.

Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry Fee: INR 1350 + taxes for adults, INR 1150 + taxes for children

Pro Tip: Use this guide to plan your day in Ramoji Film City.

A must-visit tourist place in Hyderabad, Golkonda Fort stands tall as a Nizam era crown jewel and it’s worth spending a few hours walking through the architecture, finding amazing photo ops and getting a birds eye view of the city. Again, we recommend you hire a guide because there are several stories about the Golkonda Fort etched in history. While you are there, don’t forget to check out the interactive light and sound show that transports you back to yesteryear, where you see the fort in all its glory.

Timing: 9 AM - 5:30 PM

Price: INR 15 per person, INR 25 for still camera

Pro Tip: There so much to do in and around Golkonda Fort. Read all about it here.

Did you know, the Birla Planetarium is one of the best tourist places in Hyderabad for a scenic city view? Yes! There’s so much more to do at Birla Planetarium than geeky stuff (although, we like the geeky part). This place also has a science museum and dinosaurium which means you can learn more about the stars, planets and the galaxy, revisit your childhood science experiments and marvel at dino fossils. FYI, there’s a 160-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton, complete and massive. Apart from that, there are 6 planetarium shows everyday, 3 in English and 3 in Telugu. You can get the tickets on the premises and the timings for all will be mentioned, day by day.

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

Entry fee: INR 250 onwards

Pro Tip: Interested to know more about the shows? Check this out.

This is a Hyderabad tourist attraction that stands out. Sudha Car museum has made its way to the Guinness Book Of World Records for the largest tricycle made in 2005. There’s so much more to see here, right from unusual car designs to vintage models that were once loved by many. Sudha Car Museum is a fun place for kids, adults and particularly car enthusiasts. When you go there, don’t forget to check out the burger car. Yes, it is exactly what the name says– a car shaped like a burger. 

Timings: 9:30 AM to 6 PM

Entry fee: INR 50

If you want a proper Andhra food experience, nothing beats Subbaya Gari Hotel’s butta bhojanam. One of the best restaurants in Hyderabad, you get to eat on a banana leaf in the most traditional way. Servers will keep bringing you food and you can eat to your hearts fullest. In fact, asking for more is encouraged here. Papad, pickle, daal, sambar, rasam, curry, fry, and starters - expect at least 10 dishes with a hearty serving of rice, ghee and curd. Yes, it’s an all vegetarian restaurant but don’t let that stop you. The flavors are spicy, sweet and overall, wholesomely tasty. 

Timings: 12 PM to 4:30 PM, 7 PM to 10:45 PM

Contact: 099889 93366

This is one of the many unmissable places to explore in Hyderabad. For locals, Shilparamam is the place to be for all things cultural and shopping but it especially it lights up on festive nights, where the food and shopping continue till midnight and early hours. Sankranti, Ugadi and Dussehra are the main festivities when vendors sell Indian art and merch like clothes, jewellery, bags and home decor from all over the country. During that time, food stalls too, line up in Shilparamam. Not just that, there are cultural programs too, like skits, dances and music shows. Keep an eye on their website for more updates as they are held seasonally.

Timings: General timings on regular days are 10:30 AM to 8 PM

Entry fee: INR 60 per person

Also known as Purani Haveli museum, this museum is a tourist place in Hyderabad that was created as per the wishes of the last ruling Nizam of Hyderabad. What can you expect to see here? Well, if you’re a history buff or like exploring cities and their culture, this is where you will spot paintings and sketches of the royalty, daggers and swords that accessorized their attires, walking sticks, aeroplane models, home decor like vintage art and crockery that has been restored to look brand new. Now each piece has a history, so we suggest you take your time and read through the boards.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday holiday

Entry Fee: INR 100 for adults, INR 15 for Children

Vedi vedi mokkajonna vadalu, Bandi Style Chicken 65 and Kothimeera Kodi Kebab - how does that sound? Krishnapatnam in Jubilee Hills is not a mainstream tourist attraction in Hyderabad but it’s definitely a cult favorite regional cuisine restaurant  that you must explore. You can sit on a large swing and have an entire Telugu meal, from starters to soup, main course and dessert. Full of spices and aromatic flavors, they have dishes from Andhra and Telangana. Bright decor with traditional muggu and warm lighting creates a cosy environment for a home away from home feeling and if you’re unable to read or pronounce the names, don’t worry as the staff their will help you with the Telugu phrases.

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Timings: 12 PM to 11:30 PM

Price For Two: INR 1,300

Contact: 091696 95566

Would you believe it if we told you there’s a replica of the Tirupati Balaji Temple in Hyderabad? Developed and run by the same TTD authorities from Tirumala, the temple in Jubilee Hills is marvelous as the original one, making it one of the best places to explore in Hyderabad. Right from ornate steps, the grand door, carved walls and the massive idol, you can get the real feel and loads of positive vibes. Yes, you can also have the famous prasad after the darshan and photograph the architecture.

Timings: 5 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 8 PM

Entry Fee: INR 25 per person

LBB Tip: Dress modestly when you visit and be mindful of the crowd on peak days. 

One of the must-visit tourist places in Hyderabad, the Nehru Zoological Park is home to several free moving animals and more than 1000+ rare and exotic species. And no, this is not just a place for kids. Adults, too, can enjoy the safaris, walk through thick flora and get some fresh air and have a picnic and make a whole day out of it. It’s spread over 30 acres [that’s a lot of walking] and you have very good chances of spotting slots, bisons, baboons and chimps in their natural habitats, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos and many big cats – lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, panthers, etc. And while you are at it, don’t forget to check out their nocturnal section to spot bats, exotic frogs, snakes and other fascinating little creatures. 

Timings: 8:30 AM to 4 PM, Monday closed

Entry Fee: INR 60 for adults, INR 40 for kids (up to 10 years of age) on weekdays, and INR 75 for adults and INR 50 for kids on weekends.