Hyderabad
Qutb Shahi kings built it in 1591 when the fort at Golconda ran out of water; the Nizams kept it a separate state until 1948.
1518
Golconda
A diamond-trading sultanate rises.
1591
Charminar
A new city laid out on the Musi.
1724
The Nizams
Asaf Jahi rule begins, lasting 224 years.
1948
Accession
The princely state joins India.
3 days in Hyderabad
Day 1 — The 1591 city
- Morning
- Butter dosa at Govind Dosa's cart by Gulzar Hauz, then the Charminar when it opens at 9am — climb to the first floor for the view down the four bazaars. Walk on to the Mecca Masjid, finished in 1694.Govind Dosa · Charminar · Mecca Masjid
- Lunch
- Irani chai and Osmania biscuits at Nimrah Cafe beside the Charminar, then biryani at Shadab in Ghansi Bazaar.Nimrah Cafe · Shadab
- Afternoon
- Chowmahalla Palace, the Nizams' seat, with its durbar hall of chandeliers and the vintage car collection. Return through Laad Bazaar's lacquer-bangle lane.Chowmahalla Palace · Charminar and Laad Bazaar
- Dinner
- Mutton biryani and haleem at Hotel Shah Ghouse.Hotel Shah Ghouse
- Evening
- The Charminar floodlit after dark, with the bazaar still trading around it.
Good to knowChowmahalla and most Old City museums are closed on Fridays, so plan this day for another weekday. The Old City lanes are easiest on foot or by auto-rickshaw.
Day 2 — Golconda and the Qutb Shahi tombs
- Morning
- Golconda Fort when it opens: the clapping portico at the Fateh Darwaza, the Rani Mahal and the climb to the Bala Hisar pavilion for the view.Golconda Fort
- Lunch
- Kebabs and biryani in Tolichowki, a few minutes from the fort.
- Afternoon
- The Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Ibrahim Bagh: the domed tombs of seven sultans, restored by the Aga Khan Trust, and the Great Stepwell.Qutb Shahi Tombs
- Dinner
- Kebabs on the lawns outside Golconda before the show, or back in the city at Café Bahar.Cafe Bahar
- Evening
- Golconda's sound and light show, with an English show around 6:30–7pm.
Good to knowGo to Golconda by 9am; there is little shade and the climb is steep. The Qutb Shahi tombs are closed on Fridays.
Day 3 — The Nizams' collections
- Morning
- The Salar Jung Museum on the Musi, one man's collection of 46,000 objects — the Veiled Rebecca, Mughal jades and the English musical clock that strikes the hour.Salar Jung Museum
- Lunch
- Biryani at Café Bahar in Basheerbagh, then Irani chai at the Grand Hotel in Abids.Cafe Bahar · Grand Hotel
- Afternoon
- The Nizam's Museum at Purani Haveli, with the gifts presented for the last Nizam's silver jubilee and the 6th Nizam's long walk-in wardrobe. Then the Paigah Tombs' marble screens.The Nizam's Museum · Paigah Tombs
- Dinner
- Patthar ka gosht and Hyderabadi dishes at a heritage restaurant such as Adaa at the Falaknuma Palace (book ahead).Adaa, Falaknuma Palace
- Evening
- Watch the Salar Jung's musical clock strike, or stay for a heritage walk-and-high-tea at the Falaknuma.Falaknuma Palace
Good to knowBe at the Salar Jung's clock gallery a few minutes before the hour; the crowd builds fast. Falaknuma is a working Taj hotel, so non-guests need a dining or heritage-tour booking.