Must-Sees for the Family in Hyderabad, India

Located in the southern Indian state of Telangana, Hyderabad is a booming city center brimming with history, buzzing activity and upscale shops and restaurants. Although the smallest city in Telangana, Hyderabad, is the metropolitan center of the state, boasting a wide variety of must-see attractions.

History and Culture

Begin your trip with a visit to Golconda, a fortress left over from the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The medieval citadel is steeped in South Indian history and a great site to explore for the ancient ruins and cascading staircases to the on-site mosque and scenic overlook.

Photo: Anindo Roy | Dreamstime.com

Charminar is a must-see, hard-to-miss site in the city. Completed in 1591, this landmark structure looms over the heart of Old City, near the Musi River. The famous archway and ornate monument memorializes the end of a deadly plague that besieged the city hundreds of years ago.

While in the area, make your way to the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Completed in 1693, the granite structure, incredible design and immense archways are an impressive site to see and display Nizam family tombs from 1803.

Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad. Photo: Ritu Jethani | Dreamstime.com

With so much history and cultural stops woven into the layout of the city, your family is bound to spot a few more on your trip. Make a point to see the incredible locales Chowmahalla Palace, Salar Jung Museum and the Qutb Shahi tombs — just to name a few.

Activity and Adventure

Explore family fun at Ramoji Film City, hopping on rides, playing games and enjoying live shows and unique entertainment. The best time to go is during Ramoji Holiday Party April 19–June 10, consisting of carnival parades, light shows and celebrations.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Live Film Studio, exploring Tollywood and Bollywood sets on a day tour, or get a hotel and stay a bit longer for enough time to enjoy Movie Magic Park for film buffs of all ages and Kids Park for the little ones to run wild.

Photo: Bgopal | Dreamstime.com

Go a bit further with the adventure angle and book a tour with Sahas Adventure Trips, based in Hyderabad. Peruse four-wheel trail rides, acrobat adventure climbs, bicycle tours and a roll through the zorb — picture a big plastic ball you enter and roll through trails like a bounding bubble.

For a touch of wildlife, head to the Nehru Zoological Park with a safari ride through the 380-acre zoo, or Snow World for an indoor winter-themed park. Enjoy winter games complete with artificial snow and slides.

Get outside and enjoy lakeside views from Lumbini Park with a walk along a picturesque pier and boardwalks, or from a boat ride on Tank Bund Road Hussain Sagar Lake.