Hyderabad is a sightseer’s dream, offering a plethora of worthy structures and sites for visiting. The Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent structures of its kind in the whole country and is an absolute must for any visitor. Several temples demonstrate the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by the ruling elite while a number of temples illustrate the religious dedication of the city’s residents past and present.

Birla Mandi
This Hindu temple situated on a hill overlooking Hyderabad is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara and is constructed largely out of white marble. The structure is an eclectic mix of South Indian, Rajasthani and Utkal architectural styles and took 10 years to complete. An 11ft-high statue of Lord Venkateshwara lists among the temple’s most significant features.

Charminar
The most famous of Hyderabad’s landmarks is an imposing granite and lime-mortar structure notable for it four towers. The name Charminar translates as ‘four towers’ or ‘four spires’. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah was responsible for the Charminar’s building back in the late 16^th century and so can be credited with giving it a traditional Islamic appearance. The four towers are each four storeys high and incorporate massive archways that open out onto four major roads of the city.

Chilkur Balaji
Known as the Temple of Lord Sri Venkateshwara, this is one of the city’s most popular Hindu temples and also one of the oldest in Telengana with its construction taking place back in the period of Akkanna and Madanna. Local beliefs hold that this temple brings luck to those seeking success in overseas visa applications; hence it is colloquially known as the Visa Temple. The Shiva shrine within the temple grounds is among the more notable features.

Chowmahalla Palace
Originally used as the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, the Chowmahalla Palace saw the beginning of construction in 1750 but it was not until 1857 that the Nizam finished what has been started by Salabat Jung. The palace was used as an entertainment complex for the Asaf Jahi who brought their important guests there. Only 14 acres out of an original 45 now remain, within which are some scenic gardens with fountain features.

Falaknuma Palace
An Italian architect was responsible for the design of this magnificent royal structure situated on hill south of the old city. The building was commissioned by Nawab Vigar-ul-Umra and combines Louis XIV influences with those of the Mughal. The palace, which was essentially a holiday home for the Nizam and his court, is home to old furniture, statues, artwork, manuscripts and books that belonged to the sixth Nizam.

Golconda Fort
This is one of India’s most magnificent fortress complexes and is located on a 120-metre-high hill situated west of the centre of Hyderabad. The fort covers an extensive area, within which are four smaller forts each with its own drawbridge. One of the most interesting points for tourists is the fort’s unique acoustics which permit an individual to clap in the dome area of the Victory Gate and the noise to be heard nearly a kilometre away at Bala Hisar pavilion. The fort was originally called Golla Konda, a name meaning ‘Shepherd’s Hill’ in Telegu.

Makkah Masjid
This Muslim house of worship is one of the country’s oldest and largest mosques and certainly one of the most beautiful in Hyderabad. Construction of the mosque began in 1617 at the hands of Mir Faizullah Baig and Rangaiah Chowdary; however, it took a lengthy 77 years before it saw completion at the hands of Moghal Emperor Aurangzeb. The mosque has been classed a listed heritage building and the area around it is traffic-free so as to try and preserve its delicate structure.

Sanghi Temple
Situated just 35kms from Hyderabad city centre, this Hindu temple sits on top of the Paramanand Giri hill in a scenic location befitting of its beauty. The temple has a number of noteworthy features, including its magnificent gateway or Maha Dwaram, the shrine of Lord Anjaneya, the holy garden and the smaller temples dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, Anjaneya, Padmavati and others. A tall statue of Lord Venkateshwara is also worthy of note.

Check out the Birla Planetarium. With branches in Calcutta and Hyderabad, the Birla Planetarium is an interesting visitor centre that provides some insight into the wonders beyond our humble planet and solar system. The Hyderabad centre is located in the heart of the city on top of the Naubat Pahad hill and has been a popular attraction since it opened in 1985. Documentary shows screened at the planetarium are presented up to three different languages (English included) and cover such aspects as the galaxies of the universe, the cosmos, eclipses and UFOs.

Try the famous Hyderabad biryani. Hyderabad’s biryani dish is famous not only across the country but the world with connoisseurs of Indian food acknowledging that it is one of the best dishes of this nature to be found anywhere on the planet. Restaurants all over the city provide their own interpretations of this dish; however, the basic recipe and preparation is fairly consistent, which is how the dish has come to have such a widespread reputation.

Visit Nehru Zoological Park. India’s largest zoo is situated close to the Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad and is named after the country’s first-ever prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The zoo, which has been a feature of the city for over 40 years, covers some 300 acres and is home to close to 1,500 animals, reptiles and birds.

Visit Ramoji Film City. With an area close to 1,666 acres, Ramoji Film City is among the largest integrated film studio complexes in the world and one of Hyderabad’s most popular tourist attractions. The complex is home to more than 500 set locations and has a capacity to handle the production of up to 20 international movies and 40 domestic movies at one time. Many Bollywood movies are produced here and parts of Hollywood movies. Tours of the facility show visitors some of the sets, studios, costumes and apparatus, and post-production units.