Holiday in Hyderabad

What makes Hyderabad special as a destination?

Hyderabad is the city of pearls, palaces, and biryani — a 7-million metropolis in the heart of India, which has preserved a splendor that overshadows Delhi and Jaipur as the former capital of the fabulously wealthy Nizam Empire. The Nizams of Hyderabad were considered the richest people in the world, and their legacy lives on in palaces, mosques, and a bazaar that was once the largest diamond trading center in the world. The Charminar, Hyderabad's iconic landmark, is a 400-year-old triumphal arch with four minarets that marks the heart of the old city and signals the beginning of the Laad Bazaar — an alley famous for its lacquer bangles, pearls, and bridal wear for centuries. The bazaar around the Charminar is a riot of colors, scents, and hustle and bustle that makes Hyderabad's Muslim heritage palpable at every turn. Golconda Fort, located 11 kilometers to the west, is one of the most impressive fortifications in India: seven concentric walls enclose a hill, on top of which the ruins of the royal palace sit. The acoustic wonder of Golconda — a clap at the entrance gate is audible at the summit a kilometer away — has fascinated visitors for centuries. The famous Hope Diamond and the Koh-i-Noor were found in the diamond mines of Golconda. Hyderabad's biryani is not just a dish, but a religion: the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, where rice and marinated meat are slowly cooked in a sealed pot (Dum) until the flavors meld, is considered the best rice dish in India. Paradise and Bawarchi are the pilgrimage sites where thousands line up daily for a serving.