Do you intend to tour the magnificent city of Nizam? The Pearl City of India? But you do not have much time? Well, still, you’ll be in for a treat in Hyderabad with all the palaces, forts, temples, mosques, lakes, and more that are waiting for you when you get there! When in a hurry, we’ve got you covered! Yes, even if you have only two days to stay here. We would say, do not underestimate the power of two days in Hyderabad. Here’s a comprehensive itinerary to help you spend 48 hours in Hyderabad, making sure that you do not miss out on anything in the city!
Places To Visit On Day 1 In Hyderabad
1. Salar Jung Museum
To begin the first of the 48 hours in Hyderabad, you could start with the Salar Jung Museum. It is not only one of the crowning jewels of the city, but also one of the three national museums of the country.
The special thing about this museum is that all the exhibits inside this museum were collected by just one person – Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, aka Salar Jung III. Thanks to his passion for art and antiques, Salar Jung Museum is the world’s biggest one-man art collection.
There are over a million sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, carvings, and artifacts here. Some of the items include daggers of Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb’s sword, a painting of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, and a set of Tipu Sultan’s ivory chairs. So, go around the galleries of the museum, and check out the library and other structures within its premises.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
If you plan on grabbing some breakfast around the museum, definitely check out Chili American Grill & Bar, Hotel Shadab, and Pista House.
Also Read: How To Reach Srisailam Temple From Hyderabad: Timings, Darshan & Travel Guide
2. Charminar
Next on your plate, is the one and only Charminar! This monument sits gracefully in the heart of the city where you can finally witness the stories from history books coming to life.
To refresh your memory, this monument was built by Quli Qutub Shah to commemorate the founding of the city of Hyderabad. Sitting close to the Musi river, the Charminar, as its name suggests has four minarets. It is believed that each of these minarets represents the first four prophets of Islam. The building is also said to house a mosque on its top-most floor for around 425 years now.
Apart from being listed as an architectural and archaeological treasure by the Archaeological Survey of India, Charminar has also made it to the ‘tentative list’ of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You should also check out the Chudi Bazaar market in the vicinity here. So once you’re done sightseeing, you could shop for pearls, dupattas, and bangles among other things.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Around Charminar, there are plenty of food options to choose from. Do check out Iqbal Restaurant, Bismillah Hotel, and Rumaan Restaurant for some mouth-watering kebabs and biryani options.
3. Chowmahalla Palace
After witnessing the popular Charminar, you should head to Chowmahalla Palace. Chowmahalla means ‘four palaces’ and this place houses Afzal Mahal, Aftab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal, and Mahtab Mahal within its premises.
Built between the years 1857 and 1869, Salabat Jung is credited with initiating its construction. However, the construction of the palace was only completed during the reign of the fifth Nizam, Afzar-ud-Daulah, Asaf Jav V.
Don’t be surprised if you effortlessly fall in love with its facade. The architectural marvel holds the grandeur of the arches, domes, and windows. It boasts of the delicate designs from the era of the Nizams. You could explore the much-talked-about courtyard, clock tower, the four palaces, council hall, lush gardens, and fountains. Who thought just 48 hours in Hyderabad would be enough to learn its history, right?
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
After visiting the Chowmahalla Palace, if you feel hungry you could check out Taj restaurant, Rumaan restaurant, and Broast n Bites.
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4. Mecca Masjid
Mecca Masjid will be the perfect place to end your first day in Hyderabad. What better way to end your evening than receiving positive energy from one of India’s oldest and largest mosques?
The Mecca Masjid was built in 1694, the foundation of which was laid by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah himself. The arch embellishments and edifice of the mosque are believed to be made from the soil of the land of Mecca.
Though it dates back to the 1600s, it still can house a maximum of around 10,000 people at a time. All in all, you could spend the evening admiring the architecture and learning about the history, and religious significance of the Mecca Masjid.
Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Post this, you can go street shopping and get dinner from restaurants like Tansen, By The Bay, Amogham Lake View, and Ohri’s 70 mm.
Also Read: Scenic Monsoon Drives From Hyderabad Under 3 Hours
Places To Visit On Day 2 In Hyderabad
1. Shilparamam
Here’s your chance to start your second day in Hyderabad on a colorful note. Shilparamam is a crafts village, where you can find various traditional craft exhibits. The main purpose of this village was to conserve and preserve the traditional crafts.
Sitting cozily among the lush greenery and gushing waterfalls, Shilparamam houses artifacts from all around the country. Name a state and you’ll find some or the other art and crafts from that state.
You can also find several different types of sections here like a cultural museum, art gallery & library, auditorium, and research & design centre. Visiting Shilparamam is not just about appreciating these craftsmen, but also about shopping for handicrafts, traditional jewelry, and dresses. So, wear your pretty clothes and check out this gorgeous market.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Before you begin your second day, consider grabbing some breakfast from restaurants like Cafe Niloufer, Cafe Southern Food Court, Chutneys, and Naaz Mandi.
2. Qutub Shahi Tombs
If you’ve got only 48 hours in Hyderabad, another prominent attraction that you should visit is the Qutub Shahi Tombs sitting in the middle of the Ibrahim Shah Bagh. It is a group of tombs of rulers of the Qutub Shah dynasty.
These tombs sit elegantly on a raised platform, where the small ones are single-storeyed and the big ones are double-storeyed. The domes of these tombs were originally covered with blue and green tiles. Although they are not intact today, these tombs still are spectacular and boast the architectural designs from the 1500s.
In terms of activities, there might not be much here but it’s a perfect place to appreciate architecture, witness history, and admire the intricate designs.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
To get your energy refilled, you could consider having lunch from nearby restaurants like Crispy Crave Inn, Bab Al Mandi, and 7even Inn.
Also Read: Guided Tour To The Best Shopping Markets In Hyderabad
3. Golconda Fort
Yet another historical monument straight out of our history books, the Golconda Fort will mesmerize you with its vintage charm. Constructed in the 1600s, the fort was once known for housing the popular Kohinoor diamond. It’s one of those spots that you must visit if you’re in Hyderabad only for 48 hours.
As per legends, there was an idol found at the site of the fort which is why the then ruler, a Kakatiyan king commissioned a fort to be constructed here. However, it only gained popularity during the reign of Quli Qutub Shah. On your visit here, if you clap your hands from the bottom of the fort you can hear the echoes of the same till the top of the fort!
Another highlight of the fort is that it is home to some mines, that are known for giving out popular gems like the Hope Diamond, Darya-i-Noor, and Idol’s Eye. If you make it to Golconda fort by evening, you can catch the light and sound show that depicts the history and tales of the fort.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
There are plenty of eateries and small food joints to check out around the fort like Fort Inn Restaurant, Telangana Restaurant, and New Asra Hotel. So, once you’re done exploring the historical wonder, fill your stomach with delicious Hyderabadi snacks and foods.
4. NTR Gardens
To end your day on a peaceful note, you can visit the spectacular NTR gardens. Sprawling across an area of 36 acres, this garden was built in the memory of late Shri N T Rama Rao, who was also a former minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Within the serene atmosphere of NTR gardens, there are several mindblowing sights to behold. Some of these are the lovely fountains, Japanese gardens, waterfalls, and a lake perfect for boat rides.
There are about 150 different plant species in this garden and many other recreational facilities. To get a complete picture of the vast garden, you can awaken your inner child and take a breezy toy train ride around it. There’s no better way to bring your 48 hours in Hyderabad to an end than by relaxing in the NTR gardens.
Timings: 12:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Author’s Note
If you ask me I would like to recommend some more places which I had visited during my trip to Hyderabad. This includes shopping Begum Bazaar, visiting the Birla temple and IKEA (biggest in India) and having dinner at restaurants like Hotel Rajdhani and New Santosh Dhaba.
Summing Up
With this ultimate itinerary covering all major attractions within 48 hours in Hyderabad, we’re sure that every minute of your trip will be memorable. Also, while you’re busy exploring the city of Nizams, don’t forget to try some lip-smacking Hyderabadi biryani!
