Charminar

With four grand arches facing the wide roads leading off in each direction, the Charminar is the most famous site in town, and virtually all Hyderabad tours stop here. Visit independently or join a guided tour that includes other Hyderabad highlights, as well as markets and pearl shops; some tours include high tea at Falaknuma Palace. The grand square structure of the Charminar is an excellent example of Indo-Islamic architecture, and each of the four fluted minarets built into the corners of the monument is crowned with a dome and features intricate designs at its base.

• Charminar is a must for for first-time Hyderabad visitors and architecture enthusiasts.

• Travelers should bring head coverings if visiting the Charminar’s mosque.

• Wear sun protection, as parts of the monument are outside.

• A wheelchair-accessible entrance is available on the eastern side of the structure.

The Charminar is located in the heart of Hyderabad’s old city, near Mecca Masjid and a quick walk from Laad Bazaar. Chowmahalla Palace is about a 10-minute walk away, and the main railway station takes about 15 minutes to get to by taxi, traffic permitting.

The Charminar is open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. While it's a year-round destination, the monument is best-visited during the cooler, dryer months, between November and February. It’s also worth stopping by in the evening to see the exterior of the monument illuminated.

Hyderabad was once the capital of a deccan (princely state) bearing the same name, which would later become the first to fall under British paramountcy, in 1798. In 1948, after India had gained independence from the Crown, the nizam of Hyderabad declined to join the newly formed Union of India, causing the Indian Army to invade the city. Four and a half days later, Hyderabad surrendered, effectively ending nizami rule.