Hyderabad's iconic landmark, the 56-m-high Charminar is an imposing four-sided archway with four minarets soaring above its surrounding bustling market area. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, who was the fifth king of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, to mark the founding of Hyderabad and the end of a plague that had devastated the city.

This luxurious palace was once the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and also the place where the Nizams entertained their official guests. Built between the 18th and the 19th centuries, the opulent palace complex is said to be a replica of the Shah’s Palace in Tehran, Iran. With the synthesis of several architectural influences, the palace is renowned for its unique style. It boasts two ornate courtyards with gardens and magnificent buildings. One of the grandest attractions here is the pillared Durbar Hall or the Khilwat Mubarak, a spectacular ceremony hall with 19 enormous Belgian crystal chandeliers. The palace houses a priceless collection of antiques, including one of vintage cars, among which the most popular is a 1911 yellow Rolls-Royce and 1937 Buick convertible. In 2010, the palace was honoured with the prestigious UNESCO Asia-Pacific Merit Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The grand Salar Jung Museum is famous for housing one of the largest compilations of artefacts collected by one person. Boasting collections from ancient civilisations and modern times, it houses items that were painstakingly collected and curated by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan or Salar Jung III, the prime minister of the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, who spent most of his income on this project, over a period of 35 years. The museum is home to collections dating from the 2nd century BC to the early 20th century AD, from different cultures such as Greek, Roman, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian and Islam. As many as 43,000 art objects and 50,000 manuscripts and books are housed here. It also showcases European fine arts, including a rare statue by 19th-century Italian sculptor Benzoni, South Indian bronzes and wood and stone sculptures and Indian miniature paintings. Other prominent exhibits include a fruit knife used by Nur Jahan, the wife of Mughal emperor Jehangir, and emperor Aurangzeb’s sword. 

Constructed with white marble from Rajasthan, the spectacular Birla Mandir sits on a hillock called Kala Pahad, overlooking the Hussain Sagar Lake. Built in 1976, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Venkateswara. The temple boasts a combination of Utkal (Odia) and South Indian styles of architecture. The South Indian style is represented by the rajagopuram (entrance gate) while the Odia style is represented by the Jagadananda Vimanam tower. Along with a temple dedicated to Lord Buddha, the Birla Mandir complex also houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Hanuman, Lord Brahma and Goddess Lakshmi. Offering stunning views of the city, especially at dusk, its serene atmosphere calms the mind. Lit up in the evening, it's an ethereal sight to behold.