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Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace: Our most recommended tours and activities

Hyderabad: Full-Day Private Tour with Lunch

1. Hyderabad: Full-Day Private Tour with Lunch

Start the tour early in the morning with a pickup from your hotel. Get acquainted with your English-speaking guide and drive to the majestic Golconda Fort, about 11 km from the city. Originally built as a mud fort, the complex has undergone changes through the centuries under the rule of the Bahmani Sultans and the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Learn about the acoustics of the building and the intricate water management system designed here. Your guide will explain the history of the fort and how it shaped the future of Hyderabad and its people. At noon, head to the Qutub Shahi Tombs located close by. Erected in the memory of the rulers of the region, the impressive granite tombs, arches and columns are worth a visit. Stroll through the gardens and visit the exhibition to learn the significance of this landmark. Continue to Hyderabad's Old City, where you will visit the Chowmahalla Palace which was once home to the Nizams, reputed to be one of the richest families of India. As many as 7000 attendants were required to maintain the opulent palace. Some of the noteworthy sections in this Palace include a water fountain, vintage cars, intricate carvings, glass chandeliers and the grand durbar hall. On Fridays, Choumahalla is closed and we will instead visit the spectacularly built Badshahi Ashoorkhana. The final destination is Charminar, a monument that is symbolic of the city of Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shahi, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty to commemorate the end of a deadly plague attack of the city. Hear of the legends of this place such as the presence of a secret tunnel underneath Charminar which connected to Golconda Fort, created as a means of escape for the royal family at times of distress. At the end of the tour, be dropped back to your hotel.

Hyderabad: Private Car Hire with Driver and Flexible Hours

2. Hyderabad: Private Car Hire with Driver and Flexible Hours

Spend the day exploring the sights and locations of Hyderabad at your own leisure in a private, air-conditioned car. Accompanied by a professional chauffeur to help you make the most of your day in Hyderabad, customize your visit to suit your interests and preferences. Once you’ve decided how you’d like to spend your time, sit back and relax as you explore the city and make as many stops and visits to as many places as you wish. There's plenty to see and do in Hyderabad, which is known for its atmospheric bazaars, heritage mountains, and palaces. Witness the impressive architecture of the old city, and explore the minarets of the Charminar, or visit the dazzling Chowmahalla Palace. History lovers are recommended a tour of the Salar Jung Museum, The Nizam's Museum, or the Sudha Cars Museum. Guests can also benefit from a visit to the Golconda Fort and the Qutub Shahi Tombs, located just outside of the city. Likewise, the Ramoji Film City is a delight for film lovers, and travelers can spend an entire day touring famous film sets. For a glimpse of modern Hyderabad, travelers can also visit the Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills areas, which are filled with restaurants and malls. With this private charter, take advantage of the opportunity to see all the city has to offer. There are multiple car sizes on offer, as well as the option to hire the car for 4, 8, or 12 hours.

Hyderabad: Private City Tour with Evening Boat Ride

3. Hyderabad: Private City Tour with Evening Boat Ride

After being collected from your hotel waiting area between 9:30AM-10:00AM by your guide and driver, you will depart for your full-day tour of Hyderabad. Your tour starts with a visit to the magnificent Golkonda Fort, originally built in the 12th century, known for its innovative water supply system, huge acoustic palaces and the Fateh Rahben gun and cannons. Following this, you will visit the historical Qutub Shahi Tombs, located at Ibrahim Bagh and close to the Golconda Fort, where the bodies of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and his heirs were buried. Next on the tour will be the ancient mosque, Mecca Masjid, whose construction was started by the Qutb Shahi dynasty and was completed by Aurangzeb. It is believed that the bricks and soil to build the central arch of this historic mosque were procured from through the major pilgrimage of Muslims, Mecca. Your driver will then take you to a local restaurant where you can enjoy famous Hyderabadi cuisine. After finishing lunch, your next stop will be at Charminar. Charminar is known as the Icon of Hyderabad, famous for its architecture, four minarets of 184-feet tall, four arches and the work of granite, mortar, limestone and pulverized marble. You will then venture onward to the Salar Jung Museum, which contains a treasure of exhibits that include ancient manuscripts, sculptures, carvings, artifacts, carpets, furniture and more. The Museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world by Nawab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III (1889–1949), former Prime Minister of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. Later on, you will be taken to the Chow Mohalla Palace, recognized for a complex of four palaces built in the European and Mughal style of architecture. Before the conclusion of your day, your driver will take you to the beautiful and serene Hussain Sagar and the closely located NTR Gardens which are the best places to spend your evening, which will include a unique boat ride. At the conclusion of your tour, your driver will drop you back at your accommodation.

Hyderabad: Heritage Walking Tour of Old City and Charminar

4. Hyderabad: Heritage Walking Tour of Old City and Charminar

Set off on a 3-hour walking tour of the Old City of Hyderabad. Navigate through colorful markets and make your way to historic mosques and mansions. Accompanied by your local guide, hear the stories of the Nizams and the people of Hyderabad. Choose from flexible options of a private tour, exclusive to your booking, or meet other travelers in a shared, join-in tour. You can also request hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience. The walk commences at Charminar, a monument symbolic of the city of Hyderabad, which was built in 1591 to commemorate the end of a deadly plague attack on the city. Your guide will enthrall you with legends like the presence of a secret tunnel underneath Charminar which connected to Golconda Fort, created as a means of escape for the royal family at times of distress. Next, walk to Mecca Masjid, one of the oldest and largest mosques in India. The foundation stone was laid by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, and the bricks used to build the mosque were made from soil sourced from Mecca. Marvel at a magnificent mosque that can accommodate more than 10000 people. Stroll past bazaars full of bangles, perfumes, laces, and bridalwear, on your way to a unique Clock Tower. This clock was a gift to the people of this area at a time when wristwatches and wall clocks were rare. Walk past Moti Mahal, which used to be a Palace of the Nizams but, since 1969, now serves as a Homeopathic Hospital. Admire the Corinthian pillars of the Asman Garh Palace and the Palace of Khurshid Jah Bahadur before taking the last leg of your walk to the Chowmahalla Palace of the Nizams. Some of the noteworthy sections in this palace include a water fountain, vintage cars, intricate carvings, glass chandeliers, and the grand durbar hall. During the heydays of the Nizams, as many as 7000 attendants used to man this palace. Your tour either concludes here or with drop-off at your hotel if you select the pickup and drop-off option.

Hyderabad: Full-Day City Tour with Boat Ride

5. Hyderabad: Full-Day City Tour with Boat Ride

The day-long tour begins around 10 AM with a pick-up. Hop on the ride to Golconda Fort, a granite-built fortress from the Qutub Shahi dynasty's period. Listen to your guide as he spills knowledge on this fortress. Throughout history this region has been known for its miraculous mines & diamonds - be it Kohinoor or the Hope diamond. Although over the years diamond mines have become inactive. Your destination will be the nearby Qutub Shahi Tombs which includes seven tombs of Qutub Shahi kings that ruled over two centuries. From there, you will be taken to Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. It is believed that the soil of this mosque was brought from the holy Mecca city. After sightseeing at the mosque, you will be served lunch at the local restaurant. Enjoy your fresh meal before heading to your next destination i.e. Charminar, the icon of Hyderabad. It is perceived that this Minar was built as a sign of victory over the plague around 450 years ago. See the beautiful work of limestone, granite, & marble at this historical site. Next, you will visit Salar Jung Museum, the 3rd biggest museum in India. This museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world by Mir Yusuf Ali Khan popularly known as Salar Jung III, an art collector & also the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad Deccan during seven Nizam's reign. Following this, your driver will take you to Chowmahalla Palace, the former residence of Nizams of Hyderabad. Here you will come across a mixture of architectural styles (Rajasthani, European, along with Persian). At last, you will be escorted to Hussain Sagar, a beautiful heart-shaped lake perfect for spending a nice evening. Spend a wonderful time at the nearby NTR garden area where a boat ride is also awaiting you. After a sweet & calm boat ride you will be sent back to your hotel.

3-hour Hyderabad Old City Heritage Walk

6. 3-hour Hyderabad Old City Heritage Walk

Arrive at the described location or you can choose the pickup option, whichever suits you best. You'll first see the Hyderabad city's icon monument, Charminar. Built-in the late 16th century, this 450 years old monument is still intact with its glorious craftwork. The construction of this monument was ordered by QuliQutub Shah when the city won its fight against the great plague. Be it underground tunnels or cat carved on the arches, your guide will tell some interesting facts & myths about this structure. After this, you'll stop by Mecca Masjid, one of the most ancient mosques in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that this mosque was made with sand & bricks transported from Islam's most holy Mecca city. Next, you will halt at Clock Tower, a giant clock installed back in the old days when watches were very rare. Then your guide will show you the former residence of Nizam, Moti Mahal which is converted into a hospital now. On the way, you'll catch glimpses of gothic architecture at Asman Garh Palace assembled on a huge hillock in 1885. Following this, you'll witness exquisite European-style architectural work on the outskirts of Khursheed Jah Devdi Palace. At last, you will explore Chowmahalla Palace, the former official home of Nizam. The palace has now been altered into a unique museum open to the public. From vintage cars collection to magnificent chandeliers, watch all the antiques displayed here. With this, your tour comes to an end. Your guide will help you in booking a cab or you can choose the drop off option as well.

Hyderabad Private Tour with Charminar Mosque & Museum

7. Hyderabad Private Tour with Charminar Mosque & Museum

Your local English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to explore the historical city of Hyderabad. First up is a visit to the archaeological treasure Golkonda Fort, then on to the Qutub Shahi Tombs, a royal cemetery for the 7 Qutub Shahi kings who ruled Golconda for nearly 170 years. Afterwards your guide will take you to one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, Mecca Masjid before stopping for some lunch at a nice local restaurant. After lunch, your next monument will be the magnificent Charminar, known as the icon of Hyderabad. Then it's on to the famous Salar Jung Museum before a final visit to the palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad state, also known as Chowmahalla Palace. 

Other Sightseeing Options in Chowmahalla Palace

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What people are saying about Chowmahalla Palace

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 15 reviews

I recommend the tour if you are traveling alone and have little time in Hyderabad. They picked me up at the hotel and we had a very productive day. My Venu guide was very professional all the time as was the driver. It is a very tiring journey. My favorite place was Golconda Fort. I was left wanting to get to know him more. We did not visit the Mecca Masjid. In general the service was good and I am very grateful.

The tour was a great way to experience Hyderabad! Our guide, John, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Because we did the tour on a Friday, the museum and the palace were closed, but we got two see two other interesting monuments instead. John also took us to a store with old books to accommodate for my personal interests:)

Great tour, guide and driver very flexible and also met any side wish. A little minus for not included photo fee requested at some spots.

Very recommended. The guide and the driver are very knowledgeable and nice. I've had a really good time