Often referred to as the symbol of Hyderabad, the Charminar is a massive, four-sided gateway that was built in 1591. Housing a mosque inside, the Charminar’s roof offers stunning views over the city: notably the historic Golconda Fort and bustling Lad Bazaar. Next, visit the Chowmahalla Palace, another Hyderabad landmark. Once the official residence of Hyderabadi rulers known as the Nizams, this Unesco merited site showcases grand Persian architectural influences.

The Birla Temple is an intricately carved building set beside the beautiful Hussain Sagar Lake, made entirely from Rajasthan-sourced white marble. The temple offers spectacular views over the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. After exploring the temple, enjoy a boat ride out to the middle of the tranquil lake and see the Buddha Statue: the world’s largest monolithic statue to be carved completely from white granite.

11km west of Hyderabad lies the legendary Golconda Fort, which stands in the erstwhile Qutub Shahi capital. Built on a 130-meter granite hill, the architectural wonder dates back to the 12th century and is home to a 400-year-old African baobab tree. Another Hyderabad landmark is the Qutub Shahi Tomb complex located north of the fort, where five of seven Qutub Shahi sultans were buried – with the oldest domed tomb being built in 1543.

The Nizam’s Museum is perhaps the most interesting museum in Hyderabad and showcases gifts received by the last Nizam (Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII) on his silver jubilee celebration. It also includes his vintage car collection and the sixth Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan’s wardrobe, considered the largest in the world. Salar Jung Museum houses Persian manuscripts and South Indian bronzes, while art lovers can discover contemporary Indian art at Kalakriti Art Gallery.

Though you could spend a day just sampling the city’s signature biriyanis, the best way to enjoy Hyderabadi and Andhra cuisine is with a culinary tour. Savour the taste of street food specialities such as haleem (a rich mutton stew), keema (minced mutton) samosas and pesarattu (a savoury pancake made from sprouts and lentils), and wash it all down with a warming cup of Irani chai – an absolute must-try on your Hyderabad holiday.

One of the most popular things to do when visiting Hyderabad is to see the markets. The kilometre-long Laad Bazaar is the old city’s best-loved market, a historic site famed for lacquer bangles set with coloured stones. The vibrant Gudimalkapur Flower Market has endless rows of flowers from all over India, while Shilparamam Market is a go-to for traditional souvenirs, decor and textiles – make time to admire local masterpieces in the art gallery afterwards.

With concept bars springing up all over the city, bar hopping has quickly become part of local culture. Jubilee Hills remains a firm local favourite, thanks to its reputation as one of the coolest areas in the city. There’s something to suit everyone’s tastes, from rooftop bars and cocktail lounges to microbreweries and live music venues. And for those who prefer fine dining, there’s a great selection of high-end restaurants here too.

On the edge of the city, you’ll find the serene forests of Mrugavani National Park and Jawahar Deer Park. Home to exotic plants, peacocks and butterflies, visitors can hike or enjoy a peaceful picnic and watch roaming spotted deer pass by. For something more adventurous, head to Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary – a former Nizam hunting area. Leopards, jackals, sloth bears, sambar deer and rare birds live across its 130 square kilometre grounds.

About an hour outside of Hyderabad lies Ramoji Film City: the world’s largest integrated film studio complex and a fun family day out. Take a guided tour of the 2000-acre complex and visit the sets of the best Bollywood and Tollywood movies. Once you’ve had your cinematic fill, head to its dedicated animal exhibits. Admire exotic birds at the world’s largest aviary and see countless rare butterflies at the butterfly enclosure.