Charminar is a monument that is symbolic of the city of Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shahi, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty to commemorate the end of a deadly plague attack on the city. Our 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.
We will visit this famous street bazaar for pearls and bangles.
We next walk to Mecca Masjid which is one of the oldest mosques in India. The foundation stone was laid by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The bricks used to build the mosque have been made from soil sourced from Mecca! This magnificent mosque can accommodate more than 10000 people.
We walk to the Palace of Khurshid Jah Bahadur, who belonged to the Shamsiya family, one of the first noble families of Hyderabad. One can only imagine the splendor of this building during its heydays with its elliptical arches and 40 feet tall Corinthian pillars! Though the name Baradari means twelve doors there are only five! This mansion has now been converted into the Hussaini Alam Government Girls College.Our next destination is a 19th century Palace of a Paigah nobleman named Asmanjah who was a law minister in the service of the Nizams. The highlights of this two-storied palace are Greek Corinthian pillars and an emblem of the glowing sun at the entrance.
The last leg of our walk brings us to Choumahalla. It is the Palace of the Nizams who were at one time the richest people in the world. 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! Our guide will give you an insight into the personal and political life of Nizams of Hyderabad.(Choumallah Palace is closed on Friday. If we do the walk on a friday, we will not be visiting it)
Old City Walk In Hyderabad With Professional Guide To Go Back 400 Years In Time
- See more images
- See more images
- See more images
Tour Information
Key Details
- Mobile Voucher Accepted
- Hotel pickup Available
- Duration: 2 Hrs 45 Mins
-
Language:
English
-
Departure Time :
8:00 AM
-
Return Details :
• No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. Hotel pickups commence prior to this time
-
Cancellation Policy : This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.
Overview
The Old City Heritage Walk takes you back 400 years in time back to the times of the Qutb Shahi Sultans who built the city if Hyderabad and left a lasting cultural legacy. As we walk past the palatial mansions and mosques of a bygone era we will also relive the life and times of the Nizams of Hyderabad in this walking tour. The walk commences at the famed Charminar and ends at Chowmahalla palace of the Nizams.
Know More about this tour
Itinerary:
Charminar is a monument that is symbolic of the city of Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shahi, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty to commemorate the end of a deadly plague attack on the city. Our 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.
We will visit this famous street bazaar for pearls and bangles.
We next walk to Mecca Masjid which is one of the oldest mosques in India. The foundation stone was laid by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The bricks used to build the mosque have been made from soil sourced from Mecca! This magnificent mosque can accommodate more than 10000 people.
We walk to the Palace of Khurshid Jah Bahadur, who belonged to the Shamsiya family, one of the first noble families of Hyderabad. One can only imagine the splendor of this building during its heydays with its elliptical arches and 40 feet tall Corinthian pillars! Though the name Baradari means twelve doors there are only five! This mansion has now been converted into the Hussaini Alam Government Girls College. Our next destination is a 19th century Palace of a Paigah nobleman named Asmanjah who was a law minister in the service of the Nizams. The highlights of this two-storied palace are Greek Corinthian pillars and an emblem of the glowing sun at the entrance.
The last leg of our walk brings us to Choumahalla. It is the Palace of the Nizams who were at one time the richest people in the world. 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! Our guide will give you an insight into the personal and political life of Nizams of Hyderabad. (Choumallah Palace is closed on Friday. If we do the walk on a friday, we will not be visiting it)
Inclusions
- Tea
- Professional guide
- Entrance charges
Exclusions
- Camera charges
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Traveler Reviews
See all reviews-
![]()
Great walking tour to see the Old City in Hyderabad. Guide John was very knowledgeable and also helped me to arrange an auto rickshaw after the tour. The only thing you should be aware of is that the shops in the Bazaar around Charminar open only in the afternoon so you don't get that vibe as the tour is in the morning, however it is less crowded and less hectic.
-
![]()
Close down. Your people have the personally of a wet paper bag. If you can manage to speak with someone (which is highly unlikely) they won't help. They give you the run around
-
![]()
We liked walking around the city and enjoying the hustle and bustle of Hyderabad. Plus receiving lots of historical background about the city from our tour guide Mr. Kumar, which helped to make our tour very informative and fun.
-
![]()
We had a wonderful time on the walking tour of Hyderabad's Old City with our guide Srinu. It was a well-paced tour with good snippets of the city's history, culture and heritage. Srinu was also very helpful with tips on other places of historical and cultural interest in the city. Definitely recommend this tour!
-
![]()
This is a good value tour. When compared to the prices of other tours - it feels like your get more from this, and have a bit more time to soak up the atmosphere. The tour guide 'John' was excellent, both knowledgeable and engaging and really looked after us. The sights are impressive and whilst you could do this on your own in theory, the crowds and traffic can be a bit intimidating for the novice so it is good to have someone to show you around. It might be cheaper to book direct though.
-
![]()
Great experience visiting Hyderabad 's old city. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided great recommendations on how to navigate crowded places in the city. Strongly recommended
-
![]()
We enjoyed a lot visiting Hyderabad. Specially Ramoji, Hussain Sagar Lake. Must try Osmania Biscuits from Nimrah Bakery.
-
![]()
Many thanks to John who is an amazing guide and led our small group despite our uncertainties about the starting point. Hyderabad has got a rich history, buildings of architectural relevance and a diverse population so having a local guide was helpful and insightful. The caffe at the Charminar square will stay in my memories for long! See you again Hyderabad, you are a mesmerising city!
-
![]()
Great historical walk! Srinu is very professional and knowledgeable. I have learned a lot about the history of the town and have seen the most important landmarks. Will definitely book other trips.
-
![]()
An excellent walk around Hyderabad centre to places i would never have found.... markets, bazaars, and the history of everything you see aswell I'll be back !!
