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Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort: Our most recommended tours and activities

Hyderabad: Private Car Hire with Driver and Flexible Hours

1. 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: Full-Day Private Tour with Lunch

2. 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 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: Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs Half-Day Tour

4. Hyderabad: Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs Half-Day Tour

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel in Hyderabad, then heads 11 km towards the impressive Golconda Fort, once known as the diamond capital of the world. With your expert guide, discover the wonders of the fort and its incredible history, which dates back to 1143AD when it was just a mud fort. Learn about how the fort served as the Palace of the Bahmani sultans as you admire the stunning architecture of the building. Continue the tour around the fort, listening to fascinating insight into the history of this royal palace and treasury. Learn about how the fort was famous for its diamonds, including the Kohinoor, the Hope Diamond, the Idol’s Eye, and the Orlov. Then, discover the fort’s breathtaking acoustics — a clap at the Balahisar Gate can be heard right up on the top of the fort! Next, head to the Qutub Shahi Tombs, built in memory of the old kings of Golconda. Admire the tombs' exquisite arches, columns, dome minarets, and galleries, surrounded by stunning gardens. Marvel at all 7 tombs, each dedicated to one of the Qutub Shahi rulers, whose reign lasted for 2 centuries. Finally, if you select the evening option of the tour, enjoy a jaw-dropping light and sound show that brings the fort to life and captures the true essence of this magical site.

Hyderabad Private Full-day Sightseeing Tour

5. Hyderabad Private Full-day Sightseeing Tour

Journey to the “City of Pearls” with a day tour to Hyderabad. This relatively new city by Indian standards (less than 500 years old) is brimming with culture and sights you don’t want to miss. Take a gander back in time as your professional English-speaking tour guide brings you to Charminar, a majestic monument with 4 gorgeously carved spires in the heart Hyderabad’s Old City. Built in 1591 by Mohammad Quil Qutub Shah, this towering architectural achievement was built to commemorate the eradication of the plague from Hyderabad. Continue on to visit the ruined city of Golkonda Fort built in the 13th century. The remains of the city will leave you breathless. Next see the Mecca Masjid, one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad. The bricks are made from soil from the city of Mecca, making it even more important. You can also see Hussain Sagar, an awesome manmade lake in the city. The lake, constructed in 1562 by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali, has a large stone Buddha in the middle that was built in 1992. Also known as “Tank Bund”, the lake connects the sister cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Hyderabad is not only the capital of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, it is also the most populous. On your tour you will have seen the ancient parts of the city, but today it is actually much more modern. Hyderabad is a major hub for the information technology industry in India, as well as the biotechnology and pharmaceutical capital of India. Don’t miss this exciting look at a modern old city!

Hyderabad Private Tour with Charminar Mosque & Museum

6. 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. 

Hyderabad: Full-Day City Tour with Boat Ride

7. 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.

6-hours Golconda Fort & Qutub Shahi Tombs Tour with transfer

8. 6-hours Golconda Fort & Qutub Shahi Tombs Tour with transfer

After pickup from your hotel, you will be transported to Golconda Fort, previously known as Mankal. In its initial days, this fort was built of just mud walls. The historic fortress served as a principal capital during the reign of the Qutub Shahi kings who replaced the mud walls with granite stones. Learn about this phenomenal heritage every minute from the guide during the sightseeing. Listen to the stories about notable Golconda diamonds such as Kohinoor, Hope diamond, & Orlov. In the evening, visitors are surprised with spectacular presentations on rich cultural Golconda's history, telugu literature, as well as arts through a lighting show. Next, you will proceed towards Qutub Shahi Tombs, a resting place for 7 Qutub Shahi rulers. It's very close to the fort so it won't take long. Once you enter the tomb, there you will see an ancient mosque, well-crafted granite pillars, domes along with a green garden.

Other Sightseeing Options in Golconda Fort

Want to discover all there is to do in Golconda Fort? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Golconda Fort

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 24 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:)

The tour was wonderful. Heritage walk guide, John was pretty knowledgeable and gave out some wonderful insights. The session ended with samosa and chai which was perfect on a beautiful rainy day.

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