Hyderabad: Nizams, palaces and food

If you like historical places and architecture, Hyderabad has a lot to offer. Things you should see if you have a day in Hyderabad:

1. Chowmahalla Palace - A beautiful quiet Nizami palace that shows you the style and grandeur of the Nizami life.. it has a display of artefacts, vintage cars, cutlery and the architecture itself is beautiful

2. Charminar -  you should not miss this iconic, historic structure when in Hyderabad.. it is an extremely crowded place though, so go early in the day.. you can climb the stairs and go to the inner balconies with a small ticket.. while you are there ensure you visit the local market that has nothing and everything from trinkets to saris to lehngas to bangles..

3. The Golconda fort - a massive fort shows the mastery in architecture.. you need strength and stamina to climb the entire length of stairs but then you get a beautiful view.. carry a hat and lots of water.. stay in the evening to watch the light n sound show

4. Hussain sagar lake- give lumbini park a miss and rather take a walk or drive around the queen’s necklace road to have better view of the lake.. this place looks pretty in the evening

5. Give the Salar Jung museum a miss and instead ask a local auto guy to take you to the Purani Haveli. This place is small, interesting and contains artefacts from a nizam's collection, who was extremely stylish. Also, the haveli is hidden, not many people know about it.  (While Salar Jung is huge, extensive and you would take a lot of time to properly see it..)