Charminar
చార్మినార్
A four-towered arch built in 1591 by the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It is Hyderabad's city emblem, surrounded by the old city's bustling markets.
Charminar was built in 1591. According to tradition, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah commissioned it to mark the end of a plague. Four 56-meter minarets support a square arch, and on the second floor sits a small mosque. Climbing the tower gives views over the old city's streets and the Mecca Masjid. Entry costs around 25 rupees for Indian visitors and 300 rupees for foreigners, and it is open roughly 9:30 to 17:30. Nearby are Laad Bazaar and pearl shops. The area is liveliest in the evening and at night, when the lights and crowds peak. Keep an eye on your belongings and dress modestly.
Opening hours
09:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Makkah Masjid
- Laad Bazaar
- Chowmahalla Palace
- Nizam's Museum (Purani Haveli)
- Salar Jung Museum
- Sudha Cars Museum
- Telangana State Archaeology Museum
- Nehru Zoological Park