Charminar, Hyderabad — Guide, History & Visiting Tips
The Charminar is a 16th-century monument in the Old City of Hyderabad, with four tall minarets over a central arch, and it is the city's best-known landmark.
Charminar at a glance
- Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad.
- It has four minarets and a mosque on its upper floor.
- The Laad Bazaar, known for bangles, and the Mecca Masjid are close by.
- A typical visit takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
What a local guide shows you at Charminar
Book a guide by the hour or for a day. See tour guides for Charminar.
- The story of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and the founding of Hyderabad
- The four minarets and the mosque
- Laad Bazaar and the Old City lanes
- Old City food traditions
Photography at Charminar
Rules on tripods, professional equipment, commercial shoots and drones differ between sites and can change. Check them before a professional shoot.
- The monument at dusk when the bazaar lights come on
- The minarets from the surrounding streets
- Life in the Laad Bazaar lanes
Visiting tips for Charminar
- The area is very crowded, especially in the evening; keep valuables safe.
- Check current rules on entering the upper floors.
- Timings, ticket prices and entry rules change, so check the official source before you go.
Nearby: places to combine with Charminar
- Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad (Hyderabad) — The Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest and largest mosques in Hyderabad, beside the Charminar in the Old City.
- Chowmahalla Palace (Hyderabad) — Chowmahalla Palace is the former seat of the Nizams of Hyderabad, a palace complex of courtyards, fountains and halls in the Old City.
More about Charminar
Become a tour guide or photographer at Charminar
If you know Charminar and Hyderabad well, you can post your tour on Myna24; if you shoot, you can post your photography service. Set your own hourly and per-day price and get booked. Guests pay a 10% booking fee online and the remaining 90% directly to you.
These buttons open the Tours or Photography section of the Myna24 home page, where you can post your service. More: tour guide jobs in Hyderabad · photography jobs in Hyderabad · part-time jobs in Hyderabad.
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Charminar — frequently asked questions
Where is Charminar?
Charminar is in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
What type of place is Charminar?
Charminar is a monument and mosque in Hyderabad, Telangana.
How long does a visit to Charminar take?
A typical visit takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how much you want to see. Timings, ticket prices and entry rules change, so check the official source before you go.
What are some quick facts about Charminar?
Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad. It has four minarets and a mosque on its upper floor. The Laad Bazaar, known for bangles, and the Mecca Masjid are close by.
Can I combine Charminar with other nearby places?
Yes. Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad and Chowmahalla Palace, in Hyderabad, are close enough to visit on the same day as Charminar.
Who built the Charminar?
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built it in 1591, around the time he founded Hyderabad.
Can I book a local tour guide for Charminar?
Yes. On Myna24 you can book a local guide by the hour or for a full day. Guides set their own prices, you pick a free date, and you pay a 10% booking fee online when you book, and the remaining 90% directly to the provider.
Can I book a photographer for Charminar?
Yes. On Myna24 you can book a photographer by the hour or for a full day, see their portfolio first, and pay a 10% booking fee online.
Questions? Chat with Myna24 support on WhatsApp +91 81888 33003.