Charminar
The Four-Towered Emblem of Hyderabad
Overview
Charminar is a 16th-century monument and mosque at the heart of old Hyderabad, Telangana, India, built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah to mark the founding of his new city. A square granite-and-lime structure with four grand arches, it is crowned by four minarets rising about 48 metres, giving it its name, 'char minar', four towers. A working mosque occupies its upper floor, and it stands amid the bustling Laad Bazaar and the Mecca Masjid. An ASI monument, it is the enduring emblem of Hyderabad. MyTripMyTravel visits it on an escorted old-city walk.
Charminar is to Hyderabad what a signature is to a letter, the single image that stands for the whole city. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah raised it in 1591 at the centre of his newly founded capital, and it has anchored the old city ever since.
It is a compact, perfectly symmetrical structure: four arches opening to the cardinal directions, four minarets with internal spiral stairs, and a small mosque on the upper floor among the oldest in the city. Around it swirls the Laad Bazaar of bangles and pearls, with the great Mecca Masjid a short walk away.
MyTripMyTravel visits Charminar on foot as part of an escorted old-city walk, navigating the crowds and lanes so the monument, the bazaar and the mosque read as one living quarter rather than a traffic island.
At a glance
Charminar in brief
What to see
Highlights
The four minarets
Four ornate minarets rising about 48 metres, each with an internal spiral staircase, that give the monument its name.
The upper mosque
A working mosque on the top floor, among the oldest in Hyderabad.
The four arches
Four grand arches facing the cardinal directions, opening onto the old-city streets.
Laad Bazaar setting
The surrounding bangle and pearl bazaar and the nearby Mecca Masjid that frame the monument.
Stucco detailing
The carved granite and stucco ornament, especially the minaret balconies and the small mosque above.
Visitor information
Our tips
Go early to beat the intense bazaar crowds and traffic around the monument.
Pair it with the adjacent Laad Bazaar and Mecca Masjid on foot, our escort navigates the old-city lanes.
The upper-floor climb is up narrow, steep stairs and is sometimes restricted; check on the day.
Good to know
Charminar, your questions
What does 'Charminar' mean?
'Four minarets', the monument is named for its four corner minarets, each rising about 48 metres.
Who built Charminar and when?
Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built it in 1591 to mark the founding of Hyderabad.
Is there a mosque inside?
Yes, a working mosque occupies the top floor, among the oldest in the city.
How long do I need?
About 45 minutes to an hour, ideally combined with the surrounding Laad Bazaar and Mecca Masjid.
Visit with us
See Charminar, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Charminar into a wider Hyderabad and South India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
Plan your trip
Plan a visit to Charminar
Free, no obligation quote. Your details stay private.