Falaknuma Palace

Falaknuma Palace crowns a hill at Engine Bowli in Falaknuma, south of Hyderabad's Old City in Telangana, India, about 3 km from Charminar. It was built in 1893-1894 for Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, a Paigah nobleman and prime minister of Hyderabad state, and later became a guest palace of the Nizams. The building was designed in a mix of Italian and Tudor styles, with a facade of Italian marble, stained-glass windows, frescoes and Venetian chandeliers. It has since been restored and operates as a Taj luxury hotel. Interiors include the Grand Staircase, a library with a large collection of rare books and manuscripts, a billiards room and a dining hall with a table that seats 101 guests, one of the longest in the world. Non-guests can visit through a prior-booked heritage walk, which typically includes guided rooms, terraces with views over the Old City and sometimes tea or dining for an extra fee. A visit takes about one and a half to two hours. Late afternoon is the best time for the city view from the terrace as the light softens. Entry is only with a reservation made directly with the hotel, and drop-in visits are generally not possible. Heritage walk pricing is about INR 2,500 per person, though this should be verified with the hotel, and dining or high tea costs extra. A dress code applies, and smart casual attire is the norm. Photography rules can vary in some rooms, so guides can advise. There is no metro to the palace; cabs from Charminar take about 15 minutes. The palace has a lift and gently sloping terraces, which makes it easier for visitors with limited mobility than many heritage sites in the city.