Located at a distance of around 8 km west of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort was the headquarters of the Qutab Shahi Dynasty between 1512 to 1687. Once the centre point of an empire whose boundaries touched Bay of Bengal, the fort is stretched just 7 km today. Durbar Hall is a 1000-step climb and on the top of it is a panoramic view of the ruins of the fort and other landmarks of Hyderabad. The main attractions inside the fort are the heavily studded Balahisar Gate, the Grand Portico, the bodyguard barracks, the Nagina Bagh or royal garden, and a 12-metre deep water tank. The Sri Jagdamba Temple, Rani Mahals, and Taramati Mosque are also housed here.

Lying 110 km northwest of Hyderabad, Bidar was the consecutive capitals to the mighty Bahamanis and Barid Shahi dynasty. Within the fortified area there is a vast range of palaces, mosques, baths, schools and tombs. The major attractions are the tombs at Ashtur and Gawan's Madarsa.