Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Mrunal & Jiten
If you are a beach lover Vizag or Visakhapatnam is the best place to visit this summer!
There are other attractions too. t is the largest state in Andhra Pradesh with many beaches, a natural harbour, a busy old port, urban life, lush forests and hills.
15 Best Places to Visit in Vizag
Table of Contents
Beaches
Yarada Beach is Gangavaram beach is great for relaxing, making sand castles and enjoying a stroll on the beach with a gentle breeze from swaying Banana plantations and coconut trees.
Ramakrishna Beach is great for cruise boats, shopping camel rides and boating.
Bheemili Beach is great for relaxing and also for exploring a nearby 17th Century Fort.
Rishikonda Beach is the cleanest beach and is great for snorkelling, scuba diving and kayaking.
Dolphin Nose lighthouse
A hill that looks like a dolphin’s nose and has a powerful lighthouse that supports ships more than 65 kilometres away.
Kailasagiri
It is a hilltop park developed by the local corporation accessible by a ropeway and road. It houses a 40-foot-tall statue of God Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. A plastic-free zone and a picnic spot, its other attractions include a floral clock, a Toy train, a Titanic viewpoint, Shanthi Ashram and Jungle trails.
Simhachalam
Built with a blend of Odia, Chaluky and Chola style architecture, this temple is dedicated to Varaha Lakshmi Swamy, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The temple is in the form of a chariot with a unique kalyana mandapa housing 96 pillars. Visit the temple to pray as well as listen to the numerous Hindu legends associated with the temple
Araku valley
While this is a favorite hill station with the locals, the rest of the country is not much aware of this gem.
The route to this place itself is adventurous with the train passing through 58 tunnels and 84 bridges. There are numerous resorts to stay and enjoy your time here. Relish or buy the exquisite coffee locally grown while taking part in the adventure sports or head to the Museum of Tribal Arts for some cultural experiences.
Borra caves
These caves are a treat for the eyes formed from calcium carbonate being eroded by running water. They are deep, about 80 metres, and lie amongst striking hilly terrain and semi deciduous forests. Natural skylights make enigmatic colour combinations inside the caves that excite both elders and youngsters alike. Trekking is also a great option here.
Matsay darsini
It is an Aquarium that is highly recommended for all ages. It houses exotic aquatic animals, sea life exhibits, souvenir shops and activity centres that can retain you for more than a couple of hours.
Vuda Park
This 37-acre park is located near Ramakrishna Beach and has a variety of trees, flowering plants and manicured lawns attracting numerous tourists.
Submarine museum
INS Kurusura Submarine Museum is the first one of this kind in Asia. The exhibits displayed denote the various components and equipment utilized in the submarine by Navy people when it was in service. Check out the control room, sonar room, and radio room to understand the workings of the submarine.
Ross Hill Church
This is a christian pilgrimage site located at a hilltop, known for its spiritual and serene atmosphere. On top, you can have a 360-degree view of the whole Vizag city.
Shopping
Pochampally Ikkat sarees are unique sarees that you can buy in Vizag at a great price. This city is also famous for spices, seafood, the famous kondapalli and etikoppaka wooden toys, sports goods and traditional jewellery.
Some of the best shopping spots in Vizag are Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporium, CMR Shopping, mall, Daba Gardens and Nehru Garden.
Vishaka museum
This museum houses various historical artefacts of this region. It is divided into two sections – Maritime Museum and Heritage section. The former displays exhibits and information used by the Indian Navy. The latter has heirlooms from the North coastal Andhra, stone sculptures, bronze artefacts, coins, potter, enamel wear and more.
Thotlakonda Caves
It is a 2000-year-old historical Buddhist site characterized by pillared halls, stupas, and Chaitya grihas that were probably built during the Kalinga dynasty. It is a perfect place for history buffs and curious tourists to add to their historical knowledge.
Kambalakonda wildlife sanctuary
This sanctuary is located on 17 acres of land for sustaining flora and fauna such as
Flora – Indian screw tree, Bush plum tree, Jungle berry bunches,
Fauna – Indian leopard, Pangolin, rare breeds of snake, Indian peafowl, Bandaed bay cuckoo, Russel viper, Madras treeshrew, golden oriole and different species of butterflies. This park is open to the general public on all days of the week between 9 am to 4.30 pm
Bio Diversity Park
This park has numerous species of plants, birds and insects and attracts many biology students, researchers and photographers. The park is maintained well and the curators are always there to help out with details when approached by students or the general public. Special tours are also advanced if informed in advance.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit Vizag is between October and March when the temperatures are cool at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.
How to Reach
By Air
The Vishakapatnam Airport is just 5.9 km from the city limits and flights from major cities such as Hyderabad, Kadapa, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkatta land here.
By Rail
Vizag has its own junction station that transports passengers and goods to most places in India.
By Road
This city has good road connectivity to major cities across India.
