Visiting Vishakhapatnam (Vizag) Should Be on Your Travel List. Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Vizag (2019)

Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is the best tourist destination for the whole family. There is something for everybody in and around this coastal city. Situated at the base of the Eastern Ghats, the city falls in between the mountains on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other. Thus it is one of those few places on earth where the sea and the mountains meet in perfect harmony.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit this place yet, you can only imagine the beauty of this marvellous setting. Visakhapatnam also has a rich history and is one of the rising high-tech cities of India. Thus, it is a perfect place for both history buffs and metropolitan geeks. If you are looking for a family vacation spot that has the charm of history, the convenience of modernity, the sublime beauty of nature and several opportunities for adventure sports, then look no further than Vizag.

Why Vizag? Well, simply because it is one of the best places to visit. The beaches provide the perfect balance of fun and relaxation. You could just stroll about the idyllic waterfront at sunset or sunrise or have fun making sandcastles on the beach. The natural beauty is simply unparalleled in Vizag. Two picturesque geographical features, the mountains and the sea, are present in Visakhapatnam. That means you not only get to see breathtaking views of the sunset and sunrise but also have a beautiful hill station to take refuge in. Last but not the least, Vizag is a site of many historical monuments and ruins. There are many ancient Hindu sites as well as Buddhist ones. It is a place where you will experience and appreciate the glory and heritage of India’s past.

Visakhapatnam is a port city thus it is situated beside the sea. It is also a city that is situated at the base of the Eastern Ghats. So, it is also home to many hill station retreats. Araku valley and Kailasagiri Hills are two prime examples. Moreover, the coastline is dotted with innumerable beaches offering exquisite views of sunrise and sunset. There is also the presence of lush green landscapes and pristine waterfalls, a characteristic of the Eastern Ghats. Given the variety of natural features, Visakhapatnam is like a kaleidoscope among tourist destinations; you get to see a bit of all that is considered natural beauty.

The area that is now called Visakhapatnam had been inhabited long back. It was once a part of the huge empire of Ashoka and had been ruled by Andhra kings of a number of dynasties, viz. Vengi, Pallavas and Chalukyas. Thus, it has been a site of many cultural, religious and political confluences. This gave rise to a number of historical monuments, temples and complexes in Visakhapatnam, the ruins of which are a sight to behold. The stories associated with these ruins are another attraction altogether. It takes you on a trip to those times when these ruins were a bustling centre of activity, witnessing events that forever changed the future of this land. Thotlakonda is the most popular heritage site in Visakhapatnam. It is a Buddhist complex that dates back to the distant 200 BC.

A place that has beaches cannot help but be popular. Visakhapatnam is no exception. Beaches are truly relaxing and are a prime centre of fun and recreation. There are many beaches along the coastline. You can start your day with a peaceful walk along the waterfront, the peace achieved by the no-vehicle zones in and around Telangana beaches. Follow this up with a day of swimming and beach activities and then in the evenings, immerse yourself in the carnival type atmosphere that the beaches transform into after sundown. No wonder beaches still remain the major attractions in the city of Vizag.

You had made the decision, booked transport and hotels, packed your luggage and arrived in Visakhapatnam. Now you have to draw up an itinerary to make the most of your holiday and soak up as much experience of Vizag as possible. Not surprisingly, you would find drawing up this itinerary, a difficult task. Visakhapatnam is a dynamic place and you would be spoilt for choice. There are so many places to visit in Vizag but unfortunately you have very limited time in your hand. Follow this BP Guide list to determine the 10 top places to visit in Vizag to get the best possible experience.

Visakhapatnam is a coastal city and hence peppered with a number of beaches. Its long coastline has numerous beaches washed by the waves of the Bay of Bengal. As in all coastal areas, the beaches become the most popular places to visit and it is difficult to find a beach that is not crowded. You want to have a peaceful, contemplative walk along the waterfront with the waves gently washing your feet but what you receive is the chaos of a large crowd of people there to do the same as you. Comparatively, Yarada Beach is less crowded and calm. During sunrise and sunset, it offers some of the most picturesque views on the planet. For the rest of the time, you can bathe in the Bay of Bengal or make sand castles or simply lie down on the beach to relax.

The unique aspect of Vishakhapatnam is that it has the two most popular geographical features: mountains and coastline. Most of the tourists around the world flock either to a hill station or to a coastal area. That way, Visakhapatnam is a complete package with picturesque beaches and hill stations like Kailasagiri. This is a hill station located at a distance of 19 km from the city. It is one of the most beautiful places in India where tourists come for a number of reasons. There are a myriad of places to see and something for everyone here. You can enjoy the scenic beauty, ride on rope-ways or visit the huge Shiva-Parvati sculpture

This is the most interesting place to visit in Visakhapatnam and you must not skip this at all cost. The Submarine Museum is sited inside an actual submarine, INS Kurusura. The submarine was decommissioned in 2001 after a prolonged service of 31 years. After that, it was transformed into a museum to give the public some insight into the lives of India’s naval forces as well as showcase the technological advancement in the military. There are photographs, artefacts and other items in the museum to showcase the above. Moreover, you get a first-hand view of the inside of a submarine and how much our soldiers sacrifice, living in those cramped spaces for days to protect our borders. Situated on the R. K. Beach, such a museum is the only one in the whole of Asia and provides an opportunity that cannot be experienced in any other way.

In a deeply religious country like India, religious sites are must-visit places. The Simhachalam Temple is an ornate shrine situated 800 m above sea level and is dedicated to an avatar of Lord Vishnu, Narasimha. It is an important place of worship in the area and is a significant site for Hindus worldwide as it is the only place in the country where the combined form of the third and the fourth incarnation of Vishnu appear. It is a strict religious temple that conducts prayers and other rituals in the Vaishnavi culture of Hinduism. Many pilgrims visit this temple throughout the year. Besides the religious significance, Simhachalam Temple is also important from an architectural point of view. It has intricate design and stone carvings that are a wonder to behold.

Not visiting the Borra Caves while in Visakhapatnam is like not touring the Eiffel Tower while in Paris. The Borra Caves are the iconic tourist spots of Visakhapatnam and a testament to the sublime creation of nature. These are natural caves made over the years by the abrasion of karstic limestone. Located at a height of 705 m in the interiors of the Ananthagiri Hills of Araku Valley, the Borra Caves are considered one of the largest caves in India. This natural structure was discovered in the year 1807 and has been an attraction ever since. When sunlight streams into the caves from natural skylights, the shadows and the rocky structure create a divine sight.

The Dolphin’s Nose is in reality a large rock viewpoint that is situated on the coastline. The location of this rock allows you to have views of both the city and the expansive sea. Looking inland, you can see the massive skyline of the city of Visakhapatnam and if you look towards the other side you can see the wide expanse of the calm ocean. Not only is this a unique experience but a symbolic one as well. On one hand you have the efficiency, progress and chaos of man-made marvels and on the other hand you have the eternal, huge and unknown world of nature. You, standing on the Dolphin’s Nose, are right in the middle of both

This is an ancient Buddhist complex situated on the route to Bheemili town and at an altitude of 128 m above sea level. This site became a popular place to visit for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike after its discovery by the Indian Air Force in 1993. Literally meaning “ Hill with stone wells”, this site has the ruins of a number of ancient wells that used to collect and store water for Buddhist monks way back in the past. Historians say that the complex was functional for a good 400 years from approximately 200 BC to 200 AD. Besides the wells, the site is also home to many Buddhist structures like Stupas, Viharas and Chaityas. Buddhist monks and devotees come from all across the globe and spend months on this hilltop site for meditating in the meditation halls and to become more knowledgeable about their religion. You should visit this site at least once in your lifetime to look at the remnants of our glorious past and get a deeper insight into Buddhism.

Araku Valley is a hill station situated 130 km away from the city of Visakhapatnam. It is a beautiful and tranquil valley situated in the lap of the quaint Eastern Ghats. The breathtaking landscape of this hill station is best surmised if you travel via train flitting in and out of the numerous tunnels. The Araku Valley is home to many tribes and has a number of caves that are a sight to behold. The Museum of Tribal Arts, a prominent tourist attraction here, contains many artefacts of the history and culture of these tribes' ethnicity. Another aspect for which Araku Valley is very famous for is its coffee. You can enjoy a cuppa or two while on a visit here. Besides these, you can also participate in adventure sports.

If you wish to have a picnic amidst nature then this is a place you need to be in. Katiki Waterfall originates from the river Gosthani which is situated 90 km from Visakhapatnam. The area around the waterfall teems with lush green scenery and there are many uneven paths that lead to and out of the waterfall site. This gives a sense of adventure and the landscape is perfect for some intermediate trekking activity for the amateur trekker in you. It is a place fashioned by the expert hand of nature; the crystal clear water, the therapeutic sound of the waterfall and the lush green surroundings all provide a treat for your eyes and other senses.

The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is a part of the Kambalakonda Forest Reserve and is situated in the Eastern Ghats flanked on one side by the Bay of Bengal. It spans across an area of 625 acres and has over a 100 species of flora and fauna. It has dedicated sections for each type of species like birds, carnivores, mammals, primates. etc. for a better study of them. There are also special sections for rare butterflies and moths. This park provides an exciting opportunity to learn more about the various special animals and plants inhabiting our planet and you must not skip this at any cost.