Heading to Visakhapatnam and got some days on your hand? We recommend exploring the city at a leisure pace (although the city is small) because that is the best way to explore it. And now that Ola and Uber have forayed into Vizag, traveling from one place to another has gotten easier too. So, here's a list of top places to visit in Vishakapatnam.
18 Best Places You Must Visit In Vishakapatnam
Overview
- 1. Ramakrishna Beach
- 2. Kailasagiri
- 3. WelcomCafe Oceanic Restaurant
- 4. Rushikonda
- 5. Yarada Beach
- 6. Bojjannakonda
- 7. Mudasarlova
- 8. INS Kursura Submarine Museum
- 9. Lambasingi
- 10. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
- 11. Alpha Hotel
- 12. Araku Valley
- 13. Bheemili Beach
- 14. TU 142 Aircraft Museum
- 15. Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse
- 16. Thotlakonda Buddhist Monastery
- 17. Jindhagada Trek
- 18. Tyda Park
Ramakrishna Beach
Defined by beautiful rock formations and waves that get wilder by the night, Ramakrishna Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Vizag. Come evening, it gets crowded with fitness enthusiasts, foodies gorging on bhutta, mirchi bajji, bandi noodles. Plus, people usually come here after work or college for a few hours of solitude. While you're here, check out a few cafes and stores near the beach.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Kailasagiri
This Vizag tourist place is a must-visit for a view from the top. Kailasagiri is a hilltop park that offers a panoramic view of Vizag. Get here to watchthe sunset and make sure to get on the cable car that takes you from the top of the hill. There is a Shiva temple that you can check out at this plastic-free hill.
Best Time To Visit: August to March
WelcomCafe Oceanic Restaurant
Among the best places to visit in Vishakapatnam, having a meal at this sea view restaurant is a must. Sophisticated decor with a touch of retro, come here for South Indian thali with proper Andhra food, cafe style bites like sandwiches and burgers. They also North Indian and continental main course and Chinese starters. Try their desserts to tame the spice. (Yes, brace yourself for a burst of flavors.)
Among locals, this restaurant is famous for terrific buffets and Sunday brunches and you'll be lucky if the weather is a tad bit cold and breezy. Quite popular, this place runs busy during weekends so make your reservations in advance.
Pro-tip: If not this, pick a place to have a feast at one of these beach-view restaurants.
Google rating: 4.7/5
Price for two: INR 1,600
Timings: 7 AM to 11:30 PM
Rushikonda
One of the most serene places to visit in Vishakapatnam, Rushikonda has one of the most pleasant and less crowded beaches in the city, and you can score amazing views of the mountains on one side and the unending Bay of Bengal on the other. If you're planning a stay, we recommend the Haritha Resorts, that are perched on the hill. You can also kayak here!
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Yarada Beach
A little far from the city, Yarada Beach is located near Gangavaram Beach and is a Vizag tourist place that’s popular for clean waves. Full of rocky cliffs and greens, this beach instantly delivers an exotic feel. If you have very little time on hand, we recommend skipping other beaches and checking this one out.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Bojjannakonda
Located just a few kilometres away from Vizag, Bojjannakonda is a Buddhist rock-cut cave on a hilltop. This is adjacent to Lingalakonda, which is a similar Buddhist heritage site, and both of these are said to date back to 4th and 9th century A.D. You get to trek a bit to reach the top, but the view from up is pretty stunning as you get to see the stupa, paddy fields and coconut trees that cover the village.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Mudasarlova
Constructed during the British era, Mudasarlova is a Vizag tourist place that was basically a reservoir and now a water park. The park is quite spectacular with peacocks, fountains, water tanks, and has a golf course too. If you are planning to check it out, we recommend chilling by the water body and take awesome pictures.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
INS Kursura Submarine Museum
A landmark and one of the places every patriot must visit in Vishakapatnam, Kursura was a diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy and it has been restored just the way it is for a submarine museum on RK beach. You really cannot miss out on checking this as it gives you a glimpse into a life lived under water.
Google rating: 4.6 stars
Timings: 2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fee: INR 70 per person
Lambasingi
Regarded as the Kashmir of the South, Lambasingi is a sleepy hamlet near Vizag that is eerily beautiful. You can picture Dickens writing fine prose based on this place, which is full of towering trees, grasslands, and helpful villagers. If you're up for some snow, winters are the best time to visit. Also because, during winters the clouds immerse the green hills, and what a sight it is!
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
Named after a local hillock Kambalakonda, this wildlife sanctuary is for nature lovers and photographers, who can go bonkers. It's located quite close to the zoo and has plenty of animal and bird life along with rare species of butterflies. To explore the sanctuary, it's best to do a trek (which isn't that difficult), and the sanctuary is home to adventure activities that you can indulge in.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Alpha Hotel
Craving a bit of home and maybe some biryani? Alpha Hotel in Jagadamba is known for its dum biryani, which legit reminds you of our Hyderabadi biryani. So, get here for lunch, and walk straight into a food coma.
Google rating: 3.6/5
Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM
Average price for two: INR 800
Araku Valley
Often regarded as 'Ooty of Andhra Pradesh', Araku Valley is a hill station and home to indigenous tribes on the Eastern Ghats. Abundant with forests and coffee plantations, it is known for its rich bio-diversity. When you're here, be sure to check out Borra Caves, Ananthagiri Hills, Coffee Museum. It's going to take two proper days to explore the valley at its fullest.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Bheemili Beach
Yet another less crowded beach, Bheemili largely signifies the British and Dutch settlements. It's surrounded by gigantic coconut trees. In fact, you don't really notice the beach until you cross the trees. There is also a Dutch cemetery near the beach that you might want to check out.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
TU 142 Aircraft Museum
Opened in 2017, this is a fairly new Vizag tourist place. As unique as the submarine, you get to see the inside of this navy aircraft that served for about 29 years. It was converted into a museum after it was decommissioned and everything is on display, from the cockpit to the survival kit. An absolute joy for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs, visiting the TU 142 Aircraft museum is one of the best things to do in Vizag.
Timings: 2 PM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: INR 70 per person
Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse
A hill that resembles a Dolphin’s nose, this lighthouse atop a hill is one of the most touristy places in Vizag and it’s close to the Yarada beach so that’s a bonus. Peaceful environment and cool breeze, you’ll know why the locals call this place their short getaway from the city. You can stroll and sit around the flowers and trees in the garden and click lots of pictures with a stunning backdrop.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Thotlakonda Buddhist Monastery
Located 15 km from Vizag, spot this heritage site while you’re on the way to Bheemili beach. Why is it worth the stop? Firstly, it overlooks the Bay Of Bengal and you can photograph the picturesque coastline. Secondly, this is a Buddhist site from 2,000 years ago, full of stories and awe. Discovered by the Indian Navy, the archeologists later found terracotta tiles, decorative pieces, sculptures and holy Buddha footprints. Crazy, right?
Pro-tip: If this piqued your interest or you are heading there soon, you should know more about it here.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Google rating: 4.3/5
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Jindhagada Trek
When the weather gods deem fit, plan a trek to Jindhagada Peak, the tallest peak in Eastern Ghat and Andhra Pradesh, located near Aruku valley. What should you expect from this trek? Terrific views of the dense forest, rare bird spotting and occasional streams. For experts, this trail is quite easy to cross. For beginners and novice, this is a great trek to level up. This 3.4 km path will approximately take one and a half hour to finish and it’s beautiful and open all year round. That said, it’s best to avoid during the monsoon season.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Pro-tip: We love this spot so much that we have a special guide for this right here. Check it out!
Tyda Park
Are you a frequent Vizag traveller? Then ditch the beach and go camping at Tyda Park. Among the top places to visit in Vishakapatnam, this gorgeous natural habitat is roughly 75 kms from the city in Ananthagiri Hills. This forest is home to several birds and harmless animals and the cool breeze is worth the journey alone. Inside Tyda Park, you have a resort called Jungle Bells where we have personally stayed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re a nature person and love reading books and photographing in the peace and quiet of nature, this is a stop you have to make en-route Araku Valley.
Best Time To Visit: September to March