Visakhapatnam, or Vizag as it’s affectionately known, was always on my travel wish list. Nestled on the east coast of India, the city is blessed with a unique landscape as the lush Eastern Ghats sprawl on one side and the vast Bay of Bengal on the other. My first impression of Vizag was that it’s quite a big city, understandably, as it’s Andhra Pradesh’s largest! Its clean public beaches, vibrant street art, and wide roads are complemented by green initiatives like solar-powered street lamps and e-toilets. It also consistently ranks high on the cleanliness index. I was looking forward to exploring the many places to visit in Vizag and uncovering its facets.
Get started with our selection of the best tourist places to visit in Andhra Pradesh, each promising its own story and charm.
Best places to visit in Vizag
Maritime Museums along the beach road
My first stop in Vizag on day 1 was Ramakrishna (RK) Beach in the heart of the city. I began along the beach road towards the Visakha Museum, an Indian maritime and archaeological museum housing rare artefacts like ancient armour, coins, manuscripts, maps, warships, planes, and submarine parts.
Continuing along the same stretch, I stopped at the Matsyadarshini Aquarium, which seemed quite popular among families with children, providing a fascinating glimpse into marine life on the East Coast.
Explore more with our guide to the hidden gems of Andhra Pradesh.
Given Vizag’s status as one of India’s oldest natural harbours, many of its museums revolve around the Indian Navy. A standout was the INS Kursura, a decommissioned submarine turned into a museum. It is an iconic city landmark and one of the most recommended places to visit in Vizag. In its active years, the submarine participated in the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971 and is South Asia’s first submarine museum. Walking through the vessel provided a unique glimpse into its workings and the daily lives of naval troops who spent months in this undersea home.
As evening approached, I took a leisurely stroll along RK Beach where food carts lined the shore. There were local delights like Haleem and Punugulu. The showstopper, however, was the unique Tomato Bhaji — deep-fried, besan-coated tomato halves filled with Muri Mixture and crunchy peanuts, enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
Book your stay at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Devee Grand Bay, Visakhapatnam via Booking.com
Book your stay at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Devee Grand Bay, Visakhapatnam via Agoda.com
Ancient ruins, modern marvels and beach bliss
On day 2, I hired a rickshaw to visit the Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex, 20 kilometres north of the city. Discovered by the Indian Navy in 1976, these ruins comprised of relics like stupas, congregation halls, and rock-cut cisterns dating back to the 3rd century BC. Buddhist monks meditated on the sacred Thotlakonda hill overlooking the sea about 2200 years ago. After my immersive walk around these structures, I descended to Thotlakonda Beach and settled at a seaside restaurant admiring the ocean.
Also Read | 7 Hiking Trails To Explore In Andhra Pradesh
From there, I headed to Ramanaidu Studios, six kilometres south. Many low-budget Telugu and Bengali films have been shot in Vizag. The Ramanaidu Studios overlooks the Bay of Bengal and is featured in numerous Indian movies like Aarya and Troyee. It’s a well-equipped location, offering film sets like a police station, a hospital and a high court, all meticulously designed for shooting interiors and exteriors.
My next stop was Rushikonda Beach, six kilometres further south, renowned for its picturesque setting bordered by Rushikonda Hill and the vast ocean. I enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the shoreline, observing families playing in the water and thrill-seekers parasailing. Along the main beach road, I savoured a delicious lunch of prawn biryani and fish fry at the popular Raju Gari Dhaba, a local favourite!
Travelling 18 kilometres south of Vizag, I reached Ross Hill Church, sitting atop a hill offering sweeping panoramic views of the bustling harbour and its numerous ships. The hill is named after Monsieur Ross, a local English judge, who erected a residence here in 1864. Today, the church is a peaceful oasis amidst Vizag’s lively maritime setting.
Also read | Unravel the beauty of Dindi in Andhra Pradesh.
Later that evening, I returned to the city centre and ascended Kailasagiri Hill through a ropeway. It was the perfect vantage point to appreciate Vizag’s scale and breathtaking views of the sea and the city below. The hilltop park also boasts monumental marble statues of Shiva and Parvati and a charming toy train that delights children.
Book your stay at Four Points By Sheraton Visakhapatnam via Booking.com
Book your stay at Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam via Agoda.com
Venturing beyond Vizag: Nearby places to visit
Borra Caves and Araku Valley
The following morning, on day 3, I took the Kirandul Special from Vizag Railway Station to Borraguhallu, along the East Coast Railway, covering 90 kilometres. The plan was to explore Borra Caves, India’s deepest caves extending 262 feet into the earth. Formed over a million years ago by the Gosthani River, these caves had stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. Despite the crowds, the experience of discovering shapes in the ancient formations was truly thrilling. One formation even resembled a piranha!
Explore more with our guide to the stunning caves in India that serve as portals to a bygone era.
From Borra, I took a shared jeep for another 40 kilometres to reach Araku Valley, a charming hill station renowned for its coffee plantations. As I made my way through the hills, there was a noticeable drop in temperature.
Also Read | A Visit To Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh’s Coffee Haven That Is Brewing Change
Araku Valley is home to various indigenous tribal communities of the Eastern Ghats, making a visit to the Araku Tribal Museum worthwhile to learn about these cultures. Nearby, the Coffee Museum invites visitors to sample the acclaimed Araku Coffee while tracing the history of the beverage, which was introduced to Andhra Pradesh in 1898 by British officer NS Brodie. Arabica coffee thrives here.
I had decided to spend the night in Araku at the state’s tourism lodge – Haritha Hill Resort (Mayuri). Dinner was a satisfying meal of Bongulo Chicken or Bamboo Chicken, a culinary must-try!
On the morning of my last day, I caught the state bus back to Vizag, navigating the packed vehicle alongside locals. A couple of hours before my flight, I settled at a restaurant deck overlooking RK Beach, savouring a coffee and reflecting on my whirlwind of experiences over the four days. Vizag had exceeded my expectations – a beach town so underrated, brimming with culture and beauty, truly deserving its title as the ‘Jewel of the East Coast’.
Book your stay at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hotel Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach via Agoda.com
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(Feature Image Credit: V.k.Madhav/Shutterstock)
Related | The Essential Amaravati Travel Guide: Exploring Andhra Pradesh’s New Capital
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Summers can be unforgiving in Vizag. October to March has pleasant weather making it an ideal time for places to visit in Vizag.
You can take a scenic drive to Bheemili or Yarada Beach for relaxation, stay at luxurious accommodations like The Gateway Hotel or The Park with breathtaking sea views, or soak in the beautiful landscape in Araku Valley on the outskirts.
In the summer, the best places to visit in Vizag are RK Beach in the evening and Kailasagiri Hill for panoramic views. For cooler retreats, venture to the outskirts such as Borra Caves, the hill station of Araku Valley, or Lambasingi—known as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh.
Vizag offers a variety of beaches: RK Beach and Rishikonda Beach for vibrant atmosphere and water sports, Yarada Beach for serene seclusion, Bheemili Beach and Thotlakonda Beach for historical charm and scenic beauty.
Visit Rushikonda for its serene beach and hillside. Explore Kailasagiri Hill for misty city views. Head to Araku Valley for lush green landscapes and natural beauty.
Rushikonda, Bheemili, and Yerada are ideal for peaceful moments by the sea. Araku and Borra Caves are great weekend getaways if you want to go beyond places to visit in Vizag.
Kothapally, Chaparai, and Tadimada near Araku Valley, along with Katiki near Borra Caves, are beautiful waterfalls to visit in Vizag.
Written By
Edwina Dsouza
Edwina is a Mumbai-based writer who enjoys rambling about travel, culture, history, and food. Her stories ..Read More
