Visakha means ‘Unconquered’ or the Lord of Wars. Vizag is also known as “City of Destiny”. Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is one of the oldest port cities in the country. Located by the Bay of Bengal, Visakhapatnam is the Indian Navy’s eastern command. Situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam is sometimes referred to as the ‘Goa of the East’ due to its picturesque beaches and serene landscape, as well as a rich cultural past. This city got a lot of history regarding its oceanographic adventures in many ways. Be it a naval base, longest beach footpath and too many beaches, Vizag is the hub of beaches and beautiful places.
Never Miss Things @ Visakhapatnam
Be inside a real submarine
Location: RK (Ramakrishna) Beach
The Submarine Museum, one of its kind in India, is made inside a real (now decommissioned) Russian sub named INS Kurusura Submarine – which was India’s 5th submarine. The museum has artefacts, pictures and articles that share stories of strength, sacrifice and patriotism of the warriors. They give insights on how difficult surviving can be with limited space and resources hundreds of feet underwater.
Ride a Ropeway to Kailasagiri
Location: Hill Top Road / Kailasagiri Hill Park
A ski lift will take you to the hill top of Kailasagiri which offers mesmerizing views of the city and the beaches. There is a huge sculpture of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasagiri that are worth seeing. The name Kailasagiri is derived from the word ‘Kailasa’, which is the fabled abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. One can view the entire city of Visakhapatnam from the top of this lush, eco-rich hill. Kailasgiri offers several attractions, besides its stunning view, including ropeway trolleys, an enshrined sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, a road train for kids, and a gigantic floral clock. There are also several cafes near the park that serve tasty snacks.
Climb the Dolphin’s Nose lighthouse
Location: Dolphin’s Nose
The rocky formations of Dolphin’s Nose hill offer an enchanting view from where you can marvel at the pure shores of Yarada Beach and Vizag city.
The name is derived from the shape of the large rock formation itself, which does resemble a dolphin’s nose in profile when viewed from afar. At an altitude of 174 meters above sea level, you’ll be able to catch fascinating views of the bustling city at one end, and at the other you can watch the serene comings and goings of ships along the coast. A historic lighthouse sits atop the ‘nose’, which was once destroyed in 1876 due to a cyclone but has since been restored to full functionality, guiding ships at sea from distances as far as 65 kilometers. This is a beautiful place to visit in the evening to take in the sunset over the city, or to just sit and watch the ships pass by.
Get a spiritual high at Simhachalam
Location: Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam
Timings: 6:00AM – 8:00PM
Simhachalam is a beautiful Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The name of the temple is derived from the word Narasimha (nara meaning male and simha meaning lion), an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Besides the many idols, the temple also houses a beautiful stone horse-drawn chariot. Walking along the perimeter, you’ll notice that the very walls and boundaries of the temple are elaborately decorated with elephants and flowering plants. On the other side, the exteriors of the temple are adorned with various images of King Narasimha in various postures.
Explore the Borra Caves
Location: Borra Caves / Borra Guhalu
Timings: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
The Borra Caves are located around 90km north of Visakhapatnam, in the Ananthgiri Hill Ranges of Eastern Ghats of India. While the cave was discovered by British geologist William King in 1807, this is a naturally formed phenomenon of nature and is believed to be roughly 150 million years old. It is also considered to be one of the largest caves in India.
Situated around 1,400m above sea level, the caves contain karstic limestone structures which extend to a depth of 80 meters. For the sake of intrepid explorers and visitors, the interiors of these caves are lit with 63 lamps of mercury, sodium vapor and halogen, which illuminate and amplify the stalagmite and stalactite formations. Some of the most striking formations are said to resemble a dinosaur, a serpent, an elephant’s foot, a temple, and even human brains.
Go wildlife spotting at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Location: Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Timings: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Spread across a vast expanse of 625 acres, this zoological park is named for Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. The park is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats on three sides, while the Bay of Bengal flows along the fourth. The zoo provides natural ambiance and habitats for its wildlife and birdlife, and currently houses over 80 different species.
Some of the animals you’ll spot as you wander the grounds include Rhesus Monkeys, Mandrills, Tigers and Pumas. When your legs get tired from roaming, a special mini train is also available for riding within the park premises. The grounds are very well-maintained, and offer a great outing for families.
Get your adrenaline pumping at Rushikonda
Location: Rushikonda Beach
Water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, and ATV rides, you can do it all on the golden seashores of Rushikonda Beach. Enjoy traditional Andhra seafood at one of its many shacks when you need to refuel. The Rushikonda Beach has clean, azure waters that you would love to take pictures of and go swimming in.
Take an evening stroll at Rama Krishna Beach
Location: RK (RamaKrishna) Beach
Ramakrishna Beach is one of the many popular beaches running along the Eastern coastline of the country. Situated at the coast of Bay of Bengal, this beach constitutes a large part of the seafront. Often referred to as ‘twin beaches’, the Ramakrishna Beach and the Lawson’s Bay Beach offer beautiful views of the sunset, sunrise and your natural surroundings. This is a magical place to share with your loved one on a romantic evening.
Shop @ Jagadamba Junction
Although shopping is not a widely popular activity here in Vishakhapatnam, you can still find a few good thigs to take home from here. Walter Upland, Jagadamba Junction, CMR Central and Lepakshi Emporium are some of the popular shopping destinations. This city is quite famous for its wide varieties of saris such as Pochampalli and Ikat among the rest. You can also purchase handicrafts, Kalamkari paintings and Kondapalli wooden toys.
Soak in the culture at Araku
Location: Araku Valley
Spread over an area of 36 km with an altitude ranging 600-900m above sea level, Araku Valley offers breathtaking views of the waterfalls and streams running through its valley depths. Thanks to its pleasant climate and beautiful hills, this valley is home to several coffee plantations and over 17 different tribal societies.
If you’re a tourist looking for exclusivity and tranquility, Vistadome train leaves Vishakhapatnam at 6.50 AM, making way through 58 tunnels and passing over 84 bridges making way through the breathtaking landscape to reach Araku in approximately in 5 hours.
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