Vishakhapatanam : Places of Interest

Rishikonda
Just 8 km from Vizag, this beach has golden sands, surf, sea and hill cottages overlooking the grand vista.

Bheemunipatnam
The 25 km. Stretch of road literally hugging the coastline from Visakhapatnam to Bheemunipatnam is simply breathtaking. Bheemunipatnam, known as Bhimli, is the second oldest municipality in the country.

Dolphin's Nose & the Port
The captivating symbol of Vizag that charms the young and old alike is the headland Dolphin's Nose. At 358 metres above sea

Ramakrishna Mission Beach
It is Vizag's favourite evening sojorn. An acquarium, the Kali temple, Visakha Museum, Roadside restaurants offering seafood are the other attractions.

Kailasagiri Hill
A charming hill on the northern side of the city, Kailasagiri offers a spectacular view of the long shoreline and the cityscape of Vizag.

Lawson's Bay
A beautiful beach that falls on the way to Kailasagiri Hill, Lawson's Bay is an ideal spot for sea bathing and surfing.

VUDA Park
VUDA Park is a place for leisure and amusement for the urban dwellers. A well-equipped gym, pleasure rides on horses and camels, skating rink, boating and musical fountain are the enticing attractions of the Park.

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Spread over 450 acres, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park houses exotic species of birds and animals in natural habitat.

Simhachalam
One of the most exquisitely sculpted shrines of Andhra Pradesh, Simhachalam temple is situated 16 km from Vizag among thickly wooded hills. The beautifully-carved 16-pillared Natya mantapa and the 96-pillared Kalyana mantapa bear testimony to the architectural brilliance of the temple. The image of the presiding deity, Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy, is covered in a thick layer of sandalwood paste.

Legacy of the Buddha
Visakhapatnam is surrounded by ancient Buddhist sites, most of which have been excaved recently.

Thotlakonda
It is a located 128 mts above sea level. The presence of a number of mounds indicate the existence of stupas, chaityagrihs, pillared halls etc.

Sankaram
The hillocks near the village of Sankaram, 40 km from Vizag, house unique rock cut monuments of Buddhist heritage.

Bavikonda
Situated on a hill overlooking the sea, between Bhimli and Vizag, Bavikonda has remains of an entire Buddhist complex, comprising 26 structures belonging to three phases. A piece of bone stored in an urn recovered here is believed to belong to the mortal remains of the Buddha.

Pavuralakonda
Pavuralakonda or 'the hill of the pigeous' is a hillock lying to the west of Bhimli, at about 24 km from Vizag. Sixteen rock cut cisterns for impounding rain water are found on the hillock.

Gopalapatnam
Gopalapatnam, situated on the left bank of River Tandava, is a village surrounded by brick built stupas, viharas and other Buddhist remains.

Holidays in the Hills

Araku Valley
At a distance of 112 km from Vizag, the Araku Valley is a pleasant hill station. The valley is inhabited by tribals and can be reached by a fascinating rail journey through mountainous route or by an exciting road journey. The cool and picturesque environs provide an excellent getaway. AP Tourism provides comfortable accommodation with bar-cum-restaurant.

Borra Caves
On the way to Araku Valley, at a distance of 90 km from Vizag, Borra Caves are home to the spectacular, million-year-old stalactite and stalagmite formations. While the formations resembling mythical characters are an added attraction, illuminiation of the caves by AP Tourism turns the naturally sculpted glory into a grand visual feast.

Tyda-Jungle Bells Nature Camp
Tyda is a small village nestled in the densely forested hills of Eastern Ghats, on the way to Araku from Vizag. It is now home to an enchanting date with untouched nature, with Jungle Bells Nature Camp, established by AP Tourism in association with Department of Forests. The camp provides great views of Eastern Ghats, facilities for trekking, hiking and bird watching in addition to accommodation in log huts amidst serene surroundings.

Anantagiri
Located on the way to Araku valley, Anantagiri is endowed with rich natural beauty. Extensive coffee plantations, numerous waterfalls and a cascading rivulet make this spot a place for relaxation.