VIEWS FROM VISAKHAPATNAM
VISAKHAPATNAM, also known as Vizag, is a coastal town in Andhra Pradesh having some of the most popular sea beaches in India. That apart, it hosts caves, parks, museums and ancient temples. The beauty and tranquility of this destination along with a serene landscape, picturesque beaches and cultural heritage make Vizag a tourist’s paradise.
This port city is also the most populous town of Andhra Pradesh.
HOW TO REACHVisakhapatnam, being the largest city of Andhra Pradesh is very well connected by air, rail and road links. Vizag airport has direct flights to all major cities of India, while trains from around the country connect to the rail head of Visakhapatnam, which is also the main link for all trains between East and South India. Inter-state bus services from Vizag to nearby cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijaywada are frequent and reliable.
Number of Days – Three Best Time - October to March
PLACES TO VISIT
1) RAMAKRISHNA BEACH
The longest seafront in Vizag, Ramakrishna Beach is located near the Rama Krishna Mission, and is about 4 km from the Vizag Railway Station.
This spot is not just popular among tourists but also among locals who enjoy their evenings playing different leisurely games such as water surfing, beach volleyball etc. One can also take a camel ride on the beach or go for a short cruise in fishing boats organized by Andhra Pradesh Tourism. Swimming pool and yoga village are the other attractions. A variety of street food adds more spice to this evening fun time.
Two other attractions here are The INS Kursura Sub-marine museum, which showcases the Kalavari sub-marine and The ‘Victory At Sea’ war memorial.
Timings – Not Applicable Entry Fee – Not Applicable
2) RISHIKONDA BEACH
Rishikonda Beach, located about 8 km from Vizag city centre, is one of the best beaches of Visakhapatnam. Amidst its golden sandy beaches, surrounded by Rishikonda hills and greenery in the background, it brings not just tourists, but also locals - such is the eternal attractiveness of Rushikonda beach. Water sports such as swimming, water skiing, scuba diving, wind surfing are a prominent feature here.
Timings – Not Applicable Entry Fee – Free
3) GANGAVARAM BEACH
Gangavaram beach, located near the Vizag Steel plant is about 25 km from Visakhapatnam Railway Station. This is a far less preferred destination for tourists, and hence, it is much calmer with lesser crowd and surrounded with palm trees. This gives it a different appearance in comparison to other beaches. People usually come here for picnic and enjoy playing different games on the sandy beach.
Locals from adjoining villages celebrate two festivals on this beach - Magha Pournami in mid-February and Paidithalamma Ammavari Panduga in mid-June. So, one can experience local culture, if they happen to visit the beach during festival time.
Timings – Not Applicable Entry Fee – Not Applicable
4) YARADA BEACH
Among several seashores in Vizag, Yarada Beach, located at a distance of about 15 km from Vizag city, is a relatively less crowded and calmer in ambience. Here one can relax and while away time playing games or enjoying street snacks on the beaches.
Tourists also appreciate the lush greenery and scenic beauty while taking a view of sun rise and sun set on the golden sands. The hills surrounding the beach make this place even more scenic.
Nearby attractions include Gangavaram Beach and Dolphin’s Nose.
Timings – Not Applicable Entry Fee – Not Applicable
5) DOLPHIN HILL NOSE
Dolphin’s Nose is a small hill that is named so because it resembles the shape of a dolphin. Situated at an altitude of 358 meters above sea level, this fascinating viewpoint offers spectacular views of the busy city and the sea beach along with the natural beauty of the hill and the lush greenery, all of which make it an ideal tourist and picnic spot.
Tourists are drawn by its scenic beauty, calmness, and cool, breezy atmosphere. It has also become a popular hangout for locals looking to get closer to nature. On the edge of this hill is a Light House, which is a popular tourist attraction as well. One gets a panoramic view of Dolphin’s Nose from Kailasagiri Vuda Park or from Rama Krishna Beach.
Timings – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Entry Fee – Indians – 10 Children 3-11 years – 3 Foreigners - 25
6) INS KURSURA SUB-MARINE MUSEUM
INS Kursura Submarine was constructed by the Russians in 1969 and had been inducted into Indian navy in 1970. After 31 years of use, it was decommissioned and turned into a museum at Rama Krishna beach. This submarine played a crucial role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Different parts of the submarine like the radar room, sonar room, control room, and the weapons used during war are on display in this museum. Even various milestones of the naval warship are depicted through artefacts, photographs and scripts. This underground entity has a diving depth of 280 meters and can accommodate about 77 sailors. There are 22 torpedoes, 3 diesel engines, 448 batteries, which reaches a speed of 15.5 knots.
Here, guides explain visitors in great details the background and functioning of the submarine along with life inside it and hardships faced by submariners.
Timings – Tuesday - Saturday - 2.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Sunday – 10 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Monday closed. Entry Fee – Adult – 40 Children – 20.
7) KAILASAGIRI
Kailasagiri Park, famous for the 40 feet tall statue of Shiva and Parvati in white marble is a beautiful hill top park perched at a height of 360 feet, offering scenic views of the surroundings and the beach below. This popular tourist as well as picnic spot, developed by VMRDA is located about 10 km from Vizag Railway Station. It covers an area of 380 acres, with landscape gardens having rich flora and tropical trees.
There are several attractions at Kailasagiri Park. While visitors can take the ropeway and enjoy the view of the city from a high altitude, they can also passionately engage themselves at the Floral clock, Titanic viewpoint, Jungle trails, Shanthi Ashram, Shanku Chakra Nama, Gliding Point, etc. Besides, the toy train, children's play park and horse rides can ignite kids with joy.
On the other hand, a natural divine feeling is evoked seeing Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi sitting so peacefully, as if it were the great Himalayas. For the spiritual minded, in this background, one can find peace through meditation at Shanti Ashram.
Timings – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Entry Fee – Rs 5
8) SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE
Simhachalam Temple, built in 1267 A.D. and dedicated to Lord Narasimha is situated 9 km away from Vizag city. It is located on a hill top at 800 metres height with surrounding lush greenery.
This temple follows the traditional Vaishnavite culture and has been a source of inspiration to many poets owing to it rich heritage. This spiritual place is embellished with detailed stone carvings.
For tourists and pilgrims alike, this spot gives a panoramic view of the area from a hilltop.
Timings – 7 am – 4 pm & 6 pm – 9 pm. Entry Fee – Free Special Darshan – Rs 100
9) VUDA PARK
Vuda Park, developed by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority is spread over 55 acres and located close to the Ramakrishna beach. It is the ideal destination for nature lovers. With beautiful lawns, more than 2500 trees, artificial caves, children’s parks, boating, swimming and camel and horse riding facilities and fun-filled rides, this park has something to entertain people of all ages. Musical Water Fountain, where water dances according to the rhythm of the music played is another interesting feature.
Vuda Park is an ideal place to relax amidst eye-catching greenery with a picturesque beach front.
Timings – 9 am – 8.30 pm Entry Fee – 20 Per Person Musical Fountain Show – 60 Per Person.
10) VICTORY AT SEA WAR MEMORIAL
Victory At Sea War Memorial on Beach Road is dedicated to Indian Navy, paying respects to those who fought the Indo-Pak war of 1971. This war memorial was constructed in 1996 to honour brave soldiers of the Eastern Naval who had sunk Pakistan submarine PNS Gazi when it came to attack Vigaz naval base. The monument has a permanently lit pyre in memory of the war martyrs. Missiles, fighter plane models and tankers are displayed here.
Visiting war memorials not only espouses patriotic feelings within us, but also it reminds us of the challenges of external aggression that India is exposed to.
Timings – Not Applicable Entry Fee – Not Applicable
11) KAMBALAKODA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Kambalakoda Wildlife Sanctuary, located just 5 km from city center, is a forest reserve spread across 17,000 acres. The area is hilly with dense forests having natural flora and fauna which are characteristic of the Eastern Ghats.
The forest is rich in diverse species like wild dogs, pangolins and leopards, herpetofauna as well as resident and migratory bird species. That apart, jungle lovers can see Indian leopard, vipers, jackals, deer at a close distance. Here, Indian leopard is the star attraction.
One can stay within the sanctuary in cottages and opt for night safari and experience wildlife in its most natural state. That apart, boating in a small lake or adventure sports such as trekking, hitch-hiking, horse riding, crossing bridges etc are the other attractions here.
Timings – 9.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Entry Fee – Adult – 10 Children - 5
12) BOJJANAKONDA
Bojjanakonda, a historic Buddhist site located at Sakaram village on the banks of river Sarada is about 40 km from Visakhapatnam. These are two adjacent hills, Bojjana Konda and Linagola Konda dating back to the 4th to 9th century. Here stands six rock cut caves, where a monolithic statue of sitting Buddha is carved out at the centre, having sculptures of Buddha in various forms. This shrine features the three phases of Buddhism – Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. This monastery has a 2,500 year-old vihara where monks and students used to live.
Here, a life size Buddha in deep meditation with a calm face and folded hands welcome visitors. A visit to this site is sure to invoke Buddha inside you as one can feel the Buddhist way of achieving inner peace through meditation.
Timings – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Entry Fee - Free
13) AIRCRAFT MUSEUM
TU 142 Naval Aircraft Museum, situated near Rama Krishna Beach is Indian Navy’s TU-142M aircraft, which retired after 30 years of service and got converted into a museum.
The gallery has an exhibition hall displaying equipment such as survival kit, engine, data recorder, propeller, anti-submarine missiles and sonobuoys with their respective details. Other than that, the museum also features VR rides that are a bit expensive but worth trying.
Directly across this venue is the equally exciting Submarine Museum.
Timings - Saturday & Sunday – 10.00 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. Other Days – 2 p.m. – 8.30 p.m. Entry Fee – Adults – 70 Children - 40
14) TENNETI PARK
Tenneti Beach Park is located on Beach Road at Jodugullapalem overlooking the sea. A huge circular rock structure at the center adds all the charm to this place. One can climb up to the park from the beach using stairs.
This is one of the most virgin beaches of India with surrounding sea and mountains. People come here primarily for the wonderful views they get from this point – the crystal clear sea, mountains, and the lush greenery all around. It is a popular picnic spot for locals. This picturesque location is used for shoots by different language films.
Timings – 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Entry Fee – Not Applicable
15) MATSYADARSHINI MUSEUM
Matsyadarshini, located near Rama Krishna Beach is an initiative of Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. This aquarium is famous for hundreds of species of fishes in fresh and salt water in glass aquarium.
Aquatic life enthusiasts would find the variety of species with detailed information very interesting. The list includes Long Horn Cow Fish, Piranha, Surgeon Major, Butterfly Fishes, The Lion Fish, Peacock Wrasse, Stone Fish and Red Squirrel Fish in the aquarium. Some other species are Tiger Fish, Clown Fish Damsels, Sweet Lip Rabbit Fish, Angels, Electric Eels and Porcupine Fish.
Timings – 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Entry Fee – Adults – 30 Children - 20