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Metropolis in Andhra Pradesh, India
Photo: (WT-en) Ravikiran Rao, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Visakhapatnam (Telugu: విశాఖపట్నం Vishākhapaṭnam), popularly known as Vizag (vigh-ZAG), is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh. It is primarily an industrial city, but also attracts tourists due to its unspoilt sandy beaches, well built and maintained parks, Buddhist sites and nearby scenic areas, such as Araku Valley. The city has a population of about 2 million.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A lighthouse providing an aerial view of the port and the city.
The ride to this hill offers a spectacular view of the sea. There is a park atop the hill, with a beautiful view of the city, the sea and Eastern Ghats merging into the sea. Sagar Nagar Beach and Rushikonda Beach are on the right and left-hand sides. There is a colossal statue of the couple Shiva and Parvati. One can take a ropeway directly facing the sea and the city. On the hilltop, there is a beautiful toy train offering a tour of nature. Several viewpoints give a pleasant look at nature, especially in the evening, when the city is lit up. This is less commercial than other hill stations and there is less hassle from tourist guides. There are several points from which the beautiful rocky beach down beneath can be seen. This provides spectacular views of sunrise, sunset and the pristine waters. Many movies were shot here. Hillocks in the park, which are about 50 ft in elevation, give a beautiful view of the sea, beach road and the beach park. The hilltop includes a children's play area, a doll museum and a couple of eating areas. It has several viewpoints offering wonderful views of the city on one side and winding beaches adjoining green hills on the other side.
A crafts village showcasing and preserving the old, including woodwork, jewellery, clothes and local crafts of rural India. There are 36 stalls where you can buy assorted handicrafts and artwork. There is also an entire village where you can find realistic-looking sculptures of villagers carrying out their traditional crafts.
A summer residential palace of the royal family of Jeypore, and one of the most iconic historical buildings of the city. The palace is made of stone with twin octagonal projections on either side. The wooden windows are framed by segmented arched openings and the high Madras roofing within the halls are extensively employed by Burma teak to ensure cool comfort during the scorching hot summers of the coast. The main structure has semi-circular arched verandas and the rectangular wooden windows in the central porch with ventilators leading into the palace. The building has sixteen rooms and a massive hall that hosted dinners and parties for guests.
A museum in a decommissioned submarine of the Indian Navy. This is the first of its kind in South Asia. This submarine is one of the earliest submarines procured from Russia. The experience of working in the submarine is explained. The museum is manned by retired naval people. There is a fee to take a camera or video camera inside.
It has marine and freshwater fish. The exit gate of the aquarium resembles the open mouth of a huge white tipped shark. 'Kala Shrusti', a handicrafts shop, is atop the aquarium.
The first military aviation museum in India. It exhibits a decommissioned Russian Tupolev Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft of the Indian Navy, the heaviest, fastest and highest-flying turboprop. It is possible to see the inside of the aircraft, and real engines are displayed.
Sea King Museum
This is a remembrance of the Victory at Sea in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. It is on the Beach Road, opposite the Submarine Museum. There is a fighter plane, a tank and few replicas of missiles kept as exhibits. There is no entry fee and it can be viewed from the road.
It houses the historical treasures and artefacts of Northern Andhra. Collections available for viewing in the museum include ancient armoury, crockery, coins, silk costumes, jewellery, stuffed animals, portraits, manuscripts, letters, diaries, scrapbooks, periodicals and maps.
A house built by Monsieur Ross in 1864, later converted into a Mother Mary's Church. The pathway to the shrine is strewn with Catholic icons.
This is an architectural splendour, although some of the sculptures were defaced during the Islamic invasions. The temple inscriptions date the earliest donors to the 10th-11th centuries. The exact date of construction is unknown. It is 15 km from the city and is dedicated to the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu, which is his half-man, half-lion avatar. The temple bears reference to the Chola and Chalukya styles of architecture.
A collection of Buddhist monuments at the hilltop. It consists of a Maha Stupa, along with other votive stupas. It has a beautiful beach nearby.
RK Beach
The most popular beach of Visakhapatnam where you can find the locals hanging out during the hot summers, and relatively less hot winters. On weekends and holidays, one can see that the entire beach comes alive, but not in a Western sense where people take a plunge in the water or surf. You can see people dressed in their best clothes, just sitting on the benches, or walking along. Take an evening stroll at RK Beach; it offers good pedestrian tracks, beautiful parks, museums, beaches and some wonderful open-air restaurants.
11 km away from the city, this has become a popular tourist spot that even the locals frequent. A lot safer to wade into than the R.K. Beach, cradled among hills, this used to be an excellent beach away from the madding crowds. AP Tourism Development Corporation has a beach resort (Punnami) on the hillside overlooking the beach.
It is perceived as a private beach but actually it is not. Tourists can visit the beach directly or through the village. Yarada is the village behind the dolphin's nose. To go to this beach, a bus facility is available from Scindia junction. Also you can hire a cab to go there. The view of the beach and Vizag city from the top of the Dolphin's nose is memorable. The drive from Scindia to the top of the dolphin nose, dolphin nose to Yarada is really enjoyable.
The zoo is home to native mammals like elephants, one-horned rhinos, tigers, lions, leopards, striped hyenas, dholes, sloth bears, gaurs, sambar deer and rhesus macaques, as well as exotic mammals like hippos, giraffes, zebras and chimpanzees. It also has birds including ostriches, rosy pelicans, grey herons, Indian peafowl and black swans. Furthermore, there are reptiles like crocodiles and gavials.
A gorgeous nature preserve that many people in Vizag itself seem to be unaware of. Kambalakonda is uncrowded and peaceful and within 20-25 minutes drive from the city centre. A nominal entrance fee of ₹10 is charged per adult. The greenery, the hiking trail and the fantastic view of the ocean from the rather flimsy viewing tower give a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Not to be confused with the one in Central Hyderabad.
A coastal park in the city, known for its scenery and recreational amenities. It is named after Tenneti Viswanadham, a freedom fighter and social reformer. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the park has views of the sea with the surrounding coastline and the cityscape. Its beauty and luxuriant carpet grass intertwined with concrete pathways make it ideal for romantic couples. Additionally, Tenneti Park is a destination for outdoor activities such as picnics, family outings, and photography, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
VUDA Park
This is one of the best new restaurants opened for Fine Dining. Food is value for money and tasty. They probably serve the best food in Vizag.
FSM
The 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' a.k.a. FSM is Vizag's first authentic Italian restaurant. Great place with amazing Italian fare. Be sure not to miss out the Chocolate bomb.
All rooms face the sea, pure Bengali food is available.
Traditional home food.
Best hangout place with friends, only concern is it was too far from the city. Even though, worth visiting "Offshores" at Vihar. There's an Awesome beach view from the middle of the hill.
Value for Money Hotel
All rooms face the beach. Wi-Fi available.
Complementary breakfast, free WiFi, four restaurants and wheelchair accessible.
3-Star Hotel
Jagadamba Junction
Most of the famous shopping centres and malls can be found here. Named after the Jagadamba movie theatre, one of the best movie auditoriums of the country when it was constructed and even today..
You can find Subway, KFC, and Pizza Hut here. Also a lot of shopping is possible, if you have money here, at Reliance Trends and Reliance Digital. Also one could see a movie if one has time at INOX.
Most happening place is Visakhapatnam Central, where you will get all branded apparels, fashion jewelries, life style merchandise like watches, shades and color cosmetics. It is typical of malls which you can find anywhere in metro cities. Very expensive too.
By train
Visakhapatnam is served by almost all kinds of trains, excluding the Rajdhanis.
By car
Visakhapatnam is connected to Chennai and Kolkata via Bhubaneswar and Vijayawada by National Highway 16 (dual-carriageway, 120 km/h).
By bus
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Travel Corporation (APSRTC) runs buses from almost every city and town to Visakhapatnam, along with some private operators, who run buses from a few of the major cities.
By bus
APSRTC operates a lit of buses from 6 principal bus complexes in the city. They are:
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Visakhapatnam · International · VTZ
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