Visakhapatnam—A coastal gem

Known as the ‘City of Destiny,’ Visakhapatnam (also known as Vizag) is a charming coastal port city in India that could be your next international holiday destination. An underrated gem tucked away in Andhra Pradesh, this city is a picturesque spread of hills, beaches, valleys, meadows, caves, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, and greenery, serving as a naval base and port city. We, at Explmore, have curated the best places to visit in Visakhapatnam with your family and friends.    

Best season to visit: Winter, from November to February  

Flights from the UK to Vizag: Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and Air India                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Choosing a hotel

Visakhapatnam offers a motley of hotels, out of which Hotel Novotel stands out for its spectacular view of the Bay of Bengal, quality rooms, poolside dining, an infinity pool, and culinary delights. There are also government-run APTDC hotels that offer budget rooms with basic amenities.

For the perfect morning/evening strolls

Once you settle in, start your trip with an early morning or evening stroll at R.K. Beach or Buddha Vanam Park. With its bluish-grey waters, R.K. Beach extends amid the city with a scenic coastline - It is located near the hill known as Dolphin Nose, which has a functional lighthouse offering a wholesome view of the ocean, the port, and the city.

You can ride in a traditional fishing boat arranged by the fisherman or sit on the benches by the palm trees watching the waves.

INS Kursura Submarine

As you walk further along the R.K. beach road, you will come across South Asia’s only submarine on display, the INS Kursura, which was decommissioned after 31 years of service in 2001. Guides walk you through the daily life of a submariner, showcasing artefacts, photographs, and life-size models in the submarine.

TU 142 Aircraft Museum

Next up on the R.K. beach road is the TU 142 Aircraft Museum, which displays the decommissioned defence aircraft Tupolev TU-142M and several pieces of its equipment, such as anti-submarine missiles and sonobuoys.

Enjoy the VR rides here, offering an immersive flight simulator experience with exciting flight manoeuvres and communication chatter.

After the long stretch of the walk, relax at the Café Coffee Day on the beach road with a refreshing latte or cold coffee, sandwiches, and beautiful beach views.

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A scenic drive with picnic spots in Visakhapatnam

We, at Explmore, highly recommend taking this scenic drive from R.K. Beach to Bheemunipatnam. The road is lined with hills on one side and palm trees on the other, with long stretches of pristine beaches and a peaceful temple called Ramadri.

Perfect for a picnic, stop by one of the numerous resorts near the beach or on the serene hilltop, which has the ruins of an ancient monastery—the Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex.

Rushikonda Beach—For fun, adventure, and water sports

En route from R.K. Beach to Bheemunipatnam lies Rushikonda Beach, which has beautiful waters, lots of water sports to offer, beach games, a place for sunbathing, and resorts to stay at. Hire an electric scooter or speedboat with friends or a jet ski with a trained instructor and enjoy the view of panoramic hills.

For those who love to explore underwater, take up scuba diving at the Rushikonda dive site, which is 8 meters deep and 1.2 miles from the shore. It has a beautiful natural arch, a statue of a rishi (saint), and a long reef with a variety of marine life, such as stonefish, groupers, moray eels, catfish, molluscs, and many others.

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Nature trails, hiking, and trekking in Vizag

Among the places to visit in Vizag with friends or as a couple is the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Ghats. Explore this dry evergreen forest with a guide in the daytime, on a night safari, or on easy, moderate, or long treks, encountering wildlife sightings such as deer, wild boars, and various bird species. As you reach the interior parts of the sanctuary, you might come across waterfalls, tribal villages, and many endangered animals.    

Visiting Araku Valley: A golden getaway from Vizag

The best way to visit Araku Valley, located 74.56 miles from Vizag, is by car or on the Vistadome Glass coach train. This train features 360-degree rotating seats and takes you through 40 tunnels, waterfalls, and nature in its full vibrancy.

Brew it up—Coffee Plantations

On arrival in Araku, take a guided tour of the coffee plantations to learn about the organic coffee-farming and coffee-making process, which spans from cultivating beans to roasting.

A Glimpse into Tribal Culture

Venture into the tribal museum that displays figures, musical instruments, jewellery, crafts, and artefacts belonging to the Valmiki, Konda Dora, and Gond tribes.

Trekking in Araku

Araku Valley is also a trekker’s paradise, offering exciting trails like the Kothapalli Waterfalls Trek, which takes you through dense foliage, rugged terrain, and a waterfall at the journey's end.

Rustic local flavours

Savour local tribal delicacies such as millet rotis (flatbreads), kudumulu (rice dumplings), and bamboo chicken with a smoky flavour.

Magnificent Borra Caves

On the way back to Vizag, stop by the Borra Caves, where the Gosthani River flows through limestone caves with stalactite and stalagmite formations resembling animals and deities.

Note: Train from Vizag to Araku Valley:

Vistadome Glass coach operates on Train: Vizag Kirandul Passenger (08551)
Ticket Price: INR 735 per person (approximately £7.20)
Train Timings: 6:45 am–11:00 am

Pay your respects at an ancient temple

After a day or two’s trip to Araku Valley, on returning to Vizag, you could visit the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Simhachalam, renowned for its temple architecture reflecting the styles of the Kalinga, Chola, and Chalukya dynasties. The presiding deity is Lord Varaha Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, who is covered in sandalwood paste in the temple most days.

Dig into delectable Vizag cuisine

Popular for its authentic cuisine, Vizag offers delicious seafood cooked in spices like tandoori vanjaram (mackerel), royyala vepudu (prawn fry), chapala pulusu (fish curry), traditional full meals, crab masala, spicy lobster, Andhra chicken biryani, and natu kodi pulusu with rice. You could visit these restaurants to try out seafood: Another Fine Day, Kamat, Palm Beach, The Shack, House of Spice, Zamindari, etc.        

A shopper’s delight

Shop for Etikoppaka toys that are handcrafted, wooden, and painted with natural colours. These toys are based on animals, mythological figures, rural life, and traditions and do not only serve a purpose as children’s toys but also as collectibles/decoratives.

You can also purchase silk, khadi, and cotton-based clothes for everyday wear and festive celebrations.