Visakhapatnam, formerly known as Vizag, along the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh was a quiet fishing town with little or no infrastructure till the early 1920s. Visakhapatnam was established by the British and was opened to sea-going vessels in 1933. Since then it has been a medium - sized port town, catering to the needs of the Deccan Plateau and the eastern regions of the country. Known as Waltair under British rule, Visakhapatnam was also seen to be of strategic importance by the military who set up base here.

Visakhapatnam is the right place where one can find the charm of Andhra. From lakes to cool beaches, from beautiful hill ranges to caves and valleys enclosures, Visakhapatnam has all of them. A visit to Visakhapatnam will certainly be an exciting, enriching and enthralling experience with all its amazing beaches, exquisite caves and spectacular temples.

Map of Visakhapatnam (click to enlarge)

Places you can see in Visakhapatnam

Rishikonda Beach
At a distance of 8 km from Visakhapatnam is the Rishikonda Beach, a golden, virgin beach, caressed by the sun-kissed sea. The beach is an ideal place to laze around.  The golden rays of the sun reflecting on the waves make it all the more warm and appealing. It is ideal for swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers. Tourists can enjoy a holiday in picturesque settings. A visit to this beach will definitely be an exciting, thrilling and almost an intoxicating experience.

Ramakrishna Beach
One of the most alluring beaches on the Eastern Coast is the Ramakrishna beach, which is a favorite haunt for tourists visiting Visakhapatnam. The combination of both Ramakrishna Beach and Lawson’s Bay presents a very picturesque site. It presents quite a contrast with its long and calm water stretches from the busy city life of Visakhapatnam.

The Ramakrishna beach is a favorite beach resort for tourists visiting Visakhapatnam. Both the Ramakrishna beach and the Lawson's bay present a picturesque and beautiful scenic beauty. The vast stretch of water and the accompanying calm is in sharp contrast to the scurrying activity on the road and the apartments on the other side. On the shores, it is a virtual fair with a colorful crowd of tiny tots, young and old having a fun filled time on the sand bed.

Lawson's Bay
On north of Visakhapatnam is this pretty cove is located which is ideal for swimming. Lawson's Bay proves to be the ultimate for sea escapists.

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
This is the second Zoological Park in the State after the one in Hyderabad. This zoo is the largest in terms of area with an encompassing area of 450 acres full of exotic species of animals and birds amidst rolling landscapes of natural habitat. Half of this wilderness has been allotted for the deer park. The other 300 types of specimens are allowed to roam freely in huge enclosures. There is a separate enclosure called the crocodile park.

Dolphin’s nose
It is the most conspicuous and unforgettable landmark in Visakhapatnam about 25 Kms away. The cliff rises as a single, massive 358 mts. Rock breaks the coastline and again juts into the sea resembling a dolphin. It is a permanent feature of the city's silhouette. It also shelters the harbor, from where manganese and iron ore are shipped out. The lighthouse here has a beam visible more than 60km out to sea.

Fort
The fort, constructed in 1661 by the Dutch forms the oldest part of the city. It is separated from the Dolphins Nose, by a small river which forms a sandbar. Here the remains of 18C barracks, an arsenal, the Court House, a protestant church and cemetery can be seen. The cemetery has some European graves dating back to 1699. The fort was completely ruined.

Line of three hills
Visakhapatnam is framed by a line of three hills, each with a  shrine sacred to a different religion.

Sri Venkateswara Konda or hill on the south has a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. It is believed to have been built by an European Captain Blackmoor, in 1866. This temple has a small steeply pyramidal entrance gopura. The port channel, the entrance of the inner harbor for ships and liners can be seen from here.

The central and the highest Ross Hill named after a Monsieur Ross who built a house on it in 1864, has now been converted into a Roman Catholic Mother Mary's Church. The pathway to the church is lined with shrines of the stages of the cross. There were excellent views of the shipbuilding yard from here.

The north hill Darga Konda, has a mosque and the mausoleum of the Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina, revered for his prophecies and venerated by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike.

The Harbor
It is one of the natural harbors in the world. A temple, mosque and church are located on hills overlooking the harbor.

Borra Caves
Situated at around 90 Kms from the City by road, Borra caves at the Anantagiri Mandal are one of the best places to visit in Vizag. Borra Caves can also be reached from Araku Valley. Its a 29 Km journey on road from Araku Valley.
Rock at Borra Caves date back to a million years. The Scenic splendor is all visible right from your train journey. Situated at 1400 mts above sea level, Borra Caves were discovered by William King George of the Geological Survey of India in the year 1807. Among the formations can be found a 'Shivalingam' and an idol of a cow (Kamadhenu) which has given a religious significance to it. The caves are beautiful and are brightly illuminated. The best time to visit the caves is November- December. The Train journey from Vizag to the caves(5-6 hrs) through the thick vegetation of the Eastern ghats  is splendid.

The Araku Valley
Araku Valley Gardens The Araku valley, located on the Anatagiri hills at a height of 1,161 mts from Sea Level is the place with the best natural scenery and greenery can be found. The Valley is located 112-Km from Visakhapatnam and has Waterfalls and streams which give a pleasant feeling to the mind. The 17 tribes living in this valley wear colourful dresses and costumes and were untouched with modern civilisations. Their rhythmic songs and tribal dances, the Dhimsa dance in particular are just marvelous. The valley has Cottages and Resorts for tourists who visit here on a weeklong trip

Tyda Nature camp
Tyda Nature camp is located 75 kms from Visakhapatnam on the Araku road. The nature camp has facilities for rock climbing, trekking and target shooting with bow & arrows. It is home for a variety of animals and birds. With the help of naturalists or guides in the camp, one can learn the language of the jungle viz., identification of calls, marks etc. and understanding interesting features of various flora and fauna of Eastern Ghats. There are log huts and tents set in tribal environment for tourists.

Submarine Museum
INS Kusura, a Russian built submarine was turned to a museum on Feb 2001. The Submarine was brought from the sea, to the sands of the Ramakrishna Beach and set up as a museum- one of its kind in Asia. It had been in use by the Indian Defense since its arrival in Vizag in 1970.

Visakha Museum
Located on the Beach road, Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation museum has historical treasures and artifacts of the region.  The museum is housed in 150 year old architecturally impressive Dutch Bungalow. The collections include ancient armory, crockery, coins, silk costumes, jewelry, stuffed animals, portraits, Shell of an unexploded bomb dropped by the Japanese during World War II, manuscripts, letters, diaries, scrap books as well as periodicals, maps etc which chronicle the lives of the early settlers.

Simhachalam Temple
The Historic Temple at the Simhachalam, built in the 11th Century, where the Lord Varaha Narasimha Swami's temple is located, resembles the rich cultural heritage Visakhapatnam holds. Located on the Hill top, at a height of 244 mts, popularly called the Hill of the Lion Lord, is the temple of Lord Vishnu in the avatara of Sri Narasimha Swami varu. This great temple built in the 11th century by the King Sri Krishna Deva rayam, is one of its kind in the country. Millions of devotees from round the world visit this temple every year especially during the Chandanotsavam Festival Season. On the Chandanotsavam day, swami varu is covered with a new fresh layer of Sandalwood

Sankaram Buddhist Excavations
The village of Sankaram near Anakapalli, 38 km from Visakhapatnam is known for its 3C - 4C Buddhist constructions situated on two small hillocks. The constructions are believed to have been made during Maurayana period. The hills, Bojjanakonda and Lingalakonda has a monastery, numerous rock- cut stupas and sanctuaries cut into the sides of the hill with Buddha images and Viharas (shelters) for the monks. The main stupa was first carved out of rock and then encased in bricks. The site, an archeologists delight has many excavated antiquities like the seals, inscribed tablets, pots, copper coins mostly of seventh century AD.

Bavikonda
Bavikonda is located 16 km.away from Vishakhapatnam along the beach road leading to Bheemunipatnam. The hill acquired the name Bavikonda due to the existence of wells on the hill to collect rain water for drinking purpose. Excavations on the hill-top brought to light an extensive Buddhist establishment consisting of a Mahachaitya, stupas, chaityagrihas, a congregation hall, platforms, viharas, kitchen-cum-store complex, pottery, relic caskets, tiles, stuccos, iron objects, moulded bricks, coins etc.

Thotlakonda 
The Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex situated on a hilltop in Mangamaripeta village is 15 kms from Visakhapatnam on the Vizag-Bheemili beach road. The complex has a number of stupas, Chaityas, Viharas, a congregation hall and a refectory belonging to the Himayana School, mostly excavated during1982-92. Excavations at Thotlakonda comprise pottery, beads, bangle pieces, tiles, stuccos, iron objects, sculptural remains, moulded bricks, inscriptions, coins, etc.

Pavuralakonda
Pavuralakonda or Narasimhaswamy Konda is located near Bhimli or Bheemunipatnam about 30 km. from Vizag. Excavations of the site believed to be dated between 3rd C. B.C. and 2nd C. A.D, revealed nearly 14-16 rock-cut troughs or cisterns used for collecting rainwater, foundations of viharas, with cells and common verandah, circular chaityagrihas, votive stupas, halls etc.

Events and Festivals of Visakhapatnam
Festivals:

Sankranti
Sankranti  Falls on January 14 of every year with the festivity starting a day before and ending a day later - a three day fete! During the first day bonfires are lit and people warm themselves around the 'Bhogimantalu'. The next day is the harvest festival followed by a more somber celebration that ends up with cattle being decorated and taken in processions.
 
Vinayaka Chaturthi
Ganesh Jayanti occurs in September and 'Vighneswara - the remover of hurdles', the elephant headed deity, is worshipped in almost every Hindu household. Since the past two decades, this festival has become a major pubic event. On the ninth day, publicly displayed idols of Ganesha are taken out in large processions and immersed in water bodies.

Ugadi
Ugadi is the Telugu New Year falling sometime during March and April depending on the Telugu calendar - first day of the month of Chaitra. The day starts with an early morning ritual after bathing tasting a syrupy preparation of raw mango pieces, jaggery, tamarind, mangos, neem, salt and a little bit of chilli powder denoting the five tastes of sour, sweet, bitter, salt and chilli. On this day, priests and astrologers render "Panchanga Sravanam" - a reading of the almanac to narrate to the people what the stars foretell.
 
Dasara
Dasara A major Hindu festival that is observed for 10 days.'Navaratri' or nine nights of the festival is followed by Vijaya Dasami or the tenth day of victory symbolizing the destruction of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. During this festival the triumvirate of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped. Vijaya Dasami or Dasara symbolizes victory of virtue over vice. During the festival artisans and workers worship the tools of their trade, seeking prosperity.

Ramzan
Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan) The holiest month for Muslims observed as thanksgiving to God for general wellbeing. Most of the Muslims observe a fast from dawn to dusk for the entire month. The fasting, during which even water is not consumed, cleanses and rejuvenates all the systems in the body. The fast (Roza) is broken every evening after prayers (Namaaz). Often dates and fruits are consumed to break the fast. In Hyderabad, restaurants prepare 'Haleem' during Ramzan months, a Moghlai specialty made of mutton, which is served after sunset.The final day of Ramzan is celebrated with prayers at various Idgahs, festivities and exchange of greetings
         
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is the major festival for the Jains who take out colorful processions to mark the event.

Events :

Visakha Utsav & Rishikonda Beach Festival at Visakhapatnam (22nd to 25th December)
On the golden beaches of Visakhapatnam, this festival brings an inimitable blend of folk and classical dances and music. At this Festival, the people are in for a treat at the Craft Bazaars, Exhibition Stalls and Food Courts.

Navy Day, December the 4th
This city being the Head Quarters of the Eastern Naval Command proudly celebrates the Navy day every year with a grand display of all its potential at the Ramakrisna Beach which is a visual feast to every Vizagite.

Reaching Visakhapatnam

Air
Visakhapatnam has an airport. Indian Airlines flies to Visakhapatnam daily from Mumbai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Rail
Visakhapatnam is the centre point for the trains going between Chennai and Howra and Howrah and Secunderabad. It is well connected by rail to all the important places in and outside the state.
 
Road
National Highway No.5 (Howrah to Chennai) passes through Visakhapatnam. The Visakhapatnam to Steel Plant - Anakapalli Road is most modern 4 Line Highway spans 45-km. The APSRTC runs buses and private buses connect major cities of the state and the cities in the neighboring states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh with Vishakhapatnam.

Hotels in Vishakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam hotels cater to a variety of tourists and it's fairly easy to get a good and affordable place to stay.

Weather: Average Climate 34 c - 22 c

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Languages: Telugu, English and Hindi.

STD Code: 0891