Andhra has everything to cater to any type of traveler. Here’re the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh to help you plan a perfect itinerary.
Traveling is more than just visiting places. Rather, it’s an enriching experience that cannot be expressed but only experienced. India attracts a deluge of travelers keen to have a first-hand experience of the country’s rich culture, traditions, delectable food, natural splendor, and more. Andhra Pradesh is one of the Indian states that provides a complete bundle of adventure and comfort to explorers from across the globe.
Andhra Pradesh is an Indian state lying in the southern part of India. Apart from being the 8th largest state in the country, it is a place of glorious historical significance with rich architecture and beautiful flora and fauna. Let’s look into the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh that would satiate your wanderlust to the fullest.
10 Best Places to Visit in Andhra Pradesh
1. VISHAKHAPATNAM
(Beach road – Visakhapatnam)
Visakhapatnam, also known as the “Jewel of the East Coast” or the “City Of Destiny”, is an ancient city that came into existence around the 11th and 12th centuries. Situated on the southeast coast of the Indian peninsula, it’s a port city and the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy. Fondly known as Vizag, this city attracts travelers for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and commercial significance.
When in Vizag, the largest city in Andhra Pradesh, you cannot miss some of the tourist hotspots that highlight the city’s beauty.
- The Araku Valley is a pleasant and calm hill station that makes a perfect weekend getaway for city dwellers. The exotic landscapes and lush, wild grasslands make for memorable trekking through the valley into the tribal villages which have their unique culture. Their existence tells us how man has been dwelling in the woods for centuries without harming mother nature.
- The beaches in and around Visakhapatnam are exquisite, offering a peaceful and calm environment for self-realization. Some of the beaches to explore and enjoy the sunrise along the east coast include – Lawsons Bay, Rishikonda, Ramakrishna, and Bheemunipatnam beaches.
- Sankaram, situated on the banks of the river Sarada, is a small village known for its rock-cut caves and images of Buddha. It is also known for stupas, ancient coins, and pottery of the Christian era. It’s one of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.
Other popular places to visit in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
- Vuda Park
- Bora caves
- Kaitiaki waterfalls
2. CHITTOOR
(Talakona waterfall – Chittoor)
Chittoor district is situated in Andhra Pradesh’s southern side in the Rayalaseema region. The place offers a conglomeration of some of the beautiful torrential waterfalls and blissful religious places, making it one of the thriving tourist places in Andhra Pradesh. Although you can cover a majority of Chittoor in a day, feel free to spend at least two days here. After all, it is a place to relax and forget about your worldly woes.
- Talakona Waterfalls is the highest waterfall of Andhra Pradesh. Situated in the Sri Venkateswara National Park and near Lord Siddeswara Swamy temple, it makes up for a popular tourist destination. In 1990, it was designated as a Biosphere Reserve. The monsoon season is an ideal time to be here.
- Kanipakam Temple is one of the famous places in Andhra Pradesh that lies in the village of Kanipakam, situated on the banks of the Bahuda River. This temple enshrines Lord Ganesha and is called Kanipakam Vinayak temple. It was constructed during the Chola dynasty regime and further expanded during the Vijaynagara dynasty. Locals claim that the idol of Lord Ganesha keeps continuously growing in size.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Horsley Hills
- Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nagari Hills
- Gurramkonda Fort
3. VIJAYAWADA
(Prakasam Bridge – Vijaywada)
Vijayawada, situated on the banks of the Krishna river, is an important city and one of the key tourist places of Andhra Pradesh. Also, it is the region’s largest railway junction. The city is a paradise for travelers keen to explore India’s incredible history and culture. A perfect blend of modernization and tradition, the city has a lot to offer in terms of tourism.
- Undavalli Caves are a perfect example of rock-cut architecture. Dating back to the 7th-century BC, these caves are carved out of sandstone. The most famous carving is that of Lord Vishnu. These caves showcase the Gupta architecture in all its vibrancy.
- Kondapalli Fort near Vijaywada is one of the famous tourist places in AP and a filming location. This place is also well-known for its toys.
- Kanaka Durga temple is an important place of worship and is famous for its engraving architecture. Situated on top of a hill, it has been mentioned in many Hindu sacred texts.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Prakasam bridge
- Kolleru lake
- Victoria museum
- Bhavani island
4. AMARAVATI
(Dhyana Buddha statue – Amravati)
Amaravati, which is the proposed legislative capital of Andhra Pradesh, is situated in Guntur district on the banks of river Krishna. This city is home to some of the iconic inscriptions and scriptures of the Vijayanagara Dynasty. It used to be one of the sites for the ancient Buddhist settlements. The Kondaveedu Fort keeps a steady stream of visitors inclined towards history and architecture.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Sri Ambavi Temple
- Melghat Tiger Reserve
- Ashoka Falls
- Panchbol Point
5. KURNOOL
(Kurnool Fort – Kurnool)
Kurnool, deemed as the judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh, is a historical city and is known as the Gateway to Rayalaseema. It also has historical caves and temples that enriches its beauty. The town is bordered by mountain ranges that run parallel to each other from north to south.
The different temples and pilgrimage locations in this historic town are notable not just in terms of their cultural past, but also in terms of the city’s architectural legacy. That makes it one of the leading places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.
- Konda Reddy Fort, situated in the middle of the city is a popular tourist attraction and is named after the last ruler of Alampur, Konda Reddy.
- The city also is a prominent pilgrimage site with temples like Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temple and Dakshin Sai Baba temple.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary
- Belum Caves
- Adoni fort
- Nallamala forest
6. LEPAKSHI
(Kalyana Mandapa – Lepakshi)
Lepakshi village, situated in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, is a historic and architectural attraction. As one of the leading Andhra Pradesh tourist places, the village is famous for its Vijaynagar architectural style and 3 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Veerabhadra.
- A single granite stone made into a huge Nandi bull is another attraction here. The Veerabhadra temple boasts amazing hanging pillars and is an engineering marvel of ancient medieval Indian architecture.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Lepakshi temple
7. NELLORE
(Kanchipuram – Nellore)
Nellore or ‘Nelluru’ is situated on the banks of river Penna and is the agricultural mainstay of Andhra Pradesh. It has contributions in the field of literature and art as well. The Pennar river divides the town in two, hence it may be found on both sides of the river.
The Bay of Bengal is located to the east of the city, giving Nellore a unique and advantageous geographical location. Numerous ancient dynasties have ruled the city, including the Mauryas, Cholas, Pallavas, and Vijayanagaras.
- Mypadu beach is a getaway for tourists near Nellore and is a place where one can relax and be at peace with his soul.
- Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is the largest breeding area for the Grey Pelicans that are easily visible from a few meters. Also, it habitats birds like SpoonBill, Open Bill Stork, etc.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Udayagiri Fort
- Jonnawada
- Penchalakona
- Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
8. RAJAHMUNDRY
(Papi Hills)
Rajahmundry is one of the oldest Indian cities and is also considered to be the birthplace of the Telugu language, the state language of Andhra Pradesh. They also call it the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh. The city has a fair share of temples and natural splendor, making it one of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.
- The Iskcon temple, Markandeya temple, and Kotilingeshwara temple are some of the famous temples in the city that attract a deluge of devotees all year round from across the globe.
- Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest area of Mangrove forests in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the popular tourist places in Andhra Pradesh with jackals, estuarine crocodiles, and otters. It has more than 65 mangrove tree species.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Pushkar Ghat
- Maredumilli
- Venkateshwara temple
9. GANDIKOTA
(Pennar River Gorge)
Gandikota, situated on the Penna river is a pleasant tourist destination. The famous Gandikota Fort lies right on the banks of Penna and has an amazing view of India’s very own Grand Canyon. A perfect place for camping, it offers a lot for those looking for adrenaline-pumping adventures.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Madhavaraya Swamy Temple
- Raghunath Swami Temple
10. TIRUPATI
(Sri Venkateswara Temple)
Tirupati is nestled in the Chittoor district, on the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. Even though Telugu is the primary language, the name Tirupati comes from the Tamil language, as the city was founded by a Tamil Vaishnava saint, Ramanujacharya.
- The city of Tirupati is considered to be the haven for historians. It is home to the famous Venkateswara temple located on the Tirumala hills where millions of devotees visit every year.
- The Chandragiri Fort, built by the Vijayanagara dynasty, is a paradise for tourists with some enhancing views and a lot of history.
Other popular tourists attractions
- Deer Park
- Kanipakam
- Talakona Waterfalls
- Srikalahasti
Conclusion
Andhra Pradesh is undoubtedly one of the richest states in terms of culture, history, and heritage. The beautiful landscapes and beaches make it one of the main tourist attractions all year round. We hope this list of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh will allow you to plan a perfect vacation to the state. Please let us know in the comments which place you are most excited to visit.
People are also reading: