Vizag or Visakhapatnam is known as the “Jewel of the East Coast”. It is not only Andhra Pradesh’s largest metropolis and a major industrial center, but it is also a popular tourism destination in India. Visakhapatnam is a thriving city on the Bay of Bengal’s eastern shore. There are numerous tourist attractions in the Vizag area to visit and spend a fantastic family vacation in this smart city.
In the 16th century, Visakhapatnam was ruled by several kingdoms, including the Kalinga Kingdom, Pallavas, Gangas, Cholas, and Mughals. It became a Dutch colony, then a French colony, until the British took control in 1804, and ruled Vizag until independence in 1947.
Vizag is also home to the country’s oldest shipyard and India’s sole natural harbor on the east coast. The Indian Navy’s eastern command is also headquartered in the city.
Vizag is a popular tourist destination in India. Beautiful beaches, hills, wildlife sanctuaries, caves, old temples, ancient Buddhist monuments, unique museums, and a huge fishing harbor are all located here.
Even though 24 hours in Visakhapatnam is insufficient, if you don’t have another option, make sure to explore all of the city’s major attractions. To begin the journey, go to the famous Ramakrishna Beach early in the morning and spend some time walking on the clean sand while savoring the breathtaking sunrise views. Over the sea, it appears as if a miracle is taking place. The beachside stalls and amusement rides make it the most exciting place in the evening. Locals can be seen stretching or jogging on the beach road early in the morning. You should also pay a visit to the nearby marine museum while you’re here. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience in Asia.
List of Vizag Tourist Attractions
On your visit to Vizag, you can visit a variety of places in and around the city. It is impossible to cover all of them in just two days.
- Bheemili beach
- Thotlakonda
- Rushikonda beach
- Kailasagiri Hill Park
- Indira Gandhi zoological park
- Ramakrishna beach
- Simhachalam Temple
- MatsyaDarshini Aquarium
- Museum of Aircraft
- INS Kurusura Submarine museum
- Dolphin’s Nose lighthouse
- Yarada Beach
- Vuda park
Simhachalam temple
Lord Narsimha is worshiped at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Simhachalam (an Avatar of Lord Vishnu). According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu took this avatar to save the life of his follower Prahlad from Hiranyakashipu.
Simhachalam temple is located about 300 meters above sea level on a hill. The carvings on the temple wall are from the eleventh century. Except during Akshaya Tritiya, the idol is revealed in its natural form and devotees are allowed to visit after the priests perform a major puja, the idol of Varaha Narasimha is covered with sandalwood paste.
Kailasagiri Hill
A visit to Kailasgiri is a must for anyone visiting Vizag. Vizag Town is approximately five kilometers from Kailasagiri Hilltop Park. From the peak, the view of Vizag’s skyline is breathtaking. A toy train ride allows visitors to move quickly across the park while taking in a 360-degree panorama of the city and the sea from above.
You can also take a cable car from the beach road to the hilltop. The 40-foot tall Shiva-Parvati monument is the park’s main feature, and Kailasagiri (which means Kailas Hill — Shiva’s residence according to Hindu mythology) is named after it.
The Floral Clock, Titanic Viewpoint, Jungle Trails, Shanti Ashram, and Shanku Chakra Nama are among the various attractions in and around Kailasagiri Park.
Aircraft Museum
The TU 142 Aircraft Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum that was inaugurated in 2017. After its initial flight in 1968, the TU 142 aircraft served in the Indian Navy for 29 years. It was dismantled near Visakhapatnam Beach in 2017 and converted into a museum.
This museum offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see inside a navy plane. Before boarding the plane, you can view a display of many types of aviation equipment and parts in an exhibition hall. propellers, engines, survival kits, anti-submarine missiles, data recorders, and other items are displayed with all its details.
INS Kurusura Submarine museum
Vizag is proud of the INS Kurusura submarine museum near RK beach. It is the first submarine in Asia and the second in the world to be converted into a museum. INS Kurusura served in the Indian Navy for 30 years, from 1970 to 2001, before being transformed into a museum.
This museum displays several elements of the submarine, including the radar room, sonar room, control room, and weapons used during the conflict.
The museum includes relics, images, and written texts to portray key moments in submarine evolution. It also displays life inside a submarine and the challenges faced by submariners at sea.
Dolphin’s Nose lighthouse
Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse is the best site to get an unbeatable view of Vizag port and coastline. This lighthouse is located on a peak known as Dolphin’s Nose because of the way it appears from far.
It was constructed in the 19th century. It is now surrounded by a lovely park where you can relax. On weekends, this location may get very crowded, and you may have to wait for hours to climb to the top.
This location is famous among residents as a picnic site. Other nearby local attractions are Ross Hill Church, Venkateswara Hill Temple, and the Ishak Medina Tomb.
Fishing Harbor
The Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour is one of India’s largest. The fishing boats begin unloading fish at 5 a.m., and the area becomes quite packed by 6 a.m. If you can adjust to the strong fishy smell, you can go there at least once. Fish can also be purchased at the nearby fish market.
What is the best way to get to Vizag?
Vizag, the most populated city in Andhra Pradesh, is well connected to other Indian cities by road, train, and air.
Vizag is well connected by road to Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) provides bus service to Vizag from almost all of the cities and towns. Reservations can be made online.
Vizag has a well-developed rail network that connects it to the rest of India. Visakhapatnam Railway Station (VSKP) is a key halt on the Howrah-Chennai mainline and is part of the South Coast Railway Zone.
Direct flights are available from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Tirupati, Pune, and Bhubaneswar to Vizag (VTZ). Direct international flights are also connected to Colombo, Dubai, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.
Vizag will provide you with a truly amazing experience. So get out of your cave asap and begin exploring Vizag!