Before we go on about praising the beautiful south Indian city of Visakhapatnam, let us make it clear that the names “Vizag” and “Visakhapatnam” mean the same. Since we have got that out of the way, let us dive into the endless realm of this culturally rich part of the country. A trip to Visakhapatnam means visiting a place that is right in nature’s lap. Whether you are tagging along with your family or just a quiet getaway from routine life, Vizag will welcome you with open arms. To make sure you have everything you need to know about traveling to this city, here is a comprehensive Visakhapatnam Travel Guide which will help you with that.
History And Culture Of Visakhapatnam
Before Visakhapatnam turned into a major metro city, it was an important settlement of a branch of the East India Company and a port city. To date, it still remains one of the busiest ports in India. So if you visit the Visakhapatnam coast, you will be able to witness boats stalled and fishermen setting sail from the port. Even before the advent of the British rulers, Visakhapatnam was also an important center of trade.
The city has a sizable history to fill your notebook with facts and interesting stories. To take you over things chronologically, you should know that archaeological records claim that the city was built somewhere all the way back in the 11th and 12th centuries by King Kulothunga I of the Chola Dynasty. By the time the 15th century came along, the Vijayanagara Empire came to power in this city until the French eventually captured the city by the 18th century.
After a number more quests for power, the British finally took over the city and ruled until the Indian Independence in 1947. Each of the rulers of the city bought their own influence on the culture of the city. The historical palaces, grand temples, and monasteries that you will visit in current time today tell the story of the rich past of Visakhapatnam.
Some of these temples that hold significant importance are Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple, Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, and the Annavaram Temple. After visiting places that are historically and culturally important, you can pick some unique souvenirs to take home. Araku coffee, Madugala halwa, and spices are items you must pick up when shopping. Lastly, also make sure to try out some of the famous cuisines like Booralu, Putharekulu, and Muruku this city is famous for.
How To Get To Visakhapatnam
By Air
Traveling to the City of Destiny via the aerial route is going to be fairly easy as the Visakhapatnam Airport is just 9 km away from the main city. The airport is well connected to all the major cities in the country and has regular flights moving to and fro between them. Once you get down, you can hire a taxi right outside the airport to reach your desired destination in the city.
By Rail
The Visakhapatnam Train Station is the most prominent railway station in the city. It is connected to all the important cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, etc. The most common trains that run to and fro in the city are Visakhapatnam Garib Rath, Visakhapatnam Ltt Express, and Visakhapatnam Ndls Apexp. The bus and taxi services available outside the station will help you reach your location while you enjoy the scenic beauty along the ride.
By Road
If you have a family road trip planned, reaching Visakhapatnam is going to be a fairly smooth ride. You’re most likely to use the NH-5 highway for your journey to the city. The highway is connected to cities like Kolkata and Chennai. Traveling via bus is also a preferred commute option for people traveling to major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Bhubaneshwar.
Best Time To Travel To Visakhapatnam
The city of Visakhapatnam experiences pretty hot weather conditions during peak summers and adequate rainfall to keep you inside your hotel during monsoons. However, the winters are something that you might enjoy traveling to in this city. So, if you are planning to visit this place anywhere between October to March, you can experience the true scenic beauty of the city in its full glory.
The average temperature here ranges from 16°C and 28°C during peak winters. While you cup that glass of hot tea with both your hands and sip on its delectable taste, you can experience the beautiful scenery of Araku Valley. If you are having a good run with luck lately, you might even get to witness a little snowfall on some of the elevated parts of the city.
Popular festivals around this time of the year include Visakha Utsav which is organized by the Government itself. It is a 3-day tourism event aimed at promoting the tourism industry and naturally, it sees a large influx of tourists every year around this time.
Getting Around Visakhapatnam
By Bus
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) takes care of both locals and tourists when it comes to traveling in and around the city of Vizag. Its extensive bus service system will help you move to the ends and corners of the city without any hassle. Visakhapatnam also has two Bus Rapid Transit Systems for you to take advantage of.
By Taxi
The second most popular commute option in the city is the taxi. You will get plenty of these cabbies outside local and popular tourist attractions. The services of Ola and Uber can also be availed of in this city. Auto-rickshaws are also a common travel option for many.
Go Check Out
Kailasagiri
A trip to Visakhapatnam is incomplete without visiting one of the best tourist spots in the place. We’re talking about the quaintly beautiful place called Kailasagiri. If you see clear-white larger-than-life sculptures of Shiva and Parvathi from a distance, you should know that you’ve set foot in Kailasagiri. Your camera is going to run out of film clicking aesthetically pleasing pictures of the lush greenery of the place. Quite similar to how you used to run out of green crayons while beautifying your landscape drawings.
This place is also a popular pilgrimage spot owing to its calm and serene atmosphere on top of it being a hub of religious and devotional rituals. So, if you are visiting the place with your family, as a couple, or even on a solo trip, Kailasagiri caters to everyone’s needs quite comfortably.
Rushikonda Beach
If you’ve somehow managed to find another camera film to continue capturing memories, the next stop should definitely be Rushikonda Beach. The beautiful sight of the shore is truly breathtaking and is something that you cannot possibly miss. Take an early morning or an evening stroll by the shore here and you’ll know how underrated the sound of the rushing waters and your thoughts syncing together truly is.
Not big on the quiet “me-time” and want to get your adrenaline pumping, try water activities like jet skiing and surfing here. Another thing that sets this beach apart from others is the cleanliness maintained around here. Although it shouldn’t come as a surprise because Visakhapatnam has constantly been featured in the list of the top 10 cleanest cities in the country.
INS Kursura Submarine Museum
A perfect blend of informative and pleasing sightseeing is a rarity and the INS Kursura Submarine Museum is among that 1% tribe. Located on Ramakrishna Beach, this museum will take you through the entire process of how a submarine actually works and the life stories of the past warriors. It also has pictures and relics of those times which are sure to take you on a ride back in time. The fact that the museum is inside the actual Submarine Kursura makes it all the more interesting to pay a visit here.
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
If you have filled your quota of human interactions and want a change of pace, there is no better place to communicate in a new language with some different species than the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. Conveniently located within a short distance from Kailasigiri, you won’t be spending much time traveling by car to get to this park. Spread across a good 640 acres of green space, this place is home to about 100 different species. Some of the prominent ones include panthers and lions.
Katiki Waterfalls
Another great place to unwind and get in touch with nature is the Katiki Waterfalls. Imagine touring a city and coming across a place with pure lush greenery with an elegant waterfall nestled in between. Just the thought of it brings a sense of calmness and tranquility to the soul. Whether you’re planning a picnic with your family or a solo heart-to-heart with nature, this place will imprint sweet memories of this picturesque place. For trekkers, it will be a fun and adventurous trek while the birds around test their singing skills.
Simhachalam Temple
Even a not-so-religious person will confirm the term Akshaya Tritya Festival rings a bell. People celebrate this festival annually in the Simhachalam Temple located right here in the city. The moment you step foot in this temple, you’ll experience a whole different world. The atmosphere around is hypnotic and the local devotees will let you in on the extremely exciting history that this temple holds. So, head to this unique temple and have the experience of a lifetime!
Summing up
Now that you have all the information you need right from the travel routes to the best places to visit in Visakhapatnam, it should only be a matter of time before we see you booking tickets or fueling your car for a visit here. No matter your reason for the visit here, the city will exceed all your expectations comfortably.
FAQs
What Is The Best Time To Visit Visakhapatnam?
The intense heat in peak summers and the rainfall during the monsoon season may act as obstacles in your trip to Vishakhapatnam. On the other hand, winters are an ideal time to plan your vacation to this beautiful city. The pleasant yet cozy weather during the months of October to March is a great time to explore all the amazing things this city has to offer.
Is Visakhapatnam Good For Tourists?
For nature lovers and vacationers, the city of Visakhapatnam is ideal for tourists of all kinds. The city has something for everyone ranging from scenic views to exciting outdoor activities. You can visit the nation’s oldest shipyard here or relax on the exotic beaches this city has for you.
What Language Is Spoken In The City Of Visakhapatnam?
Telugu is the official language of Visakhapatnam.
What Food Is Famous In Visakhapatnam?
Though the most common and popular food in the city includes Dosa and Idli, there are a bunch of other lip-smacking cuisines that leave the customers wanting more. To name a few, Booralu, Putharekulu, and Muruku among others.
How Many Days Are Enough For Vizag?
To cover the scenic beauty of the city of Vizag you would need at least a 4 to 5-day trip. In case you’re running short on time, you could also plan a 2 to 3-day trip and cover some of the prominent attractions like Simhanchalam temple, Katiki waterfalls, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, the INS Kursura Submarine Museum, Kailasagiri, and the Rushikonda Beach.
What Is The Speciality In Vizag?
Vizag is famous for the plethora of natural wonders and man-made spectacles it holds. But, what makes it special is the Visakhapatnam Port which is the oldest shipyard in all of India.
What Can You Do In Visakhapatnam At Night?
The scenic beauty of the many marvels of Visakhapatnam only gets prettier by night. Some of the breathtaking views to check out at night are the Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse, Port and Harbor, drive by the Teneti park, view of INS Kursura, and Simhanchalm temple.
