Visakhapatnam, often called Vizag, is the largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It’s located between the Eastern Ghats mountain range and the Bay of Bengal coast. It’s the second largest city on India’s east coast, after Chennai, and ranks fourth in size in South India.
The city is known for its diverse religious community, primarily Hindu, but also includes Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist populations. Telugu is the main language spoken here, but you’ll also hear Odia, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam, reflecting its mixed culture. Visakhapatnam is famous for its unique blend of South Indian and Western foods, with local favorites like Moori Mixture and bamboo chicken from Araku Valley.
Visakhapatnam is also one of the world’s 100 fastest-growing cities, with a GDP of $43.5 billion, making it the ninth richest city in India. The city’s harbor is a major hub for seafood exports, leading the country in value during the 2015 fiscal year with exports totaling about 115,000 tonnes (127,000 short tons).
Located in the scenic Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district, Borra Caves are a natural wonder nestled in the Ananthagiri hills. The landscape around the caves is breathtaking, featuring lush hilly terrain, beautiful forests, and diverse wildlife. These caves were formed through a natural process where river waters flowing through limestone areas converted calcium carbonate into calcium bicarbonate, which was then washed away. The caves are famous for their stunning formations, with a variety of speleothems in different shapes and sizes.
The Submarine Museum in Visakhapatnam, located on RK Beach near the War Memorial, is housed inside the actual INS Kurusura submarine, India’s fifth submarine. This unique museum offers visitors a glimpse into life underwater, displaying artifacts, photos, and articles that tell the stories of bravery and patriotism of the naval warriors. The beautiful setting of the museum, with its clear blue waters and golden sands, makes it a must-visit for anyone interested in maritime history.
Kailasagiri is a beautiful hilltop park in Visakhapatnam, perched 360 feet above sea level and spanning over 100 acres. The park offers panoramic views of the city and the beach below, making it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. One of the main attractions is the magnificent 40-foot statues of Shiva and Parvati, which are painted in white and add to the park’s serene atmosphere.
Ramakrishna Beach, also known as RK Beach, is one of the most popular beaches in Visakhapatnam. It’s a great place to relax, take leisurely strolls, and soak up the sun. While the beach is often bustling with activity due to nearby tourist attractions, swimming here is not advised due to strong currents that have proven dangerous in the past. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and the beautiful seaside views, but stay safe by sticking to the shore.
Keys Select, a relaxed 3-star hotel, is nestled in the city center surrounded by shops and offices, just 2 km from the Visakhapatnam train station and 3 km from Ramakrishna Mission Beach. Fairfield by Marriott offers modern 4-star accommodations in a business district, close to the airport and beaches. For a more luxurious stay, consider the Four Points by Sheraton or the Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, both 5-star hotels near Ramakrishna Beach, with the latter offering stunning views of the Bay of Bengal.
Surrounded by shops and offices, this relaxed hotel in the city centre is 2 km from Visakhapatnam train station and 3 km from the sandy Ramakrishna Mission Beach.
₹2,750
3 Star Hotel
Set in a business district, this modern hotel is 3 km from Visakhapatnam Airport, 10 km from Ramakrishna Beach and 13 km from the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy hilltop Hindu temple.
₹5,375
4 Star Hotel
This refined hotel is 2 km from the popular Ramakrishna Beach and 12 km from the Kalinga-style Simhachalam Temple.
₹5,617
5 Star Hotel
Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, this modern hotel facing Ramkrishna Beach is 2.4 km from the Visakha Museum.
₹9,663
5 Star Hotel
Hotel Ramachandra Grand and Hotel Akshaya are budget-friendly 2-star options near Visakhapatnam train station, priced at ₹632 and ₹1,486 respectively, both great for sightseeing and dining. Hotel Lorven and Hotel SKML Grand offer 3-star accommodations at ₹1,355 and ₹1,461, located close to local attractions like Mudasarlova Park and the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, providing convenient access to recreational spots and dining.
Great location overall for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around
₹632
2 Star Hotel
Set 3 km from Ramakrishna Mission Beach, this informal hotel with a glass facade is a 13-minute walk from the Visakhapatnam train station and 5 km from the INS Kursura S20 submarine museum.
₹1,486
2 Star Hotel
Set in an area with multiple hospitals, this casual hotel is a kilometre from the greenery of Mudasarlova Park, 6 km from wildlife at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park and 18 km from Visakhapatnam Airport.
₹1,355
3 Star Hotel
location overall for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around
₹1,461
3 Star Hotel
Barbeque Nation impresses with its food, ambiance, and service, offering meals priced between ₹800 and ₹1,000. Nearby, Hotel Kamat, located in the city center, is close to shopping and the beach, with meals ranging from ₹200 to ₹400. Dharani Restaurant, known for its thalis and exceptional filter coffee, and The Spicy Venue, famous for its apricot delight, both offer a diverse menu with meals priced from ₹200 to ₹600.
Awesome in every department food, ambience, service, price and location.
₹800–1,000
One of the best hotels in the area. It’s located right in the city centre. Lots of malls nearby and beach is also close.
₹200-400
Such a beautiful place with a variety of cuisine. Well known for their thalis. However, we specifically went for their famous filter coffee which was super.
₹200-400
Spicy venue, Vizag, was truly a good place to go have dinner. We friends went mainly coz we are all a fan of their apricot delight.
₹200-600
Visakhapatnam Airport offers daily flights to major Indian cities like Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai, and international destinations such as Dubai and Singapore. By road, it’s well-connected with cities like Hyderabad and Chennai via well-maintained highways, including the NH 5 to Kolkata. The Visakhapatnam railway station links the city to nearly all major Indian cities through various trains like the Chennai Express and Howrah Mail.
Visakhapatnam railway station is located on the Chennai Central-Howrah Station route, connecting it to cities such as Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and the like.
Visakhapatnam Airport is connected by daily flights to Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Mangalore and other towns and cities.
Visakhapatnam enjoys good road connectivity with various nearby cities and towns.
APSRTC has bus services traversing the length and breadth of this city as residents of Visakhapatnam prefer city buses that extent across the city and its suburbs. The APSRTC complex at Asilametta is the hub for most buses plus the city has two Bus Rapid Transit Systems on Pendurti and Simhachalam.
Starting at Only 5-6₹/KM
Taxi Service is a popular mode of transport in Visakhapatnam as taxis are easily available. Smart taxis can be accessed through the very popular mobile app-based taxi services like Ola Cabs. Auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are also popular options.
Starting at only 9₹/KM
rickshawsAuto rickshaws are the next cheapest mode of transport in Vishakhapatnam. One can negotiate for the price and then board the auto rickshaws because; the Auto rickshaws do not turn on the meters. The prices of the auto rickshaws may vary from Rs 15 to Rs 150 according to the distance travelled.
Auto-rikshaw is starting From 10-200 Rs.
One can book a taxi through online booking facility and have a go at the array of cars available like luxurious, normal AC, non-AC models and so on. offer cars for rent and offer tour packages for sightseeing, honeymooning, adventure touring, pilgrimage, business or corporate tour packages. You can also rent two-wheelers such as bicycles and motor bikes and travel across the city.
Starting at only ₹1499.
The best time to take a trip to this splendid place is in winter season i.e between October and March. The weather during this period is extremely pleasing and windy. There are major religious festivals like Visakha Utsav celebrated from October – December. There is no trace of humidity in the air enhancing the travelling experience even more. During summers it can get extremely torrid which might keep you from stepping out. Humidity and heat waves also accompany the region making it difficult to take a stroll or even go into the beach. Monsoon hits Vishakapatnam from july to september when the city receives heavy rainfall making it uncomfortable to travel around. Hence, summers and monsoon are not an ideal time to visit Visakhapatnam
The Distance of Visakhapatnam to Mumbai is (1,339.2 km) via NH 65
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The Distance of Visakhapatnam to Delhi is (1,828.2 km) via Bundelkhand Expy
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The Distance of Visakhapatnam to Bangalore is (1,002.7 km) via Chennai – Kolkata Hwy and NH16
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The Distance of Visakhapatnam to Chennai is (794.5 km) via Chennai – Kolkata Hwy and NH16
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When planning a trip to Visakhapatnam, it’s crucial to book your travel and accommodation in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. The city is a popular destination, and last-minute bookings can be hard to secure and more expensive. Familiarize yourself with the local transportation options like buses, cabs, and auto-rickshaws to navigate the city efficiently. While Visakhapatnam is accommodating to various styles of dress, dressing conservatively might be respectful in religious or rural areas to blend in with the local customs.
Respect the cultural and historical significance of Visakhapatnapm by not engaging in activities that could damage heritage sites or local environments. Engaging in such acts not only disrespects the local culture but can also lead to legal troubles. When trying local cuisine, choose clean and reputable places to eat to avoid food-related illnesses. Street food can be tempting but opt for vendors that maintain high hygiene standards to enjoy the local flavors without health worries.
Lastly, while exploring Visakhapatnam, it’s advisable to stay vigilant and travel in groups, especially during late hours or in less crowded areas. Ensure you have the necessary tickets and passes for entry into tourist spots. Violating entry regulations can result in hefty fines or other legal penalties. Keep emergency contacts handy and stay informed about local weather conditions to avoid any unpleasant surprises during your visit, especially if traveling during monsoon or peak summer months.
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