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South India offers a wide range of unique experiences for its travellers and one state that stands out with its rich culture and heritage is Andhra Pradesh. From historical temples to laidback hill stations, you name it and the state will give it to you. With the wide range of things to do in Andhra Pradesh, you can take your time to reflect on the diverse heritage and natural beauty. On your next vacation to Andhra Pradesh, you shouldn’t miss out on the must-see destinations and the unique activities.
10 Things To Do In Andhra Pradesh
Be it the serene hills, laidback beaches or the wide range of temples, try these things to do in Andhra Pradesh for every traveller.
1. Immerse Yourself In History At Vijayawada
Photo: rahul suryan / Unsplash
When starting your travel expedition through Andhra Pradesh, consider starting your trip from Vijayawada, which is a bustling city that’s steeped in history and cultural heritage. The iconic Kanaka Durga Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is perched atop Indrakeeladri Hill, offering panoramic views of the Krishna River. Beyond that, Vijayawada is also home to a variety of caves, including the iconic Undavalli Caves. You can indulge in some fun at Bhavani Island or marvel at the engineering of the Prakasam Barrage at night. Ensure that you end your trip with a shopping spree at Besant Road.
Location: Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Experiences: Unveil history at Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves and Mogalarajapuram Caves, and Visit Bhavani Island and Prakasam Barrage
2. Indulge In A Religious Experience At Tirupati
Photo: 5171srinivas / Wikimedia Commons
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, commonly known as Tirupati, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. The main temple, the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple or Tirupati Balaji temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu. With its staple Dravidian style architecture and unique folklore, there are a lot of mysteries associated with the temple. Beyond offering your prayers at Tirupati Balaji temple, you can also take your time to explore other sightseeing spots around including ISKCON Tirupati, Talakona waterfall, Swami Pushkarini Lake, Nagalapuram waterfalls, etc.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October to June
Top Experiences: Divine Darshan at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Exploring places of worship around Tirupati, visiting Talakona waterfall, Swami Pushkarini Lake, and Nagalapuram waterfalls
3. Discover Nature’s Beauty At Araku Valley
Roughly 115 km from Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley is one of the most renowned and popular hill stations in the entirety of Andhra Pradesh. The lush green surroundings, paired with the beautiful cascading waterfalls, caves and tribal villages make your visit to Araku Valley one that you remember for life. You can visit popular sightseeing spots like Borra Caves, Padmapuram Gardens and the famous Tribal Museum. If you are a coffee enthusiast, you can take the time to explore the coffee plantations and embark on a guided tour through the plantation as well.
Location: Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October and March
Top Experiences: Visit Borra Caves, Padmapuram Gardens and Tribal Museum
4. Relax On The Pristine Beaches Of Visakhapatnam
Photo: John Vimal Velpula / Unsplash
While you are planning a trip down to Araku Valley, you must stop to spend a few days exploring the modern city of Vizag. Home to several laidback and commercialised beaches, Visakhapatnam enables you to soak in some much-needed time relaxing and unwinding. Ramkrishna Beach, commonly known as R.K Beach is one of the most popular ones in the area. If you want to experience a laid-back beach, consider visiting Rushikonda or Yarada Beach, which has fewer crowds around. You can indulge in water sports like surfing, parasailing, or jet skiing on R.K Beach.
Location: Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October and March
Top Experiences: Explore the beaches of Ramakrishna Beach, and Rushikonda Beach, and Explore the Submarine Museum, Visakha Museum, and Dolphin’s Nose
5. Explore The Ancient Ruins Of Nagarjunakonda
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
Near Nagarjuna Sagar in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, Nagarjunakonda is a historical town that needs to be on your itinerary when exploring this South Indian state. Named after Nagarjuna, master of Mahayana Buddhism from the 2nd century AD, the town is quite popular among Buddhist pilgrims. The majority of the relics that were significant once now lie submerged under the Nagarjunasagar Dam. While visiting the town, be sure to visit the Nagarjunakonda caves and Museum, which are on top of a hill. Also, you must visit Dhamma Nagarjuna, which is a meditation centre built and conceptualised by the Chief Abbot of Nalanda University.
Location: Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Top Experiences: Explore Nagarjunakonda caves and Museum, and Dhamma Nagarjuna
6. Experience Adventure At Lambasingi
Photo: Satish Dharmavarapu / Unsplash
Among the best things to do in Andhra Pradesh, visiting Lambasingi is one of them. It is one of the only villages in South India that occasionally experiences snowfall. However, beyond the thrill of getting to experience snowfall, Lambasingi is a breeding ground for adventure activities in the lap of nature. From trekking to camping experiences, you can indulge in a variety suited to your taste and physical endurance. The small village is also renowned for its tea and coffee plantations and fruit orchards of apples and strawberries.
Location: Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October and March
Top Experiences: Visit Bojjanna Konda, Kondakarla bird sanctuary and Kothapalli waterfalls, and Explore trekking and camping
7. Discover Wildlife At Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Sreeja sadineni84 / Wikimedia Commons
There are several wildlife sanctuaries across South India. However, when it comes to exploring the best things to see in Andhra Pradesh, the best spot to visit is the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. In the Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh, the sanctuary is primarily known for its mangrove forests. 35 different species of mangrove plants thrive in the sanctuary. Beyond the flora, the sanctuary is also home to 120+ species of birds including endangered species like white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, etc. Some of the wildlife you can spot on safaris are fishing cats, jackals, otters, estuarine crocodiles, etc.
Location: Coringa, East Godavari Dist, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh 533461
Best Time To Visit: October and March
Top Experiences: Explore the mangrove forest, wildlife spotting during safaris, birdwatching, and nature walks
8. Indulge In Mythology And Culture At Lepakshi
Photo: Vijay Sekhar Sadineni / Unsplash
If you are confused and wondering what to do in Andhra Pradesh, plan a trip to Lepakshi. This quaint village is located in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh and is named after the mythological tales of Ramayana. According to legends, Lepakshi is where Jatayu landed after Ravana cut off his wings while he was trying to rescue Maa Sita. Beyond the tales of the urban legends, Lepakshi is also home to a variety of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Veerabhadra. You can also visit the iconic Lepakshi Temple and other stone monuments while you are there.
Location: Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October and March
Top Experiences: Explore temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Veerabhadra
9. Visit The Belum Caves
Photo: Hkotra / Wikimedia Commons
Belum Caves, in the Nallamala Hills, are the second-largest caves in India and have a lot of unique stories and legends about their existence. Spread across a length of 3229 meters, the caves are also renowned for the innate formation of the stalactite and stalagmite inside them. Archaeological evidence depicts that the caves were formed throughout tens of thousands of years due to the water streams and flow of the river Chitravathi, which has now disappeared. The caves are located near Belum village, in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district.
Location: 1/1, Opposite Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Kolimigundla, Andhra Pradesh 518123
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Top Experiences: Discover the depths of the caves, and explore nearby villages and the underground river.
10. Discover The Temples Of Puttaparthi
Photo: Depy Spyratos / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a religious individual and love exploring different temples that tell the tales of ancient India, visiting Puttaparthi is an absolute must. It is renowned for being the home of the Sathya Sai Baba Ashram. The Prasanthi Nilayam ashram is a centre for spiritual learning and attracts devotees from around the world. There are several ashrams across this quaint town and Puttaparthi Sai Baba Temple happens to be one of the major attractions there. If you are a follower of Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings and would love to indulge more in them, a visit to Puttaparthi is quite a refreshing experience.
Location: Puttaparthi, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh
Best Time To Visit: October to February
Top Experiences: Visit Puttaparthi Sai Baba Temple, and Explore the town to learn about Sri Satya Sai Baba and his teachings
Andhra Pradesh is one of the most culturally enriching states that is home to various temples, spiritual journeys and natural wonders. You can plan your itinerary based on your interests and embark on an unforgettable journey by securing all your bookings with TripXL. Whether it’s Vishakhapatnam or the remote village of Lepakshi, your trip is bound to etch its place in your mind for a lifetime.
Cover Photo: Ebenezer Paul / Unsplash
