Guntur, often known as the Chilli Capital of Andhra Pradesh, has a lot to offer its travellers. Be it the historical Kondaveedu Fort or the nearby Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, you get access to diverse tourist attractions around the city. However, once you are done exploring the city, you can’t miss out on checking out the nearby cities and towns that will further enrich your travel experience for the better. There are quite a few different places to visit near Guntur, some known for their ancient temples while some are renowned for being shopping destinations.
10 Places To Visit Near Guntur
The beauty of Andhra Pradesh lies in its diverse sightseeing spots. Here are some of the serene places to visit near Guntur.
1. Amaravati
Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons
Amaravati, aka the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, deserves a first spot in the list. Despite being a developing city, there are some charming tourist attractions and ancient historical spots that add to the spiritual and religious significance of this place. It is a popular spot among Buddhist devotees for the famous Amaravati Stupa, which reportedly dates back to the 3rd century BCE and was built during the reign of the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus. You can also visit the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, which is located in Amaravati village and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bala Chamundika.
Distance From Guntur: 32 km
Major Attractions: Amaravati Stupa, Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum, and Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple
2. Undavalli Caves
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To immerse yourself in history and adventure, Undavalli Caves is one of the best places to visit near Guntur. The caves are located around the countryside, surrounded by nature, which adds to its serenity. The caves were originally excavated between the 4th and 5th centuries and have a blend of Buddhist, Jain and Hindu influence in them, which explains the evolution of faith in the area. Inside the caves lie Buddhist monasteries or viharas, which were used by the monks for meditation. Also, above the caves, you will find several animals carved, which add to the details of the caves.
Distance From Guntur: 31 km
Major Attractions: Rock-cut cave temples, Monolithic statue of Lord Vishnu, and carvings of animals
3. Vijayawada
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Among the best places to see near Guntur is Vijayawada, which is a bustling city. You can start your trip exploring the engineering marvel — Prakasam Barrage. Beyond that, places like Subramanya Swamy Temple are also a must-visit spot, renowned for honouring Lord Subramanya. The temple is located on top of the Indrakeeladri Hills and offers views of the Krishna River besides. To explore the history of the place, you can head to Kondapalli Fort or pay your respects at the Kanaka Durga Temple nearby. Adventure enthusiasts have an additional option to explore Bhavani Island too.
Distance From Guntur: 37 km
Major Attractions: Prakasam Barrage, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Kondapalli Fort, and Kanaka Durga Temple
4. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
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Although a little farther out from Guntur, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is an amazing spot. The beauty and grandeur of this place are unmatched. Being one of the largest dams in India, the engineering that has gone into the construction of this dam doesn’t require any introduction. The dam is spread across a length of 1450 metres and has a height of 124 metres. Also, there are 26 crest gates, which are opened during monsoon. Getting to witness the water gushing out from these gates is the main reason why most of the tourists visit this place in the first place.
Distance From Guntur: 150 km
Major Attractions: Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and boat rides
5. Bhattiprolu
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons
Bhattiprolu, despite being a small town in Andhra Pradesh, is enriched with cultural, historical and heritage sites that explain why it is a must-visit spot. As you step into the small town, the main tourist attraction that is surely going to attract your attention is the Bhattiprolu Stupa, which is a popular sightseeing and pilgrimage spot among Buddhists. To further immerse yourself in history, consider learning about the Bhattiprolu Script, which has a lot of contributions in the knowledge field. Around the town, you can find numerous archaeological finds, which add to the charm of the place. It is one of the quaint tourist attractions near Guntur.
Distance From Guntur: 52.5 km
Major Attractions: Bhattiprolu Stupa and Bhattiprolu Script
6. Chirala
Chirala, another one of the good places to visit near Guntur, Andhra Pradesh is a one-stop destination. You can immerse yourself in a diverse range of experiences in this small town. One of the main attractions in the city is the Sri Veera Raghava Swamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was reportedly built by the Pallavas in the 8th century. To unwind, you can also head to the nearby Vodarevu Beach or Ramapuram Beach. The local Chirala market is a major attraction, enabling you to get your hands on different kinds of handloom items, handwoven cotton sarees and textiles.
Distance From Guntur: 66 km
Major Attractions: Sri Veera Raghava Swamy Temple, and Vodarevu Beach or the Ramapuram Beach
7. Bapatla Beach
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Bapatla Beach is a popular destination to visit near Guntur, particularly among tourists and locals. It is alternatively known as the Surya Lanka Beach and is roughly 9 km from the main town of Bapatla. The beach is safe for swimming but you can’t indulge in any kinds of water sports or activities since those aren’t available. However, the array of food stalls lining the side of the beach makes up for the lack of activities. You can take a stroll along the coastline of the beach too or soak in the views of the sunset from there.
Distance From Guntur: 62.6 km
Major Attractions: Sunset views, food carts, beachcombing, and strolls around the beach
8. Kondapalli
Photo: Koushik / Wikimedia Commons
An often less explored place near Guntur is Kondapalli. This village’s main attraction is the Kondapalli Fort, also known as Kondapalli Kota or Kondapalli Killa. The fort dates back to the 14th century and was constructed by the Musunuri Nayaks. Beyond the ruins of the fort, you can also take your time to explore the village, which is renowned for the local artisans and handicrafts called Kondapalli toys. These are wooden dolls that are exclusively handcrafted in the village. Inside the fort, there is a museum that you can visit to learn more about the history of this place.
Distance From Guntur: 55 km
Major Attractions: Kondapalli Killa and Kondapalli toys
9. Mangalagiri
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One of the top attractions near Guntur is Mangalagiri. This small town is renowned for two factors – Vaishnavism and weaving. The main attraction in this small town is the Sri Pancharama Kshetra, which draws in thousands of devotees every year. These temples date back to the period of the Chola dynasty, who were responsible for the construction of them. You are bound to be mesmerised by the intricate architecture of the temples and also immerse yourself in the spiritual significance. Beyond that, you must consider exploring some of the nearby cities too, including Vijayawada and Amaravati.
Distance From Guntur: 23 km
Major Attractions: Sri Pancharama Kshetra
10. Ponnur
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Last on the list of places to visit near Guntur is Ponnur, which is a small town that is renowned for being home to a variety of temples. The two major temples that you must visit are Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy and Veeranjaneya temples. The Bhavanarayana Swamy is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and dates back to the 11th century. The Veeranjaneya temple, on the other hand, was constructed by Kota Jaganatha Swamy in 1969. It is home to one of the tallest idols of Anjaneya Swamy in India, which explains why you must witness it in real-time.
Distance From Guntur: 32 km
Major Attractions: Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy and Veeranjaneya temples
There are a myriad of places to visit near Guntur, each catering to the varying interests of the travellers. You have ancient historical temples, bustling cities and archaeological spots, each more popular than the other. A well-planned and executed trip makes all the difference, so ensure that you secure your bookings with TripXL for the ultimate travel experience around Guntur.
Cover Photo: Mujahed Shariff / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only