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Visakhapatnam, popularly known as Vizag, is a beautiful coastal city in Andhra Pradesh that features a long coastline, alluring beaches and a whole lot of history associated with it. The city is also home to a wide range of museums, which are unlikely to be found in any other city. If you are looking into the places to visit near Vizag, or planning a weekend getaway, there are quite a few different spots that you can consider adding to your itinerary. There are scenic getaways and religious destinations that you can visit.
10 Places To Visit Near Vizag
These places to visit near Vizag offer equally enchanting spots perfect for day trips or weekend getaways. Be it the coffee plantations of Araku or the eco-tourism initiative of Tyda.
1. Araku Valley
Photo: Billjones94 / Wikimedia Commons
If there’s one place that’s synonymous with a weekend trip from Vizag, it is Araku Valley. This charming hill station is renowned for its lush green, coffee plantations and rich tribal culture. Since it is located at an elevation, away from the plains, the hill station is preferably cooler and perfect for a getaway trip. You can start the exploration with the mysterious Borra Caves, where the stalactites and stalagmites are quite impressive to witness. To learn about the local tribal groups, their history and their way of living, you can visit the local Tribal Museum.
Distance From Vizag: 114 km
Major Attractions: Borra Caves, Tribal Museum, Coffee Plantations, and Ananthagiri Hills
2. Tyda
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Tyda is a quaint village located in the Eastern Ghats, known for its ecotourism initiative and jungle camps. This is one of the best places to visit near Vizag, especially for tourists who genuinely want to escape from the chaos of the city and into the depths of nature. The camps that you will stay in are surrounded by lush greenery, forests, streams and hills, which add to the charm of the place. Also, the eco-friendly cottages are equipped with all the basic amenities, which ensures that you wouldn’t have to worry about your comfort at all.
Distance From Vizag: 75 km
Major Attractions: Jungle Bells Nature Camp, Bird Watching, Trekking, and Tribal Dances
3. Ananthagiri
Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons
A lot close to Araku Valley, Ananthagiri is yet another popular hill station that you can consider visiting. It is one of the best places to go near Vizag, especially if you want to experience scenic beauty, coffee plantations, and pleasant weather. What’s alluring about the Ananthagiri region is that it’s dotted with numerous waterfalls including the Tadimada Waterfalls. Ananthagiri offers various trekking trails that lead to stunning viewpoints, providing panoramic views of the valley. It is also said that the coffee plantations around Ananthagiri are one of the oldest in the region, so getting a tour of one is mandatory.
Distance From Vizag: 88 km
Major Attractions: Coffee Plantations, Tadimada Waterfalls, Trekking Trails, and Scenic Viewpoints
4. Kondakarla Ava
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons
Located fairly nearby, Kondakarla Ava is a blend of a famous lake and bird sanctuary that you can add to your travel plans while you are in Vizag. Located in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats, the sanctuary is home to an endangered flora, which explains why it is a must-visit. The wet evergreen forest inside this sanctuary is also home to species like Shelducks, Common Teals, Northern, and Pin Tails. The population of the birds usually increases during the winter months when the migration occurs.
Distance From Vizag: 32 km
Major Attractions: Bird Watching, Picnic Spot, and Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary
5. Lambasingi
Photo: Udayanarya / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
For a laidback and comfortable travel plan, Lambasingi is a great destination to visit near Vizag. It is located around a 2-3 hour drive away, making it a great spot for a quick day trip exploration. Also known as the “Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh,” Lambasingi is renowned for its cool climate, misty mornings, and scenic landscapes. During the winter months, it is one of the only places in South India where the temperature falls to below-freezing points, often leading to snowfall as well. While there, you can explore the local villages or trek through the dense forests and nature trails with a local guide.
Distance From Vizag: 101 km
Major Attractions: Coffee and Pepper Plantations, Misty Hills, Trekking, and Local Villages
6. Sankaram
Photo: Jvsnkk / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sankaram is a quaint village that is located on the banks of the Sarada River. It is a heritage spot and a popular tourist destination among the Buddhist devotees. Some of the most popular attractions in this village are Bojjana Konda and Lingalakonda, which are rock-cut caves that date back to the 3rd or 4th century. It is said that the name of the village “Sankaram” comes from the word “Sangharama,” which means monastery. The majority of the tourists visit this village to learn about these rock-cut caves and the excavation findings too.
Distance From Vizag: 21 km
Major Attractions: Bojjana Konda and Lingalakonda, Buddha Statues, Stupas, and Archaeological Significance
7. Annavaram
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons
For a religious experience, Annavaram is one of the good places to visit near Vizag. There are wildlife sanctuaries, beaches and ancient temples, all at the same place. You can start your exploration at the Talupulamma Thalli Temple, which is one of the most enlightening places in the city. To relax and witness stunning views of the sunrise and sunset, head to Uppada Beach, which is located nearby. You must also visit the Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple, which is one of the main tourist attractions in Annavaram. For birdwatching and learning about the mangrove ecosystem, you can visit the nearby Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary after the temple exploration.
Distance From Vizag: 108 km
Major Attractions: Talupulamma Thalli Temple, Uppada Beach, and Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple
8. Samarlakota
Photo: Palagiri / Wikimedia Commons
The charm of Samarlakota can only be explored and experienced once you are there. It is located in the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh and is home to a variety of unique sightseeing spots. One of the main tourist attractions there is the Pancharama Sri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple’s origin dates back to the era of the Eastern Chalukyans and the temple was built in the 9th century by Chalukya Kumara Rama. Besides Lord Shiva, Goddess Shri Bala Tripura Sundari’s shrine is also present inside the temple.
Distance From Vizag: 150 km
Major Attractions: Pancharama Sri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple
9. Bheemili Beach
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons
Unlike the popular beaches in Vizag, Bheemili Beach is in a remote and offbeat location, out of direct reach of tourists and is one of the less frequented by tourists. Beyond the tranquillity of the waves and the long coastline, the area around Bheemili Beach is also known for housing the remnants of the colonial remnants, especially the Dutch influence. Around the beach, you will find a 17th-century fort and cemetery, which is worth visiting. Besides that, you can swim in the ocean and sunbathe on the beach. Don’t miss out on trying the snacks from the local food shacks.
Distance From Vizag: 45 km
Major Attractions: Swimming, sunbathing and Dutch fort and cemetery
10. Katiki Waterfalls
Photo: Arkadeep Meta / Wikimedia Commons
Also known as Katiki Waterfalls, it is one of the top places to travel near Vizag. The waterfall is located in the Alluri Sitaram Raju district of Andhra Pradesh and originates from the River Gosthani and is named after its location, Katiki. The falls themselves are born near Borra Caves in Araku. Some say the falls are a must-visit in Vizianagaram, and that you can feel their significance as soon as you enter. Others say it’s a good place for big groups, kids, couples, and adrenaline seekers.
Distance From Vizag: 108 km
Major Attractions: Waterfalls, lush greenery, picnic, trekking, and jeep ride
With so many different places to visit near Vizag, having a well-planned itinerary ensures that you can cover multiple places without a glitch. Be it hill stations or religious towns, there are a variety of options to meet your interests. One non-negotiable thing is for you to book all the specifics of your trip with TripXL so you can avail the best discounts and have a seamless vacation.
Cover Photo: John Vimal Velpula / Unsplash
