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Nellore is one of those cities in Andhra Pradesh that is renowned for its timeless charm. Be it the ancient temples like Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or the alluring history at the Udayagiri Fort, there is a lot to unfold when you are there. While the charm of Nellore doesn’t await any introductions, you can’t take away from the fact that this city is surrounded by significant travel destinations that will take your breath away. If you want to immerse yourself in its natural beauty, there are numerous places to visit near Nellore.
10 Places To Visit Near Nellore
Be it the serenity of the Pulicat Lake or the handicrafts at Patuku, several places around Nellore are bound to mesmerise you.
1. Penchalakona
Photo: Chandu3782 / Wikimedia Commons
The most popular pilgrimage and religious place to visit near Nellore is Penchalakona. The two of the most alluring temples there include Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Mahalakshmi temples. There are stories and folklore that suggest that in the Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Lord Narasimha appeared in the form of a rock, following which the temple was constructed. Beyond the religious significance, Penchalakona is also filled with a lot of natural wonders. The most important one is the Penchalakona Waterfalls. You can embark on trekking expeditions around the hills and also the path leading up to the waterfall.
Distance From Nellore: 97 km
Major Attractions: Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Mahalakshmi temple, and Penchalakona Waterfalls
2. Pulicat Lake
Photo: P Jeganathan / Wikimedia Commons
Pulicat Lake is one of the best places to visit near Nellore which covers the territories of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is the “second largest” brackish water lagoon in the country, covering around 730 sq. km area. Beyond the beauty of this lake, it also plays a significant role in attracting the monsoon rain clouds. The lake is also home to the renowned Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, and a variety of birds, both native and migratory. Some of the birds that you will more commonly witness around the lake are storks, pelicans and flamingos.
Distance From Nellore: 112 km
Major Attractions: Pulicat Bird Sanctuary and Migratory birds
3. Udayagiri Fort
Photo: Yvsreddy / Wikimedia Commons
Udayagiri Fort is another one of the best places to go near Nellore, especially if you are a history buff who loves exploring more about the reigns and the rulers. The fort is located on top of the Udayagiri hills and was established in the 14th century. It was initially built by the Vijayanagara Empire and was later succeeded by the Gajapatis, the Golconda Sultanate, and lastly by the colonial rulers. The fort is located at an elevation of 3079 feet, offering stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape.
Distance From Nellore: 101 km
Major Attractions: Underground passage, burial of Dutch Admiral Eustachius De Lannoy, and panoramic views
4. Mypadu Beach
Photo: ManojKRacherla / Wikimedia Commons
Among the nearest destinations to visit from Nellore, Mypadu Beach is one such spot you must add to your travel plans. The beach is a virgin one, meaning that it is not overcrowded with tourists. Mostly, you will find the locals taking a swim or sunbathing on the beach. There aren’t any extensive water sports available but the water is safe for swimming and you can explore the expanse of the coastline too. There are shells scattered all around the beach, making it a great spot for beachcombing too.
Distance From Nellore: 24 km
Major Attractions: Swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, and trying food from the shacks
5. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
Photo: David Clode / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
If you are interested in learning more about birds and witnessing unique bird species in real-time, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is another one of the good places to visit near Nellore. It is located in the Tirupati district and spread across an area of 459 hectares. The main attraction in this bird sanctuary is the spot-billed pelicans. However, beyond spotting birds, the sanctuary is also home to unique flora and vegetation including Barringtonia swamp forests and southern dry evergreen scrub. Besides the pelicans, the bird sanctuary is also home to around 189 bird species, out of which 50 of them are migratory species that visit during the winter months.
Distance From Nellore: 82 km
Major Attractions: Spot-billed pelicans, observation towers, and nature trails
6. Tirupati
Photo: Bhomik Gohil / Wikimedia Commons
A popular destination to visit near Nellore is Tirupati, which is the religious abode of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, also known as Tirupati Balaji. Beyond the main attraction of the Balaji Temple, Tirupati is also surrounded by various other religious centres and natural wonders that you must explore. You must visit the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple and Shri Varaha Swamy Temple to complete your pilgrimage to Tirupati as well. Also, the Sri Venkateswara National Park is another one of the places where you can explore the rich biodiversity around. You can also visit Sri Kalahasti Temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, and the Kodandarama Temple, which are nearby.
Distance From Nellore: 138 km
Major Attractions: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple and Shri Varaha Swamy Temple, Sri Kalahasti Temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, and the Kodandarama Temple
7. Somasila Dam
Photo: P. Madhusudan / Wikimedia Commons
Another nearby destination from Nellore that must be in your travel plans is the Somasila Dam. The dam is constructed across the Penna River and is the biggest storage reservoir in the area. Beyond being one of the largest irrigation projects in the area, the dam is also renowned for its views of the surrounding landscapes. Near the dam lies the Someswara Temple and Ashram, which are two of the most popular tourist attractions in the area as well. What’s enticing about visiting the dam is that you get to witness unobstructed views of the Eastern Ghats from there.
Distance From Nellore: 86 km
Major Attractions: Boating, scenic viewpoints, and Someswara Temple and Ashram
8. Chengalamma Temple
Photo: Ramesh Basnet / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Among the religious spots to visit near Nellore, Chengalamma Temple in Sullurpeta is another spot that you have to visit. The temple is located on the banks of the Kalangi River, which adds to the serenity of the place. Beyond the stunning architecture, one of the most astounding markers of this temple is the idol inside the inner sanctum. In the idol, the left hand depicts Parvati, the right hand depicts Saraswati and the central park depicts Maa Lakshmi. This explains why the temple is named “Trikale Chengali.” It is believed that the temple was constructed under the reign of the Chola dynasty.
Distance From Nellore: 97 km
Major Attractions: Chengalamma Jatara, the idol of the deity, and Dravidian architecture
9. Kothakoduru Beach
Photo: MagBres / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kothakoduru Beach is another one of the places to travel near Nellore, especially if you are looking for some respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The beach is around 18 km from the main city, which makes it a great getaway spot. The beach’s gentle waves are conducive to swimming or you can sit at the shore to soak in the tranquillity of the spot too. You must also visit the Velangani Mata Church near the beach to explore its intricate architecture.
Distance From Nellore: 23 km
Major Attractions: Swimming, sunbathing, trying food from local shacks, and Velangani Mata Church
10. Kandaleru Dam
Photo: Ali Madad Sakhirani / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Last on the list is the Kandaleru Dam or the Kandaleru Reservoir. This is an irrigation project that is built across the Kandaleru River. Beyond the engineering marvel of this dam, the surrounding scenic views explain why it is such a popular sightseeing spot. The dam spread across an area of 11 sq. km and is one of the largest dams in the area. Also, the reservoir is surrounded by hillocks and woodlands, allowing you to soak in the views of the surroundings. One of the best times to visit the reservoir is during the evening to witness the sunset views.
Distance From Nellore: 59 km
Major Attractions: Irrigation project, sunset views, and scenic viewpoints
With the variety of places to visit near Nellore, prioritising where to visit first can be a challenge. What’s vital is to find spots that align with your travelling likes and dislikes and then curate a travel plan accordingly. Following extensive research and planning, you can next sort out all your vacation bookings with TripXL to avail the best discounts and deals too.
Cover Photo: BOMBMAN / Wikimedia Commons
