Visakhapatnam, popularly known as Vizag, is a city where history, culture, and nature merge into one. The city hosts several museums that are unique and help any stranger get a glimpse of the rich heritage and tradition displayed in Visakhapatnam. From maritime history to tribal culture, the museums in Visakhapatnam cater to a variety of tastes. Whether history, art or simply curiosity is spoken about, the window opens to both the past and present of this bustling metropolis..
10 Museums In Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam has museums that hold the essence of this historical city and its relation to the sea. Here is a list of the popular museums in Visakhapatnam you must visit.
1. INS Kurusura Submarine Museum
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
INS Kurusura Submarine Museum occupies an important place on the list of places to visit in Visakhapatnam. For the first time in history, the museum in Visakhapatnam was permitted to open its gates and showcase visitors around a decommissioned submarine, INS Kurusura, that served in the Indian Navy for over three decades. Inside, you’ll find exhibits depicting life as a sailor, the technology used in submarines, and the significant naval battles the submarine participated in. An immersive experience that displays the rich naval history of India, it finds a place among the best Visakhapatnam museums.
Entry Fee: ₹40 for adults, ₹20 for children
Location: RK Beach Road, Visakhapatnam
2. TU 142 Aircraft Museum
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
Another gem among the most famous museums in Visakhapatnam is the TU 142 Aircraft Museum. It houses a retired TU-142 aircraft that used to be the might of the Indian Navy. Visitors can go inside the aircraft to understand its role in maritime surveillance and learn about the technology it was powered with. Many aircraft model displays and equipment are also kept in this museum, making it a must-visit for aero-enthusiasts and those interested in military history.
Entry Fee: ₹70 for adults, ₹40 for children
Location: Beach Road, Visakhapatnam
3. Visakha Museum (Visakhapatnam Municipal Museum)
Photo: Visakha Budathadu / Wikipedia
Visakha Museum, or more popularly Visakhapatnam Municipal Museum, houses all the treasures of the city’s history and culture. This museum in Visakhapatnam, being a historical one, keeps a vast collection of ancient weapons, manuscripts, and warship models. The museum provides an extensive view of the city’s past, hence being one of the favourite places among history lovers. It is one of the best museums in Visakhapatnam to check out the evolution of the region over the centuries.
Entry Fee: ₹20 for adults, ₹10 for children
Location: Beach Road, Visakhapatnam
4. Andhra Pradesh State Museum
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons
Andhra Pradesh State Museum is one of the most famous museums in Visakhapatnam, retaining some of the richest traditions of art, artefacts, and sculptures from various periods. Among others, the museum organises exhibits, starting from ancient times and ending with contemporary ones. In addition, the museum contains a vast collection including bronze statues, manuscripts, and traditional crafts, making it one of the top museums in Visakhapatnam for those curious to know about Andhra Pradesh’s cultural heritage.
Entry Fee: ₹30 for adults, ₹10 for children
Location: Dabagardens, Visakhapatnam
5. Kambalakonda Wildlife Museum
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons
Kambalakonda Wildlife Museum is located within Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. This museum exhibits regional biodiversity, including the flora and fauna of the Eastern Ghats. As such, they educate and enlighten visitors about the local ecosystem. Being a good nature stop and family destination to learn about the wildlife that surrounds it, all this and more makes it a top museum in Visakhapatnam.
Entry Fee: ₹10 for adults, ₹5 for children
Location: Kambalakonda, Visakhapatnam
6. Visakhapatnam Railway Museum
Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Visakhapatnam Railway Museum is a point of interest not only for railway lovers but also for history enthusiasts as one gets to experience facets of the Indian Railways’ history. It contains old locomotives, carriages, and other railway models, explaining the evolution of rail transport in the region. With models of trains, historic photographs, and other objects, it showcases the role of railways in the development of India. The museum is also popular among the sections interested in engineering and transport history.
Entry Fee: ₹30 for adults, ₹15 for children
Location: Waltair Uplands, Visakhapatnam
7. Naval Museum (Maritime Museum)
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Naval Museum, popularly referred to as the Maritime Museum, is dedicated to India’s naval history, the Eastern Naval Command, with its base in Visakhapatnam. It contains models of ships, naval equipment and photographs depicting India’s rich maritime legacy. The museum falls in the category of some of the best museums to visit in Visakhapatnam because it is one of the interesting places to witness naval history, thereby attracting a crowd of history buffs.
Entry Fee: ₹50 for adults, ₹25 for children
Location: Beach Road, Visakhapatnam
8. Kailasagiri Telugu Museum
Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons
The Kailasagiri Telugu Museum in Andhra Pradesh has on display life-size models of famous personalities, both national and international. It is one of the popular museums in Visakhapatnam among the families, especially kids. Lively figures will keep you amused and informed about the minute details of the personalities on display. The museum is popular by the name Telugu Saamskruthika Niketanam worldwide.
Entry Fee: ₹40 for adults, ₹20 for children
Location: Kailasagiri, Visakhapatnam
9. Tribal Museum
Photo: Ravi teja / Wikimedia Commons
The Tribal Museum, situated in the Araku Valley near Visakhapatnam, depicts the culture and tradition of the tribal people inhabiting Andhra Pradesh. The museum contains several items on exhibition that depict the traditional craftsmanship, tools, and other artefacts used by the tribal people. This is one of the historical museums in Visakhapatnam, which imparts information about the indigenous heritage of the region.
Entry Fee: ₹20
Location: Araku Valley, Visakhapatnam
10. Tyda Nature Camp Museum
Photo: Cliford Mervil / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Tyda Nature Camp Museum is located within Tyda Nature Camp and conducts exhibitions on the natural history of the Eastern Ghats. The museum provides informative insights into the local ecosystem, thus making it one of the best museums in Visakhapatnam for nature lovers. It helps people get an idea of the variety of flora and fauna found in the region before embarking on nature walks or treks.
Entry Fee: Part of the entry to Tyda Nature Camp
Location: Tyda, near Visakhapatnam
Visiting the museums in Visakhapatnam is the surest way to understand the heavy elements of culture and history this city holds. Be it the INS Kurusura Submarine Museum, part of the great Indian maritime, or the TU 142 Aircraft Museum showcasing history in the skies, all are unique in their own way. Plan a trip to Andhra Pradesh with TripXL and unfold the history of the state.
Cover Photo: Charlotte May / Pexels / Image For Representation Only