Vijayawada is a bustling city located in the heart of Andhra Pradesh. The city, despite the modernity it has embraced now, is laced with a rich history dating back to ancient centuries. Given the diverse range of places to visit in Vijayawada, you can embrace the vibrant culture, and impressive architectural wonders while exploring the city. Visiting Vijayawada enables you to experience unique sightseeing spots around and learn more about its history. Renowned for being a tourism and business hub, Vijayawada enables you to have an immersive experience travelling.
10 Places To Visit In Vijayawada
Here are the 10 best places to visit in Vijayawada; be it ancient temples, isolated islands or caves and hills:
1. Kanaka Durga Temple
Photo: rajaraman sundaram / Wikimedia Commons
Kanaka Durga Temple , also known as the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, is dedicated to Kanaka Durga. The temple is situated on top of the Indrakeeladri Hill. This enables you to have uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape and the Krishna River too. Inside the temple lies the staple South Indian architectural influences with the gopurams, grand entrance, and carvings. The temple’s legend depicts that the presiding deity Kanaka Durga killed Mahishasura to bring peace to the area and save the lives of the locals. These features make it one of the best tourist attractions in Vijayawada.
Location: Arjuna Street Mallikarjunapeta Indrakeeladri, Durga Agraharam, Mallikarjunapeta
Timings: 5 AM – 9:40 PM
2. Prakasam Barrage
Photo: Luke John / Wikimedia Commons
Prakasam Barrage is another one of the popular places to visit in Vijayawada at night that is built across the Krishna River. This 1223.5-meter-long barrage is not only a vital source of irrigation but also a popular tourist spot due to its picturesque setting. According to historical reports, the barrage’s construction dates back to the colonial era. Also, the barrage connects the two most important districts in Andhra Pradesh – Krishna and Guntur. Besides being an engineering marvel, you can also visit this spot during the evening time to witness it being all illuminated. The views of the barrage are also stunning during sunset.
Location: Prakasam Barrage Road
Timings: 24*7
3. Undavalli Caves
Photo: Kalli navya / Wikimedia Commons
To immerse yourself in the mysteries of the past, consider visiting Undavalli Caves, which is one of the renowned tourist places in Vijayawada. These monolithic caves truly define the skill and the architecture of the artisans from back in history. The caves have Gupta-style rock-cut architecture. Also, their construction dates back to the 4th or 5th century. Inside the cave, you can find a lot of sculptures that are dedicated to the Hindu Gods including Lord Vishnu, Narasimha and several depictions from Ramayana too. Furthermore, the caves have an association with the Vishnukundins kings of 420–620 CE.
Location: Penumaka – Vijayawada Road Near Prakasam, Barrage, Undavalli, Andhra Pradesh 522501
Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry Fees: ₹5 per person
4. Bhavani Island
Photo: Saisumanth532 / Wikimedia Commons
To escape the hustle and chaos of city life, Bhavani Island is one of the best among Vijayawada tourist places list. It is located on the Krishna River and is an island spread across an area of 133 acres, making it the largest river island in the country. You can indulge in a lot of unique adventure activities on this island, including boating, trekking, water sports, nature walks and even camping. There are eco-tourism resorts available on the island to stay and explore the activities. There are well-maintained gardens around the island, giving you a chance to embrace your photography skills.
Location: Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24*7
5. Gandhi Hill
Photo: Kailash Mohankar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Located right behind the Vijayawada railway station, Gandhi Hill is another one of the places for Vijayawada trip. One of the main attractions on this hill is the Gandhi Memorial, a historical monument that offers a glimpse into his life. It was the first Gandhi Memorial with seven stupas constructed in the country. Not only do you get to learn about Gandhi’s life and teachings, but the surroundings of the hill offer a sense of peace and serenity, which allows you to unwind. Inside the museum, you can also find a library, a planetarium, and a light and sound show experience to indulge in.
Location: Islampet, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520001
Timings: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6. Mogalarajapuram Caves
Photo: Krishna Chaitanya Velaga / Wikimedia Commons
If you are interested in unfolding archaeological details, Mogalarajapuram Caves is another one of Vijayawada tourist places. These caves are another example of ancient rock-cut architecture in Vijayawada. Archaeological evidence depicts that the caves date back to the 5th century and feature intricate carvings and sculptures, which truly define the beauty of the caves. Inside, you can find several sculptures dedicated to Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka, and Ardhanareeswara. Despite the small size of these caves, they do have a lot of historical significance, which explains why they are a must-visit spot.
Location: Siddhartha College Rd, Moghalrajpuram, Christurajupuram, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520010
Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
7. Rajiv Gandhi Park
Photo: Sajith Erattupetta / Wikimedia Commons
For the ones travelling with kids, Rajiv Gandhi Park is a place you will surely enjoy exploring. It is a well-maintained urban park that is located right around the entrance of Vijayawada. There are various unique recreational activities that you can explore inside this park. Inside the park, you will find a mini zoo, a musical fountain, and various sculptures and models that represent the culture and history of Andhra Pradesh. Also, the well-maintained garden around the park makes it such a popular spot among photographers too. You can set up and indulge in a picnic experience or go out on a leisurely evening stroll.
Location: Krishnalanka, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520001
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fees: ₹20 per person
8. Bapu Museum
Photo: Koushik / Wikimedia Commons
Bapu Museum is enriched with art and history and was reportedly built in 1887 as part of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. This explains why it is one of the oldest museums in Andhra Pradesh. The museum is named after the famous Indian cartoonist, filmmaker, and painter Bapu, whose works are also on display here. The actual architecture of the museum features a blend of Indo-European design, which is quite alluring to witness. Visiting this museum enables you to learn more about the culture and heritage of the place.
Location: Bapu Museum, MG Rd, Buckinghampeta, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520002
Timings: 10:30 AM – 5 PM (Friday closed)
Entry Fees: ₹50 for adults and ₹30 for children
9. Kondapalli Fort
Photo: Koushik / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A short drive from the main city of Vijayawada, Kondapalli Fort is one of the places to visit in Vijayawada with friends. This historical fort is located in Kondapalli village and its legacy dates back to the 14th century. Initially, the fort was built by the Reddy kings, which was later succeeded and occupied by the Gajapatis and the British. So, it serves as a historical landmark in the area. Located on a hilltop, the fort has stunning architectural brilliance, which is a sight to behold. Don’t miss out on buying the iconic traditional wooden toys called Kondapalli toys from the local markets.
Location: Ghat Road, Kondapalli, Andhra Pradesh 521228
Timings: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: ₹30 per person
10. Subramanya Swamy Temple
Photo: Hari vaikom(harish) / Wikimedia Commons
The Subramanya Swamy Temple is located in the middle of dense forests, which adds to the allure of the place even further. Surrounded by dense forests, rivers and mountains, the beauty of this temple is unmatched. The temple is located on the foothills of the Indrakiladri Hills. Inside the temple, all three forms of Lord Subramanya are worshipped, which is the primary highlight. You can also witness the Garuda Pillar inside the temple, which is entirely covered in silver. Also, surrounding the temple, there is an ant hill and snake habitat, which devotees visit to worship.
Location: Madhura Nagar, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520004
Timings: 5 AM – 12:30 PM and 5 PM – 8 PM
When exploring the different places to visit in Vijayawada, ensure that your travel itinerary is well-planned so you can witness the historical sites, spiritual centres and natural wonders. While there, don’t miss out on the modern aspects, including the parks, restaurants and shopping centres available around the city. For a seamless travel experience, ensure that you plan your entire vacation with TripXL for the ultimate travel experience in Vijayawada.
Cover Photo: Sushumnarao / Wikimedia Commons