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Andhra Pradesh is a South Indian state with unique experiences, cities, towns and villages catering to every traveller’s diverse interests. From Vizag’s bustling modernism to Tirupati’s empowering spirituality, there’s a lot to unfold. There are numerous places to visit in Andhra Pradesh that enable you to experience the calmness and serenity of the beaches and the ancient history and legends behind the temples. Since there’s so much to unfold in Andhra Pradesh, take your time to pre-plan the itinerary and sort out all the bookings to avoid last-minute hassles.
10 Best Places To Visit In Andhra Pradesh
Often an underdog when it comes to travel experiences, these exciting places to visit in Andhra Pradesh are waiting to be explored while you are there.
1. Visakhapatnam
Photo: eclicks_by_bunny / Wikimedia Commons
To start your journey, you can kick it off with one of the most bustling cities – Visakhapatnam or Vizag. This beautiful coastal city enables you to immerse in natural beauty, historical experiences and a relaxing time. One of the main attractions of Vizag is its long coastline and numerous beaches. RK Beach and Rushikonda Beach happen to be some of the most popular ones. You can also visit Kailasagiri Hill Park for picnics and panoramic views. The Submarine Museum, one of its kind in South Asia, is another must-visit, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of Indian Navy personnel.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: RK beach and Rushikonda beach, Kailasagiri Hill Park, and Submarine Museum
Top Experiences: Explore the beaches, and water sports, shop at the malls, and learn about the history of the local museums.
2. Tirupati
Photo: Bhomik Gohil / Wikimedia Commons
Tirupati is one of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh and is a popular pilgrimage destination for the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. Every year, millions of devotees visit the temple to seek blessings from Tirupati Balaji for prosperity and happiness. This temple is considered one of the richest and most visited religious sites in the world. Besides the temple, Tirupati is also known for its serene natural beauty, with places like the TTD Gardens, Papavinasam Theertham, and the Chandragiri Fort offering additional experiences for visitors. You can also visit the Srikalahasti Temple, which is located nearby.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, TTD Gardens, Papavinasam Theertham, and Chandragiri Fort.
Top Experiences: Explore the temples, experience the natural wonders and waterfalls, and trekking experiences around Tirumala Hills.
3. Araku Valley
Photo: Dissoxciate / Wikimedia Commons
Located near Vizag, Araku Valley is yet another one of the Andhra Pradesh tourist places you can consider visiting. Offering a blend of lush green landscapes, coffee plantations, and a pleasant climate, this hill station serves as a getaway for tourists. The journey to Araku Valley, especially via the train passing through tunnels and bridges, is an experience in itself. The valley is home to a variety of indigenous tribes about whom you can learn at the Araku Valley Tribal Museum. You can also explore Borra Caves or immerse yourself in the natural charm of the region at Ananthagiri Hills and Katiki Waterfalls.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Araku Valley Tribal Museum, Borra Caves, Ananthagiri Hills and Katiki Waterfalls
Top Experiences: Explore the coffee plantations, trek through the valleys, and try Bamboo chicken.
4. Vijayawada
Photo: Suneeth Kumar B / Unsplash
Translating to “Place of Victory,” Vijayawada is another place in Andhra Pradesh worth visiting. The bustling city is located on the banks of Krishna River and is dubbed the commercial hub of Andhra Pradesh. There are several tourist attractions there including the Kanaka Durga Temple, located on the Indrakeeladri Hill that attracts thousands of devotees every year. You can immerse in the history at Undavalli Caves or marvel at the engineering of the Prakasam Barrage where you can take strolls too. You can also visit Bhavani Island for a laid-back experience.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Prakasam Barrage, and Bhavani Island
Top Experiences: Worshipping the deities at the temples, adventure activities like trekking and camping on the island, and Shopping from the city centre.
5. Srikalahasti
Photo: రవిచంద్ర / Wikimedia Commons
Srikalahasti is located near the holy city of Tirupati and is one of the places to visit in Andhra Pradesh due to its spiritual significance. The main attraction in the city is the Srikalahasti Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the only temple in India where the deity is renowned for its Vayu Lingam. This temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, which are the five holy shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architecture of the temple features the staple South Indian architectural influence, which is quite a treat to witness.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Srikalahasti Temple
Top Experiences: Offering prayers at the temple, buying souvenirs, and purchasing hand-woven Kalamkari textiles
6. Lepakshi
Photo: Pavithrah / Wikimedia Commons
Despite being a small village, Lepakshi holds a lot of mystery and unique experiences that you wouldn’t get to experience elsewhere. One of the primary marvels in Lepakshi is the Veerabhadra Temple, which is known for its Vijayanagara architectural style. The main attraction inside the temple is the hanging pillar. Among the 70+ pillars that hold up the structure of the main sanctum, there is that one pillar that seems to be defying gravity. Another highlight of Lepakshi is the massive Nandi statue, which is one of the largest monolithic bull statues in India.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Veerabhadra Temple and the entire temple complex
Top Experiences: Learn the mysteries of hanging pillar, explore the village to witness the murals, and explore the surrounding sculpture
7. Horsley Hills
Photo: PJeganathan / Wikimedia Commons
Among the underrated tourist places in Andhra Pradesh, Horsley Hills is one you don’t want to miss out. This is an offbeat hill station located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. With a cool climate and scenic beauty, this hill station is often referred to as the “Ooty of Andhra Pradesh.” There are several experiences to explore there including Kaigal Falls, Chennakesava Temple, Horsley Hills Zoo, and the Whisper Wind View Point. You can plan to spend a day or two in this hill station to find a break from the monotony of life.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Kaigal Falls, Chennakesava Temple, Horsley Hills Zoo, and the Whisper Wind View Point
Top Experiences: Explore sightseeing spots, and indulge in adventure activities like trekking, and zorbing.
8. Gandikota
Photo: Ganesh Subramaniam / Wikimedia Commons
The “Grand Canyon of India,” Gandikota is a small village that is located on the banks of the Pennar River in the Kadapa district. The main attraction in this village is the stunning gorge, where the Pennar River flows through massive red granite cliffs, mimicking the Grand Canyons in the U.S. The main tourist attraction in the village is the massive Gandikota Fort, which houses a plethora of ruins and remnants, Hindu temples and a mosque. You can explore different adventure activities like rock climbing and kayaking in the nearby river. Don’t miss out on exploring the Belum Caves nearby.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Gandikota Fort, Belum Caves, Temples, and Mosque
Top Experiences: Explore the fort and the temples and mosque, Indulge in adventure activities, and trekking
9. Konaseema
Photo: Ch Maheswara Raju / Wikimedia Commons
Located in the East Godavari district, Konaseema is one of the spots to add to the Andhra Pradesh tourist places list. With the lush green paddy fields, coconut groves, and serene backwaters, it often mimics Kerala. Beyond the natural beauty, Konaseema is also home to a variety of ancient temples including Ainavilli Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Appanapalli Temple and Ryali Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy Temple. You can also indulge in a boat ride on the Godavari River while witnessing the stunning natural views of the surroundings.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Ainavilli Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Appanapalli Temple Ryali Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy Temple, Dindi, and Kotipalli.
Top Experiences: Explore the ancient temples, try local cuisine, and a boat ride on the Godavari River.
10. Amaravati
Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons
Last on the list of the must-visit places in Andhra Pradesh is Amaravati, the capital city. This is a modern urban hub that is also enriched with a lot of history, especially with the Buddhist culture. The city is home to the famous Amaravati Stupa, an ancient Buddhist monument dating back to the 2nd century BCE and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. You can also visit the Amaravati Museum to learn about the history of the Satavahana period. Ensure that you visit the Amaralingeswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Top Places To Visit: Amaravati Stupa, Amaravati Museum, and Amaralingeswara Temple
Top Experiences: Explore the Buddhist pilgrimage sites, learn about the history of the place, and worship local deities at the temples
Your travel plans to include the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh will only be a success when you have a proper line of action. The key is to prebook all elements of your vacation with TripXL so you don’t miss out on any of the unique experiences. Also, ensure that you have a variance in your travel plans to include nature retreats and cultural immersions for a varied experience.
Cover Photo: Yogi Ravi Teja Yedla / Unsplash
