Home to the oldest shipyard in India, Visakhapatnam is an important port city in the country. Its tag of Andhra Pradesh’s new capital in January 2023 has put the spotlight on the city. Popularly called Vizag, the city boasts of long blue beaches, lush green hills and lots of tourist places.
Vishakhapatnam has a rich cultural past, as it was under the occupation of several kingdoms, which imprinted generations of heritage onto the region. Visakhapatnam was a part of the Kalinga empire, and in the 7th century, it was conquered by the Eastern Chalukyas. Subsequently, it was ruled by the Reddy Rajas of Kondaveedu, the Gajapathis of Odisha, the Nawabs of Golkonda, and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, via an appointed subedar. Later, the French took over and then the British colonisers occupied it.
The calm and serene place has a beautiful beachfront with parks, promenades, sitting areas and a buzzing touristy feel in the evenings and mornings. The Ramakrishna (RK) Beach Road, and Dr NTR Beach Road are dotted with the majestic INS Kursura submarine-turned-museum, Sea Harrier Museum, TU 142 Aircraft Museum, and VMRDA Visakha Aircraft Museum. The imposing Victory at Sea Memorial is an iconic landmark on the beach road.
Around 90 kilometres from Visakhapatnam, in the Anantagiri Hills of the Araku Valley, are the Borra Caves, also known as Borra Guhalu. These are one of the largest caves in India and are known for their unique rock formations and rich cultural and historical significance. The natural caves are believed to be over one million years old, and are believed to have been formed by the reaction of the acidic water of Gosthani river falling on the limestone rocks. They are famous for their impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as other unique rock formations shaped like the human brain, an elephant, and more. You can avail of the guided tours while visiting the Borra Caves.
Around four kilometres from the Borra Caves, among the lush green forests, is the spectacular Katiki waterfalls. The white cascading 50 ft high waterfall adds to the enthralling ambience of green rolling hills s of share a name with the nearby village. Named after the village it is located in, the Katiki waterfalls originate at River Gosthani. You will have to embark on a moderate-level trek for around one kilometre through the forest to reach it. You can also admire the beauty from the several viewing platforms. The monsoon makes the waterfall come alive and tourists make a beeline to the spot. The green region is home to many birds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.
The decommissioned submarine, the INS Kursura, was transformed into a museum—one of its kind in the country. The submarine was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1969 and served for over three decades before being decommissioned in 2001. You can take a tour of the museum and learn about the technology of submarines, as well as the life of submariners.
You can see the parts of the huge submarine, how they work and who are the people operating them. The tour of the museum is interesting and very informative.
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm; closed on Sundays
Entry Fee: Rs 40/-
Yarada Beach
This famous beach is around 15 kilometres from the Visakhapatam. Its pristine blue water, golden sand, and breathtaking scenery around attract hordes of vacationers. Surrounded by hills and trees on three sides, Yarada beach is a perfect setting for a weekend outing. You can take a leisurely walk along the beach or sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Victory at Sea War Memorial
Constructed in 1996, the Victory at Sea Memorial is dedicated to the martyrs of Indian Navy and the Eastern Naval Command sailors. The sea-facing memorial stands solemnly, commemorating the victory of Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Visakhapatam has a pleasant weather from October to March, making it an ideal time to go out for sightseeing.
Visakhapatnam is well-connected by a railway network to all parts of the country. The railway station is 5 kms from the city centre. The city's airport is around 18 kms away from RK Beach Road. Vizag has a good road network connecting the city to towns and cities in the state and outside.