Situated In the southeastern coast of India, Andhra Pradesh is the 4th largest State of India. The capital of the state was Hyderabad which is also the largest city here. However, due to the announcement of the recently formed Telangana State, Hyderabad will be a part and capital of Telangana from the 2nd of June 2014. The State of Hyderabad will continue to function as the State Capital of Andhra Pradesh for a period not exceeding 10 years till a new capital is determined. The state of Andhra Pradesh is mentioned since 800 BC in the Sanskrit Epics like Aitareya Brahmana and Mahabharata. The native language ‘Telugu’ is often associated with the Early Cholas. Andhra Pradesh also came under the rule of the Maurya Empire, the Ikshvaku Dynasty, Pallava, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas and Later Cholas.When it comes to geography, Andhra covers most of the eastern part of the Deccan plateau and the eastern plains of the Eastern Ghats. The Eastern Ghats being a mineral rich area is covered with thick vegetation and the two regions are connected by patch of sparse vegetation. The State of Andhra Pradesh is well promoted by their tourism department and is well known for its rich natural resources, temples and rivers. The state of Andhra also shares a part of the coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal. The rich cultural heritage, ancient architecture and historical importance have made Andhra Pradesh one of the top tourist destinations in India. We shall discuss in brief the top 10 places to visit in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
Famous for: Beaches, Caves and Ports.
Major Attractions: Kailasagiri and RK Beach.
Nearby Places: Ananthagiri, Vizianagaram.
Ideal Visit Time: 2-3 days.
Visakhapatnam was the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh and a major sea port of India. However, with the recently announced Telangana State, Vishakhapatnam will now be the largest city of Andhra Pradesh and a probable Capital of the future state of Andhra Pradesh. The climate is tropical and humidity is high throughout the year. The city has all the necessary attractions and resources to make it one of the top tourist destinations in India. Its various beaches, hilltops and a wildlife sanctuary attract a major tourist crowd. The place is the major port of the Indian National Army and is the deepest ports of India. There are various valleys like the Araku Valley, which is a picturesque location for picnics and is a hill station that has some really great trekking hotspots. The various beaches like Yarada and Rishikonda are situated in some of most picturesque locations and are relatively clean and are frequented by many tourists.Given below are the major tourist attractions of Visakhapatnam.
Places of Interest
- Borra Caves
- Araku Valley
- Yarada Beach
- Rishikonda Beach
- Katiki Waterfalls
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
- Kailasagiri Hill Park
- VUDA Park
How to Reach
Visakhapatnam Airport (IATA: VTZ, ICAO: VOTZ) is the major airport about 12 kms away from the city centre and caters both domestic and international flights. A cab can be taken from the airport to any part of the city.
Visakhapatnam railway station (VSKP) in the city is connected to majority of cities in India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Vishakhapatnam to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses from Dwaraka bus station in Visakhapatnam. The national highways passing through this city are NH16 and NH65.
2. Tirupati
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Tirupati Balaji, Hinduism.
- Major Attractions:Venkateswara Temple and Govindaraja Temple.
- Nearby Places: Srikalahasti, Chittoor.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1-2 day.
About Tirupati
Tirupati is one of the major cultural and religious pilgrimage spots in India. The city is located at the southern part of Andhra Pradesh and is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Ghats in the Chittor district. Although the major language spoken here is Telugu, the word Tirupati is a Tamil word as saint Ramanujacharya who was a Tamil Vaishnava saint was responsible for founding this city. The town is famous for its temple dedicated to ‘Balaji’, a form of Lord Vishnu. The temple’s foundation history is unknown and it was expanded over the centuries by various kingdoms and dynasties including the Chola, Pallava and the Vijaynagar Empire. The temple is one of the major pilgrimage spots in India and especially in the southern India. Apart from the temples, there are various other attractions like parks and zoos. Here are some of the major tourist attractions of Tirupati:
Places of Interest
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- Talakona Waterfalls
- TTD Gardens
- Deer Park
- Sri Vari Museum
- Sri Govindarajaswami Temple
- Srikalahasti
- Kanipakam
How to Reach
Tirupati Airport (TIR) is the nearest domestic airport that is connected to all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to the city.
Tirupati railway station (TPTY) in the city is connected to majority of cities in India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city. Tirupati is India’s most booked railway station and therefore be sure to book your tickets well in advance.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Tirupati to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses at a regular frequency to Tirupati. The national highways passing through this city are NH140 and NH716.
3. Vijaywada
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Caves, History, Nature.
- Major Attractions: Undavalli Caves
- Nearby Places: Guntur, Amaravathi, Ongole.
- Ideal Visit Time: 2 days.
About Vijayawada
Vijayawada, being the third largest city of Andhra Pradesh is number 3 on this list. The city is an agriculturally rich state and has been recognized as the Global city of the future by McKinsey. The former name of the city was Bezawada and has been under the rule of various ancient kingdoms of the South and has been one of the places the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang stayed at. The River Krishna runs through the city and is located at the hills of the Eastern Ghats. The city’s location is unique as well as to its west lies the deep jungles of the Kondapalli Reserve Forests which is known to house leopards, jackals, wolves, wild boar and wild dogs. The city itself is a cultural and religious center with its various temples, religious monuments, rivers, ancient caves and many more. Do not forget to buy the famous Kondapalli Toys as souvenirs. Some popular tourist places in Vijayawada are:
Places of Interest
- Undavalli Caves
- Mogalarajapuram Caves
- Prakasam Barrage
- Bhavani Island
- Victoria Museum
- Kondapalli Fort
- Kolleru Lake
- Gandhi Hill
How to Reach
The Vijayawada Airport is the major airport in the city and has connectivity from all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to any part of the city.
Vijayawada Junction railway station (BZA) in the city is connected to majority of cities in India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs interstate and intrastate buses to and fro on a regular basis. The national highways passing through Vijaywada are NH16 and NH44.
4. Nellore
Visitor Information
Famous for: Religion, Rivers.
Major Attractions: Ranganatha Temple, Pulicat Lake.
Nearby Places: Tirupati, Chennai.
Ideal Visit Time: 2 days.
About Nellore
The name ‘Nellore’ literally means ‘Paddy Place’ and is thus one of the primary agricultural cities in Andhra Pradesh. The vast paddy fields of Damaramadugu are one of the prime sources of rice in the state and in the country. The town is split in two by the Pennar River and is thus located at both the banks of the river. Towards the east of the city is the Bay of Bengal and thus Nellore is at a unique and strategic geographical location. The city has seen various ancient dynasties like the Mauryas, Chola, Pallava and Vijaynagar etc. Nellore is also famous for its ancient temples which are amazing owing to their stunning architecture and the cultural history associated with them. Nellore also has the Nelapattu bird sanctuary which is a great spot for the photography enthusiasts and professionals alike. The various lakes, temples, forts in the ancient agricultural town of Nellore are sure to keep you enchanted. Here are some important tourist destinations in Nellore:
Places of Interest -
Udayagiri Fort
Venkatagiri Fort
Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Penchalakona
Jonnawada
Mypad Beach
Pulicat Lake
How to Reach
Air
The Tirupati Airport is the nearest major airport and has connectivity from all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to Nellore about 2 h 29 min (136.3 km) away.
Rail
Nellore railway station (NLR) in the city is connected to majority of cities in India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.
Road
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Nellore to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. The national highway passing through this city is NH16.
5. Chittoor
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Temples, Agriculture, Nature.
- Major Attractions: Vinayaka Temple, Kaigal Water Falls.
- Nearby Places: Tirupati, Kanchipuram.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1-2 days.
About Chittoor
The city of Chittoor lies at the banks of the Ponnai River and is thus an important agricultural town in Andhra Pradesh. The town’s major source of economy is its crops and agricultural products like grain, sugarcane, mango and Peanuts. The town has a unique climate which is high in the Eastern areas and low in the western areas because of the change in the altitude. The place is considered to be a backward district as far as the economy is concerned; nevertheless it is a great place to visit and an undiscovered gem for a tourist. The town with its various hills, rivers, temples, forts and a rich collection of flora and fauna is a must visit. A personal recommendation would be to spend more time at the western areas near the Horsley Hills and simply relax. While most attractions in Chittoor can be covered in a day, it is more of a place to relax and rejuvenate. Some major tourist places in Chittoor are given below:
Places of Interest
- Horsley Hills
- Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kalavagunta
- Gurramkonda Fort
- Nagari Hills
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- Mogili
- Ramagiri
How to Reach
The Tirupati Airport is the nearest major airport and has connectivity from all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to Chittoor about 1 hr 28 min (70.5 km) away.
Chittoor railway station (CTO) in the city is connected to majority of cities in Andhra Pradesh. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city. The nearest station having the best connectivity is Tirupati railway station (TPTY) about 70.5 kms away.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Chittoor to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. NH40 and NH69 are the national highways passing through this city.
6. Anantapur
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Temples, History, Heritage.
- Major Attraction: Veerabhadra Temple.
- Nearby Places: Hampi, Puttaparthi.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day or less.
About Anantapur
The Largest of all the districts in Andhra Pradesh, Anantapur is famous for diamond mining and agricultural produce like rice, cotton, maize, chillies etc. The town is located near the bordering State of Karnataka and has 6 rivers that flow through the district. The town is an undiscovered tourist location with a number of monuments that exemplify the ancient reign of the Vijaynagar Kingdom and is famous for its ancient temples as well. The old ruins of the hilltop forts, its hidden waterfalls make it an amazing tourist attraction. The town of Anantapur is also famous for housing the mighty banyan tree of ‘Thimmamma Marrimanu’ which is one of the largest trees in the world. Its branches are spread in an area covering around 2.5 acres and a canopy that is spread around 19,107 sq meters. Anantapur is a definitive visit for all people visiting Andhra Pradesh. Given below are major places to visit in Anantpur:
Places of Interest
- Penukonda
- Ravadurg Gooty Fort
- Thimmamma Marrimanu
- Dharmavaram
- Hemavathi
- Aluru Kona
- Lepakshi
- Raidurga Fort
How to Reach
Bengaluru International Airport is the nearest major airport and has connectivity from all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to Chittoor about 2 hr 41 min (191.8 km) away.
Anantapur railway station (ATP) in the city is connected to majority of cities of Andhra Pradesh. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city. The nearest station having the best connectivity is Bangalore City railway station (SBC) about 2 hours away.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Anantpur to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. NH7 and NH205 are the national highways passing through this city.
7. Kurnool
Visitor Information
Famous for: History, Caves.
Major Attraction: Belum Caves, Oravakallu Rock Garden.
Nearby Places: Mantralayam, Hampi, Hyderabad.
Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.
About Kurnool
Kurnool is known for being the erstwhile capital of the State of Andhra Pradesh. The town is one of the oldest cities and based on the rock paintings of Ketavaram, the town has seen humans since the Paleolithic era. The ancient caves and fort ruins in Kurnool date back pretty far in history and are a marvel to behold. The town is surrounded by the parallel running mountain ranges from north to south. The various temples and pilgrimage sites in this ancient town are not only significant when it comes to their cultural history but are also important architectural heritage of the city. The Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is one of the prime reasons one must visit this town as it is a great place for both nature lovers and the shutterbugs. Some major attractions of Kurnool are given below:
Places of Interest
Kurnool Fort
Belum Caves
Nallamala Forest
Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary
Adoni Fort
Mahanandi
Kurnool Museum
Mantralayam
How to Reach
Air
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad is the nearest major airport and has connectivity from all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to Kurnool about 3 h 28 min (213.5 km) away.
Rail
Kurnool City railway station (KRNT) in the city is connected to majority of cities of India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.
Road
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Anantpur to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. NH44 and NH40 are the national highways passing through this city.
8. Kadapa
Visitor Information
Famous for: History, Heritage, Cuisine.
Major Attractions: Gandikota Fort and Bellum Caves.
Nearby Places: Hampi, Puttaparthi.
Ideal Visit Time: 1 day or less.
About Kadapa
Kadapa literally means a ‘Gateway’. This name owes to its special location which acts as a gateway to the pilgrim spot of the Tirumala Hills. The town was a part of the various ancient kingdoms of the South and it’s famous for its various temples and forts that exemplify a marvelous Dravidian style architecture and prowess of the artisans when it comes to stone carving. The Bellum Caves are few of the longest caves in the Indian subcontinent and a spot that one shouldn’t miss. The town got its economic boom when the large deposits of natural Uranium were discovered here and is one of the world’s top 20 reserves of the nuclear fuel. The Shree Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary located here is also a great spot worth visiting and is rich with flora, fauna and some breathtaking views. Major tourist places in Kadapa include:
Places of Interest
Belum Caves
Gandikota Fort
Sidhout Fort
Bhagvan Mahavir Government Museum
Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary
Pushpagiri
Ontimitta
Ameen Peer Dargah
How to Reach
Air
Kadapa Airport, the nearest airport, has flights only from Hyderabad and therefore is not directly connected to any other major city in India. The next best option is Tirupati airport which is connected to the majority of cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to Kadapa about 2 h 42 min (136.4 km) away.
Rail
Cuddapah railway station (HX) in the city is connected to majority of cities of India through the Mumbai-Chennai line. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.
Road
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Kadapa to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. NH40 passes through this city.
9. Srikalahasti
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Shaivism, Nature.
- Major Attraction: Srikalahasti temple.
- Nearby Places: Tirupati, Nellore.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day or less.
About Srikalahasti
Located on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River, Srikalahasti is located near the pilgrim city of Tirupati. The name of the town comes from the native names of three animals (spider, snake and elephant) which are said to have received salvation owing to their worship of Lord Shiva. Many different spots of this sacred town have been mentioned in the ancient texts and epics like Mahabharata. The town being a holy spot for the Hindu pilgrims boasts of its various temples which are architectural marvels and are located in few of the most picturesque locations between the surrounding hillocks. The town’s major sources of economy are agriculture and tourism so the visitors can expect good food and hospitality. Here are some major tourist places to visit in Srikalahasti:
Places of Interest
- Sri Kalahasti Temple
- Talakona Waterfalls
- Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls
- Ubbalamadugu Falls
- Gudimallam
- Sahasra Linga Temple
- Bharadwaja Tirtham
- Durgambika Temple
How to Reach
The Tirupati Airport is the nearest major airport and has connectivity from all major cities in India. A cab can be taken from the airport to Srikalahasti about 57 min (36.9 km) away.
Srikalahasti railway station (KHT) in the city is connected to majority of cities in India. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city. Another good option is the Tirupati railway station (TPTY) about 57 min (36.9 km) away.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Srikalahasti to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. NH71 and NH140 are the national highways passing through this city.
10. Rajahmundry
Visitor information- Famous for: River Godavari, Culture, Pilgrimage.
- Major Attractions: Pushkaram, Dutch Fort.
- Nearby Places:Vishakhapatnam, Guntur, Amalapuram.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.
About Rajahmundry
The city is known to be the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh and is notable for its ancient Vedic culture. The city was said to have been founded by the Chalukyas in the 11th century. However it has been disputed by many historians and archeologists who claim that the town existed before the rule of the Chalukyas. Rajahmundry is also known to be the birthplace of the Telugu language. The river Godavari is the major attraction in this town and various parks and ghats are located by its banks. The boat cruises on the river are also an activity that shouldn’t be missed. The town being an ancient one is also famous for its ancient Dravidian Hindu temples that are frequented by tourists from all around. Some of the most popular places in Rajahmundry is given below:
Places of Interest
- Papi Hills
- Kadiyapulanka
- Godavari Boat Travels
- Kotilingeswara TempleRallabandi Subbarao Government Museum
- Pattiseema
- Markandeya Temple
- Dowleswaram Barrage
How to Reach
Rajahmundry Airport is the nearest airport and has connectivity from Bangalore,Chennai and Hyderabad. A cab can be taken from the airport to any part of Rajahmundry.
Rajahmundry railway station (RJY) in the city is connected to majority of cities in India like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Kolkata. Take a cab from the station to any part of the city.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connects Rajahmundry to all the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It also operates interstate buses. NH42 and NH71 are the national highways passing through this city.
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