Visakhapatnam, India: travel guide
Port city of beaches, hills and the road to Araku Valley
Port city of beaches, submarine museums, Araku Valley tribal highlands, and the scenic Eastern Ghats — Andhra's most scenic coastal destination.
About Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, often shortened to Vizag, is a port city on Andhra Pradesh's coast, where the Eastern Ghats come down almost to the sea. Its mix of beaches, hills and naval heritage makes it one of the more relaxed cities on the Bay of Bengal.
Things to do in Visakhapatnam include an evening at Ramakrishna (RK) Beach, the hilltop views from Kailasagiri Hill Park, and a look inside the INS Kursura Submarine Museum on the beachfront. Simhachalam Temple sits on a hill outside town, and day trips go to the Borra Caves and the green highlands of Araku Valley, reached by a scenic road or rail line.
It suits families and weekend travellers. The best time to visit Visakhapatnam is from October to February, before the heat of summer.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- VTZ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Visakhapatnam
Ramakrishna (RK) Beach
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Vizag's lively seafront promenade along the Bay of Bengal, lined with statues, the submarine museum and food stalls — the heart of the city's evenings.
Kailasagiri Hill Park
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A hilltop park reached by ropeway with giant Shiva-Parvati statues, gardens, a toy train and sweeping views over the coastline and city.
Araku Valley
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A lush tribal hill valley ~115 km away famed for coffee plantations, waterfalls, the Tribal Museum and a spectacular ghat railway journey.
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Wildlife · 4.3 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₹60
A large forested zoo at the foot of the Eastern Ghats with tigers, lions, primates and a safari, set in the Kambalakonda hills.
INS Kursura Submarine Museum
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹40
A decommissioned Indian Navy submarine beached on RK Beach as a walk-through museum, a rare chance to explore a real submarine's cramped interior.
Rushikonda Beach
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A golden-sand beach north of the city, popular for swimming, water sports and a relaxed seaside day amid green hills.
Borra Caves
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹60
India's deepest accessible caves, a million-year-old limestone wonder of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites lit in colour, on the scenic Araku rail route.
Simhachalam Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹20
An 11th-century hilltop temple of Varaha-Narasimha in Kalinga style, its deity kept covered in sandal paste — a major Vaishnava pilgrimage site.
TU-142 Aircraft Museum
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · entry ₹70
A retired Navy TU-142 maritime aircraft turned museum on the beachfront, with a walk-through cockpit and aviation exhibits.
Dolphin's Nose & Lighthouse
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A massive dolphin-shaped headland over the harbour with a lighthouse and panoramic views of the port, beaches and the city below.
Things to do
- Araku Valley Train Day Trip Nature · 10 h · from INR 2,500 per person
- Kailasagiri Ropeway & Views Activity · 1.5 h · from INR 150 per person
- Rushikonda Beach Water Sports Activity · 1.5 h · from INR 800 per person
- Submarine & Beach Road Heritage Walk Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 400 per person
Day trips and tours
- Araku Valley & Borra Caves Day Trip 12 h · from INR 2,500
- Vizag City Sightseeing 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Beaches & Rushikonda Watersports 5 h · from INR 1,500
Where to stay in Visakhapatnam
- Vizag City Center about INR 3,000 per night
Main commercial area with mid-range hotels
Hotels
- Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per night
- The Park Visakhapatnam 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
- Radisson Blu Resort Visakhapatnam 5-star · INR 7,000 to INR 13,000 per night
- Welcomhotel by ITC Vizag 4-star · INR 5,500 to INR 9,500 per night
- Hotel Daspalla 4-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,500 per night
- Ginger Visakhapatnam 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
Where to eat
- Dharani (Daspalla) Andhra, South Indian · about INR 350 per person
- Sea Inn Andhra, Seafood · about INR 600 per person
- Sri Datta Sai (Tiffins) South Indian, Andhra · about INR 120 per person
- Raju Gari Dhaba Andhra, Biryani · about INR 500 per person
- Bamboo Bay (Novotel) Seafood, Continental, Coastal · about INR 1,200 per person
- Sea Green Restaurant Andhra, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 450 per person
- Fishermen's Wharf Vizag Seafood, Coastal, Continental · about INR 900 per person
- Gokul Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Chinese · about INR 300 per person
Getting to Visakhapatnam
Airport: Visakhapatnam (VTZ)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Ride Hail
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Visakhapatnam
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Visakhapatnam?
- The highest-rated places in our Visakhapatnam guide are Araku Valley, INS Kursura Submarine Museum, Borra Caves, Simhachalam Temple, Kailasagiri Hill Park.
- Where should I stay in Visakhapatnam?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Visakhapatnam: Vizag City Center.
- How do I get around Visakhapatnam?
- Ways to get around Visakhapatnam covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Visakhapatnam?
- The nearest airport to Visakhapatnam has the code VTZ.