Tourist Places To Visit In Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is an ancient Indian State with a history that dates back to 800 BC in the Sanskrit Epics like Aitareya Brahmana and Mahabharata. Ruled by many famous kings and emperors, Andhra Pradesh has seen many ups and downs over the centuries. Different rulers added their contributions to the state and therefore there is no scarcity of stunning architecture in the state. The Mauryas, Pallavas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Cholas, Mughals, and Nizams ruled this massive state with glory. So great tourism in Andhra is guaranteed. Let us guide you through some of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.

Tirupati is an extremely popular pilgrimage city in the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. It lies in the extreme south-east corner of the state and is visited by millions throughout the year. Also known as Tirumala — Tirumala Tirupati — it is a sacred temple town for Sri Venkateswara Temple. Often referred to as Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, it’s one of the top tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. Varahaswami, the Tiruchanur temple of Goddess Padmavati, Govindaraja temple, are some of the most significant temples in the state apart from Tirumala Tirupati. Devotees and tourists get magnificent religious and natural delight at these temples, especially during the Tirumala temple Brahmotsavam festival which is the biggest festival celebrated in the city. You can reach Tirupati directly through trains, buses, and flights. The best time to visit this place is between October and March. April to May and September to December being the peak seasons. Usually, 2-3 days of trip is good enough the explore the best out of this beautiful city.

Vizag or Visakhapatnam is one of the best coastal & port cities in Andhra Pradesh. Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Vizag is the base for the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. With amazing beaches along the Bay of Bengal coast, beautiful valleys, outstanding scenic hills, and caves, Vizag is indeed the best place to be in Andhra Pradesh for a chilled out vacation. Submarine Museum VUDA Park, Lighthouse, and Kailasagiri hill park are some of the best attractions in the city. You can reach Vizag by flight, train, and bus from almost any metropolitan and semi metropolitan in India. Usually, a trip of 2-3 days is ideal to explore the best of Vizag.

Araku Valley, or simply Araku, is a mesmerizing hill station in the Vishakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. Also referred to as Andhra Ooty, it is one of the most captivating destinations in Andhra Pradesh. At about 110 km away from Vizag, this stunning hill station has the most pleasant climate that you can ever expect with greenery all around along with waterfalls and streams. This can be a perfect honeymoon destination for newlywed couples. One can also visit Tribal Museum, Katiki Falls, & Padmapuram Botanical Gardens. Experience the folk dance like never before besides visiting the other attraction of the town. The nearest city to get here is Vizag and 2-3 days trip is just about perfect for an amazing vacation.

At a distance of 181 km from Kurnool and 263 km from Vijayawada, lies one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. This place is known by the name Srisailam which is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Srisailam is one of the most prominent pilgrimage centers in India of Lord Shiva. This place tops the chart of the best places in Andhra Pradesh. This place is popular for Srisailam dam and Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple. Temples bundled with scenic spots make this place a top attraction. Besides temples, Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary is another top attraction which is spread over 2500 square km. It is also the largest tiger reserve in India. This place is majorly accessible by a road that connects it with Vizag, Bangaluru, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada. 1-2 days trip is good enough and the best time to get here is between September and March.

Vijayawada or Bezawada is the second-largest city in Andhra Pradesh after Vizag. Located on the bank of Krishna river, Vijayawada has the largest railway junction in the south-central railways in India. It is said that Goddess Durga took rest here after destroying the demons (Rakshasa) and that’s how this place got its name, Vijayawada (land of victory). Kanaka Durga temple and Mangalagiri temple are the prime attractions of the city. Besides these, Gandhi Hill, Prakasham Barrage, Hazrat Bal Mosque, Mogalarajapuram Caves, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and Victoria Museum grabs visitors’ attention. The best time to be here is between November and March. And being the largest railway junction in South India, it is extremely well-connected with almost major cities in India. 2-3 days trip is good enough for exploring the best of Vijayawada.

At a short distance of 70 km from Kurnool, Mantralayam or Manchale or Mantralaya is a famous town in Andhra Pradesh. It is said that Vaishnava saint Sri Guru Raghavendra took Samadhi. This place is near the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh border and one of the finest places in the state. Manchalamma temple is a popular city attraction located inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex. Besides this, Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple, Chinna Tumbalam, Bichchali, and Alampur are the next best things to visit in the city. Trains and buses are a convenient option to reach the city from different parts of the state and India. 1-2 day trip is just about good and the best time to be here is between August and March. Check for the rains though if traveling in August and September.

At a short distance of 27 km from Tirupati, Srikalahasti is one of the famous and ancient Shiva Kshetras. It is located in the Chittoor district where the sacred Srikalahasteeswara Temple is located. The temple is also known by the name Srikalahasti Temple which is said to be constructed in the 10th century. What amazes every tourist is that the entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill. And that’s why this place becomes one of the best places to visit in Andhra. The Kalahasteeswara temple has a 120-feet high gopuram at the main gate. Besides temples, Tada Falls or Ubbalamadugu Falls, Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls, and Pulicat Lake & sanctuary are the most visited places during a trip to Srikalahasti. 2-3 days can help you explore the best out of the city. The best time to be here is between September and March.

A small village at a distance of 150 km from Kurnool, Gandikota is a popular historical tourist attraction in the Kadapa district. This small village is spread in and around the Gandikota Fort. Gandikota is not explored much and very little is written about tourism in the village. This village is well known as the hidden gem of Andhra Pradesh because of its magnificent gorge carved by river Pennar cut through the Gandikota hills. This remarkable art of nature has grown to be known as the Hidden Grand Canyon of India. Besides the gorge, the other attractions of the village include the Jamia Masjid, Owk Reservoir, Belum Caves, Madhavaraya Temple, Raghunatha Swamy Temple, and Yeganti. The best time to visit the place is between September and March. 2 day trip is enough to explore this small town. Bus and trains provide a convenient way to reach Gandikota from different parts of the state and India.

The beautiful city of Rajahmundry is located at the bank of the Godavari river. It is about 150 km away from Vijayawada and is popularly known as the “cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh”. This city was previously known as Rajamahendravaram. Picturesque landscapes, stunning monuments, numerous ancient temples, and adventurous tourist spots are remarkable things about the city. Things that attract tourists include the Sir Arthur Cotton Museum, Kadiam Flower Nurseries, Godavari Bridge, and Maredumilli EcoTourism. Roadways and Railways connect this city with other parts of the state and India. Usually, a 2-day trip is good enough to explore the best of Rajahmundry.

At a short distance of 38 km from the ancient city of Vijayawada, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati is situated on the bank of the River Krishna in the Guntur district. This city is a prominent pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists. The striking feature of Amaravathi is the glorious temple of  Amareshwara. Also, the city is famous for housing one of the greatest Buddhist Stupas ever built. Legends say that this stupa was constructed during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. Besides, Undavalli Caves, Mangalagiri Temple, Amaravati Archaeological Museum, Amaravati Mahachaitya, and Kondaveedu Fort are other spots famous amongst visitors. The best time to visit this wonderful city is between October and February. This city is well connected through roads and railways with other parts of Andhra and India.

Kurnool is a popular town in Andhra Pradesh that lies between Hyderabad and Bengaluru cities. Earlier known as Kandenavolu, this famous town was ruled by many kings and emperors including the Mughals, Nawabs, and finally the British government. As a traveler, you will love exploring this historic city. Some well-known attractions include the fort that was built by the Vijaynagar kings, the tomb of Abdul Wahab, and Konda Reddy Buruju. Besides these, the Orvakal Rock Garden, Rollapadu Sanctuary and Belum Caves are very popular amongst the globe trekkers. The best time to visit the place is winters between October and March. The city is well-connected through railways and roadways with other parts of Andhra and India. Generally, it takes 2-3 days to visit all significant places in Kurnool.

Besides what discussed above, the other places that you must visit in Andhra Pradesh include, Guntur, Horsley Hills, Vizianagaram, Machilipatnam, Chittoor, Kadapa, Puttaparthi, Anantapur, Srikalahasti, Bhadrachalam, Kakinada, Nellore, and Lepakshi. All these places have amazing spots for tourists of all ages. All you need is planning, time and some good company. Even if you prefer traveling alone, Andhra Pradesh will not disappoint you. The astonishing places the state offers can rejuvenate any tiring soul. Traveling is an amazing hobby and probably the best way to learn about different cultures, traditions, customs, food habits, and hospitality. So keep reading about different destinations on Tripcrafters, keep planning trips, and keep traveling.