Vijayawada is a prime Indian city located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It’s the second-most populous city in Andhra and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Vijayawada has a sweet blend of the old and the new. You’ll hear the sweet sound of temple bells mixed with the dissonance of traffic. The historic, ancient memorial stand in perfect accordance with the modern architecture of the town. The city offers numerous tourism prospects to visitors which leave them speechless. From the famous mosque of Hazratbal to wildlife sanctuaries, from attractive lakes to the informative museums, caves, forts, hills, and beaches the list of things to do and places to visit in Vijayawada can be endless. Below we present a brief travel guide of this famous Andhra city so continue reading further.

Vijayawada is one of those destinations that you should look forward to visiting at least once in your lifetime. It’s one of the best tourist destinations in Andhra and the government has been working hard to attract more visitors. Efforts have paid off well so far and there has been an increase in the number of visitors in the last few years. If you are planning a trip to this fab city too, read through to know more about the options to reach Vijayawada. Trains are the best option to reach Vijayawada while airways are the fastest way to reach.

By Rail:

Vijayawada Junction is the main city railway station. It’s the biggest junction in India and it serves more than 300 trains daily. So reaching Vijayawada by train is the simplest and easiest way to get here. It’ connected directly with cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and almost all major cities in India. So check www.irctc.co.in for more details and book your tickets.

By Road:

Roadways offer another easy option to reach Vijayawada from almost anywhere in India. Numerous bus service providers, both private and government, run regular buses to Vijayawada from all prominent cities in India. They also help connect Vijayawada with the deepest parts of Andhra. All types of buses such as Volvo, Sleeper, AC, non-AC can be booked easily from any official ticket booking websites. So log on and plan your trip accordingly.

By Air:

Vijayawada International airport is one of the most beautiful airports in India. This airport helps connect people with Vijayawada from the rest of India and outside of it. Spicejet, IndiGo, Air India and other providers run regular flights to Vijayawada from Mumbai, Delhi, and other metropolitans. Once you get down at the airport, you can hire a private cab to reach your hotel. The airport isn’t far from the city center and there are many hotels and accommodation facilities available near the airport. So this option is also very convenient but a little expensive.

Getting Around:

Getting around in Vijayawada is quite simple. You can make use of local city buses to move to different places. However, they tend to get super crowded during peak office hours. So check your timing accordingly. The other option is to use auto-rickshaws. They are available 24/7 and are generally considered for quick hops. Alternatively, private cabs are available easily and with Ola now operational in the city, this can also be considered for sightseeing within the city and its outskirts.

The weather of Viajaywada is mostly tropical and dominated by heat and humidity for the most part of the year. All three types of seasons can be experienced here just like any other town in India. 

Summer (March - June):

The summer season begins from the month of March and spans until June. At the start of the season, it isn’t that hot but as time progresses, the temperature rises and the scorching heat starts to dominate the city in April and May. This can make sightseeing a little difficult if you are not used to heat and humidity. On an average, the maximum temperature remains at 42° C with a minimum of 28° C. Spending time at the waterparks can be a good option if you are visiting in summer and carry light clothes to avoid inconvenience. 

Monsoon (July - October):

The monsoon in Vijayawada hits the city around the end of June and remains active until September. The city receives rainfall from the south-west and north-east monsoons with 965 mm of rainfall on average. Cyclones are pretty common in the city during the monsoon. So if you’re planning a trip during this time, read through the weather forecast well and then plan your trip accordingly. And ensure you are carrying umbrellas and raincoats to be on the safe side. The max temperature during monsoons remains at 30° C on average whereas the minimum temperature stays around 23 ° C.

Winter (November - February):

Winters are the best time to visit anywhere in India and Vijayawada is no different. The end of the monsoon marks the beginning of the most pleasant time of the year. It generally starts at the end of October and takes complete control of the weather in November. The beautiful weather and the remarkable tourist attractions work just perfectly for visitors and they’re able to enjoy their stay and time in the city to its fullest. The maximum temperature during the winter is 30° C with a minimum of 20° C.

Experience the Serenity — Beaches of Vijayawada:

Just like Vizag, Vijayawada is also a city of beaches. They let locals and visitors spend a peaceful time with nature along with a majestic view of sunrise and sunset. To name a few, Suryalanka Beach, Manginapudi Beach, Vodarevu Beach are very popular amongst tourists. These beaches are situated in close proximity to each other at a driving distance of max 2 hours from Vijayawada. Being at these beaches and experiencing the serenity is one of the best things that you must try in Vijayawada. 

Go for a Heritage Trip — Caves in Vijayawada:

The next thing that you should definitely try in Vijayawada is to take a heritage drive at the caves. These caves are a monolithic example of ancient architectures crafted from huge rocks. Undavalli Caves, Akkanna & Madanna Caves, and Mogalrajapuram Caves are situated very close to the Vijayawada railway station. Many tourists spend hours in these caves and get mesmerized by the unique ancient architectures. The fact that these structures are carved from huge rocks amazes everyone who happens to visit them. 

Explore the Historic Structure — Kondapalli Fort:

Kondapalli is yet another famous tourist spot in Vijayawada that is visited by thousands daily. This old fort was built by the Reddy King of Kondaveedu, Prolaya Vema Reddy in the 14th Century. This historic fort has seen many ups and downs since its construction and was controlled by many rulers including the British. Apart from exploring this historic site, you can purchase the Kondapalli toys made from wood. These toys are sold outside the fort and are beautifully colored and adorned with designs of animals, fruits, religious figures, and vegetables.

Take a Divine Trip at the Temples — Kanaka Durga Temples:

Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous religious attraction located on the Indrakeeladri hill on the banks of Krishna River. It is one of the most visited spots in Vijayawada. As per the legends, the famous Hindu Goddess Durga killed demon Mahishasura and sanctified on the Keela Mountain with 8 arms in the form of Mahishasura Mardini. If you are visiting this place don’t miss celebrating Saraswati Puja, Navaratri, and Theppotsavam festivals which are celebrated at this temple. Uncountable devotees gather at this venue to celebrate these festivals with high grandeur. They also take a holy dip in the Krishna river before entering the temple. 

When we travel to different places, the first thing that we look forward to is delicious local food items. Andhra is one of the largest producers of rice in India and therefore, rice is part of the daily diet of locals here. The traditional cuisines of Vijayawada are mostly spicy. One of the most common dishes here that you cannot miss trying is Pulihara which is hot rice mixed with tamarind bits and sauce that gives a good a tangy taste. The next item to be tried is Avakkai Pickle (made from raw mangoes) and a seasoned eggplant prepared with chilies and different spices known as Guttivankaya Kura. 

Vijayawada is also famous for seafood. Spicy mutton curry, kabab, tandoori chicken are simply outstanding. The typical taste of Persian and Afghan cuisines dominates the non-veg list of food items. This is because Vijayawada was once ruled by Muslim Kings and the non-vegetarian dishes often have flavors and slowly cooked to savor the taste. If you are a vegetarian, don’t worry, Vijayawada has a rich collection of vegetarian food items to fulfill your appetite. This includes Rasam (a kind of curd preparation salty and tangy) as the main delicacy that’s served with rice or pulao. Try Karappu Annam which is a rice dish prepared with green and red chilies, Ullikakura a curry made of spring onions, Kakaraya Pulusu a gravy prepared with bitter gourd, and Sakinalu a snack prepared with boiled potatoes. In dessert, Gajar ka Halwa, Sheer Korma, Shahi Tukra, and Bandar Laddoo require a special mention. Although they are available in other parts of India as well, they have a typical sweetness and taste of South India, especially, Vijayawada.