Before you go
Cyclone Arnab: IMD forecast it to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of 28 October 2026 as a very severe cyclonic storm (115-125 km/h, gusting 140) (OdishaBytes and NationPath, citing IMD, 24-27 October). Postpone coastal and river boat trips, including Papikondalu, until warnings are lifted.
Top places to visit in Andhra Pradesh
One place from each district that our guide covers in depth.
Araku Valley
Coffee-growing valley at 600 to 900 m, home to more than 17 tribal communities, reached by a ghat road or one of India's most scenic railway lines.
Bojjannakonda Buddhist Caves, Sankaram
Six rock-cut caves and a monolithic stupa on a hill above paddy fields; one of the great Buddhist sites of coastal Andhra, active from about the 4th to 9th century CE.
Gooty Fort (Ravadurg)
One of the oldest hill forts in Andhra Pradesh: 15 small forts with their own gateways, laid out like a shell over three hills, with wells and temples at the top.
Horsley Hills (Yenugu Mallamma Konda)
Andhra's best-known hill station, at about 1,265-1,290 m in the Eastern Ghats: wind-swept rocks, valley viewpoints, eucalyptus avenues and more than 133 bird species.
Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla Beach)
The nearest beach to Guntur and Vijayawada: a long, gently shelving stretch of sand with resorts behind it, busy at weekends and holidays.
Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Kanipakam
Ganesha temple built around a well, where the self-manifested idol sits in water and is believed to keep growing; one of the most visited temples in Andhra Pradesh.
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Antarvedi
West-facing Narasimha temple at the point where the Vasishta Godavari meets the sea; its Kalyanam on Bhishma Ekadasi draws huge crowds, with the river mouth and beach close by.
Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and the Godavari ghats
The cultural capital of Andhra, on the Akhanda Godavari: bathing ghats, the evening Godavari Harati, the great bridges, and host city of the Pushkaralu, next held 26 June-7 July 2027.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala (Chinna Tirupati)
The "little Tirupati" of the Godavari region, on Seshachala hill: a self-manifested Venkateswara found in an anthill, with a second idol for worship of the feet. Open 6 AM-9 PM; entry free.
Undavalli Caves
Multi-storey cave temple cut into a sandstone hill above the Krishna in the 4th-5th century CE, with a 5 m reclining Vishnu; Jain, then Buddhist, then Hindu. Open 9 AM-6 PM.
Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Annavaram
Chariot-shaped hill temple on Ratnagiri above the Pampa river, where families come to perform the Satyanarayana Vratam and to marry; one of the busiest temples in Andhra Pradesh.
Hamsaladeevi: Krishna Sagara Sangamam and Venugopala Swamy Temple
Where the Krishna meets the Bay of Bengal: a quiet beach, the confluence where the waters show different colours, and an old Venugopala temple said to have sheltered villagers in the 1864 and 1977 floods.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha, Mantralayam
Brindavana of the Madhva saint Raghavendra Tirtha (1621-1671) on the Tungabhadra; rooms and sevas are booked on the Matha's own website.
Bhairavakona cave temples and waterfall
Eight Shiva cave temples cut from a single rock face in the 7th-8th century, in a Nallamala gorge with a waterfall of about 200 m; on Kartika Pournami moonlight falls on the Parvati image.
Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, on a Nallamala plateau above the Krishna gorge; the 14th-century temple walls are carved with hunting scenes and Shiva legends. Book darshan only on official sites.
Sri Kanaka Durga Temple, Indrakeeladri
The goddess of Vijayawada on Indrakeeladri hill above the Krishna; pilgrims bathe in the river and climb by steps or ghat road. Dasara Navaratri is one of the biggest festivals in the state.
Amaravati: Mahachaitya, museums and Dhyana Buddha
The great stupa of the Satavahana age, whose carved limestone panels are now in museums from Amaravati to London, with the ASI museum, the Kalachakra heritage centre and a 125 ft Dhyana Buddha beside the river.
Sri Polamamba Temple and Jatara, Sambara
Village goddess on the Gomukhi river whose January jatara, ending in the Sirimanotsavam, draws lakhs of devotees from north Andhra and Odisha.
Papikondalu (Papi Hills) Godavari boat cruise
The Godavari squeezes through the forested Papi Hills in a long gorge; day cruises from Gandi Pochamma and Pochavaram pass tribal villages, bamboo-hut stops and the national park. Boats resumed on 12 October 2026 after the monsoon suspension.
Singarakonda: Prasanna Anjaneya and Lakshmi Narasimha temples
Hill shrine of Lakshmi Narasimha, dated by a Garuda-pillar inscription to 1443-44 in the reign of Devaraya, with the popular Prasanna Anjaneya temple at the foot of the hill; Tirunallu and Hanuman Jayanti draw crowds.
Sri Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Nellore
Nellore's great Vishnu temple on the Penna: a 10 ft reclining Ranganatha facing the river, a gali gopuram of about 29 m with seven gold kalasams, and a Brahmotsavam and chariot festival in March-April.
Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Lepakshi
Vijayanagara temple of 1583 on a tortoise-shaped rock, famous for its hanging pillar, a seven-hooded Naga linga, painted ceilings and one of India's largest monolithic Nandis. Open 6 AM-6 PM; ASI-protected.
Salihundam Buddhist Heritage Site
Hilltop Buddhist complex above the Vamsadhara river, active for over a thousand years, with stupas, a chaitya hall and monastery remains.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirumala
The hill temple of Lord Venkateswara (Balaji), run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and called by the district portal the richest pilgrimage centre in the world, with the gold Ananda Nilayam vimana, the GI-tagged laddu and the tonsure tradition.
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam
Hill temple of Vishnu as Varaha Narasimha, covered in sandal paste all year except on Chandanotsavam.
Sri Pydithalli Ammavari Temple and Sirimanotsavam
Guardian goddess of Vizianagaram, linked to the Battle of Bobbili (1757); at the Sirimanotsavam a priest rides a 60 ft pole three times between the temple and the fort before lakhs of people. 2026: Tuesday 27 October, 3-5 PM.
Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple (Ksheerarama), Palakollu
One of the five Pancharama temples, with a milk-white linga seen through windows on four sides, 72 black stone pillars and a 120 ft, nine-storey gopuram; ASI-protected. Maha Shivaratri is the main festival.
Gandikota Fort and Penna Gorge
Called the Grand Canyon of India: a walled fort town on red quartzite cliffs above a 100-200 m wide gorge of the Penna, with the Madhavaraya temple, Jama Masjid, granary and sunrise viewpoints. ASI-protected.
Districts of Andhra Pradesh 28
28 (since 31 Dec 2025) — Polavaram (HQ Rampachodavaram) and Markapuram created 31 Dec 2025, taking AP from 26 to 28. Confirm final district boundaries in the AP Gazette and LGD.
Alluri Sitharama Raju
The Eastern Ghats above Vizag: coffee valleys, limestone caves, cloud-sea viewpoints and tribal culture, with Paderu as its capital.Highlights: Araku Valley, Lambasingi, Vanjangi HillsAnakapalli
Jaggery country south of Vizag: the Buddhist hills of Sankaram, the goddess Nookalamma, lacquer toys and a bird lake.Highlights: Bojjannakonda Buddhist Caves, Sankaram, Sri Nookambika (Nookalamma) Temple, Gavarapalem, Sri Dharmalingeswara (Kotilingeswara) Temple, PanchadarlaAnanthapuramu
Dry Rayalaseema uplands: the King of Forts at Gooty, the spring-fed temples of Tadipatri and a rare Jain hill at Konakondla.Highlights: Gooty Fort (Ravadurg), Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Tadipatri, Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple, TadipatriAnnamayya
Rayalaseema hill country: Horsley Hills above the plains, the forts of Gurramkonda and the town where Tagore translated the national anthem.Highlights: Horsley Hills (Yenugu Mallamma Konda), Gurramkonda Fort, Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, RayachotiBapatla
The beach district of central Andhra: Suryalanka and Vodarevu sands, the temple that named Bapatla, and the stupa where South Indian Brahmi was found.Highlights: Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla Beach), Vodarevu Beach, Sri Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, BapatlaChittoor
Temple and mango country on the Tamil Nadu border: Kanipakam's growing Ganesha, the elephant forests of Koundinya and a land full of hero stones.Highlights: Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Kanipakam, Koundinya Wildlife SanctuaryDr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema
The Godavari delta island: coconut backwaters, the river-mouth temple at Antarvedi, a Pancharama at Draksharamam and a village temple at every turn.Highlights: Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Antarvedi, Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam, Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, AinavilliEast Godavari
The river district around Rajahmundry: Godavari ghats and Harati, Cotton's anicut, the nurseries of Kadiyam and the Pushkaralu of 2027.Highlights: Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and the Godavari ghats, Kadiyam and Kadiyapulanka nurseries, Papikondalu cruise departureEluru
Between the Godavari and Krishna deltas: Chinna Tirupati on its hill, 2,000-year-old Buddhist caves at Guntupalli and the pelicans of Kolleru.Highlights: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala (Chinna Tirupati), Guntupalli Buddhist Caves, Kolleru Lake and Atapaka Bird SanctuaryGuntur
The capital-region district south of the Krishna: Undavalli's cave temple, the hill of Mangalagiri and the storks and pelicans of Uppalapadu.Highlights: Undavalli Caves, Mangalagiri: Panakala and Lakshmi Narasimha temples, Uppalapadu Bird SanctuaryKakinada
Pilgrim country on the northern Godavari coast: Annavaram on its hill, two Pancharama-era temples at Samalkot and Pithapuram, and the mangroves of Coringa.Highlights: Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Annavaram, Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Samalkot, Pithapuram: Puruhutika Shakti Peetha, Kukkuteswara and Kuntimadhava templesKrishna
The Krishna delta and coast: the river's meeting with the sea at Hamsaladeevi, the village that gave India Kuchipudi, Masula's beach and kalamkari.Highlights: Hamsaladeevi: Krishna Sagara Sangamam and Venugopala Swamy Temple, Manginapudi Beach, Kuchipudi VillageKurnool
The Tungabhadra country of western Rayalaseema: Raghavendra Swamy's Mantralayam, Kurnool's old fort, wind-sculpted rocks at Orvakallu and shrines of every faith.Highlights: Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha, Mantralayam, Konda Reddy Buruju (Achyutha Devarayala Buruzu), Orvakallu Rock GardenMarkapuram
Andhra Pradesh's newest district, on the edge of the Nallamala: rock-cut caves at Bhairavakona, the Chennakesava gopuram, Tripuranthakam and the old Cumbum tank.Highlights: Bhairavakona cave temples and waterfall, Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Markapuram, Tripuranthakam: Tripuranthakeswara and Bala Tripurasundari templesNandyal
The Nallamala pilgrim country: the Jyotirlinga of Srisailam, Ahobilam's nine Narasimhas, Mahanandi's springs, Belum's caves and the last bustards of Rollapadu.Highlights: Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Sri Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple, Mahanandi, Ahobilam: Nava Narasimha templesNTR
Vijayawada and its hinterland: Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri, the Prakasam Barrage and Bhavani Island on the Krishna, rock-cut caves and the toys of Kondapalli.Highlights: Sri Kanaka Durga Temple, Indrakeeladri, Kondapalli Fort, Prakasam BarragePalnadu
Buddhist Andhra on the Krishna: the stupa and museums of Amaravati, the island of Nagarjunakonda, the Nagarjuna Sagar dam, Ethipothala falls and Kotappakonda.Highlights: Amaravati: Mahachaitya, museums and Dhyana Buddha, Nagarjunakonda island museum, Sri Trikoteswara Swamy Temple, KotappakondaParvathipuram Manyam
Tribal hill country on the Odisha border: the Sambara Polamamba jatara, a linga that changes colour, the Thotapalli temples and Eastern Ghats waterfalls.Highlights: Sri Polamamba Temple and Jatara, SambaraPolavaram
Andhra Pradesh's new forest district on the Godavari: the Papikondalu gorge cruise, the forests and waterfalls of Maredumilli and Rampa, and Koya and Konda Reddi country.Highlights: Papikondalu (Papi Hills) Godavari boat cruise, Maredumilli eco-tourism area and Jungle Star camp, Jalatarangini and Amruthadhara waterfallsPrakasam
Ongole and its coast after the 2025 split: the beaches of Kothapatnam and Pakala, the hill temples of Singarakonda, and the home of the Ongole bull.Highlights: Singarakonda: Prasanna Anjaneya and Lakshmi Narasimha temples, Kothapatnam BeachSri Potti Sriramulu Nellore
The Penna delta and coast: the reclining Ranganatha of Talpagiri, Narasimha shrines at Penchalakona and Narasimhakonda, Udayagiri's hill fort and Mypadu beach.Highlights: Sri Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Nellore, Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tai Temple, Jonnawada, Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, PenchalakonaSri Sathya Sai
Southern Rayalaseema on the Karnataka border: Lepakshi's painted temple, Penukonda's fort, Puttaparthi's ashram, the great banyan of Gutibayalu and Dharmavaram silk.Highlights: Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Lepakshi, Puttaparthi and Prasanthi Nilayam, Sri Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, KadiriSrikakulam
The old Kalinga coast: Sun and Kurma temples, a thousand years of Buddhist sites, pelican villages and 193 km of shoreline.Highlights: Salihundam Buddhist Heritage Site, Arasavalli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple, SrikurmamTirupati
Pilgrim capital of the south: Tirumala's Venkateswara, the Vayu linga of Srikalahasti, Chandragiri's palace, Talakona falls and the flamingos of Pulicat.Highlights: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirumala, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur, Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, TirupatiVisakhapatnam
The city district: Simhachalam on its hill, a beach road of naval museums, Buddhist hilltops and the red dunes on the way to Bheemili.Highlights: Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam, RK Beach (Ramakrishna Beach), Rushikonda BeachVizianagaram
The old royal town of north Andhra: Pydithalli's Sirimanotsavam, the Vizianagaram and Bobbili forts, Buddhist Ramatheertham and the veena makers of Bobbili.Highlights: Sri Pydithalli Ammavari Temple and Sirimanotsavam, Ramatheertham: Sri Rama Temple and Gurubhaktulakonda, Vizianagaram Fort and Moti MahalWest Godavari
The Godavari delta's western half: two Pancharama temples, the Vysya holy town of Penugonda, Narsapur lace and quiet beaches at Perupalem.Highlights: Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple (Ksheerarama), Palakollu, Sri Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple (Somarama), Bhimavaram, Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple, PenugondaYSR Kadapa
The Penna country of Rayalaseema: the gorge and fort of Gandikota, the single-rock Ramas of Vontimitta, Pushpagiri's riverside temples and the Ameen Peer Dargah.Highlights: Gandikota Fort and Penna Gorge, Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple, Vontimitta, Pushpagiri temples
Festivals and dates to plan around
- Pydithalli Sirimanotsavam — Vizianagaram: Tue 27 Oct 2026, 3-5 PM (Deccan Chronicle)
- Papikondalu boats — Polavaram: running again since 12 Oct 2026; season to Sankranti
- Maredumilli Tourism Festival — Polavaram: 12-15 Dec 2026 (Incredible India)
- Sambara Polamamba Jatara — Parvathipuram Manyam: January 2027, dates to confirm
- Godavari Pushkaralu — Rajamahendravaram: 26 Jun-7 Jul 2027 (PTI)