Places to visit in Visakhapatnam
32 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
Temples and pilgrimage 6
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Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam Official source
Hill temple of Vishnu as Varaha Narasimha, covered in sandal paste all year except on Chandanotsavam.
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Ross Hill, Dargakonda and Venkateswara Konda Official source
Three hills by the harbour holding a Catholic church, a mosque with a saint's shrine, and a Venkateswara temple built in 1886.
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Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple Official source
Family deity of the former Rajas of Visakhapatnam; devotion peaks in the Margasira month, especially on Thursdays.
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Sri Padmanabheswara Swamy Temple, Padmanabham Official source
Hill temple on the Gosthani with a memorial to the Raja of Vizianagaram, killed here in 1794; Kalyanotsavam in March-April.
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Ramakrishna Mission Ashram Official source
Ashram of 1938 overlooking the sea, known for sunrise views and its educational and relief work.
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Siva Temple, Appikonda Official source
Coastal village temple with a life-size black stone Nandi and 12th-century inscriptions; crowded at Sivaratri. Confirm it is still in Visakhapatnam district.
Beaches and coast 6
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Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili) Official source
Old Dutch trading town and one of India's oldest municipalities (1861), with a beach, lighthouse and 17th-century Dutch remains.
Inside: Bheemili Beach, Dutch fort ruins and cemetery, Bheemunipatnam Lighthouse
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RK Beach (Ramakrishna Beach) Official source
The city's main beach and Beach Road, lined with naval museums, a war memorial, an aquarium and temples.
Inside: INS Kursura Submarine Museum, TU-142 Aircraft Museum, Victory at Sea War Memorial, Visakha Museum, Kali Temple, Beach Road, Kurupam Tomb
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Rushikonda Beach Official source
Golden-sand beach for swimming and water sports; Blue Flag certified in 2020, briefly withdrawn and restored in 2025. APTDC's Haritha Beach Resort is here.
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Dolphin's Nose Official source
Rocky headland shaped like a dolphin's snout; its lighthouse is said to be visible about 65 km out. The portal gives both 174 m and 358 m for its height.
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Yarada Beach Official source
Quieter beach enclosed by hills on three sides; good for sunrise and sunset.
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Gangavaram Beach Official source
Beach near the Steel Plant popular with visitors and film crews.
Buddhist and heritage 3
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Bavikonda Buddhist Complex Official source
Complex of 26 structures built in three phases; finds include relic caskets, Roman and Satavahana coins and pottery from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE.
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Pavurallakonda Buddhist Site Official source
Hill at 168 m west of Bheemunipatnam with about 16 rock-cut cisterns, a Brahmi inscription and wide coastal views.
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Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex Official source
Hilltop monastery at 128 m with stupas, viharas, a chaitya hall and rock-cut water cisterns.
Nature and parks 8
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Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) Two sources
Red coastal sand dunes about 4 km by 2 km, traced back as far as 1.8 million years and declared a geo-heritage site by the Geological Survey of India.
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Kailasagiri Official source
350-acre hilltop park over the sea with a ropeway, a 40 ft Shiva-Parvati statue, Titanic viewpoint, toy train and gardens.
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Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Not yet verified
City zoo between the hills and the sea. No official source checked yet.
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Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary Official source
Forest sanctuary on the city's edge, listed by Incredible India as a nearby attraction. Trails, timings and fees to research.
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Lumbini Park Official source
Beach Road park built around a large Buddha statue, between wooded hills and the sea.
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Mudasarlova Park Official source
Valley lake that supplies city drinking water, developed as a picnic park.
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Tenneti Park Official source
One of the city's oldest parks and its first children's park, beside the shore.
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VMRDA City Central Park Official source
22-acre park with Andhra Pradesh's first musical fountain, a bonsai garden, a yoga hall and an amphitheatre.
In depth: Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam
Simhachalam is the most important temple in north coastal Andhra and one of the oldest Narasimha shrines in India. The deity is hidden under sandalwood paste for all but one day a year, which gives the temple its great festival and a sense of mystery. The black-granite Kalinga-style shrine, its 96-pillar hall and the climb up the wooded hill make it worth the trip even for visitors who come for the architecture.
At a glance
- Deity
- Vishnu as Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha, with consort Lakshmi (Simhavalli Thayar); known locally as Appanna Two sources
- Location
- Simhachalam hill range, north of Visakhapatnam; about 16 km from the city Official source
- Elevation
- 244 m (district portal). Wikipedia gives conflicting figures Official source
- Managed by
- Simhachalam Devasthanam board under the Government of Andhra Pradesh; under state endowments since 1949; the Pusapati Gajapathi family are hereditary trustees Two sources
- Official website
- simhachalamdevasthanam.net (as cited by Wikipedia; confirm before linking) Not yet verified
- Orientation
- Faces west, which is unusual Two sources
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 hours on a normal day; much longer on festival days
History and significance
- Inscriptions
- The district portal records an inscription of the Chola king Kulottunga I dated 1098-99 CE; Wikipedia says inscriptions run from 1087 CE. Official source
- Gilding
- A Velanadu ruler covered the image with gold in 1137-56 CE. One portal page names Gonka III, another calls the donor a queen; to resolve. Official source
- Main shrine
- The central shrine in black stone was built under the Eastern Ganga king Narasimha I; Wikipedia says his son Bhanudeva I consecrated it in 1268 CE. Official source
- Later patrons
- Eastern Gangas, Reddis, Gajapatis and the Tuluva kings of Vijayanagara. Two sources
- State control
- Under state endowment administration since 1949. Two sources
What to see
- Main shrine and vimana
- Square sanctum with a high tower in dark granite; Wikipedia compares the vimana to Konark.
- Kalyana (Natya) mandapam
- Hall of 96 black-stone pillars where the celestial wedding is performed.
- Kappa stambham
- Pillar believed to have healing powers; devotees embrace it.
- Stone chariot
- Stone car with stone wheels and prancing horses.
- Sixteen-pillared mandapam
- Front hall with Vaishnava carvings.
- Gangadhara spring and hill path
- Path through fruit groves and the step route from the foothill. Confirm points of interest on the field visit.
Visiting
- Darshan hours
- Wikipedia describes darshan from about 6:30 AM to 7 PM with short midday breaks, and again 8:30-9 PM. Not yet confirmed with the Devasthanam. Not yet verified
- Darshan and seva charges
- Not published in the sources checked. Confirm on the official site. Not yet verified
- Dress code
- Traditional dress is expected at most AP temples; confirm the temple's rule. Not yet verified
- Phones and cameras
- Usually not allowed inside the sanctum at major AP temples; confirm. Not yet verified
- Crowd safety
- Chandanotsavam draws very large crowds. On 30 April 2025 a wall beside the queue line collapsed in heavy rain, killing seven pilgrims (All India Radio). Follow official queue and weather advisories. Official source
Festivals
- Chandanotsavam (Chandana Yatra)
- Akshaya Tritiya, April-May. The only day the sandal paste is removed for Nijarupa darshan. Official source
- Kalyanotsavam
- Chaitra, March-April; five days. Official source
- Visakha Poornima
- May. Official source
- Giripradakshina
- Ashadha full moon; devotees walk around the hill. Two sources
- Others
- Narasimha Jayanti, Navaratri, Dolotsavam, Karthika Deepavali, Krishna Janmashtami. Two sources
Visitor guidelines
- Follow the Devasthanam's dress code and queue system.
- Deposit phones, cameras and footwear where instructed.
- Buy darshan and seva tickets only through official counters or the official website.
- Carry water when climbing the steps; the climb is long.
- On festival days, arrive early, stay with your group and avoid crowd crush points.
How to reach Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam
- From Visakhapatnam city
- About 16 km by road; ghat road to the top (Wikipedia). Official source
- On foot
- About 1,000 steps from Bhairava Dwaram at the foot of the hill (Wikipedia). Two sources
- By train
- Visakhapatnam Junction (VSKP); the portal says the hill is reachable by rail and road. Nearest station to confirm. Official source
- By air
- Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ). Official source
- By bus
- APSRTC city services to the foothill and top; check current routes. Not yet verified
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14.2-32.1 | 06:30 | 17:41 | Best: cool mornings |
| Feb | 16.2-35.1 | 06:25 | 17:58 | Best |
| Mar | 19.9-37.7 | 06:06 | 18:07 | Good; hot by noon |
| Apr | 23.1-38.1 | 05:42 | 18:13 | Hot: go at opening |
| May | 23.9-41.0 | 05:25 | 18:22 | Hottest; Chandanotsavam crowds |
| Jun | 24.2-40.0 | 05:21 | 18:33 | Hot, humid |
| Jul | 24.1-37.9 | 05:30 | 18:36 | Monsoon |
| Aug | 23.9-36.5 | 05:39 | 18:24 | Monsoon |
| Sep | 24.2-36.0 | 05:45 | 18:00 | Wet |
| Oct | 22.0-35.2 | 05:50 | 17:36 | Wettest month; cyclone risk |
| Nov | 17.6-33.2 | 06:02 | 17:21 | Good |
| Dec | 14.8-31.9 | 06:20 | 17:24 | Best: cool mornings |
Suggested plans
- Early darshan
- Reach the foothill by 6 AM, climb or drive up, darshan, back in the city by 10 AM.
- Temple and hills
- Simhachalam in the morning, Kailasagiri ropeway after 11 AM, RK Beach museums from 2 PM.
- Festival day
- Book Chandanotsavam tickets on the official channel weeks ahead; expect a full day.
How to reach Visakhapatnam
- By train
- Visakhapatnam Junction (VSKP) on the Howrah-Chennai main line; start of the Kothavalasa-Kirandul line to Araku.
- By air
- Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ), about 23 km from Kailasagiri (district portal).
- By road
- NH-16; APSRTC services from the RTC Complex (Dwaraka bus station).
- Headquarters
- Visakhapatnam
- Coast
- Bay of Bengal coast from Gangavaram to Bheemunipatnam
Best time to visit Visakhapatnam
- Best time
- October to March. October is the wettest month.
- Climate
- Hottest month May (mean daily max about 36.2 °C); coolest January (mean daily min about 18.0 °C); about 946 mm of rain a year, heaviest in September and October.
Dates to plan around in Andhra Pradesh
- 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)
Where to stay in Visakhapatnam
Haritha Beach Resorts, Rushikonda (APTDC) Official source
Rushikonda; 55 rooms, restaurant, bar, MICE hall for 200
Haritha Hotel, Appughar (APTDC) Official source
Appughar, MVP Colony; 44 rooms, restaurant, bar
Quick answers about Visakhapatnam
What is Visakhapatnam known for?
The city district: Simhachalam on its hill, a beach road of naval museums, Buddhist hilltops and the red dunes on the way to Bheemili.
What is the one place not to miss in Visakhapatnam?
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam. Hill temple of Vishnu as Varaha Narasimha, covered in sandal paste all year except on Chandanotsavam.
Which is the nearest railway station to Visakhapatnam?
Visakhapatnam Junction (VSKP) on the Howrah-Chennai main line; start of the Kothavalasa-Kirandul line to Araku.
Which is the nearest airport to Visakhapatnam?
Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ), about 23 km from Kailasagiri (district portal).
When is the best time to visit Visakhapatnam?
October to March. October is the wettest month.
How many places are there to visit in Visakhapatnam?
Our guide lists 32 places in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, across temples and pilgrimage, beaches and coast, buddhist and heritage, nature and parks.
Nearby, in neighbouring districts
- Araku Valley, Alluri Sitharama Raju — 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.
- Borra Caves, Alluri Sitharama Raju — Limestone caves at about 705 m, explored in 1807, reaching about 80 m deep, with lit stalactites, a natural Siva linga and the Gosthani's source.
- Lambasingi, Alluri Sitharama Raju — Hill village at about 1,000 m called the Kashmir of Andhra; December nights can drop near freezing.
- Vanjangi Hills, Alluri Sitharama Raju — Hill near Paderu at about 1,000 m where an early-morning walk leads to views over valleys filled with cloud.
Official links and sources
- Visakhapatnam district portal ↗
- APTDC (state tourism corporation) ↗
- APSRTC ↗
- Visakhapatnam district portal: tourism pages ↗
- Visakhapatnam district portal: Simhachalam and temples ↗
- Visakhapatnam district portal: Kailasagiri ↗
- Visakhapatnam district portal: APTDC properties ↗
- Visakhapatnam district portal: Where to Stay ↗
- Incredible India: Kailasagiri ↗
- Wikipedia: Simhachalam temple ↗
- Wikipedia: Visakhapatnam district ↗
- All India Radio: Simhachalam wall collapse (30 Apr 2025) ↗
- Museums of India: INS Kursura ↗
- The News Minute: Erra Matti Dibbalu ↗
- PW Only IAS: Rushikonda Blue Flag restored ↗
- The Daily Guardian: Kailasagiri glass skywalk ↗