11 Places To Visit In Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is one of the largest and most industrialized states in the country. Andhra Pradesh also has a rich history. There are references to this state in ancient Sanskrit texts like Mahabharata and Aitareya Brahmana.

Andhra Pradesh is a prominent tourist destination because of its rich culture and history. The state has several temples, monuments, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries.

1. Visakhapatnam

The coastal city of Visakhapatnam is an important sea port in South India. It is also the largest city in AP. Visakhapatnam has tropical climate throughout the year with high levels of humidity. The city is famous for its beaches and hilltops. Araku Valley, a major picnic spot in Visakhapatnam, is a major hit with trekking enthusiasts. Yarada and Rishikonda beaches also attract a large number of tourists. Katiki Waterfalls and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park are other prominent tourist attractions in Visakhapatnam.

2. Tirupati

One of the most important pilgrimage centers in India, Tirupati is famous for its temple dedicated to Balaji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The city is in the southern part of the state and is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. We don’t know exactly when the Balaji temple was built; however, it is safe to assume that it is an ancient temple and various dynasties that ruled the state showered their riches on it. Today the Balaji Temple at Tirupati is one of the most famous Vishnu temples in the country. Tirupati has its fair share of parks, gardens and zoos too.

3. Vijayawada

Vijayawada is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. The Kondapalli Reserve Forests known for their population of leopards, wolves, jackals and wild boars are to the west of the district. River Krishna passes through Vijayawada. There are several important temples, ancient caves and monuments in Vijayawada. Popular tourist places in the district include Undavalli Caves, Mogalarajapuram Caves, Kondapalli Fort, Victoria Museum, and Prakasam Barrage.

4. Nellore

Nellore which means the land of rice is famous for its lush paddy fields. River Pennar flows through Nellore and sorts of splits it into two. Nellore is also famous for its stunning temples with impressive architecture. Nelapattu bird sanctuary is in Nellore and attracts a large number of professional and amateur photographers. Popular tourist destinations in Nellore include Venkatagiri Fort, Udayagiri Fort, and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

5. Chittoor

Chittoor is economically backward, but it is a great place to relax and unwind. The western parts of the district have cool temperatures. Chittoor has numerous hills, temples and forts. Most of the attractions of Chittoor can be covered in a day. The areas near the Horsley Hills are perfect for spending some quite hours all by yourself.

6. Anantapur

Anantapur, the largest district in Andhra Pradesh, lies close to Karnataka. Six rivers flow through Anantapur. The town is yet to get the attention it deserves. It has a number of monuments and temples belonging to the Vijayanagara era. The hidden waterfalls and the ruins of hilltop forts are the other attractions in Anantapur. Thimmamma Marrimanu, one of the largest trees in the whole world is in Anantapur. This huge banyan tree has roots and branches that cover 2.5 acres.

7. Kurnool

Kurnool was once the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is an old city. Archeologists believe that the rock paintings at Ketavaram belong to the Paleolithic era. If that is indeed the case, then Kurnool is one of the oldest towns in the whole world. The ruins of the ancient caves and forts in Kurnool have many stories to tell. They showcase the cultural and architectural heritage of the town and attract numerous visitors. The Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is another reason to visit Kurnool. Chief attractions of Kurnool include Belum Caves, Kurnool Fort, Nallamala Forests and Adoni Fort.

8. Kadapa

Kadapa is the gateway to the pilgrimage center of the Tirumala Hills. The town has several temples and forts that prove the architectural excellence of the Dravidian Style. What is particularly interesting is the dexterity with which they carved stones to build amazing temples. The Bellum Caves is well worth visiting. It is one of the longest caves in India. Kadapa has large deposits of natural Uranium. Actually the presence of this nuclear fuel is the backbone of Kadapa’s economy. Major attractions in Kadapa include Belum Caves, Sidhout Fort, Gandikota Fort, Ameen Peer Dargah and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary.

9. Srikalahasti

Srikalahasti is a holy town near Tirupati. It is situated on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. Legend has it that a snake, spider and elephant obtained salvation here owing to their devotion to Lord Shiva. There are several references to this town in ancient Hindu texts. Srikalahasti has several beautiful temples with impressive architecture. Major tourist attractions in Srikalahasti include Sri Kalahasti Temple, Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls, Talakona Waterfalls, Sahasra Linga Temple, Bharadwaja Tirtham and Durgambika Temple

10. Puttaparthi

Puttaparthi was the abode of Satya Sai Baba. Today it is a major pilgrimage center and attracts tens of thousands of Sai Baba devotees. Devotees believe that the Chitravathi River on whose banks Putaparthi is situated is the Ganga of the South. The Chaitanya Jyoti Museum is one of the must visit places in Putaparthi. The town has several temples built and patronized by Sai Baba and his trust.

11. Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry is known as the birthplace of the Telugu language. It is a town famous for its Vedic culture. While some claim that the city was founded in the 11th century by the rulers of the Chalukya dynasty, others have disputed this claim. They believe that Rajahmundry existed long before Chalukyas arrived on the scene. One of the major attractions of the town is River Godavari which flows through it. There are several Ghats and parks by its banks. An activity that tourists particularly enjoy is the boat ride on the river. Rajahmundry, like other places in Andhra, has several ancient Hindu temples.