Andhra Pradesh, with its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, stunning coastline, and picturesque hill stations, offers a diverse range of experiences for tourists. After the state's bifurcation, many well-known sites went to Telangana, but Andhra Pradesh still boasts numerous attractions.
Here are some of the top tourist places to see in Andhra Pradesh:
1. Tirupati & Tirumala: (Chittoor District)
* Sri Venkateswara Temple (Tirumala): One of the most famous and richest pilgrimage sites in the world, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. A must-visit for devout Hindus and those interested in experiencing its spiritual aura and Dravidian architecture.
* Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple (Tirupati): An ancient temple in the heart of Tirupati town.
* Kapila Theertham: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a sacred waterfall.
* Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple (Tiruchanur): Temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi, consort of Lord Venkateswara.
* Talakona Waterfalls: The highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh, located in Sri Venkateswara National Park, offering trekking and serene natural beauty.
* Chandragiri Fort: A historical fort from the Vijayanagara Empire.
2. Visakhapatnam (Vizag): (Coastal City)
* RK Beach (Ramakrishna Beach): A popular city beach with an INS Kursura Submarine Museum and TU-142 Aircraft Museum.
* Rushikonda Beach: Known for its golden sands and water sports.
* Kailasagiri: A hilltop park offering panoramic views of the city and the coastline, with large Shiva-Parvathi statues.
* Borra Caves (near Araku Valley): Stunning million-year-old limestone caves with fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations.
* Araku Valley: A beautiful hill station known for its coffee plantations, tribal culture, waterfalls (like Katiki), and scenic train journey.
* Simhachalam Temple (Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple): A famous 11th-century temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha, known for its unique architecture and idol covered in sandalwood paste.
* Dolphin's Nose: A prominent rock headland offering great views of the coastline.
* Yarada Beach: A serene and picturesque beach a bit away from the city.
3. Vijayawada: (Krishna District)
* Kanaka Durga Temple: A renowned temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, situated on Indrakeeladri Hill overlooking the Krishna River.
* Prakasam Barrage: A historic barrage across the Krishna River, offering scenic views, especially when lit up.
* Undavalli Caves: Ancient rock-cut caves, a fine example of Indian rock-cut architecture, with a large monolithic statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture.
* Bhavani Island: A large river island in the Krishna River, developed for tourism with resorts and water sports.
* Kondapalli Fort: A historical fort known for its Kondapalli toys (traditional wooden toys).
4. Srisailam: (Kurnool District)
* Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple: A very important Shaivite pilgrimage center, home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas.
* Srisailam Dam: A large hydroelectric project on the Krishna River, offering impressive views.
* Akka Mahadevi Caves: Natural caves accessible by boat, historically significant.
* Srisailam Tiger Reserve (Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve): The largest tiger reserve in India, offering wildlife safaris.
5. Amaravati & Guntur Region:
* Amaravati Maha Stupa & Archaeological Museum: Site of a great ancient Buddhist stupa. The museum houses relics and sculptures from the region. The area is also the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.
* Nagarjunakonda (now an island in Nagarjuna Sagar Dam): An important Buddhist site with excavated monasteries, stupas, and an island museum. (Access is often from Telangana side, but the site itself is historically linked to AP's Buddhist heritage).
* Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary (near Guntur): Home to numerous species of migratory birds.
6. Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram) & Godavari Region:
* Godavari River: Take a boat cruise on the mighty Godavari, especially through the scenic Papikondalu (Papi Hills) mountain range.
* Papi Kondalu (Papi Hills): Stunningly beautiful gorges along the Godavari River, best experienced via a boat trip.
* Kadiyapulanka: Famous for its nurseries and flower shows.
* Draksharamam: One of the Pancharama Kshetras, a significant Shiva temple.
* Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (near Kakinada): A vast mangrove forest, home to diverse flora and fauna, including otters and fishing cats.
7. Lepakshi: (Anantapur District)
* Veerabhadra Temple: Famous for its Vijayanagara style architecture, exquisite sculptures, intricate carvings, large Nandi bull statue (monolithic), and the legendary "hanging pillar."
8. Horsley Hills: (Chittoor District)
* A charming hill station offering pleasant weather, scenic viewpoints, and opportunities for adventure activities like trekking and zorbing.
9. Ahobilam: (Kurnool District)
* A major pilgrimage center dedicated to Lord Narasimha, with nine temples (Nava Narasimha Kshetras) located in the Nallamala Hills, some requiring trekking.
10. Belum Caves: (Kurnool District)
* The second largest and longest cave system in the Indian subcontinent, known for its spacious chambers, fresh-water galleries, and siphons.
11. Pulicat Lake & Bird Sanctuary: (Nellore District, extending into Tamil Nadu)
* The second largest brackish water lagoon in India, a haven for migratory birds, especially flamingos.
Best Time to Visit:
October to March: The weather is pleasant, ideal for sightseeing, temple visits, and beach activities.
Winters (December-February) are cool and comfortable.
Summers (April-June) can be very hot, especially in the coastal and Rayalaseema regions.
Monsoon (July-September) brings relief from heat but can sometimes disrupt travel.
Andhra Pradesh offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from spiritual journeys to nature escapes and historical explorations.
