Andhra Pradesh’s top tourism places: explore the beauty of Araku Valley, Srisailam and more!

Andhra Pradesh is a state in southeastern India. It is renowned for its diverse cultural heritage, fascinating history, and natural attractions. The state boasts ancient temples, majestic palaces, picturesque beaches, and charming hill stations. Andhra Pradesh offers a wide range of tourist destinations, allowing visitors to explore its rich legacy and scenic landscapes.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Andhra Pradesh is during the winter months from November to February. This period is considered the shoulder season, offering pleasant weather conditions. The days are comfortably cool, and the nights are even cooler. These moderate temperatures make it the perfect season to explore the state without facing extreme heat or rainfall, allowing tourists to fully enjoy the sights and attractions.

Araku Valley is a peaceful hill station located about 120 km from Vishakhapatnam. It is a relatively undiscovered destination, mostly visited by locals for weekend trips. Tourists looking for a serene and exclusive experience can take the Vistadome train from Vishakhapatnam at 6:50 AM. The train journey takes around 5 hours, passing through 58 tunnels and over 84 bridges, offering stunning landscape views.

Araku Valley is situated in the Eastern Ghats mountain range and is home to several tribal communities. It has tribal caves and a Museum of Tribal Arts, which offer a unique cultural experience. The valley is also renowned for its delicious coffee.

If you’re seeking a refreshing hill vacation away from crowded destinations, Araku Valley could be an excellent choice to explore something new and off-the-beaten path.

Amaravathi is a planned city located on the banks of the River Krishna. It serves as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Amaravathi is known for its Buddhist Stupa, a semi-hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics, often referred to as the “Abode of God.”

Situated 32 km north of Guntur District, Amaravathi is a major pilgrimage and sightseeing hub. The original Stupa structure was established during the reign of Emperor Ashoka and now serves as a meditation site in the city.

Amaravathi is designed to have 51% green spaces, with a 217 km riverfront. Its foundation stone was laid on October 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states in 2014, Amaravathi was chosen as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, deriving its name from the ancient capital of the Satavahana dynasty.

The city attracts pilgrims throughout the year due to its numerous temples and shrines adorning various parts of the town.

Gandikota is a small village in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, known as the ‘Grand Canyon of India’. Situated next to River Pennar, the village is famous for its spectacular gorges formed by the river cutting through Erramala Hills. The narrow valleys with streams and steep rocky walls resemble the renowned Grand Canyon in Arizona. To view this mesmerizing sight from the viewpoint near the fort, one needs to walk about a kilometre from the main gate.

Around 1.5 hours away from Belum Caves lies the highlight of Gandikota – the ruins of the 13th Century Gandikota Fort. This sturdy fort is flanked by Pennar gorges on both sides and protected by a 5-mile-long wall. Built with red sandstone, the fort has beautiful intricate carvings inside and offers sweeping views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Within the fort premises, visitors can explore structures like a granary, jail, ruins of temples and other buildings.

Tirupati, located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, is renowned for the Lord Venkateshwara Temple, one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites. Also known as Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple, or Tirupati Balaji Temple, it is regarded as one of the richest temples globally. Situated on the Tirumala Hills, one of the seven hills in Tirupati, the main temple is believed to be the place where Lord Venkateshwara manifested as an idol. The temple is dedicated to Lord Govinda, considered a form of Lord Vishnu.

Tirupati is an ancient city mentioned in many Vedas and Puranas. The town of Tirupati is separate from the Tirumala Hills, where the famous Tirupati Balaji Temple (Sri Venkateshvara Swami Vaari Temple) is located. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, believed to be Lord Vishnu’s incarnation to save humanity from the Kali Yuga. The renowned Tirupati Laddoo, a prasad (offering) given at the temple, has a Geographical Indication tag, meaning it can only be made and sold at the temple premises.

Apart from the main temple, Tirupati has several other temples, including Sri Kalahasti, Sri Govindarajaswami, Kondandarama, Parashurameshwara, and the ISKCON temple. Tirupati is also home to a unique geological wonder, the Silathoranam, a natural rock arch formation located on the Tirumala Hills.

Vijayawada is the second most populated city in Andhra Pradesh, situated on the banks of River Krishna. Known as the commercial, political and media capital of the state, it is one of the fastest-growing urban centres in India. Surrounded by hills and canals, Vijayawada is home to numerous caves and rock-cut temples carved into these caves.

The city blends the old and new worlds, with the sound of temple bells mingling with the noise of traffic, and ancient monuments coexisting with modern metropolitan architecture. Popular attractions in Vijayawada include Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hazratbal Mosque, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Kolleru Lake, and various temples and caves.

Additionally, Vijayawada serves as a base to explore nearby sites like the Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, and Mangalagiri Hill. The city seamlessly combines its rich heritage with rapid urban development, making it a unique destination.

Srisailam is a hill town located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is home to the holy Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. Srisailam is also recognized as one of the 18 Shakti Peethas (sacred sites) of Goddess Parvati. Situated on the banks of River Krishna, the town is known for its wildlife sanctuary and a dam.

Visitors can seek blessings at the majestic temples in Srisailam, such as the famous Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple located at an elevation of 457 meters above sea level, and the Sikhareswara Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The Nallamala forest ranges, rich in diverse flora and fauna, lie near the Srisailam hills, adding to the natural beauty of the region.