Visakhapatnam is perfectly positioned for weekend getaways. The Eastern Ghats, ancient temple towns, pristine beaches, and wildlife sanctuaries are all within a few hours’ drive. Here are the 7 best weekend destinations from Vizag.
- Araku Valley (120 km, 3-4 hours) – The quintessential hill station escape with coffee plantations, tribal culture, Borra Caves and the scenic Vistadome train journey. Best for: Nature lovers, families.
- Lambasingi (160 km, 4 hours) – Known as the ‘Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh’, this high-altitude village experiences near-freezing temperatures in winter with misty fog all year round. Best for: Winter escapes, photography.
- Bheemunipatnam/Bheemili (24 km, 45 mins) – A peaceful beach town with a Dutch cemetery, colonial architecture, and beautiful clean beaches. Perfect for a day trip. Best for: History buffs, beach lovers.
- Annavaram (110 km, 2.5 hours) – Famous Vaishnavite pilgrimage town with the Satyanarayana Swamy temple on Ratnagiri hills. Best for: Pilgrims and hill scenery.
- Vizianagaram (80 km, 2 hours) – Historic town with the Vizianagaram Fort and Pusapati Palace showcasing Gajapati kingdom heritage. Best for: History enthusiasts.
- Srikakulam (120 km, 2.5 hours) – Ancient temples including the rare Kurmanatha Swamy Temple (tortoise avatar of Vishnu). Best for: Temple tourism.
- Sriharikota (250 km, 5 hours) – ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre where you can watch rocket launches from the public gallery. Best for: Space enthusiasts and families.