About 15 kilometres from the city of Visakhapatnam lies the Yarada Village, the coast of which formulates the stunning Yarada Beach. The Bay of Bengal borders the beach and gives it a serene outlook. On the other three sides, towering hills border the beach, making it a calm and peaceful sanctuary for tourists and locals alike. 

Soft greenery covering the side of the rocks and tall palms make a relaxing site. It is one of the best places to visit in Vizag and can be enjoyed both solo and with the company. While here, take a swim in the azure waters, build sandcastles, organize picnics or taste the delicious seafood on the beach.

Different primates, small mammals, carnivores and lesser carnivores find a home at this park. You can learn about their natural habitats and eating habits from the plaques displayed throughout the park. A natural forest reserve outlook and an open serpentarium make this zoo a unique one in all of the country.

Many educational activities are organized here from time to time, to educate youth about the local fauna and exotic but endangered species in the region. Visit here with a picnic basket to get the best of this park.

Spread over a massive area of 17,000 acres, this is a vast forest reserve named after the local hill by the same name. The sanctuary, one of the best places to visit in Visakhapatnam, is covered in a lush thick cover of plants and trees native to the Eastern Ghats like Tree of Heaven, Sage, Indian liquorice, Indian rosewood, Indian figs, Indigo, Dinnerplate tree, etc.

The sanctuary is visited by thousands of nature enthusiasts to see rare animals, reptiles, & birds like leopards, Indian muntjac, pangolin, Madras treeshrew, cobra, Russell’s viper, Bengal monitor, Laughing dove, Red-wattled lapwing, etc. if you are lucky, you can spot the rare Indian screw tree and butterflies here. There is a reservoir inside the sanctuary that’s great for viewing a beautiful sunset. Night safaris are available here for you to enjoy the nocturnal wildlife. 

The sanctuary lying in rugged mountainous terrain is perfect for trekking and hiking especially night treks. The hazy and misty weather here makes trekking even more fun. Besides these, you can also enjoy adventure activities like Burma bridge, sky walking, tyre walking, goat walking, zip-lining, etc. here.

Location: Vizianagaram-Srikakulam road, Visakhapatnam.

Price: Adults: Rs. 10 and children: Rs.5

Timings: Every day from 9:00 am-4: 30 pm.

One of the most popular tourist places in Visakhapatnam, this is TU 142 Naval aircraft that has been converted into a museum. This aircraft had a history of flying for over 30,000 hours in an accident-free service to the Indian Navy. After 30 years of service, it was decommissioned and opened for visitors. It is one of the best places for people who love planes and the engineering behind them.

You step into a whole new world inside the aircraft. You will see an array of aeronautical equipment like propellers, survival kits, engine, sonobuoys, anti-submarine missiles, date recorder, black box, parachutes, etc. and much more. Visitors are led through the aircraft through an audio guide explaining about each display. The highlight of the museum is a flight simulator platform that you can enjoy through a virtual reality interface.

Location: Beach Road, Opposite Kursura Submarine Museum, AU North Campus, HPCL Colony, Pandurangapuram, Visakhapatnam.

Price: Rs. 70 per person.

Timings: Every day from 2:00 pm-8:30 pm..

One of the few places to visit in Visakhapatnam where you can spend the whole day amidst the beauty of nature, Mudasarlova is a lush 20-acre garden that is a must-visit, Built by the British in the early 19th-century, it has huge mango orchards that produce varieties of mangoes. A great place to enjoy an afternoon picnic in lovely palm tree-shaded spots, this park also has a children’s play area. The entire park is made over a sloped terrain that lends it an interesting structure. You will also see several spots that have bird cages full of colourful chirping birds. Don’t miss to see the grand golf course in the park.

The gardens are well-manicured and full of flowers, fountains, wooden bridges, and viewpoints to savour all this beauty. The park, one of the most scenic tourist places in Visakhapatnam, houses the oldest water reservoir in Visakhapatnam that’s one of the most scenic spots here. This waterbody is visited by varieties of birds, making it a haven for bird watchers.

Location: Chinna Gadhili, Visakhapatnam.

Price: Rs. 10 per person.

Timings: Every day from 8:00 am-5:30 pm. 

Located on a hilltop, this is an almost 2000-year-old Buddhist complex that overlooks the sea. This complex finds its roots in the ancient Kalinga Empire that was majorly responsible for spreading Buddhism in Southeast Asia. It was a major site for Roman trade and missionary activities as seen from the excavations that led to the discovery of Roman-era silver coins, terracotta tiles, miniature stupa models, and scriptures in Brahmi script, etc.

This almost 120-acre site comprises a Mahastupa, 11 rock-cut water cisterns, a congregation hall, and chaitya-grihas. The site is now protected by the Andhra Pradesh government and houses sacred Buddhist relics that are a must-see. This is a great place, amongst one of the most intriguing places to visit in Visakhapatnam, especially for people who follow Buddhism and spirituality. Spending time in quietude enveloped by a cool breeze and sounds of the sea waters, and sharing the space of the thousand-year-old iconic heritage gives an amazingly surreal feeling.

Location: Bheemunipatnam, around 15 kilometres away from Visakhapatnam.

Timings: Every day from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Also known as Bheemunipatnam, this beautiful fishing village is located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Gosthani River. This was one of the most important 17th-century Dutch settlements and was a major trading port. One of the reasons that make it an intriguing place is that Buddhist remains like caskets etc. were found here dating back to the 3rd-century.

The town gets its name from Bheema of the Mahabharata legends. It is the most famous for its serene beach that stretches for around 30 kilometres. The views of the sea, powdery white sands, old cemeteries, and the sea-facing ancient 14th-century temple of Lord Narasimha make this one of the most popular tourist places in Visakhapatnam. The beach has clean promenades shaded with palm trees where one can sit for hours to enjoy these great views. Don’t miss to see the 18th-century lighthouse and a church that’s known as the Red Church.

Bheemili also houses an old Dutch Fort known for its beautiful architecture. This is a great place to enjoy traditional Andhra food at the local village shacks.