An important commercial and industrial port town, Visakhapatnam, or Vizag, as it is fondly called, is also a delight for tourists. From pristine beaches to lush hills and intriguing museums, the town has it all. Here’s a list of things to do in Vizag if you have only 48 hours in the city. By Karan Kaushik
Things to do in Vizag
RK Beach
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This beach is where all the action is. Named after the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram located in its vicinity, the beach bustles with snack shacks, street hawkers, beautiful temples, and roadside eateries. Enjoy the surf and the sand and witness stunning sunsets from the beach. Walk hand in hand with your significant other on the beautiful road that flanks the beach and soak in the unmatched serenity that Vizag has to offer.
INS Kurusura
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Located right at the RK Beach, the iconic INS Kurusura, aka Submarine Museum, is an experience that will stay with you forever. After all, how often does someone gets to be inside an actual submarine? Once used by the Indian Navy, submarine INS Kurusura has been turned into Asia’s only submarine museum. It’s the most popular attraction in Vizag. To know more about India’s glorious naval history, visit the Maritime Museum located further down the beach.
Timings: 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm on weekdays, 10:00 am to 8:30 pm on Sundays
Entry fee: INR 40 for adults, INR 20 for children
Matsyadarshini Aquarium
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Also located on RK Beach, Matsyadarshini is a fish aquarium. Don’t miss a quick visit if you have kids along. A walk through the museum introduces visitors to fascinating sea creatures from all corners of the world. Prime attractions in the museum include piranhas, pufferfishes, and moray eels. Other creatures you can see here are Long Horn Cow Fish, Peacock Wrasse, Electric Ray, Porcupine Fish, and Red Squirrel Fish.
Timings: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Entry fee: INR 30 for adults, INR 20 for children
Vuda Park
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This gorgeous park is also located on the beach road and makes for a nice place to relax and unwind. Developed by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA), the park is also known as Taraka Rama Park after the state’s former Chief Minister Taraka Rama Rao. When here, you can spend some quality time boating and enjoying camel and horse rides. The musical fountain show at the park must not be missed.
Entry fee: INR 20 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, INR 60 from 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Rushikonda Beach
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The Rushikonda Beach is comparatively quieter and less touristy than the RK Beach. The main attraction on this beach is the 14th-century Sapta Rusheswara Temple, which is famous for housing as many as seven freshwater wells. If you are into sailing, Dolphin Yachting &Waveriders Surf School Association offers a wide range of activities like surfing, sea kayaking, bodyboarding, and stand-up paddle.
Kailasagiri Hill Park
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Any trip to Visakhapatnam is incomplete without taking a ropeway ride to the Kailasagiri Hill Park. The ropeway ride offers incredible views of the beach town. The views only get better once you make it to the park. Sprawled across 100 acres, the hilltop park is renowned for its 40 ft tall statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Don’t miss the Toy Train ride here. Nearby attractions include a Floral clock, Titanic viewpoint, Jungle trails, Shanthi Ashram, and Shanku Chakra Nama.
Yarada Beach
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If you love solitude, you must prefer Yarada Beach over the other beaches. Located 15km from Vizag, the beach lies on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal in Yarada village. Surrounded by lush greenery and swaying palm trees, the golden sand beach is blessed with breathtaking beauty. The beach is mostly flocked by couples, thanks to the romantic environs it offers. From here, you can also visit attractions like Gangavaram Beach and Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse.
Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse
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End your Vizag trip by catching a stunning sunset from the Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse. Located in the southern part of Vizag, the Dolphin’s Hill is named so because of its shape, which bears a stark resemblance to the nose of a dolphin. Perched at the height of 358 metres above sea level, the lighthouse offers stunning views of lush hills and the beautiful city in its entirety.
Related: Lesser Known National Parks And Wildlife Sanctuaries In South India