Situated on the banks of River Krishna, Vijayawada is the major commercial hotspot in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is nestled amid the rolling hills of Eastern Ghats. The word ‘Vijayawada’ means the land of victory. The city is home to numerous rock-cut temples dating back to the 4th century. Vijayawada presents a perfect balance between the modern cosmopolitan verve and rich cultural heritage. It is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities in the country.
Things to do in Vijayawada
Pander to various fun activities like parasailing, water-skiing and kayaking at Bhavani Island. Feel the spiritual ambience at the Kanaka Durga Temple. Go back to the ancient era by visiting the 4th-century Undavalli Caves, the 5th-century Mogalarajapuram Caves and the ruins of Kondapalli Fort. Have a tour to Mangalagiri Hill and witness the beautiful views. Further, enjoy an excursion to the Rajiv Gandhi Park. Spot exotic birds at Kolleru Lake which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India.
Tourist attractions in Vijayawada
The top sightseeing places in Vijayawada include Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Kolleru Lake, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hinkar Thirtha, Kondapalli Fort, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Hazratbal Mosque and Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple.
Places to shop in Vijayawada
The prime shopping streets in Vijayawada include MG Road, Kondapalli Market and Besant Road. If you want to buy authentic handicrafts, then go on a visit to Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city. The store is managed by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Vijayawada is from October to March.
Modes of transport
Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operate a good network of buses in and around Vijayawada. Further, auto-rickshaws, private taxis and app-based cabs are the convenient means of transport in the city.
Weather in Vijayawada
Vijayawada observes a tropical climate. The city remains extremely hot and humid in summers when the temperature touches 47 degrees Celsius. Between July and September, Vijayawada experiences moderate to heavy rainfall under the influence of south-west and north-east monsoons. The weather becomes pleasant in winters. The lowest temperature during this season stays around 12 degrees Celsius.
Airport in Vijayawada
Vijayawada Airport (IATA: VGA) is situated at Gannavaram, about 13 km from the main city. IndiGo operates around 50 non-stop weekly flights between Vijayawada and cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.