Vijayawada is the commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Bezawada, the city is situated on the banks of the River Krishna and flanked by Indrakeeladri Mountain. Despite the cosmopolitan nature, Vijayawada beautifully conserves and flaunts its cultural heritage. The ancient temples in the city hold historical significance.
Things to do in Vijayawada
Visit the Kanaka Durga Temple for the holy darshan. Explore the historical sites such as the Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort and Mogalarajapuram Caves. Go on a tour to Mangalagiri Hill and witness the spectacular views. Further, enjoy a trip to the Rajiv Gandhi Park. Spot exotic birds at Kolleru Lake which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. Enjoy the merry rides at VMC Disney Land and Haai Land.
Tourist attractions in Vijayawada
The major tourist attractions in Vijayawada include Undavalli Caves, Kanaka Durga Temple, Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Kondapalli Fort, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple, Hazratbal Mosque and Kolleru Lake. The Undavalli Caves is a monolithic rock-cut architecture from the 4th century. It is one of the earliest examples of Gupta architecture.
Places to shop in Vijayawada
When in Vijayawada, you must buy Mangalagiri sarees, sandalwood works, Kondapalli toys, Kalamkari artworks, leather puppets and Etikoppaka toys. Kondapalli Market, MG Road and Besant Road are the main shopping places in the city. For the greatest collection of handicrafts, visit Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city. The emporium is managed by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation. The popular shopping malls in Vijayawada are PVP Square, Trendset Mall, LEPL Centro and D-Address Mall.
Best time to visit
The period between October and March is the best time to visit Vijayawada.
Modes of transport
Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operate a vast network of buses in Vijayawada. Further, auto-rickshaws, private taxis and app-based cabs are the convenient modes of travel in the city.
Weather in Vijayawada
Vijayawada observes hot and humid summers. The temperature during this season goes beyond 45 degrees Celsius with the average humidity at 78%. The city receives moderate to heavy rainfall under the influence of the south-west and north-east monsoons from July to September. The weather turns pleasant in winters. The lowest temperature in this season stays around 12 degrees Celsius.
Airport in Vijayawada
Vijayawada Airport (IATA: VGA) is located 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.