Visakhapatnam – Goa of the East Coast
In more recent history, Visakhapatnam began to be ruled by the Chalukyas, Vengis and Pallavas, although soon enough after the advent of the Mughals in India, they began controlling this glorious port. It was even conquered by the Dutch East India Company much later and used for exporting ivory, tobacco, coal and iron. Since then, this city gained much importance as a famous port city. The British even went on to incorporate Visakhapatnam into the Madras Presidency as a prime location of commercial maritime activity. Today, Visakhapatnam is one of the most important and busiest ports of India in both trade and defence.
- Things to do in Visakhapatnam: Witness the gigantic statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati atop the Kailasagiri on your cable car ride, or if you are an adrenaline junkie then you can immerse yourself at Rishikonda Beach with water sports and even descend deep into and explore the Borra Caves.
- Popular tourist attractions of Visakhapatnam: A guided tour of the insides of the submarine INR Kursura is one of the top most popular tourist attractions for people visiting Visakhapatnam. You can witness the daily life and routines of a naval sailor on this tour. Climbing the treacherous rocky hills of Dolphin nose to witness the serene views of the sea is another attraction.
- Places to shop in Visakhapatnam: The diverse markets of One Town in Visakhapatnam are famous because you can get everything under the sun, only for a more attractive bargain. For jewellery enthusiasts, the Kurupam Markets are a real treat.
- Best time to visit Visakhapatnam: October to March is the best months to visit Visakhapatnam. The levels of humidity during this time of the year are the lowest.
- Mode of transport: The tourist taxi and driver equipped car and bike rentals are the most favoured modes of transportation for tourists willing to explore the nooks and crannies of Visakhapatnam. However, buses and auto-rickshaws are also available for tourists travelling on a tight budget.
- Weather in Visakhapatnam: Lying just 28 metres above the sea level, this city experiences the typical coastal weather characteristic of other cities on the eastern coast of India. With an average annual temperature of 27.8 °C, the mercury levels remain similar year around.
Airport in Visakhapatnam
Vizag Airport or Visakhapatnam Airport is located just 7 km from the main city and the second busiest airport in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The airport has several duty-free shops and handles 300 incoming and 700 outgoing passengers.
- Airport Address: NH16, opp. Viman Nagar, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530009
- Airport IATA code: VTZ