Places to visit in Vishakhapatnam

• Ramakrishna Beach: There is no shortage of places to visit in Vishakhapatnam. Get a feel of ''Vizag'' by spending your first evening strolling along the famous Ramakrishna Beach, or RK Beach. Complete with funky statues, from large fish and a gorilla eating ice cream to memorials of freedom fighters from the state, the beach promenade is the city's favourite hangout and an excellent place to people-watch. Walk to the southern end to check out the colourful fishing boats and imposing Navy ships anchored in the Bay of Bengal.
• INS Kurusura and Rushikonda Beach: Spend time inside the INS Kurusura, now converted into a Submarine Museum and learn about the life of an Indian submarine crew. If you are tired of the crowds, head north to Rushikonda Beach, which is clean enough for a swim (but only for experts. Be warned, the currents can be substantial). You can also sign up with Melville, a local surf pioneer who can take you kayaking and surfing.
• Indira Gandhi Zoological Park: This is a getaway to spot many different species of animals and plants, including mandrills, pumas and the majestic white tiger and is worth a visit.

High-end shopping/luxury shopping/shopping malls in Vishakhapatnam

• Sri Vamsi Shopping Mall
• CMR Central Mall
• ANR Shopping Mall
• SKML Shopping Mall
• Lucky shopping mall
• BR shopping mall

Street shopping in Vishakhapatnam

• Kurupam Market:Shop like the locals and head to the area around Kurupam Market with its narrow lanes and tiny shops to buy gold and silver. In many older shops, you might find goldsmiths stoking their furnaces by blowing into them, melting ornaments in their crucibles.
• Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium:Head to Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium or the Eastern Art Museum for handicrafts, ethnic clothes, tribal jewellery, the popular kondapalli toys and other souvenirs.
• Tribes India:Located on RK Beach, Tribal India showcases exquisite tribal art and handcrafted items. The products are all sourced directly from tribal, and it's a one-stop-shop to acquire a slice of the state's indigenous culture.

Nightlife/ party places in Visakhapatnam

• Tribe-The Park: Known for celebrity DJs and considered one of the famous clubs in the city, it's a must-visit for party lovers. The highlight of the place is its cocktails and club music.
• TAP the fun: The place is decorated beautifully with colourful graffiti making it lively and happening. The best part is that this place is its beverage section that offers a mix of bright shots of imported whiskeys and classic and contemporary cocktails. It would be best if you tried their options for imported and draught beer.
• Moksha Restocafé: A popular place with the young hip crowd of Visakhapatnam, Moksha Restocafé offers faint sea views along with Thai, Tibetan, Western and Indian dishes.

Araku Valley

If you are in the mood for tranquillity, one of the best things to do in Vizag is to head down to Araku Valley as a guest of the India Railways, taking Andhra's best train ride through the beautiful lush forests of the Eastern Ghats. The area is home to tribal communities and is known for its organic coffee. Hop into the excellent Museum of Habitat to understand a little more about the tribal population of Andhra Pradesh. If you are there on a Friday, don't miss the weekly market, where locals and tribals come to buy and sell. And if adventure is what you are in the mood for, then head to the famous Borra Caves, 40 km before Araku Valley. The million-year-old limestone caves are some of the biggest in India, complete with spectacular views, waterfalls and include a crawl through an 80ft tunnel. Stay at the Jungle Bells Eco Camp run by the APTDC and get back into nature.

Kailasagiri Hill

Once you've had your fill of the beach, cable car it up to one of the best tourist places in Vishakhapatnam, Kailasagiri Hill. This hill is a must-visit for fantastic sunset views, some of the best things to see in Visakhapatnam. The park on the mountain has a play area for kids, a toy train, a sculpture park and walking paths.

Simhachalam Temple

The famous Simhachalam Temple, located on the city's outskirts, is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The central shrine was built in Kalinga architectural style and bears influence from the Odishan form of temples. Large but orderly, the temple is worth a visit, especially for the carvings and stone panels. Don'tDon't miss the sculpture of Lord Narasimha disembowelling a demon on the rear wall.

One day travel guide/ 24 hours in Visakhapatnam

Bavikonda and Thotlakonda

Full of history, the coast of Andhra Pradesh has an exciting mix of Buddhist, Dutch and Hindu monuments and heritage sites. The oldest is the Buddhist Complex of Bavikonda and Thotlakonda, north of the city, which monks inhabited from 3BC to around 3AD, and is a well laid out excavation site. Head further north to explore the old Dutch settlement at Bheemli Beach, of which the old Dutch cemetery remains intact, with beautiful looking tombstones and a lighthouse from 1861. The beach itself is fascinating, with statues of mermaids and goddesses and an oversized head of the Buddha strewn across the sand.

Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda

The other beautiful ancient Buddhist sites lies 40km south of the city. Monks used Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda from the 2nd to the 9th century AD, and they are made up of rock-cut caves, stupas, ruins of monastery structures and remains of statues of the Buddha. Climb to the top of the caves to get some fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and checkered rice fields.

Visakhapatnam Music Festival

Celebrated for over two days to promote and propagate the ethnic culture of Visakhapatnam and the traditional Carnatic music, the music festival brings several artists and performers on one stage