Visakhapatnam is located on the eastern coast of the country at the point where the Eastern Ghats meet the Bay of Bengal. When I was about to visit Visakhapatnam, I was not aware of how it would turn out to be. All I knew was that the beach was good and that the hills were worth seeing. However, I realised that my knowledge about this city was not enough. In fact, Vizag is one of those cities that never stops surprising you.
Rushikonda Beach: The morning that set the tone
Rushikonda Beach sits about eight kilometres north of the city centre. It is one of the cleaner beaches on the eastern coast, backed by green hills that make the setting feel more dramatic than a flat beach town. I arrived early on my first morning, before the water sports operators had set up their counters. The beach was almost empty.
The Bay of Bengal here has a particular quality in early morning light, wide, slightly grey, with waves that are strong enough to feel but not so rough that they push you back. I stood at the water’s edge for a long time without doing anything in particular. That first morning set the tone for everything that followed.
Kailasagiri: The hill that earns the cable car ride
Kailasagiri is a hilltop park on the outskirts of Vizag, best known for a large white Shiva-Parvati statue visible from much of the coastline below. The park sits at around 360 metres and looks over the city, the port, and the Bay of Bengal simultaneously.
The cable car up is part of the experience. The views from the top, particularly at the point where the port, the beach, and the hills all appear in the same frame, are genuinely impressive. I went in the late afternoon when the light was softening. The city below had a different quality at that hour, and was quieter, less busy than usual.
INS Kurusura Submarine Museum: Nothing else quite like it
INS Kurusura is a retired submarine belonging to the Soviet era, which has been anchored on Ramakrishna Beach as a museum. This is among the few submarine museums found around the world today, but the experience here is far more fascinating than it sounds. One gets to walk through the actual submarine with its narrow passageways, control panels, and sleeping areas designed for the people residing there for several weeks underwater.
The small size of the submarine is overwhelming and captures the essence of submarine service in a way that regular museum displays cannot. I spent nearly an hour inside. I came out with a genuine appreciation for something I had never initially thought about.
Araku Valley: The day trip that became the highlight
Araku Valley is a hill station located about 115 kilometres from Vizag. The road to the valley winds through the Eastern Ghats in a series of scenic curves, making the drive as enjoyable as the destination itself. I left early and took the scenic route through the Ananthagiri Hills. Coffee plantations appeared on the hillsides around Araku. The air cooled noticeably as the road climbed.
The valley itself is wide and green, with a tribal museum, a few waterfalls nearby, and the particular calm of a hill town that is still untouched by weekend crowds. I had Araku coffee at a small café near the valley centre. Grown locally, brewed simply, served without ceremony. It was one of the best cups of coffee I had on the entire trip.
Borra Caves: The detour worth the dusty road
On the way back from Araku, I stopped at Borra Caves, a large cave system in the Ananthagiri Hills, around 90 kilometres from Vizag. The caves contain stalactite and stalagmite formations that have been developing for roughly a million years.
The scale inside is surprising. The largest chamber opens up in a way you do not expect from the narrow entrance. A natural skylight lets a shaft of light into the centre of the main cave, which illuminates the formations in a way no artificial lighting quite replicates. It is worth the detour, even if the road leading to it tests your suspension.
What Vizag gives you that you do not expect?
The best hotels in Visakhapatnam for a journey like this are found near the beach road, conveniently close to Rushikonda and Ramakrishna Beach as well. This stretch of the coastline is where most of the enjoyable experiences can be found, such as a submarine museum, beachside walks, and seafood restaurants, as well as the cable car to Kailasagiri.
A hotel with a sea view offers something which is not replaceable by any amount of sightseeing. You’ll be gifted with the sound of the Bay of Bengal at night, which is really a pleasant experience for relaxation. Vizag will never leave you with a list of hurried activities, just as a good city is supposed to do.
Comments are closed.