Visakhapatnam (nicknamed Vizag) is the largest city in terms of area and population in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Located on the coast of Bay of Bengal in the north eastern region of the state, the city is nestled between the Eastern Ghats mountain range and the Bay of Bengal, and is often known as The Jewel of the East Coast, The City of Destiny and the Goa of the East Coast.

Visakhapatnam's beaches, parks, museums and proximity to areas of natural beauty have made the city a significant tourist destination. Visakhapatnam is one of the country's chief ports and the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. It is also the home to the oldest shipyard and the only natural harbour on the east coast of India.

Some of the most stunning destinations in Visakhapatnam have been discussed below that will help you plan your next vacation:

1. Borra Caves
The Borra Caves are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh and are considered the deepest and one of the largest caves in India.

The Gosthani River originates here and is the cause for the development of the odd shapes of the structures. Water percolating from the roof of the caves dissolves limestone to form stalactite which have developed into interesting forms inside the caves such as Shiva–Parvati, Mother–Child, Rishi’s beard, human brain, mushrooms, crocodile, temple, church, etc.

There is a twilight zone in the caves with limited light penetration. Guided tours for a day trip to the Borra Caves cover interesting attractions like the Tyada Railway Tunnel, Damuku View Point, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation, Padmapuram Gardens and the Araku Valley. November and December are ideal months to visit the caves.

2. Kailasa Giri Park
Kailasagiri is a hilltop park in the city of Visakhapatnam.The park was developed by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) comprising 380 acres (150 ha) of land covered with flora and tropical trees. The hill, at 360 feet (110 m), overlooks beaches, forests, and the city of Visakhapatnam.

The Rope Way offers a cable car route to the top of the hill, the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh. The Government of Andhra Pradesh awarded Kailasagiri as "Best Tourist Spot" in 2003. On average, around three lakh Indian and foreign tourists visit this spot every year. To protect the environment, VUDA has declared the hill a plastic-free zone.

3. Yarada Beach
Yarada Beach is situated on the west coast of Bay of Bengal in Yarada, a village at a distance of 15 kilometres from Visakhapatnam. It is located near Gangavaram beach, Dolphin's Nose, and Gangavaram Port.

4. Rushikonda Beach
Rushikonda Beach is located in Visakhapatnam on the coast of Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The beach is maintained by the state tourism board, APTDC. The attractions of this beach are the golden sands, palm trees and sapphire sea. This site is popular among swimmers and is popularly known as ‘sight for swimmers’.

5. Araku Tribal Museum
Araku Tribal Museum is a charming red-roofed bungalow that showcases lifestyle of the tribals who inhabit the valley and depicts scenes from their daily lives. Realistic sculptures of a tribal lady cooking the evening meal, another lady feeding her child and a male tribal watching guard over his family with a spear in hand are mesmerising.

The weapons of the tribes, their chunky silver jewellery, ornate and elegance depicted in the main atrium of the museum fascinate the tourists.

6. Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple
Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi is the presiding deity of Visakhapatnam locals. The temple is located in Burujupeta of Visakhapatnam city. The people have a strong belief that ` Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru’ is the `MOTHER OF TRUTH’ and will always bless her devotees by fulfilling their requirements. The devotees of Goddess bring their newly born babies to the temple and keep them at the feet of Goddess and seek blessings.

7. Dolphin’s Nose
Dolphin’s Nose, also known as the Black Mores’ hill is a single, gigantic hillock shaped like a dolphin’s nose. Each hill on this headland has one place of worship, dedicated to three major religions in the world, i.e. a temple, a mosque, and a church. It is an appealing landmark that offers a panoramic view of the sea and Visakhapatnam city.

The winter months of October to March offer pleasant climatic conditions and are the best time to visit Dolphin’s Nose and the beautiful city of Vishakhapatnam.

8. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam and covers an area of 625 acres. It is surrounded by Eastern Ghats on three sides and Bay of Bengal on the fourth side. Nearly eighty species of animals numbering to about eight hundred are present in the zoo. A Biosphere learning centre and a Library are present inside the Zoo Park near the Canteen.

9. Bojjannakonda
Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two Buddhist sites which exist on adjacent hillocks near a village called Sankaram. It is located at about 45 km from Vishakhapatnam and just a few kilometers from Anakapalle.

Bojjannakonda is the eastern hill which is covered with a large group of monolithic stupas surrounding the rock-cut platforms of the Maha stupa. The dome of the stupa is found constructed of brick. The western hill is known as Lingalakonda is covered with a large number of rock-cut small stupas form the shape of a ridge.

10. Padmapuram Gardens
Padmapuram Gardens is a tourist attraction in the Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh, India. The gardens have a good collection of appealing plants and flowers. Welcomed by a Toy train, which starts at the entrance, these gardens provide a novel atmosphere with unique flower gardens and numerous hefty trees like eucalyptus, pine etc. One of the top-most attractions of Padmapuram Gardens is the hanging cottages.

11. Tyda Park
Tyda Park is located at Ananthagiri at a distance of 75 km from Visakhapatnam that provides an enthralling experience of camping, trekking and bird watching to the tourists. The park has facilities for log huts and tent built within the tribal surroundings of the park.

The park is home to species of hares and avifauna and provides ample opportunities for rock climbing and target shooting. There are also guides and naturalists present who provide information about the features of the different plants and animal species along the Eastern Ghats and even teach the tourists ways to identify animal marks and bird calls. The best time to visit is between the months of October and February.

12. Matsya Darshini
Matsya Darshini is an Aquarium and a Fish Museum in Visakhapatnam. The Museum hosts a number of sea, deep sea and oceanic marine life. The aquarium also hosts the Arowana fish imported from Thailand, fishes from Singapore, Malaysia and many other parts of the world.

13. Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary
Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary, locally called as Kondakarla Lake is located about an hour away from the city. This fresh water natural lake is home of many birds and is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats and forest. The local villagers offer boat rides on the lake for a small fare. The boats are made of two hollow tree trunks joined together with a “Charpai. You can flock fresh lotus stems during the boat ride on the lake.

14. Katiki Waterfalls
Katiki Waterfalls is named after Katiki, the place where it is located. The waterfall is about 50 ft high and lies around 4 km away from Borra Caves. The waterfalls originate from the Gosthani River. The last 15 minutes of the trek up to the base of the waterfall is stiff climbing. Marinated chicken baked inside bamboo trunks are offered to the tourists. Mashala Dinusulu, locally collected honey is also available in the shops at the spot.

15. VUDA Park
VUDA Park, named after the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N T Rama Rao is located near Ramakrishna Mission Beach and is operated by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA). The park is developed on the beachfront in an area of 55 acres out of which 37 acres is covered with lawns, various species of flower plants, hedge plants and others. It consists of around 2,500 shade-giving trees and is the prominent recreation centre for the locales and the visitors of Visakhapatnam.

The Park is well equipped with a variety of children play pens, boating club, musical fountains, a multi Gym, Yoga Centre, Kala Vedika, Pagodas and many more. MGM Dizzy World is another attraction in the park.

Visakhapatnam is a beautiful ancient city that has maintained its rich cultural and visually aesthetic essence till this today. It is one of the main tourism destinations in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the city truly has something to offer to every type of visitor.