Discover Andhra Pradesh

Home to the world-famous Sri Venkateswara Temple on the seven sacred hills of Tirumala — the most visited and richest religious center in the world with over 50,000 pilgrims visiting daily and annual offerings exceeding thousands of crores. The sacred Sri Padmavathi Temple in Tiruchanoor, the mystical Akasaganga Theertham (natural spring on the hill), and the rare natural rock arch Silathoranam make Tirupati the most important pilgrimage destination in South India.

The City of Destiny — Andhra's largest city and a major port on the Bay of Bengal. Famous for beautiful beaches like RK Beach and Ramakrishna Beach, the fascinating Submarine Museum (only one in India), the stunning Kailasagiri Hill Park with its ropeway and panoramic ocean views, the ancient Simhachalam Temple, and as the gateway to the beautiful Araku Valley and Borra Caves in the Eastern Ghats.

The business capital of Andhra Pradesh, strategically located on the banks of the Krishna River. The sacred Kanaka Durga Temple perched atop Indrakeeladri Hill offers panoramic views of the city and river. The impressive Prakasam Barrage spanning the Krishna, the beautiful Bhavani Island (one of the largest river islands), the ancient Mogalarajapuram Caves, and the bustling Kondapalli Fort with its famous lightweight toys make Vijayawada a vibrant city.

The new capital of Andhra Pradesh and one of ancient India's greatest Buddhist centers. The famous Amaravati Stupa — built during the Satavahana dynasty around 200 BCE — was once the grandest Buddhist monument in India with exquisite limestone relief carvings now housed in museums worldwide. The magnificent 125-foot Dhyana Buddha statue, the ancient Amareswara Shiva Temple, and the emerging modern capital region make Amaravati a meeting point of ancient glory and future ambition.

A stunning hill station nestled at 911 meters in the Eastern Ghats, famous for its organic coffee plantations producing some of India's finest Arabica coffee. The Borra Caves — one of the largest cave formations in India with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites reaching up to 100 feet — are over 150 million years old. The beautiful tribal culture of the Araku and Borra tribes, the scenic Araku Valley train journey through 58 tunnels and 84 bridges, and the lush Padmapuram Botanical Gardens make Araku magical.

Historic city and the erstwhile capital of the Andhra State (1953-1956). Gateway to the incredible Belum Caves — the second largest cave system in India with 3.5 km of explored passages, stunning stalactite formations, and an underground stream. The magnificent Konda Reddy Fort with its underground tunnels, the sacred Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple (major pilgrimage center), and the beautiful Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary make Kurnool a destination of diverse wonders.

Coastal city on the banks of the sacred Penna River, famous for the ancient Ranganatha Temple — one of the tallest temple towers in Andhra Pradesh. The beautiful Mypadu Beach with golden sands, the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary (one of the largest pelican habitats in Southeast Asia), the historic Pulicat Lake (second largest brackish water lagoon in India), and delicious Nellore cuisine including the famous Nellore chepala pulusu (fish curry) make this city special.

A major city in the Amaravati capital region, known as the capital of Andhra cuisine — especially the world-famous Guntur chillies that define the heat and flavor of South Indian food. Home to the ancient Amaravati Buddhist heritage site, the magnificent Kondaveedu Fort ruins with panoramic views, the Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary hosting thousands of migratory birds including spot-billed pelicans, and the vibrant Guntur chilli market — one of the largest in Asia.

Cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh on the sacred banks of the Godavari River — called the Dakshin Ganga (Ganges of the South). The iconic Godavari Bridge (Havelock Bridge), the stunning Papi Hills with their scenic boat cruises through lush green gorges, the lush Coringa mangrove forests (second largest mangrove forest in India), the sacred ISKCON Temple, and the famous Pushkaralu bathing ghats where millions of pilgrims gather every 12 years make Rajahmundry culturally rich.

Ancient capital of the great Kakatiya dynasty (12th-14th century), home to the magnificent Warangal Fort with its iconic Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (gateway arch) — now the symbol of Telangana state. The stunning Thousand Pillar Temple built in 1163 AD, the breathtaking Ramappa Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with floating bricks and intricate carvings, the beautiful Pakhal Lake, and the ancient Bhadrakali Temple make Warangal a treasure trove of medieval Indian architecture.

The largest district in Andhra Pradesh, known worldwide as the home of Puttaparthi — birthplace and ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba that attracted millions of devotees from across the globe. The ancient Lepakshi Temple with its mind-boggling hanging pillar (which doesn't touch the ground), the largest Nandi bull monolith in India, exquisite Vijayanagara-era frescoes, and the beautiful Penna Ahobilam wildlife sanctuary make Ananthapur a spiritual and architectural marvel.

Historic city known for the breathtaking Gandikota Fort — called the Grand Canyon of India — where the Penna River has carved a stunning gorge over 300 feet deep through massive red granite rocks, creating landscape views rivaling the Arizona Grand Canyon. The ancient Devuni Kadapa temple (considered the gateway to Tirumala), the famous Kadapa stone used in temple construction worldwide, and the Brahmamgari Matham ashram add to Kadapa's diverse attractions.

A picturesque town surrounded by nine sacred Nandi hills — giving the town its name (Nava + Nandi). Famous for the ancient Mahanandi Temple where natural spring water flows directly from the ground beneath the Shiva lingam, creating a unique spiritual experience. The beautiful Belum Caves access point, the ancient Srisailam Temple access (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas), and the lush Rollapadu grasslands make Nandyal a spiritually significant nature destination.

Famous worldwide for the Ongole breed of cattle — massive, sturdy bulls that are prized across India and exported globally for breeding. The beautiful Prakasam Barrage on the Gundlakamma River, the ancient Kashi Vishweswara Swamy Temple, the pristine Vodarevu Beach, and the city's strategic location as a major transit hub between Chennai and Vijayawada make Ongole an interesting stop for travelers exploring Andhra Pradesh.

Major port city and the second largest city of Andhra Pradesh after Visakhapatnam. Known for the beautiful Uppada Beach with its golden sands, the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (home to the endangered fishing cat), the delicious Kakinada Kaja sweet (a flaky, syrup-soaked pastry famous across South India), and its growing IT and industrial sectors. The city also serves as a gateway to the beautiful Godavari delta region and the scenic Konaseema area.

Historic city known as the Vellalacheruvu of Andhra for its ancient water management systems. Famous for the incredible Eluru Buddha Stupa — a 2nd century BCE Buddhist site with crystal reliquaries, the massive Kolleru Lake (one of the largest freshwater lakes in India and a Ramsar wetland site), the ancient Dwaraka Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and the beautiful handloom weaving traditions producing the famous Eluru fabrics.

Northernmost coastal district of Andhra Pradesh, famous for the ancient Arasavalli Sun Temple — one of the very few Sun temples in India, where the sun's rays directly illuminate the idol twice a year during equinoxes. The beautiful Baruva Beach with its ancient Konetiamma temple, the historic Kalingapatnam port (ancient gateway for Buddhist maritime trade), and the unique Srikurmam Temple — the only temple dedicated to Kurma (tortoise) avatar of Lord Vishnu — make Srikakulam culturally rich.

Historic city known for the magnificent Vizianagaram Fort built by the Gajapati Rajas in 1713, featuring stunning defensive architecture, a moat, and beautiful palaces within its walls. The famous annual Pydithalli Ammavari festival drawing hundreds of thousands, the ancient Kumili temples, the prestigious Maharaja's College (one of the oldest educational institutions in South India), and the rich Kalinga heritage visible in the architecture and culture make Vizianagaram a heritage destination.

Known as Andhra';s Paris — birthplace of the legendary Tenali Ramakrishna, the witty poet in Sri Krishna Devaraya';s court whose stories are beloved across India. A cultural and literary center with beautiful temples like the Ghantasala Buddhist site, the ancient Undavalli Caves with their remarkable rock-cut architecture dating to the 4th-5th century, and the famous Guntur-Prakasam canal network creating lush agricultural landscapes. The city celebrates its literary heritage with passion.