Vizag or better known as Visakhapatnam, is one of the major cities of South India. Located on the coast of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam is rightly called port town and an industry hub. With its cool beaches, submarine museums and Dutch colonies, the town is a wonder in itself. But if you are bored of the same old places or want to do something different for the weekend then here are some of the best weekend getaways around Visakhapatnam.

Only 15 km from the city, Yarada Beach is an excellent day off from the busy life of Visakhapatnam. Imagine a stretch of sand running into the sea, priceless rolls of palm trees, leisure seekers lounging with families and playing beach sports… that’s Yarada Beach for you in a nutshell. Being scarcely populated, the beach is in high demand for those who wish to enjoy peace. The high road leading from Vizag to Yarada is also a scenic drive. So you can easily make a day or short weekend out of it. Other than the beach, Yarada neighbourhood is known for its hills and the Dolphin Lighthouse.

One of the most famous hill stations of Andhra, Araku Valley is close to Visakhapatnam. Which makes it ideal for a weekend away. Trains and buses ply from Vizag to Araku Valley, but you can also take your car. The aroma of freshly grown coffee plantations will hit you as soon as you start descent into the valley, with waterfalls and caves welcoming you. Located about 114 km from Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley is best visited during the winter months between September and May.

A town renowned for its ancient past dating back many centuries, Vizianagaram was a part of the Kalinga regime. With temples and relics and beautiful Kalinga architecture, Vizianagaram invites visitors to soak in its beauty that is steeped in history. A two-day weekend spent sightseeing and shopping for handicrafts is just perfect here, especially as Vizianagaram is only 59 km from Vizag. If you plan to visit, then don’t miss the Shiva Temple here as it is supposed to be a very auspicious pious place.

Salur is 116 km from the city of Visakhapatnam, famous for its collection of old temples and hiking trails. The Panchmukhi Eshwara Temple is one of the most coveted places of worship. The outdoors and nature too are almost as pious as temples, welcoming adventure enthusiasts and hikers alike. Plan a two day trip, spend one visiting temples and old sites and the other traipsing through the trekking trails.

A village near Visakhapatnam, Annavaram has beaches and temples in abundance. The most famous temple in Andhra after Tirupati Balaji is located here, and goes by the name of Annavaram Devasthanam. The architecture of temples, ruins and ancient sites here is decidedly Dravidian in its purest form. The beaches are famously empty, best for some solitude. There is also a set of places you can go sightseeing to - like the Sun-Dial, Vana Durga Temple etc. The village is 110 km away from Vizag.

Lambasingi is a gorgeous hill station some 100 km from Visakhapatnam, nestled in the lap of Eastern Ghats. The mist-filled lush greenery soothes tired eyes, and you find a dreamy escape into the wild mountains. It sometimes even snows in this place, which is a wonder in itself. The tribes that are aboriginal to Lambasingi are also very welcoming, and cottages are opened for visitors. It is often referred to as the Kashmir of Andhra. Garden resorts, spas, waterfalls, temples, bird sanctuaries… you name it. Winter is the best time to catch snow, otherwise Lambasingi is good through the year.

A small camping area on the road to Araku Valley, Ananthagiri is around 87 km away from Visakhapatnam. It is a charming scenic place, suffused with the refreshing environment of mountains and valleys. The hill resorts, camping sites, waterfalls, and hiking hills open their arms to you. A weekend trip with friends or family is highly coveted and makes for the best kind of fun.

Located in the foothills of Eastern Ghats, Kondakarla Ava is not a town or village but a freshwater lake. You can only imagine the serene beauty of this place, ripe as it is with the pristine blue of the lake and emerald green hills surrounding it. Bird watchers get to see exotic species and adventure lovers get to take jetties and catamarans into the water. Fishermen at work are amazing and you too can pick up a trick or two from their expertise. Boating in midst of blooming lotuses is also quite a rage around here. From Vizag, Kondakarla Ava is 48 km away, and easily reached by car.

A mix of Telugu and French culture, from food to architecture, language to census; Yanam is located 183 km from Vizag and makes for a small quaint town in Pondicherry. It has a rich 200 year old history of being a French colony, hence the cafes here serve the best European fare and coffees. The buildings are brightly coloured and remind you of the small towns of France and Belgium. Beaches and temples are all the rage here and you can spend a splendid weekend with your friends.

If you are in Vizag and wish to go scuba diving nearby then Chintapalli is the place to go to! Only 70 km away, this is hailed as one of the best sites for scuba diving. What makes Chintapalli so special is the presence of shipwrecks on its seabed, with colourful marine life floating and swimming through this wreck. You can plan an overnighter here and stay at one of the on-shore cottages, then go scuba diving the next morning.

Srikakulam has a Buddhist vibe to it, thanks to the heritage site of Salihundam. At a distance of 122 km from Vizag, Srikakulam awakens wanderlust and myth in you as soon as you step foot into its confines. From beaches to temples, there is much that attracts you. What makes Srikakulam so special is the fact that it is supposed to be as old as Kaliyug. People believe that the city was built by Lord Balram, the older brother of Lord Krishna. Visit Arasavalli, Dabbaka Vaani Peta, Srimukhalingeswara temple and Kalinga Patnam.

Famous in its own right for its culture and history, Rajahmundry is another nice weekend getaway from Vizag. You can visit its museums, art galleries, temples or just take a drive across town. The city was almost a 1000 years old, established in 11th Century CE by Raja Raja Narendra. This in itself makes the relics and artefacts of museums worth exploring. Do also make sure to see the famous Pushkar Ghat and the Godavari arch bridge.