Nellore is a popular Andhra city which is visited by thousands every year. This place is famous for its food, sanctuaries, beach, people, and natural landscapes. The city has a rich history and it is believed that the city subsisted from the times of the Chola Dynasty ruled by Rajendra Chola I, the mighty Mauryan empire ruled by Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. Later, different rulers and dynasties claimed their stronghold and built some unique and powerful structures. Besides history, Nellore also has a busy city life quite similar to the ones you will find in Vizag and Vijayawada. Below we present some of the best things that you can try here to make your holiday memorable.

One of the first things that you must try during your Nellore trip is to experience the calmness of Mypadu Beach. This beach is located 30 km from the city center and you can get there after driving for half an hour to 45 minutes. This serene beach is regarded as one of the best tourist spots in and around Nellore. The thing that you can try here is a temple visit located near the beach. Then, you can come to this beach and get mesmerized by the magical sunset. You'll simply love the calmness, cool breeze, the sweet sound of the water, and taking a stroll in ankle-deep or shin-deep water holding the hands of your loved ones will give you a pretty romantic experience. Try it out.

We Indians love visiting the local religious places in the city we travel to. That has been a culture for ages and to continue with our tradition, a visit to the famous Barah Shaheed Dargah in the Nellore city is probably the best thing that can be done here. The place is considered by both Hindus and Muslims alike and they gather here to pay homage to the twelve martyrs who lost their lives fighting on the battlefield. It is a common belief that anyone who comes here and offers prayers his wishes come true. It's all about having faith and being true to the things that you really want. So come here and experience the same.

Continuing with our listing of religious places, the next thing to try in Nellore is to visit an offer prayers at the iconic Penchalakona Temple. Located 15 km from Nellore Railway Station, this temple comprises two primary temples: Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Mahalakshmi temples. Here you can enjoy a peaceful time with your family and seek blessings with your loved ones. If you are a devotional type and love the natural landscape, this is where you should be. There's also a waterfall near the temple so you can go there and get a panoramic view of the site. You'll have to trek on the hills to reach the water stream. You'll admire the crystal clear water.

Continuing on our exploration of religious places, the next on the list is Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. This historic temple is situated 3 km away from Nellore Railway Station and falls under the category of one of the oldest temples in the city constructed on the Southern bank of the beautiful Pennar River. Once you get here, you'll learn about the history of the temple. It's said that sage Kasyapa performed a Yagna here and after the Yagna, Shri Vishnu appeared before him and stayed here. Knowing this, the Pallavi King erected a temple here during around the 7th and 8th centuries. An idol of Ranganatha with a height of 10 feet is installed here in a reclining position facing the Pennar River. Yet another place for seeking peace and blessing. Don't miss out.

The next thing to do is to visit every bird lover's paradise, the beautiful Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. A drive of an hour and 30 minutes covering 80 km from Nellore, you'll come to this dream place for bird sighting. This sanctuary is one of the biggest natural habitats for thousands of pelicans. Located on the border of the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states it's about 20 km away from the Pulicat Lake. The best time to visit this place is during the Flamingo festival which is celebrated every January. It's your perfect opportunity to explore and sight over 12,000 different species of birds who migrate from different countries and gather here during the festive time. Carry binoculars and a good quality camera to capture some rare pics of nature.

The rich natural diversity in and around Nellore has resulted in several beautiful landscapes and natural formations. One of them is the magnificent Pulicat Lake. It is located 20 km away from Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary offering you yet another opportunity to sight thousands of species of birds. Similar to Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, the Flamingo Festival is celebrated here too every January. A sanctuary has been built around this lake which becomes home to several migratory birds including Pelicans, Flamingo, Golden Backed Woodpecker, King Fishers, Open Billed Storks, Egrets, Painted Storks, Spoon Bills, and so on. You'll simply not resist admiring the beauty of this place.

After bird sighting, the next top thing to do in Nellore is to visit the Venkatagiri Fort located 80 km from Nellore. It's a historic monument built during the 17th century reflecting the architectural marvel of the typical South Indian style of architecture. The fort is surrounded by dense woods which simply adds to the beauty of it. The front portion of the fort is popularly known as Indra Mahal. There are several things to admire about the fort and the view that you get climbing up to the top is just mind-blowing. It gives you a panoramic view of the entire region and it looks amazing. Undoubtedly, one of the top things to do in Nellore.

Nellore is surrounded by several pristine beaches. And this becomes one of the top reasons to visit Nellore and has contributed significantly towards the promotion of tourism in and around Nellore. Koduru Beach is another marvel of nature located at a distance of 20 km from the city center. One of the things to be tried is boating and consequently, it has become one of the most popular beaches in the region. You can also explore the Velankanni Matha Church located nearby and offer prayers. If you start feeling hungry, you can grab a few snacks from the local shops and can even try the delicious sea-food items. The beach offers a sublime view of the setting sun. Take pictures or simply sit quietly and feel the calmness of the beach.

If you think Mypadu and Koduru beaches are the only beaches here, you are wrong, time to explore more. The serene Katepalli and Tupilipalem beaches top the chart and rated high tourism-wise. The former is located 20 km from Nellore and many call it the hidden gem of Nellore. This beach hasn't been explored much and therefore it is pretty quiet here. Thus, you can spend a very peaceful time with your family and friends for hours uninterrupted. Tupilipalem Beach is situated a little far from Nellore (at some 80 km from Nellore). Although it takes about 2 hours to get here, people don't mind driving that long from the city only to take a glimpse of the magical sunrise and sunset. A bridge built by Magenta Farms is another center of attraction here.

Nellore is definitely one of the best places to shop in Andra Pradesh. There are several malls within the city where you can buy almost anything, both branded and non-branded stuff. Malls are usually very crowded, especially during the weekends. The city is filled with local bazaar where you can shop numerous items and fill your bags with typical things Nellore is so famous for. The historic city is quite renowned for its exquisite sarees made of silk. Besides sarees, intricately carved silver and gold jewelry are also one of the most purchased items. Take help from the locals and explore the local bazaars to get an unmatched variety of stuff at affordable prices including clothes, wall designs, toys, antiques, and so on.