Anakapalli is a developing town situated in the district of Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its various agricultural activities and is widely regarded as the sweet town due to its jaggery production. This town has several attractions in terms of archaeology and tourism, such as temples and scenery. Anakapalli also has a well-developed local market, and with a growing industrial base, it is an important economic hub of the area. It is strategically located near Visakhapatnam, which improves its accessibility and promotes the development of trade and tourism.

Places To Visit In Anakapalli

Explore some of the best places to visit in the beautiful town of Anakapalli. You can find temples, stunning architecture, nature hotspots, and more. This blog will take you to various excellent places to visit in Anakapalli. Don’t miss them, and enjoy the lush green beauty.

1. Sri Nookambika Temple

 View of River Sarada from a bridge in Anakapalli

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Sri Nookambika Temple is Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali temple in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh. It is built for the goddess Parvati in the form of Nookambika. The temple is on elevated land and has roughly 135 stairs up to the main altar. It was constructed around the early seventh century AD and belongs to the Vengi Chalukyas dynasty. It is considered one of the Shakti Peeths because the forehead of Sati Devi is believed to have fallen here. The temple has many followers during Navratri and Mahashivratri fairs, which are organised annually. The temple’s structure is highly authentic and typical Dravidian with large letters gopurams with fine carved ceilings and walls picturing different Hindu gods. Sub-shrines are enriched by other gods on the temple premises, such as Ganesha, Murugan, and Surya. All in all, it can be said that Sri Nookambika temple is one of the prominent temples for religious tourism in Andhra Pradesh.

Location: Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Best to Visit: March-April

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2. Bojjannakonda And Lingalakonda

Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two Buddhist rock-cut caves on adjacent hillocks.

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Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two Buddhist sites amidst the lush green hills near Anakapalli in the district of Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh in India. These places consist of the remains of monastery complexes, stupas, votive stupas, assembly halls, chaitya-grihas, and arched rock-cut terrains that existed from the 4th to the 6th century AD on the hillsides facing each other. The sculptures and inscriptions present in these sites depict that the Hinayana school of Buddhism was dominant in this region during the times of the Salankayanas and Eastern Chalukya dynasties.
Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two major monolithic rock-cut Buddha sculptures and stone pillars containing inscriptions. Thus, these two places are important as they give access to the knowledge that there was a powerful Buddhist civilization in this area in the ancient period. It is now preserved as an archaeological treasure under the aegis of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Location: Near Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Best Time to visit: October-March

3. Kondakarla Ava

Bird sanctuary and colourful boats at Kondakarla Ava in Anakapalli

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Kondakarla Ava is one of the most scenic and beautiful lakes located in Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh. Located over 390 acres of land it is a one of the well-known tourist and private spaces in the region. The lake was constructed around the Kakatiya dynasty in the 14th century. The beauty of the terrain around Kondakarla Ava is splendid and the Eastern Ghats provide a backdrop to the area. Activities include; Boating with which visitors are able to enjoy views of nature and many migratory birds make a point of visiting the site every year. The Evening sunsets and the lake become so beautiful. In all, Kondakarla Ava appears to be a picturesque island that can attract both children and adults due to the fun activities that are available and the ancient history of the place. For tourists, it is a nice place to be, especially if they have been travelling around the area. Due to the calm and crystal clear water of the lake along with the lush green hills, this place is now attracting tourists in Andhra Pradesh.

Location: Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India
Best Time to visit: November-February

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Things To Do In Anakapalli

If you’ve explored all these places, you can also enjoy some fun things to do in Anakapalli.

1. Photography At Erra Matti Dibbalu

View from red sand hills Erra Matti Dibbalu.

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Erra Matti Dibbalu is another beautiful tourist destination near Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh where red sandy hills are rising up from the green paddy fields. The contrast of colours and the textures make it an excellent place to be for photographers and tourists throughout the year. The soft orange hue which is visible on the sandy hills during sunrise as well as during the sunset is perfect for modelling and painting and anyone who loves taking photos will definitely find this location perfect to capture beautiful shots.
The shapely, rather flame-like sandy slopes that rise and fall around are hardly distinguishable from the glistening emerald fields of water nearby, and they are perfect for photographing. Due to long straights, curves, lamps, and bright colours, Erra Matti Dibbalu presents infinite possibilities for creating interesting and beautiful views of the landscape, including nature and travel, as well as people’s portraits using stunning colour backgrounds.

Location: Near Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Best Time to visit: November-February

2. Day Trip To Borra Caves

 Colourful and stunning inside of Borra Caves near Anakapalli

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The borra caves are situated in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Araku Valley in the new visakhapatnam district of the andhra pradesh. These ancient caves are hoary products of the action of flowing water on the limestone rocks, many millions of years ago. The natural splendour of the Borra Caves is that they are one of the biggest cave systems in India with a total length of almost two kilometres. It boasts magnificent shapes of stalactites and stalagmites that vary in sizes and shapes. The decorations are stunning; the caves are brightly lit with colourful lights giving the place a fairytale feel. There are stairs to descend when going down to the caves and these are steep and one must be very careful while going down.
The archaeological significance of the caves is seen as stone tools of middle Palaeolithic age recoveries have been made at this place. The caves also have a religious perspective because there is a natural Shiv Lingam and a cave sculpture of Gandharva. This makes the cave a favourite tourist destination where thousands of tourists visit to marvel at the natural formation.

Location: Ananthagiri Hills, Araku Valley, near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Best Time to visit: October-March

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3. Beach Outing At Yarada Beach

Waves hitting the rocks while people enjoy at Yarada Beach.

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Yarada beach is a beautiful beach in the region of Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh. The breathtaking beauty of Yarada Beach is manifested in the fine white sand and clean look of the sea, which is blue in colour. It is a beach that stretches over 3 kilometres and provides stunning views of the Bay of Bengal. Due to its geographical location on one side of the hill, Yarada Beach is not always crowded since most people prefer beaches closer to their homes or privacy.
Visitors can engage themselves in a variety of pursuits including sun-bathing, beach volleyball, surfing, and swimming, among others, on the beach. There are also several hill locks and some beautiful viewpoints in the region that provide a panoramic view of the sunset on the sea. At Yarada Beach there are only a few beach shacks which offer very good seafood, otherwise the beach looks quite natural and gives a kind of wild look which is quite fascinating.
Location: Yarada, near Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India
Best Time to visit: November-February

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Thus, Anakapalli has a unique tourist offering that consists of historical and cultural attractions, scenic nature, and beautiful landscapes. Whether touring in pursuit of a little peace and serenity, a desire for an adrenaline rush or searching for the discovery of culture and history; Anakapalli delivers a colourful and friendly image that sticks with you. It is located nearest to Visakhapatnam and other important places and hence it has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations during a trip to Andhra Pradesh.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Anakapalli

In which season is it better to travel to Anakapalli?

Anakapalli has a good climate from October to March, which is the right time to visit.

What kind of lodgings are there in the Anakapalli area?

There are various types of hotels, cheap hotels and mid-range lodges in Anakapalli. For more luxury accommodation, tourists can find options in Visakhapatnam.

Can Anakapalli be considered as a place for family vacations?

Yes, it is a family place because it contains historical places, temples, and many natural beauties in Anakapalli.

For what Anakapalli is well known?

Anakapalli is famous for jaggery or Gur production; hence, it is also known as the Sweet Town.

Is Anakapalli comfortable for tourists?

Yes, overall, Anakapalli can be regarded as comfortable for tourists. However, it is still advisable to follow basic measures when travelling.

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