Places to Visit near Nellore

Lying on the boundary of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake is the second largest lagoon in the country. This fantastic destination is a natural beauty and also serves as a habitat for birds under the name of Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. The lake is separated by the Bay of Bengal by the barrier island of Sriharikota, which is also a rocket launching centre of India. Situated in the midst of scintillating virgin charms and cutting edge technological hotspot, the Pulicat Lake has something for everyone.

Distance from Nellore: 112 km

Renowned for being one of the most significant pelican habitats in the South-east Asia, the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary in the Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh in India is every bird watcher's dream come true. This mesmerising sanctuary is located just near the village of Nelapattu and is spread over a total area of about 459 hectares. The sanctuary is also a crucial breeding site for the spot-billed pelicans and is also home to significant plant communities like the Barringtonia swamp forests and the southern dry evergreen scrub.

Distance from Nellore: 86 km

Patu Ru is a small village lying at a distance of about 10 km from Nellore and perfect place for shopaholics. Renowned for its handicrafts industry and handloom sarees, the village is settles between the triangle formed by Kovuru, Damarmadugu and Kovuru.

Distance from Nellore: 72 km

Known For : Sri Venkateswara Temple Akasaganga Teertham Silathoranam

Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is known for Venkateshwara Temple,  one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in the country. Known as Balaji and Govinda, Tirupati is one of the oldest cities of India and finds mention in plenty of ancient Vedas and Puranas. Tirumala is the home to seven peaks of Tirumala Hills.

Distance from Nellore: 133 km

Best Time: September to March

40 Tirupati Attractions

Endearingly known as the ‘Grand Canyon of India’, Gandikota is a twee village in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. Flanked by River Pennar on the right side, the village is popular for the spectacular gorges formed by the river cutting through Erramala Hills. The narrow valleys with streams running between them and the steep rocky walls to give them company remind one of the renowned Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Distance from Nellore: 211 km

Best Time: November to February

Known For : Srikalahasteeswara Temple Veyilingala Kona Waterfall Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, the holy city of Srikalahasti is a popular tourist destination due to its famous Srikalahasti temple. It is one of the most important Shiva temples of South India built during the ancient Pallava dynasty. With vibrant yesteryear, this place has showcased its potential to allure the visitors with its extravagant shrines and pristine beauty.

Distance from Nellore: 95 km

Best Time: July to March

9 Srikalahasti Attractions

Penna Ahobilam is renowned for its Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The temple complex has temples of Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi. The temple was built on the footprint of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy measuring 5 feet 3 inches. It is believed that a marriage ceremony performed here leads to a happy and fulfilling marriage. Lord Narasimha is the half man, half lion form of Lord Krishna, when he came to save his devotee Prahlad, from his own father.

Distance from Nellore: 348 km

Known For : Amareswara Temple, Amaravathi Amravati Museum, Amaravathi Dhyana Buddha Statue

Known as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi is a planned city on the banks of the River Krishna. Located 32 kilometres north of Guntur District, the city is a prime hub of pilgrimage and sightseeing. Amaravathi is renowned for being a site of a Buddhist Stupa that is a semi-hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics and often called the Abode of God. The original structure was established during the reign of Emperor Ashoka which is now a meditation site in the city.

Distance from Nellore: 277 km

Best Time: November to March

4 Amaravathi Attractions

Known For : Raghavendra Swami Temple Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple

Mantralayam is a holy town situated 74 km from Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh and 250 km from its state capital, Hyderabad. It is located near the border of Karnataka and on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. Mantralayam is known for Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami, a saint who entered into a samadhi alive in front of his disciples in 17th Century. He was a Madhwa saint who is considered to be a reincarnation of Prahlada (A daitya king who was saved by Lord Vishnu's Narasimha avatar).

Distance from Nellore: 409 km

Best Time: October to March

2 Mantralayam Attractions

Known For : Bhavani Island Kanaka Durga Temple Undavalli Caves

Nestled on the banks of River Krishna in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is the second-largest populated city in the state. Known as the ‘commercial, political and media capital of Andhra Pradesh’, the city is one of the most rapidly growing urban cities in India. Covered by hills and canals, Vijayawada is also home to numerous caves and rock-cut temples carved out of these caves.

Distance from Nellore: 282 km

Best Time: September to March

25 Vijayawada Attractions

Known For : Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Ethipothala Falls Kondaveedu Uppalapadu Nature Conservation

Known as the Land of Chillies, Guntur is famous for its massive chilli market yard in Asia. It is the third most populous town in Andhra Pradesh located at a distance of 30kms from the newly coined capital Amaravathi. With a busy industrial scenario, Guntur forms part of the prominent Vishakhapatnam-Guntur Industrial corridor.

Distance from Nellore: 245 km

Best Time: October to March

13 Guntur Attractions