If you don’t know, Guntur is not only famous for Upma Dosa and Mirchi Bajji. Very popular for Mirchi yards, textile industry and fiery heat, the city is also known for numerous tourist attractions in and around the region. Here, we take you on a trip to 18 places near Guntur you must visit at least once.
1 .Nagarjuna Sagar
Distance from Guntur: 150 km
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is situated in the most picturesque setting along the township of Vijayapuri. Its sheer size and intensity leave you breathless and awestruck. As the world’s largest masonry dam with a height of 124 meters, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is one of the marvels of engineering excellence spanning the Krishna River. In the center of the lake is an island called Nagarjunakonda, accessible by ferry.
2. Ithipothala Falls
Distance from Guntur: 140 km
Just 11 km from the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam are the Ithipothala Falls on the Chandravanaka River, a tributary of the Krishna River. Amidst the beautiful scenery, you can marvel at the shimmering water as it plunges 70 feet down into the lagoon. The picture-postcard beauty of the place with lush green valleys along with numerous cave temples on the hilly countryside makes it a favorite picnic spot.
3. Undavalli
Distance from Guntur: 36.5 km
Undavalli is situated on the banks of river Krishna near Prakasam barrage at Sitanagaram, 5 km from Vijayawada and is famous for its ancient storied ‘rock-cut’ temples and caves. These caves were carved out of the solid sandstone on the hill in the 4th to 5th century AD. The best known of these is a huge idol of Lord Vishnu sculpted from a single block of granite.
4. Masherla
Distance from Guntur: 127 km
Masherla, formerly known as Mahadevi Cherla, is located at a distance of 127 km from Guntur. The city is known for the Chennakesava Swamy temple built here during the reign of the Haihaya kings. The annual festival, celebrated on a grand scale, attracts pilgrims and tourists from far and wide.
5. NTR Manasa Sarovaram
Distance from Guntur: 6 km
This beautiful recreation centre, named after former AP Chief Minister NT Rama Rao, is located at Tekellapadu, 6 km from Guntur city. Spread over 55 acres, NTR Manasa Sarovaram is beautifully landscaped with flower beds, lawns, ponds and small hills that attract a large number of visitors.
6. Durgi
Distance from Guntur: 115 km
A school of sculpture and stone carving can be found here. The ancient skills that produced the masterpieces of art and sculpture seen at the Nagarjunakonda Museum are practiced and taught here. Generation after generation of artisans continue to follow traditional methods and styles and play a crucial role in keeping this art form alive for posterity.
7. Karampudi
Distance from Guntur: 95 km
The historic Chennakesava Swamy Temple built by King Brahmanaidu is located here. The weapons used during the Palanadu war have been carefully preserved here. The annual festival attracts visitors from all over the region to commemorate the heroes of that war.
8. Bapatla
Distance from Guntur: 54 km
This famous place derives its name from the Bhavannarayan Swamy temple located here. This temple is one of the ancient temples of Andhra Pradesh. It is also the oldest city with good educational institutions and stunning beaches.
9. Chebrolu
Distance from Guntur: 17 km
Chebrolu is located 15 km from Guntur. The site houses one of the rarest temples in India, the Chaturmukh Brahma Devalayam. Other historical places of worship here are also worth visiting, making it one of the must-visit places near Guntur.
10. Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary
Distance from Guntur: 10 km
Located 5 km from Guntur city, the sanctuary is home to 40 species of Siberian migratory birds including Pelicans, White Libby etc. These rare birds can be seen during the months of September to February. It is an important bird sanctuary next to Pulicat in Nellore district.
11. Chajerla
Distance from Guntur: 74 km
Chejerla, 30 km from Narsaropet, is an ancient educational center, whose history dates back to the 3rd century AD. It is considered one of the 22 Jyotirlingas of India and is a popular pilgrimage site.
12. Kondvedu
Distance from Guntur: 29 km
This historic fort was built around the 10th century during the reign of the Reddy kings. There are 21 stupas in the fort. The remains of the fort located on the top of the hill offer tourists a tangled mystery. A place of natural scientific beauty with natural wonders is an ideal place for trekking.
13. Kotappa Konda
Distance from Guntur: 62 km
Kotappa Konda is known for the ancient Shiva temple situated on top of a hill of about 1000 steps. The hill is visible with 3 peaks in any direction hence it is also called Trikutadri. It has 4 temples, one at the base and another at a height of 600 feet. The main temple is at a height of 1,500 feet.
14. Amravati
Distance from Guntur: 33 km
Amaravati is situated on the banks of Krishna River. During the reign of Satavahana from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD, Buddhism flourished in Andhra. Dharnikota or Dhanyakataka modern name Amaravati was the capital. This ancient Buddhist center is equivalent to Sanchi and is visited by foreign pilgrims. The Amarlingeshwar Swamy Temple on the banks of the Krishna River is a prominent pilgrimage centre.
15. Sitanagaram
Distance from Guntur: 34 km
Sitanagaram is situated 3 km from Vijayawada, on the banks of the Krishna River, with a wide sandy beach for recreation and entertainment. The famous Someshwar temple is found here. According to mythology, Lord Rama wept here for Sita when she was abducted by Ravana, hence the name Sitanagaram. It is a place for spiritual enlightenment.
16. Mangalgiri
Distance from Guntur: 26 km
Next in our list of places to visit near Guntur in Mangalagiri. Mangalgiri is a prominent pilgrimage site of Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for the Pankala Swamy Temple situated on the hill and the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Mangalgiri town, which has a very tall tower with beautiful sculptures and has 11 stairs. Dress materials and sarees made from Mangalgiri cotton are extremely popular and sought after.
17. Pedakkani
Distance from Guntur: 9.5 km
Located just 5 km from Guntur, Pedakakani is known for the Kakani Malleswara Swamy temple built during the era of Krishnadevaraya. It is believed that devotion to the deity heals the sick and drives away evil spirits from evil spirits. A famous Muslim shrine and a church are worth visiting.
18. Guthikonda
Distance from Guntur: 82 km
Guthikonda Caves are located in the midst of dense forest, 38 km from Narsaraopet, near Karampudi. The atmosphere here is serene and legend has it that many sages meditated here for centuries. This place is also known as Dakshin Kashi. The famous Guthikonda Bilam is still a place of profound mystery that attracts intrepid and curious tourists to explore.