Nellore in Andhra Pradesh is one of the most important cities in the state. It not only serves as the headquarters for the SPSR Nellore district but also for the Nellore revenue division and Nellore Mandal. In recent years, the availability of accessible transport and tons of famous tourist places to see in Nellore has positively influenced tourism in the region. From well-developed residential areas and historical landmarks to religious sites and places of immense natural beauty, Nellore has become a one of the versatile tourist spots in Andhra Pradesh.

There are tons of fun things that individuals can try during their stay in Nellore. It is a city with deep cultural and historical roots, and tourists can learn more about it by exploring the region and the local landmarks. The nearby beaches offer a great getaway to tourists looking to spend some peaceful time by the calm seaside or engage in water sports. In addition, there are multiple religious sites in and near the city that tourists can visit to pay their respects and gain some spiritual enlightenment. Other than that, tourists can consider shopping and trying out regional cuisine, which are some of the most popular things to do in Nellore. 

Nellore Location

The beautiful city of Nellore is located on the banks of River Penna in the SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. It lies a few kilometres to the west of India’s eastern coast, bordered by the magnificent Bay of Bengal. In terms of major nearby landmarks, Nellore is about 23 kilometres from Kotha Koduru Beach, 25 kilometres from Mypadu Beach and 78 kilometres from Penchalakona Waterfalls. As for distance from major cities, Nellore is 132 km from Tirupati, 175 km from Kadapa, 132 km from Ongole and 281 km from Vijayawada. The popular gated community, Siri Gardens Nellore, is about 8 kilometres from the main city centre. 

Language spoken in Nellore

The majority of the local population in Nellore and its surrounding region are fluent in Telugu. Individuals who are unfamiliar with the language or visiting with the main purpose of Nellore sightseeing can hire a local travel guide during their stay. Besides Telugu, quite a number of locals in the region use other languages, such as Urdu and English. At certain prominent establishments in the city, such as hotels, restaurants, etc., visitors can use English to communicate with the staff.

Known for

The city of Nellore is among the top tourist places in Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Historical significance- Nellore is widely known for its rich historical roots. Nellore history has been a significant centre of India’s history since ancient times. The city has seen the rule of multiple prominent empires throughout the years, including the Cholas, Mauryas, Vijayanagara, Pandyas, and so on. During the 18th century, the British took control over it from the Arcot Nawabs, hence making it a significant part of India’s colonial history. 
• Cultural events- The beautiful local culture of Nellore is another notable reason behind its popularity. One of the prime cultural events, known as the Rottela Panduga, which is an annual 3-day urs observed at Bara Shaheed Dargah, attracts tons of visitors.
• Religious sites- The well-known religious Nellore tourist places are one of the main reasons behind the growth of tourism in the region. Devotees from various corners of the nation visit the city and its nearby region to witness the famous religious landmarks, like Sri Raja Rajeshwari Ammavari Devasthanam, Ranganatha Temple, Bara Shaheed Dargah, Narasimha Swamy Temple, and so on.
• Natural landmarks- Tourists often plan their visit to the city as it acts as a base for various nearby natural landmarks. Examples of such popular tourist places near Nellore include Mypadu Beach, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Penchalakona Waterfalls, Pulicat Lake, etc.
• Local cuisine- The city of Nellore is also quite well-known for its delicious local cuisine. Tourists visit the region to try its delectable regional food items, such as Chepala Pulusu, a non-veg dish, and Malai Kaja, a sweet dish.

Type of place

Nellore is an important city lying on the banks of the Penna River. Being close to the coastline, it acts as a getaway for a memorable beach vacation during the summer season. Tourists often access the famous beaches in the region, like Mypadu Beach, Kodur Beach, Krishnapatnam Beach, Katepalli Beach, etc., through Nellore City. Besides that, it is also a well-known spiritual centre with numerous religious sites spread across the city. The prime Nellore visiting places for spiritual tours are Bara Shaheed Dargah, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Ammavari Devasthanam, Ranganatha Temple, etc., which you can visit during your stay. It is a perfect holiday destination for weekend trips within the state. 

How to get to Nellore? 

When it comes to travelling to Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, individuals get to choose from a wide range of options. Here are some transport choices that will help answer your question, “How to reach Nellore?”;

By air

As of now, Nellore doesn’t have an airport service of its own. However, individuals planning their visit via flight can schedule it to Tirupati Airport, which is the nearest airport to Nellore. It is connected to major cities in India, including Vizag, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi, etc., and features frequent domestic flights from reputed airlines. After landing at the Tirupati Airport, individuals can hire a taxi and set out for Nellore, which is about 120 kilometres away. A popular alternative is the Chennai Airport, which is also well-connected to other parts of the country and features daily flights. There are taxi services available at the Chennai Airport that individuals can opt for to reach Nellore.

By rail

The Nellore Railway Station, located about 3 km from the city centre, is well-connected to various parts of India, like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. It features hundreds of daily trains, including long-distance ones, which makes travelling to Nellore both fast and economical. Examples of major trains that pass through Nellore Railway Station include Thiruvananthapuram Central - Kobra Express, Howrah - Chennai Mail, Rapti Sagar SF Express, etc. Once at the station, individuals can travel to any part of the city via a taxi or bus.

By road

Nellore has a very well-established road network that connects it to other major cities in the state. A drive to Nellore in a private car or taxi from nearby cities like Tirupati, Kadapa, Ongole, etc., can take anywhere between 2-3 hours. Intrastate buses are also a great option to reach the city from other corners of Andhra Pradesh. Besides that, individuals can also opt for interstate buses to get to Nellore from neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, etc. The Chennai-Nellore kilometres distance is around 175, which can take around a 3.5 to 4-hour drive to cover via NH 16.

Interesting facts about Nellore

Here are some lesser-known facts that may pique the interest of individuals planning their visit to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh: 

• Nellore was previously known as “Vikrama Simhapuri”. The current name of the city is believed to come from the conjunction of two words, “Nel”  and “Ooru”. In Tamil, Nel means paddy, while Ooru means place. The large-scale cultivation of paddy in and around the region tends to support this theory. 
• Nellore has seen the rule of various prominent dynasties throughout the ages. It used to be a part of the Mauryan Empire, Pallavas, Kaktiyas, Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, etc. The Venkatagiri Fort and Udayagiri Fort near the city are prime examples of rich Nellore history.
• The city played a significant role in the formation of the Andhra Pradesh state and the emergence of the Telugu language. One of India’s greatest freedom fighters, Sri Potti Sreeramulu, was from the Nellore district. His self-sacrifice led the government of that time to form the state on a linguistic basis, essentially giving rise to the Andhra State. 
• The 12th-century Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, also called Talpagiri Ranganathaswamy Temple, is one of the prime Nellore famous places for spiritual tours. It has a 70-foot tall tower at the main entrance called Gaali Gopuram. It features 10 feet of gold-plated vessels, called Kalashams, on its top. 

Why is Nellore recommended?

Nellore is an ideal holiday destination for individuals who want to learn more about the rich past and culture of Andhra Pradesh. The historical landmarks in the region can offer visitors a vivid insight into the region’s historical roots. Sites like the Udayagiri Fort and Venkatagiri Fort are some of the best places to visit in Nellore district for historical tours. Apart from this, the city is also a great destination within Andhra Pradesh for spiritual tours. Religious places like Narasimhaswamy Temple, Ranganatha Temple, Bara Shaheed Dargah, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Ammavari Devasthanam, etc., are among the top Nellore places to visit.

Nellore also acts as a prime hub that connects tourists with prominent beaches in the region. For instance, Mypadu Beach, Kotha Koduru Beach and Krishnapatnam Beach are some of the best places to visit near Nellore for a beachside vacation. At these locations, individuals can enjoy tons of fun activities, like boating, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, etc., while soaking in the scenic views. 

Apart from the popular Nellore places to explore and things to do, tourists can visit the city to shop for regional specialities. The Sunday Market is one of the best places to visit in Nellore for buying clothes, small toys, footwear, etc. The prominent restaurants, like Murali Krishna Sweets, Mayuri, Sree Venkatarama Vilas, etc., are some of the best hangout places in Nellore where you can enjoy the company of your friends alongside delicious food. In conclusion, individuals looking for a fun weekend trip within Andhra Pradesh can definitely check out Nellore. 

Operating hours

Nellore is a city and doesn’t have any specific operating hours. However, the various attractions across the city have their own operating hours that individuals must check beforehand. Even though you can visit Nellore for a short trip at any time of the year, consider planning your tour between the months of October and February.  

Chart for Nellore