Eluru sits on the banks of the Tammileru River in the Krishna River Delta, a city of canals and fertile farmland where Kolleru Lake lies within a few kilometres of the centre. It is a trading town for rice, lemon, oilseeds, tobacco and fish, and it is well connected by road, rail and air, with the Golden Quadrilateral passing through.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the city is intersected by rivers and canals, and accommodation clusters in a small number of named localities rather than spreading across a wide tourist zone. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and how the choice changes depending on your budget and your reason for visiting.
Best areas to stay in Eluru
1. R. R. Pet
R. R. Pet is the most established base for visitors, with the widest concentration of places to stay in the city. You will find a mix of guesthouse-style and hotel-style accommodation here, including several of the city's better-known addresses.
It suits first-time visitors and travellers who want to be within reach of the city's commercial life and transport links without committing to a resort-style stay. Because it is a central locality, expect the usual urban noise of an Indian trading town, and plan on using road transport to reach Kolleru Lake and the surrounding delta.
2. 1-Town
1-Town is another central locality with accommodation, and it works well for travellers who want to be in the thick of the city rather than on its edge. The kinds of places you find here are hotels and lodges in the mid-range bracket.
It suits visitors who prioritise convenience and access to the city's commercial and administrative core. As with R. R. Pet, this is a working urban area, so judge your choice by how close you want to be to the centre rather than by any expectation of quiet.
3. Jute Mill Center
Jute Mill Center is a smaller, named locality with at least one place to stay, and it can suit travellers who prefer a less central position while remaining inside the city. Accommodation here is limited, so it is a reasonable choice only if the central areas are full or if you have a specific reason to be on this side of town.
4. Gudivakalanka, near Kolleru Lake
Gudivakalanka, by Kolleru Lake, is the one area in and around Eluru that is genuinely oriented towards leisure rather than business. It offers resort-style accommodation and is the natural base if your main interest is the lake and the surrounding wetlands.
It suits travellers with their own transport or a willingness to arrange road transfers, since it sits outside the city proper. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants to walk to the city's commercial areas, and a good fit for those who want the lake on their doorstep.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple lodges and guesthouse-style rooms, mostly in the central localities such as R. R. Pet and 1-Town, where you trade space and quiet for a central position.
- Mid-range: the bulk of the city's hotels, including the better-known addresses in R. R. Pet and 1-Town, with the standard comforts expected of an Indian provincial hotel.
- Splurge: the top end of the local market is limited; the closest thing to an upgrade is resort-style accommodation at Gudivakalanka by Kolleru Lake, which trades centrality for setting.
Best area for a first visit
R. R. Pet is the best base for a first visit. It has the widest choice of accommodation in the city and keeps you within easy reach of the commercial centre and the road and rail connections you will use to reach Kolleru Lake and the wider delta. If your trip is built around the lake rather than the city, base yourself at Gudivakalanka instead.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most visitors stay in Eluru?
Accommodation is concentrated in the central localities of R. R. Pet and 1-Town, with a smaller cluster at Jute Mill Center and resort-style options at Gudivakalanka near Kolleru Lake.
Which area is best if I want to visit Kolleru Lake?
Gudivakalanka, by the lake, is the practical base for the lake itself. From the central areas of Eluru the lake is only a few kilometres away, so a day trip is straightforward if you prefer to stay in town.
Is Eluru easy to reach?
Yes. The city lies on the Golden Quadrilateral and is connected by road, rail and air, which makes it simple to arrive from elsewhere in Andhra Pradesh and beyond.
Do I need a car to get around?
The city is intersected by rivers and canals, and the areas worth staying in are spread across it, so road transport is the practical way to move between your accommodation, the centre and Kolleru Lake.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.