Surrounded by the ocean and populated by the diversity of the ghats, the shortlisted travel destinations in South India reveal something new in this naturally amazing country. Bind your heart in North Goa and be amazed at the waterfalls behind Alleppey, explore the Munnar Tea Garden, indulge in the stunning natural beauty of Kurga or be inspired by the clouds across the Kodaikanal.
20 Best Places to Visit in South India
1. Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is a mixture of old and new. It is often described as the custodian of South Indian traditions. On the other hand, it floats the spectacular architecture from the city’s past, on the other hand, it is known for its cosmopolitan lifestyle, kirki cafes and boutique stores.
The city is also proud of being the second longest urban beach in the world. If you are an adventure enthusiast, there is plenty to do here. To give everyone something, Chennai is one of the most spectacular family destinations in South India.
2. Coorg, Karnataka
Surrounded by hills and covered by fog, Kurga is a paradise for nature lovers. This small town in Karnataka is best known for its variety of flora and fauna and aromatic spices and coffee gardens. From waterfalls and trekking routes to castles and temples, Coorg has plenty to visit. It is also one of the few Tibetan settlements in South India. In addition to the sights, there is plenty of culture, retail therapy and fun delicious food.
Also Read: Top 27 Places to Visit in Karnataka
3. Ooty and Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Ooty, the Queen of Hill Station, quickly balances city life with the sprawling tea garden. Its famous small toy train is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a delight for people of all ages. One can take a toy train ride from Ooty to another nearby hill station. Covered at a distance of 19 kilometers, the rail route provides a revitalized travel experience. Ooty has museums, churches and a tea factory that you should find anywhere on your itinerary.
4. Tanjore, Tamil Nadu
The first thing to remember when listening to Tanjor is the beautiful gold relief paintings that take their name from this city. Tanjore has a history that spans many centuries and it once served as the mainstay of art in South India. Today, the vibrations of its universe are easily mixed with the palaces and temples that bear witness to the former kingdom. Tanzore is a great place to find antique and reproducible pieces to take home with you.
5. Pondicherry or Puducherry
Pondicherry is one of the few places in India that reflects the contribution of French culture to our heritage. On the one hand, the Pondicherry teak boasts villas with columbine courtyards and vibrant yellow walls, and on the other a peaceful aura of Auroville. It’s reverence and protected culture and bohemian views have made the city one of the top tourist destinations for single travelers in South India. There are several beaches here where you can easily see the day.
6. Kochi, Kerala
Kochi is a city of many centuries-old synagogues, palaces, Chinese fishing nets submerged in water and outdoors. In addition to historical places, Kochi has a large antique and breeding market where you can engage with retail therapy. And then, lip smacking apps and other foods from Kerala are waiting for relief.
Also Read: Top 30 Places to Visit in Kerala
7. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
The southernmost part of the Indian mainland, Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset over the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari is a small town which has a big impact. During these glorious moments during the day, forts, churches and temples will be visited and paddy fields will be photographed. A few minutes of Vivekananda Rock Memorial can transport you to a whole new world.
8. Wayanad, Kerala
Wayanad, one of the most scenic hill stations in Kerala, hints at trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers. It’s rolling hills and lush green forests are home to many animals and birds. After the rains, the waterfalls also come alive with new impetus. The dams and lakes of Wayanad are ideal for an afternoon picnic.
9. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
The cool breeze of Kodaikanal, a hill town in Tamil Nadu, is a welcome respite, usually associated with humidity in South India. Situated amidst foggy clouds, this hill station is aptly called the Princess of the Hill Station. There are plenty of trails for trekkers, lakes for an afternoon out, waterfalls for bathing and much more. If you make your visit at the right time, you can see the Kurunji shrub in bloom. At night, observation takes you to a whole new world.
10. Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna, a Hindu pilgrimage site in Karnataka, is best known for it’s beautiful beaches with white sand and coconut palms. In addition to the beach, Gokarna has several old and new temples. It is considered as one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. Since the city has a religious significance, there are several vegetarian restaurants, but it is not difficult to find a place for seafood and a bar for relaxation.
11. Varkala, Kerala
Varkala, a small town in Kerala, has one of the top beaches in South India. The ancient white sand balkal Varkala beach is offset by the fun cliffs that make it a popular site with photographers. The city provides backpackers as well as families. It is an ideal place to escape from city life. In addition to the beaches, they have new day catch and fork markets that make this place special. Although its main point, Varkala is a temple town with religious significance to Hindus.
12. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Mahabalipuram, once a major seaport, is now one of the sands of history. From the stone carved relief work to the cave temple, Mahabalipuram is overflowing with architectural wonders. The sunsets are extra special here because the soft glow of the setting sun enhances the attraction of these monuments. And then there is the mystery of Krishna’s butterball. The proximity of the city to Chennai makes it one of the popular long weekend destinations in South India.
13. Madurai, Tamil Nadu
As one of the oldest cities in India, Madurai is a celebration of Tamil culture and heritage. In addition to the architectural beauty, the temples here have religious significance. However, Madurai is not the only reason for being listed among the top tourists places in South India. It is a vibrant city that caters to a wide variety of South Indian food. From street-side habbas to fine-grained restaurants, there is a world waiting for you here.
14. Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Best known for its flashy Kanchipuram sarees, Kanchipuram is also a great temple. These temples are equally beautiful day and night which makes Kanchipuram a popular weekly destination in South India. In addition to the weather, many people also take their time to coincide with the festivals. What many tourists don’t know is that apart from sari, the city has also been named Idli!
15. Munnar, Kerala
With weak clouds and dense green hills, Munnar has often become one of the most beautiful hill stations in South India. It almost seems like the place is decorated with tea gardens. All the encouragement given here to sample the different aromas and flavors of the tea is for the nature lovers, there are elephants to visit, waterfalls to bathe and trekking trails along the way. It is a popular destination in South India.
16. Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati is one of the most important religious places in South India. The city of this temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every day and yet manages to maintain an air of peace and serenity. Even the offerings given here are special because Tirupati Laddu has got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. In addition to the temples, there are forts, beautiful hillsides and museums that welcome tourists. Tirupati is also a great place to sample the flavors of South Indian dishes.
Suggeated Read: 10 Most Visited Religious Places In India for Blessing
17. Alleppey, Kerala
There is nothing like the backwater of Alleppey. This popular honeymoon destination in South India, also known as Alappuzha, provides an enchanting arrangement for couples to deepen in love with each other. Floating with backwater on the houseboat is the best way to experience this city. If you make your visit just in time, you can also get a glimpse of Kerala’s famous boat race. But this is not the end; Alleppey also has the murmur art of courteous.
18. Kumarakom, Kerala
Kumarakom is a nature lover’s delight and one of the best places to visit in South India with its beautiful blue lake, picturesque village and bird sanctuary. Whether you stay here on the weekends or for the whole week, there are many things to do here, such as overnight stay on a houseboat, night fishing, hunting in the backwaters, and birdwatching. If you want a simple life, Kumarakom is the place you need to be.
19. Thekkady, Kerala
The rural life in Thekkady is a great break from city life. This hill station in South India has everything from deer green rolling hills to spice gardens, ashrams and paddy fields. Everything in Periyar National Park is home to tigers, wild bison and many other wildlife species. When you are trekking up the hill and taking in the aroma of the spice garden, you can join the cooking classes and tour the markets.
20. Hampi, Karnataka
The World Heritage Site dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with its magnificent ruins bringing visitors to life, including the remains of temples, monuments and mansions. The rooftop cafe offers a variety of cuisine and is an ideal place to spend the evening.