Southern India is known for its rich culture, heritage and for its natural beauty, making up some of the best destinations to explore on a holiday. From hill stations that have charmed the hearts of people for decades, to scenic and relaxing backwater cruises that let you deeper in the heart of nature, south India is filled with numerous gems for you to explore.
With plenty of tourist destinations that have remained a favorite of people from around the world, south India offers a variety of things to do. Trekking through its verdant, green hills, stopping for a waterfall adventure, delighting in a watersport, and taking a guided tour of its tea and coffee plantations are some of the best ways to explore this magical land.
And if you’re still not sure where to go in south India to begin your memorable journey, then we bring to you the top tourist destinations that we recommend you visit during your south India tour.
Top 7 Must Visit Destinations in South India:
- Munnar
- Ooty
- Kodaikanal
- Coorg
- Pondicherry
- Alleppey
- Chikmagalur
Munnar- Among Kerala’s Misty Hills!
One of the best places to explore in south India is the evergreen hill station of Munnar. Charming the hearts of its visitors with its enchanting beauty featuring beautifully manicured tea gardens, Munnar is a popular tourist attraction. Among Kerala’s most prized possessions, Munnar offers a relaxing holiday experience and is a pleasant nature destination, presenting to its visitors a landscape of numerous waterfalls, lakes, tea gardens, hilly forests, and misty, mountain roads.
Known for its acres and acres of tea plantations, one of the best things to do when visiting Munnar is to go on exploring them. World’s highest tea estate, the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is a popular tourist attraction here, showcasing the art of tea processing for its visitors on a guided tour. Also, a top destination for tourists is the Tea Museum that has been established with the aim of documenting and exhibiting the legacy of tea processing in the region of Munnar. Other places to explore in Munnar include the waterfalls of Lakkam and Cheeyappara, the hilltops of Pothamedu and Echo Viewpoints, and housing an abundance of the Neelakurinji flowers- the Eravikulam National Park.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Also Read: Top Tourist Places in Kerala
Ooty- Blue Skies and Misty Mountains!
A summer retreat that was once preferred by the British in India, and various others since years, Udhagamandalam, otherwise known as Ooty is among the best holiday destinations to visit in south India. A beloved hill station of Tamil Nadu, Ooty has always been a favorite to visit among numerous tourists to escape the scorching Indian summers, and find solace among its misty hills. Located among the Nilgiri Hills of south India, Ooty presents a wonderful landscape of dense, mountain forests, soothing lakes, and misty hill roads, against a backdrop of open, blue skies.
One of the best things to do here is to explore the charm of Ooty with a winding toy train ride through its misty tunnels, and forests as you make your way across this popular destination. Among the popular tourist attractions of Ooty is the Doddabetta Peak, the highest point of the Nilgiri Mountains. Offering a perfect trekking destination, Doddabetta Peak provides a panoramic view of the town of Ooty. Built on the Ooty Lake, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Boat House is also a must visit destination for tourists, along with the Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Tea Factory, and the beautiful viewpoint of Dolphin’s Nose.
Best Time to Visit: March to June
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal- Waterfalls and Mysterious Caves!
Another one of Tamil Nadu’s true gems, the hill station of Kodaikanal is a destination that you must explore while visiting south India. Promising a scenic and delightful journey through misty hills, dense, green forests, and gushing waterfalls, Kodaikanal is a sight to behold. Located away from the chaotic city, this hill station in south India is the best place to enjoy a relaxing escapade.
Trekking through its hilly terrains is one of the best things to do here, providing you with the mesmerizing landscape of Kodaikanal on your journey. A popular tourist attraction here is Coaker’s Walk. A long stretch of road built along a hill, Coaker’s Walk offers a panoramic view of Kodaikanal and its surroundings, and makes for the most ideal destination to get perfect views of the rising and setting sun. Another top tourist place in Kodaikanal, Coaker’s Walk overlooks the Kodaikanal Lake. Known for its calm waters enveloped by the dense forests and mountains of Kodaikanal, the lake offers experiences of boating, fishing, cycling and horse riding for its visitors. While visiting Kodaikanal, you must also explore the botanical garden of Bryant Park, the waterfalls of Silver Cascade, and Vattakanal, as well as the Pillar Rocks and Guna Caves.
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Also Read: Best Summer Destinations in South India
Coorg- A Coffee Lover’s Delight!
A beloved of Karnataka, Kodagu, otherwise known as Coorg is among the top tourist destinations in south India. Forming a part of the Western Ghats, Coorg is most known for its green hills that are popular for its growth of tea and coffee plantations. A charming hill station located within the dense forests of Karnataka, Coorg is a destination abundant with beautiful waterfalls, trekking trails, scenic viewpoints, and brings delight for coffee lovers with its coffee plantations.
Situated high among the clouds, you can find the Mandalpatti Viewpoint, a popular attraction for tourists visiting Coorg. Although trekking to the top is an option, taking a jeep ride to the top of the Mandalpatti Peak surrounded by the charming hills of Coorg is one of the best things to do here instead. Another destination in Coorg that attracts many is the Dubare Elephant Camp. Housing more than a 100 elephants within its premises, the elephant camp is a rescue camp for elephants where you experience their lives at a closer glance, allowing visitors to even interact with these giants. After which, you can explore the coffee plantations, head to the Abbey Waterfalls, and Iruppu Falls to experience the best of Coorg for yourself.
Best Time to Visit: September to June
Also Read: Must Visit Waterfalls in Karnataka
Pondicherry- An Indo-French Paradise!
Often lovingly referred to as a “Mini French”, Pondicherry offers a taste of an Indo-European holiday destination for its visitors. Once a colony of the French, Pondicherry is one of the best places to explore in south India. From pristine beaches, exquisite seafood, colorful, heritage buildings, and an air of charm, Pondicherry is a true marvel of south India.
White Town is among the must visit places of Pondicherry, showcasing for its visitors the glory and past of the once French colony. Today, this colony is a popular tourist attraction and is a delight to visit who love documenting their journey through pictures. Wide roads and houses with canopies offer a glimpse into the European style of living and architecture that was once beloved by its residents. A fascinating thing to do in Pondicherry is visiting Auroville. Established as a universal town, Auroville is made up of people from all over the world as an experiment to unite humanity, moving away from all differences. Other popular attractions in Pondicherry include its Paradise Beach, Auroville Beach, Shri Aurobindo Ashram, and the many french style cafes and bakeries that line the landscape of this delightful destination.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Also Read: Top Family Destinations in South India
Alleppey- Drifting Through Dazzling Backwaters!
When it comes to holidaying in south India, what can never be missed is the backwaters of Alleppey. Kerala’s backwaters have always remained a popular tourist attraction, attracting tourists from all over the world for its mesmerizing beauty and a wonderful time. This coastal destination is Kerala’s beloved and is most known for its pristine beaches, calm, relaxing backwaters, and fascinating boat races during festivities.
At Alleppey, exploring its backwaters with a stay on a houseboat is among the things that you must do. Cruise through the tranquil backwaters and immerse yourself in the beauty of the swaying trees of palm and coconut, as you also get to view the endless sceneries of nature and the lives of the locals who live alongside. Apart from going on a houseboating cruise, Alleppey is also equally popular for its sandy beaches that offer not just a wonderful setting for a stroll and views of the sunsets, but also delight the adventurous soul with watersports, yoga, and meditation sessions as well. Plan your visit to Alleppey during the festival of Onam and you just might get to witness the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, a grand event that features long, snake boats, taking place at Alleppey’s Punnamada Lake.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Also Read: Must Visit Beaches in Kerala
Chikmagalur- A Resort to Unwind!
One of the most scenic holiday destinations in Karnataka, Chikmagalur is a nature lover’s delight. Abundant with green hills, misty forests, and coffee plantations, this destination in south India offers a relaxing time for its visitors. With a number of hills that make up Chikmagalur, trekking is among the best things to do here.
A destination that is meant to relax and rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul, Chikmagalur is where time slows down. Explore the mesmerizing land of Chikmagalur with a trek to the top of the Mullayanagiri Peak, known for being the highest peak in all of Karnataka! Providing a captivating view of the setting sun, from here you can also get a panoramic view of the surrounding Western Ghats. Known for its great coffee, visiting coffee plantations in Chikmagalur is something that you must do on your tour. Explore the plantation on a guided tour learning in depth about coffee processing and wrap up your tour with a warm cup of coffee to top it off. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve, hill top of Baba Budangiri, and the beautiful, two-tiered Hebbe Falls are also some of the best places to visit while in Chikmagalur.
Best Time to Visit: September to February
Also Read: Best Hill Stations in Kerala South India
When looking for a holiday destination to travel in south India, you can just never go wrong. Abundant in green, misty hills, dense forests, gushing waterfalls, and pristine beaches, southern India is a charming destination that stands boasting its numerous tourist attractions. Presenting relaxing beaches, calming backwaters, and wonderful trekking destinations, holidays in this region of the country will be a hard one to get disappointed by. Explore the regional and cultural diversity of India and set out to discover the beauty of southern India on your next tour. From hill stations up in the sky, to seaside destinations, a tour of south India brings to you the many different flavors of the region, with a promise to offer you only the best time.
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