Best Places To Visit in South India
Encircled beautifully by the huge oceans from all three sides viz. The Bay of Bengal surrounds it from the East, the Indian Ocean from the South, and the Arabian Sea from the West, South India is located in peninsular Deccan Plateau covering an area of around 635,780 km2 of India.
The southern region of India comprises of several states including Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and is also comprised of the union territories of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, and Pondicherry. So, on your South India tours with meticulously crafted South India travel package you will get a wonderful opportunity to explore the charm of these places.
This undiscovered region of the country hides the gems of the world, be it in terms of food, architecture, adventure, or natural beauty. The region is loaded with diversity waiting to be uncovered.
Traveling in this part of the country will require a lot of time as well as money because of the abundance of places to see and a lot of escapades to commit. But we live once, and traveling is a thing we should spend our lives on. So rather than saving up for “someday-somewhere”, just go for today – South India tourism.
If you are a traveler looking up for adrenaline rush or a guy next door looking for a break from routine, South India will cater all your needs and wishes. Just ask for it!
Let us unravel what all we can see and enjoy in this diverse and beautiful part of our large nation.
Some of the things to be explored and best places to visit in south of India are –
- COORG
If you are fond of coffee, forests and in a budget foreign trip, then Coorg is one of the best places to visit in South India in December.
Located in the lap of the mountains of Karnataka, covered in mist and clouds, Coorg is known as The Scotland of India. The hill station is famous for its forest-lined mountains, water streams running across them and authentic coffee plantation.
Apart from its spices, trees and scenic beauty, Coorg also hosts a local clan- The Kodavas, which specializes in martial arts and on top of it, home-like hospitality.
This place is a treat to those who want to see Mother Nature in its purest form thereby making it one of the best places to visit in southern India in summer.
Coorg is a place offering everything ranging from a fun experience doing river rafting in Barapole River, a calm walk in the diverse nature at Nagarhole national park, a dip in the Tibetan culture at the Namdroling Monastery and much more.
- THEKKADY
Home to Periyar National Park, the largest Tiger Reserve in India, Thekkady is one of the popular places to visit in South of India for wildlife enthusiasts.
Blessed with picturesque views and white water cascades, Thekkady is one of the ideal Southern India places to visit.
You can explore the diverse wildlife in Periyar national park, take an early morning stroll in the sanctuary by a water boat ride and if you are lucky enough you might even spot the wild elephants, bisons, wild boars and what not in the middle of the park. You can enjoy bamboo rafting at the Mulliperiyar Dam, hiking amidst the wilderness and crystal clear waterfalls at the city of Chellar Kovil.
Thekkady is a complete package of calm and rush at the same time. Don’t miss this one of the unique places to visit in South of India.
- WAYANAD
Loaded with exotic treks, serene hills and luscious greens, Wayanad is an integral part of South India tourism as the abode of nature.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of the Western Ghats is a famous attraction of the city. In the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Wayanad forest reserve, which fosters a variety of exquisite flora and fauna including leopards, bears and elephants.
Not only this but also the place has been considered awesome from the viewpoint of a trekker, Wayanad is an apt or the most sought place as it has the most famous trek of Chembra Peak, which houses a natural heart-shaped lake- Hridhayathadakam. Others trek in the city include a trek to Lakkidi viewpoint- known as the Gateway to Wayanad, the ancient Edakkal Caves, and Neelimala viewpoint famous for the Meenmutty falls.
If you are looking for a trek loaded trip, this city is the right place for you.
- ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
Being in South India and not visiting the Paradise islands of Andaman and Nicobar is not less than a crime.
The exotic union territories with around 572 islands are a trip full of things to discover and enjoy.
Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman Nicobar Islands, is the point that connects the various clusters of islands through ferries.
Abundant with islands, this union territory is one of the highly recommended and top places to visit in south India in May.
At the Havlock and Neil islands, you can get the best underwater activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and parasailing.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the home to the most famous and deadly jail of the British period- Cellular Jail-also known as the Kaala Pani jail which was made explicitly for the freedom fighters. It is called cellular jail because of its construction with small cells.
The islands of Andaman and Nicobar are blessed with turquoise blue sea beaches, white sandy walks and shores lined with palm trees and coconut grooves.
The islands are a real treat to the eyes and soul as they provide a life away from all the hustle and rush of the world.
- GOKARNA
A small town in Karnataka, by the coast of Kanwar, Gokarna is a not so conventional vacation spot. It is one of the most sought after South India tourist places serving different things to different people, a hip club and party life to the ones looking for it and a slow and relaxed holiday to the others.
Every year Gokarna is ardently visited by tourists in search of sanctity and relaxation. Without any doubt, it is added in some of the unique and best places to visit in South India in summer.
The beaches dotted with palm trees and pearl white sand give a feeling of relaxation and chill to the tourists.
Not only for those with wanderlust but also for those in search of spiritual calm, Gokarna is the right place. Gokarna is a holy town with religious importance among Hindus as the town has various temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temples of Mahabaleshvarum, Murudeshwar and Maha Ganpati are the famous temples of the town.
No matter what you are seeking for in a vacation, Gokarna can cater for everything and must be added in tourist places in South India list.
- ALLEPPEY
Popular as the Venice of India, Alleppey is one of the cleanest and the oldest planned towns amongst all South India tourist places. This town is a picturesque coastal delight, backwaters, canals, lagoons, and beaches festooning the city like nothing else.
Alleppy has a vast interlinking network of water canals filled with houseboat cruises that pass through these backwaters and give you a glimpse of the local life of Kerala, green paddy fields and choir making activities.
So, if you had ever thought of enjoying a ride in the water canals of Venice with your partner, then this is the best place to cherish your dream with more green forests and colors of the culture around you.
- HAMPI
Located in the depths of Karnataka, Hampi is the city of ruins is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is appalled with timeless ruins, historical carvings and beautiful temples making it a history enthusiast’s dream city.
The city homes the ruins and bygones of the Vijaynagar city of 1500 A.D. and mysterious differing sized boulders around the plains. Located on the banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi is famous for its stone carved temples, especially the Virupaksha temple dedicated to the deity of the Vijaynagar city.
The city serves as an open museum with more than 100 locations to see and unravel the mysteries of the bygone city of Vijaynagar.
- PONDICHERRY
This former French colony and today’s union territory is an epitome of Indian creativity mixed with French architecture. The city is dotted with French creations of the historic times, innovated to have a modern Indian touch.
The boulevards of the city are laden with bougainvillea flower walls and boutique cafes. The streets of the white town lead to the seaside where you can see the crystal clear water of Bay of Bengal playing along with the cool breeze.
This small town itself is like a boutique café with French dessert delights, designs and a hip calm.
There is no other place like Pondy in all South India tourist places. Visit it and confirm it!
- OOTY
Nestled at an altitude of 2240 m above the sea level, amidst the Nilgiri hills, Ooty is rightly called the Queen of the hills. The city is a heaven for mountain lovers as it is loaded with beautiful peaks, lush greens and surreal waterfalls.
The beauty of this city is devoid of any boundaries and you will find yourself immersed in it soon after you enter here. No wonder it is listed in one of the best places to visit in south India in summer.
One of the most exciting top things to do in South India is to grab your seat in the Toy train of Nilgiri Mountain railways and get ready to enjoy the panoramic scenes of the dense forests and tea plantations.
Ooty serves as a hotspot for couples on their honeymoons as it gives you a quiet and serene feeling where you can accompany your partner surrounded by greens and falls.
- KUDREMUKH
In the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka lies a popular hill station- Kudremukh, which literally means horse’s face.
The second highest peak of Karnataka, Kudremukh is flourished with dense forests and grasslands, making it a place of interest for the tourists.
Due to its vast range of diverse flora and fauna, the town is a biodiversity hotspot. Kudremukh, covered with mystical clouds and canopy of trees, serves as a perfect spot to relax and collect your spirits.
It is a paradise for the trekkers as it is situated at a high altitude and the summits are quite tempting to resist.
So if you have a trekker in you, you might be more than happy to pay a visit to this small town and quench your thirst for adventure.
- DANDELI
Living by the banks of river Kali, in the Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, Dandeli is an Adventure Capital of Karnataka, made in heaven for the adrenaline enthusiast in you.
Given the name for the right reasons, Dandeli is the perfect spot to enjoy river rafting, mountain biking, trekking, cycling, kayaking and canoeing.
Another layer of excitement is added by the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary where one can relish the exotic wildlife and plantation and even spot some black panthers.
- JOG WATERFALL
Originating from the Sharavathi River, the Jog Falls is renowned as the second-highest plunge waterfall in India.
This seasonal waterfall is of magnificent beauty and unsurpassed serenity which enchants the ones who visit it.
Falling from a height of 250 m makes the fall second highest in the country and its surrounding green lushes and cotton-like clouds make it probably the most beautiful one.
Because of the construction of Linganamakki dam, the fall of the cascade has become limited and is at full peak only in the season of monsoon. So if you ever plan to pay a visit, date your time to be in monsoon.
Get the blessings of the water sprays from this surreal silver cascade and take a never seen before experience with you.
What’s next waiting for you?
South India is the prestige of the nation with its diversified cultures and remarkable places. Every part of this region gives a vibe different from the other. It is almost like running through a rainbow and catching unique but blended colors.
There is only one life with us, make it count, travel, go to South India!! If you are searching for top things to do in India then check out our other travel guides to get all the information.
