Best Places to Visit in South India this 2023

South India is a spiritualist and sublime landing place that joins delightful scenes, captivating societies, and brilliant colors generally to a great extent unseen by travelers. There’s something, everyone can find to enjoy in South India whether it is culture or wildlife or some other activity. With more than 30,000 ancient temples and endless different sanctums and commemorations on offer, the hardest choice is to choose what to visit at the time you are at the destination. We’ve discussed with this article, all the major details that would help you to explore the best Places to Visit in South India.

1. There are 9 UNESCO world heritage sites in southern India.

2. The earliest literature of southern India is more than 2,000 years old.

3. A rare elephant spa is found in south India.

4. Most Ayurveda schools are in southern India than anywhere in the world.

5. The title of 'richest temple in the world is held by southern India.

6. Southern India provides coconuts all over India.

South India includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and three union territories which are Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and Pondicherry. The official and majority languages in most of these states are Dravidian languages. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are located far off the eastern coast and considered in the Southern part.

There are many cities in South India out of which, many cities are famous for various specialties. Many famous temples and industries are located in southern India that are known to the whole world. Some famous cities of south India that are needed to be discussed are:

1. Hyderabad: the city is called the Pearl city of India and shares a Silicon valley status just like Bangalore.
2. Kochi (Cochin): Kochi is one of the largest port cities in India. It is called the Queen of the Arabian Sea with a variety of cultures.
3. Trichy: Trichy is the main city of Tamilnadu with the famous Rockfort and Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam temple.
4. Chennai (Madras): Chennai is known as Asia’s major auto hub that manufactures two cars every minute. It is also the city of temples.
5. Bangalore: Being the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is given many names such as Gold, Land of Silk, Pub City, Garden City, Incense, etc.
6. Coimbatore: Because of the textile industry, Coimbatore is called the "Manchester of South India".
7. Madurai: there is a famous Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai which was nominated for the new list of 7 wonders of the world.
8. Mysore: Mysore is the twin city of Bangalore situated in the south of Karnataka. The famous Mysore Palace is also known as Amba Vilas Palace.

The Southern part of India is rich with greenery, hills, and beautiful beaches. South India has something for everyone like water adventure, hiking, panoramic vistas, etc. Here we have listed the best places to visit in South India-

Coorg is a beautiful hill station also known as Kodagu. Lush forests, rich flora & fauna, countless streams, steep hills, coffee plantations are famous in Coorg and you can enjoy the breathtaking views.

- Famous Attractions in Coorg: Raja's Seat, Madikeri Fort, Abbi Falls, Raja's Tomb, Sri Omkareshwara Temple, Omkareshwara temple lake, Mandalpatti Road, Government Museum, Mercara Gold Estate Coffee Plantation.
- Best time to visit Coorg: Most favorable time for tourists is between October to March.
- Nearest Railway Station to Coorg: Mysore
- Nearest Airport to Coorg: Kannur International Airport, Mangalore International Airport, and Kempegowda International Airport.

The panoramic views of Coonoor and green landscapes attract visitors. Production of Nilgiri tea and Bird watching is famous in Coonoor while Ooty is also famous for tea plantations. Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor. Both Coonoor and Ooty are famous for honeymoon destinations.

- Famous Attractions of Ooty and Coonoor: Doddabetta Peak, Katary WaterFalls, Pykara Lake, Ooty Lake, Ralliah Dam, Catherine Falls, Wellington Lake, Kamaraj Sagar Dam, Benchmark Tea Factory, Thread Garden, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Line, Dolphin’s Nose.
- Best time to visit Ooty and Coonoor: Visiting Ooty and Coonoor between October to June is the best time.
- Nearest Railway Station to Ooty and Coonoor: Mettupalayam
- Nearest Airport to Ooty and Coonoor: Coimbatore International Airport

An attractive hill station called Kodaikanal, located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. People call it the Princess of Hill Stations because of its breathtaking views and unmatched beauty.

- Famous Attractions of Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal Lake, Silver Cascade Falls, Bear Shola Falls, Kurinji Andavar Temple, Bryant Park, Vattakanal WaterFalls, Coakers Walk, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Museum
- Best time to visit Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal hill station is most favorable between the months of October to June.
- Nearest Railway Station to Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal Road, Ambaturai, Dindigul Jn, Tirumangalam
- Nearest Airport to Kodaikanal: Madurai International Airport, Tiruchirappalli International Airport, and Coimbatore International Airport

Wayanad is a popular town because of the plantation of spices and also for wildlife. It offers great scenic beauty and a good place for camping and seeing magnificent sights.

- Famous Attractions of Wayanad: Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, Kuruvadweep, Soochipara Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Heritage Museum ambalavayal, Pookode Lake, Chembra Peak, Sree Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple, Thirunelli Temple, Neelimala Viewpoint, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Tholpetty)
- Best time to visit Wayanad: Visitors often choose October to May to visit Wayanad.
- Nearest Railway Station to Wayanad: Kozhikode
- Nearest Airport to Wayanad: Kannur International Airport, Mattannur

Gokarna is a little town located in the district Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. This is a spot that looks like a mini version of Goa and is budget-friendly. The place is special because of the azure skies, rustic nature, enchanting sunsets, and charming beaches.

- Famous Attractions of Gokarna: Om Beach, Kudle Beach Road, Paradise Beach, Maha Ganapathi Temple, Half Moon Beach, Sri Mahabaleshwara Swami Temple Gokarna, Shiva Cave, Gokarna Kudle Beach, Koti Teertha, Gokarna Main Beach, Sri Bhadrakali Temple
- Best time to visit Gokarna: Gokarna is a good place to visit from October to March.
- Nearest Railway Station to Gokarna: Ankola and Gokarna Road
- Nearest Airport to Gokarna: Dabolim Airport, Goa

The famous World Heritage site, Hampi attracts travelers from all over the world to see the workmanship done in monuments, monolithic sculptures, and the temples of Hampi.

- Famous Attractions of Hampi: Sri Virupaksha Temple, Matanga Hill, Hemakuta Hill Temple, Vijaya Vitthala Gudi, Hampi Karnataka, Achyutaraya Temple, Matanga Hill, Saasivekaalu Ganesha, Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi Archeological Ruins, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Kadalekalu Ganesha, Lotus Mahal, Stone Chariot
- Best time to visit Hampi: The month of October to February is suitable for the visit to Hampi.
- Nearest Railway Station to Hampi: Hospet Junction
- Nearest Airport to Hampi: Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore

Different types of visitors are attracted by Varkala, especially solo travelers. The clifftop is good to have a visit in Varkala that has many shops, restaurants, etc and you can walk down via stairs or a pathway to enjoy the beach.

- Famous Attractions of Varkala: Varkala Cultural Center, Varkala Beach, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala cliff, Golden Island, Varkala Aquarium, Odayam Beach Varkala, Varkala Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple, Janardhana swami temple, Anchuthengu Fort, Kappil Beach, Edava Beach Varkala, Ponnumthuruthu, Sreenarayanapuram Temple
- Best time to visit Varkala: Tourists come in the month of October to March to visit the beautiful place.
- Nearest Airport to Varkala: Trivandrum International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station to Varkala: Varkala Sivagiri

Mamallapuram (also known as Mahabalipuram) is a town in the district of Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu. Founded by Narasimhavarman, it is a famous tourist site for having major attractions to visit.

- Famous Attractions of Mahabalipuram: Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Ganesha Ratha, Descent of the Ganges, Mahishasuramardini Mandapa, Krishna's Butter Ball, Mahabalipuram Beach, Arjuna’s Presence, Varaha Cave, India Seashell Museum, Thirukadalmallai, Mahabalipuram LightHouse, Tiger Cave
- Best time to visit Mahabalipuram: Mahabalipuram is worth visiting in winters in the month of November to February.
- Nearest Railway Station to Mahabalipuram: Chennai and Chengalpattu
- Nearest Airport to Mahabalipuram: Chennai International Airport

Pondicherry is a vibrant city often called the 'French Capital of India'. There are churches, ancient temples, French and Tamil quarters, heritage buildings, and beautiful beaches in Pondicherry.

- Famous Attractions of Pondicherry: The Sacred Heart Basilica, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Rock Beach, Puducherry Museum, Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Promenade Beach, French War memorial, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Bharathi Park, Aayi Mandapam, and Varadharaja Perumal Temple
- Best time to visit Pondicherry: October to March is considered the best time to visit the city.
- Nearest Railway Station to Pondicherry: Pondicherry Railway Station
- Nearest Airport to Pondicherry: Pondicherry Airport

Munnar is a town in the state of Kerala which is known for the plantation of tea in most of the hills. The hills of Munnar attract visitors showing the beauty, charm, lush vegetation, and mesmerizing waterfalls.

- Famous Attractions of Munnar: Nayamakad Waterfall, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Chokramudi Peak, Tea Museum, Anamudi, Pothamedu View Point, Attukad Waterfalls, The Blossom Hydel Park, Carmelagiri Elephant Park, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Photo point
- Best time to visit Munnar: The winter months would be the best to visit Munnar because of the pleasant weather.
- Nearest Railway Station to Munnar: Aluva and Ernakulam
- Nearest Airport to Munnar: Cochin International Airport

Alappuzha or Alleppey is a backwater tourist destination in the state of Kerala. It is famous for the coir industry, marine products, beaches, boat races. Houseboat cruises are the most famous in Alleppey.

- Famous Attractions of Alleppey: Vembanad, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha Beach, Pathiramanal Island, Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Alleppey Lighthouse, Kalloorkad St. Mary's Basilica Church, Krishnapuram Palace, Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum, International Coir Museum, Punnamada Lake
- Best time to visit Alleppey: Tourists come to Alleppey in the month of august for boat races.
- Nearest Railway Station to Alleppey: Alappuzha Railway Station
- Nearest Airport to Alleppey: Cochin International Airport

Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination in the Kottayam District of the state of Kerala. Backwater tourism of the Vembanad Lake is famous in Kumarakom, which is the largest lake in the state.

- Famous Attractions of Kumarakom: Karthyayani Devi Temple, Pathiramanal Island, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Backwaters, Mango Meadows Agricultural Theme Park, Thanneermukkom Bund, St. Thomas Church, Village Life Experience, Kumarakom backwaters, The Great Backwaters, Chavara Bhavan, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Observatory Tower, Sree Kumaramangalam Subramanyaswamy Temple
- Best time to visit Kumarakom: Winter months from November to February is considered the best time to visit Kumarakom.
- Nearest Railway Station to Kumarakom: Kottayam
- Nearest Airport to Kumarakom: Cochin International Airport

Kanyakumari is the meeting point of three oceans: the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal. It is famous for its beautiful sunrise, sunset, and moonrise over the waters.

- Famous Attractions of Kanyakumari: Trisea Sangamam, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Vattakottai Fort, Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam, Sarvani Shaktipeeth Shri Kanya Kumari Bhagavathy Amman Temple, Our Lady of Ransom Shrine, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Tsunami Memorial Park, Triveni Sangamam, Kanyakumari Beach, Baywatch Park.
- Best time to visit Kanyakumari: You can go for water adventures and sightseeing between the months of October to March.
- Nearest Railway Station to Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari
- Nearest Airport to Kanyakumari: Trivandrum International Airport

Thekkady is a plantation town located on the border of Kerala-Tamil Nadu. It is famous for savanna grasslands, and moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and dense evergreen forests. Thekkady is one of the attractive hill stations and is well known as the largest wildlife sanctuary of India.

- Famous Attractions of Thekkady: Elephant Junction Thekkady, Periyar National Park, Thekkady Rose Park, Tiger Trail, Elephant camp, Thekkady, Mayura Ayurvedic Centre, Anakkara, Kerala Crafts, Chellarkovil Viewpoint, Angadipetty - Kerala Ayurveda Museum, Pandikuzhi, Green Park Spices, Kadathanadan Kalari & Navarasa Kathakali Thekkady (Periyar)
- Best time to visit Thekkady: The weather is cool and pleasant in Winters making it ideal for sightseeing.
- Nearest Railway Station to Thekkady: Kottayam Railway Station
- Nearest Airport to Thekkady: Cochin International Airport and Madurai International Airport

It is the capital of Kerala state and is well known for different huge sanctuaries, castles, and beaches. The city is filled with greenery all over the place. The city provides the most modern facilities in terms of infrastructure, sports, schools, hotels.

- Famous Attractions of Trivandrum: Kanakakunnu Palace, Kovalam Beach, Napier Museum, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kowdiar Palace, Shangumugham Beach, TVM ZOO, Koyikkal Palace, Samudra Beach Park, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Karikkakom Devi Temple, Veli Tourist village, Kuthira Malika
- Best time to visit Trivandrum: Trivandrum is best to visit in October to February because of the pleasant weather.
- Nearest Railway Station to Trivandrum: Thiruvananthapuram
- Nearest Airport to Trivandrum: Trivandrum International Airport

The elevation of Araku Valley is about 3200 ft and it is called the hill station of Andhra Pradesh. Araku is surrounded by beautiful valleys, waterfalls, streams, and gardens. The hill station is famous for its coffee plantations.

- Famous Attractions of Araku Valley: Borra Caves, Tribal Museum, Padmapuram Gardens, Coffee Museum, Ananthagiri WaterFalls, Katika Water Falls, Araku Valley, Chaparai Water Cascade, Rana Jilleda WaterFalls
- Best time to visit Araku Valley: The best time for visiting is from September to February.
- Nearest Railway Station to Araku Valley: Araku Railway Station
- Nearest Airport to Araku Valley: Visakhapatnam International Airport

The holy city Tirupati is located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Tirupati is best known for Tirumala Venkateswara Temple which is one of the most admired shrines.

- Key Attractions of Tirupati: Natural Arch- Tirumala Hills, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple, Sri Venkateswara Museum, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Kapila TheerthamTirumala Tirupati, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Chandragiri Fort, Srivari Mettu, Varahaswamy Temple, Srivari Padalu.
- Best time to visit Tirupati: Visitors come to Tirupati throughout the year. September to February is a great time to visit when there is a balmy climate.
- Nearest Railway Station to Tirupati: Tirupati
- Nearest Airport to Tirupati: Tirupati Airport

Warangal is the 2nd fastest growing city of Telangana. It is a Cultural Heritage Site with natural beauty and splendid structures made by humans.

- Key Attractions of Warangal: Warangal Fort, Waddepally Lake, Thousand Pillar Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Kakatiya Musical Garden, Padmakshi Temple, Zoological Park, Kush Mahal, Kakatiya Kala Thoranam
- Best time to visit Warangal: For visitors, October to March is the best season to enjoy pleasant weather.
- Nearest Railway Station to Warangal: Warangal
- Nearest Airport to Warangal: Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport, Hyderabad

Chikmagalur is popular for its pleasant climate and for the plantation of coffee. It is a beautiful district of Karnataka where tourists come to visit many renowned attractions.

- Key Attractions of Chikmagalur: Mahatma Gandhi Park, Sharadamba Temple, Chikmagalur Gandhi ParkChikmagalur, Kemmangundi, Mullayanagiri Peak, Z Point, Coffee Museum, Hirekolale lake, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kudurekuha, Kuvempu Park, Hebbe Waterfalls, Hirekolale Lake, Baba Budangiri, Kallathigiri Falls, Hebbe Falls
- Best time to visit Chikmagalur: September to May are the best months to visit Chikmagalur. Throughout the year, you will get a pleasant and cool climate.
- Nearest Railway Station to Chikmagalur: chikmagalur Railway Station, Kadur and Hassan
- Nearest Airport to Chikmagalur: Mangalore International Airport

Mysore is a city in the Karnataka state of India known for its palaces and heritage structures. Tourism and traditional industries are the major in the city.

- Key Attractions of Mysore: Mysore Palace, Venugopala Swamy Temple, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Brindavan Gardens, Somanathapura Temple, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, St. Philomena's Cathedral, Chamundeshwari Temple, Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery and Auditorium, Mysore Rail Museum, Karanji Lake
- Best time to visit Mysore: To enjoy the pleasant weather, it is best to visit from July to February.
- Nearest Railway Station to Mysore: Mysore Junction
- Nearest Airport to Mysore: Mysore Airport

Rameswaram is a popular pilgrimage destination because of the Rameshwaram Temple built by Sethupathis of Sethukavalan.

- Key Attractions of Rameswaram: Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram TV Tower, Agni Theertham, Sri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir & Floating Stones, Adam’s Bridge, Shree Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple, House of Kalam, Sangumal Beach, Pamban Road Bridge or Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge
- Best time to visit Rameswaram: Rameshwaram has pleasant weather from October to April and the temperature is nearly 17° C during this winter season.
- Nearest Railway Station to Rameswaram: Rameswaram
- Nearest Airport to Rameswaram: Madurai International Airport

Thrissur is a religious, spiritual, and cultural city that is also known as the Cultural Capital of Kerala. It is a religious town with many spiritual centers, temples, and religious sites.

- Key Attractions of Thrissur: Sri Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, Sakthan Thampuran Palace, Bible Tower, State Museum and Zoo, Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Vilangan Hills, Paramekkavu Bhagavathi Temple, Arattupuzha Sree Sastha Temple, Nehru ParkThrissur, Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Archeological Museum
- Best time to visit Thrissur: Visiting Thrissur in winters from October to March is a good time.
- Nearest Railway Station to Thrissur: Thrissur
- Nearest Airport to Thrissur: Cochin International Airport

Sakleshpur, Karnataka

Sakleshpur is a hill station in India’s Karnataka state. Known for its natural landscapes, Sakleshpur is famous for its plantation of spice, tea, and coffee.

- Key Attractions of Sakleshpur: Sri Sakleshwara Swamy Temple, Manjarabad Fort, Hole Malleshwara Swamy Temple, Manjehalli Falls, Donigal Small Falls
- Best time to visit Sakleshpur: The best time is November to February when this season expects a little crowd.
- Nearest Railway Station to Sakleshpur: Sakleshpur
- Nearest Airport to Sakleshpur: Mangalore International Airport

Dandeli, Karnataka

Dandeli is a town in the Karnataka state of India. You will get a fascinating experience with wild animals in the national park and wildlife sanctuary.

- Key Attractions of Dandeli: Moulangi Eco Park, Dandakaranya Eco Park - Disney Park, Dandakaranya, Dandelappa Temple, Kali River Bridge, Best Resorts at Dandeli
- Best time to visit Dandeli: October to May is the best time to visit Dandeli.
- Nearest Railway Station to Dandeli: Dharwad.
- Nearest Airport to Dandeli: Belagavi Airport

Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu

Yelagiri is a peaceful hill station in the district of Vellore in Tamil Nadu, India. It is a well-known holiday destination that attracts many tourists every year.

- Key Attractions of Yelagiri: Nature Park, Thrill Valley, Perumal Temple, Extreme adventures Yelagiri Hills, SRL Rose Garden, Shri Moksha Temple, Yelagiri Herbal Garden, Punganur nature park, Nilavoor cliff viewpoint
- Best time to visit Yelagiri: The best time to visit Yelagiri is from November to February.
- Nearest Railway Station to Yelagiri: Jolarpettai Junction
- Nearest Airport to Yelagiri: Bangalore International Airport

Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu

Masinagudi is a tourist place in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu that offers some of the best places to visit. It is best suitable for nature lovers.

- Key Attractions of Masinagudi: Bokkapuram, Maravakandy Dam, Mudumalai National Park, Moyar Check Dam
- Best time to visit Masinagudi: October to May is a pleasant time to visit the place.
- Nearest Railway Station to Masinagudi: Coimbatore Junction
- Nearest Airport to Masinagudi: Coimbatore Airport

Foods like Uttapam, Idli, Vada, Upma, Appam are available all over India by the name of south food. South India has a variety of foods available that people are curious to eat. Foods like Andhra Style Chicken Curry, Paal Payasam, Coorgi Gawti Chicken, Gonguru Mamsam (Andhra lamb curry), Konju Varutharaccha Curry (Kerala Prawn Curry) have a good impact on those who just try them for the first time. Some foods are more popular in south India such as:

• Coconut Chutney: Generally taken with Idli, Dosa, Uthappam, Ven Pongal, etc.
• Masala Dosa: Famous in all India and one of the favorite foods considered by many people.
• Hyderabadi Biryani: Spicier than other types of biryanis but craved by many.
• Chicken Chettinad: One of the most popular dishes uses a variety of fresh ground spices and is served with rice or Rotis.

1. For activities like tracking, boating and other adventures, ensure the tour administrator is capable and has an emergency treatment facility with proper first aid kit.
2. Houseboats have a decent security record and all houseboats ought to have prepared lifeguards. Yet, the backwaters could be dangerous and deep, so be cautious, particularly if non-swimmers are ready.
3. Swimming isn't suggested except if there are lifeguards present.
4. Be watchful meandering on seashores around evening time and never go alone.
5. Be careful on trains of pickpockets and shoe stealers when you sleep.

So, in this article we have covered few famous and most visited destinations across southern India. To book train tickets across India you can visit IRCTC and to book best hotels or resort or cheap flights use travel booking sites GoIbibo, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Yatra etc. Please share your travel experience with us in the comment below.