10 Best Places to Visit In South India: Uncover Fascinating Facets of This Part of the Country That Will Leave You Charmed (2019)

This is actually not just about the 10 best places to visit in south India but the entire southern part of India, which is so culturally rich and vibrant that anyone would want to spend their rest of the life out there! The amazing cultural heritage and super religious people in South India send out really positive vibes. And we havent even yet started on the region's food! From traditional Idli Sambhar and Masala Dosa to a variety of modern dishes, everything can be found in South India super easily. A big reason for people to love this part of India!

Some are beach bums, while others are mountain lovers but what if you want the best of both worlds at the same place? Well, South India has it all. From amazing tea plantation on hills in Munnar to beautiful backwaters and Alleppey, South India has a range of options on offer. In fact, not just about Kerala but there are such places for example there are hill stations like Coorg in Karnataka as well as cool beaches like Gokarna to chill out. Definitely a dream come true for the travel lovers.

An avid traveler likes to take in all the different facets and features of the place they are visiting including architecture. And for such people, South India is no less than a heaven. The temples out there have awe-inspiring architecture that will leave you amazed. And not just temples such unique architectural beauty can be found in various heritage sites too. From Mysore palace to popular temples in south and of course the French quarter in Pondicherry, South India is filled with beautiful craftsmanship that you can enjoy.

Undoubtedly, one of the most popular hill stations in India, Ooty is situated amongst the beautiful Nilgiri mountain range. From pleasant weather throughout the year to the amazing smell of coffee and tea plantations, the town speaks perfection. Ooty is quite about natural retreat and hence you can find a lot of similar places here to visit. Some of them are Ooty boat house, Botanical garden, Thread garden and many more.

You can also enjoy a day in The Tea Factory and Museum and see how the process is done out there. Take a trip through Ooty Mountain Railway and you will get to see the beautiful Nilgiri Mountains and various falls and fountains in the way. Make sure to plan your trip from March to June in Ooty in order to experience sunny days and suitable temperature.

South India's tourist destinations are mostly filled with natural beauty and one top example is Munnar. The beautiful town in Kerala is popular for its tea plantations and lush greenery. Located in Western Ghats, Munnar has so much to offer apart from its tea plantations. The most popular places to visit here are Atukkad Waterfalls, Echo Point, Eravikulam National Park and more. People usually prefer this place for amazing views from top of the hills.

In fact, this place is perfect for adventurous people too. Trekking, paragliding are some of the most popular activities to be done here. You are going to love the waterfalls here and do not forget to buy some tea on your way back home. If you want to enjoy the experience of monsoon in the hills, then you should visit Munnar between June and September.

You should know that Coorg is also called “The Scotland of India”. All thanks to its location between the mountains and foggy landscapes, this is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka. While Munnar is all about its tea plantations, you are going to find coffee in Coorg. Also known as Kodagu, Coorg is quite a popular place amongst the local as well as international tourists too. The most popular places to visit here in Coorg are Abbey Falls, Golden Temple, Nagarhole National Park etc.

If you are an adventurous person then you would love to do River Rafting here in Barapole river. You should also visit the Tadiandamol peak to click some amazing pictures from the top. Coorg mostly remains good enough throughout the year for visit but October to March is the best time to visit this place.

This list of 10 best places to visit in South India is mostly compiled of the popular hill stations in this region of India. Another one amongst them is Araku Valley. Located in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, this place is also known as Ooty of Andhra. Thankfully, this time you will be visiting a place full of beaches too. The combination of hill peaks and breezy beaches makes it perfect as a tourist destination.

The best time to visit this place is between September and May. As this place is all about hilly areas and nature’s beauty, the places to visit here are all about these elements only. You can visit places like Borra Caves, Ananthagiri, Katiki waterfalls, Mastyagundam etc. 2-3 days are sufficient enough to visit this valley completely and to have a nice time here.

Contrary to the popular belief, Goa is not just about beaches and booze but it is definitely more than that. This is the only state in India which is considered as the part of both Western as well as Southern regions. If you want to have a nice time with your buddies, Goa is definitely the place to be.
Talking about the beaches first, some of the most popular ones to visit are Palolem beach, Baga beach, Calangute beach and many more in the counting.

You should definitely visit the popular Dudhsagar Waterfalls here as it is the highlight of Goa. If you want quieter experience then you should visit South Goa. This area is all about less-crowded and cleaner beaches. Other places to visit in Goa are cruise, Dona Paula village, Fort Aguada, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and many more.

Hampi is a place in this list of 10 best places to visit in South India which is entirely a different experience from the rest of the places mentioned here. This village in Karnataka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is filled with ruins of temples, carved stones and amazing architecture.

Located in valleys of Karnataka, this place is perfect for the travelers who are hungry for historical sites and monuments. Best time to visit Hampi is from October to February as the temperature is just perfect at this time.

The most popular places to visit in Hampi are Vithala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Queen’s Bath, Elephant Stables etc. While these places are all about history and culture, other places like Matanga Hills, Tungabhadra River, Sanapur Lake etc. are all about its natural beauty.

Puducherry or Pondicherry is a former French Colonial Settlement in India and the French architecture is all over this place. Currently, it is a Union Territory town which is all about French quarters, chic boutiques and tree-lined streets. The best time to visit Pondicherry is between October and February which is winter season. Tourists usually come here to have a good time which is comprised of visiting its beaches and historical monuments.

Other best places to visit in Pondicherry are Rock Beach, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Seaside Promenade etc. You will mostly love the beaches here as they are less crowded and offers an amazing peace and calm to the soul. You are going to find the streets Insta-worthy here so make sure to click some amazing shots in Pondicherry.

Comprised of roughly 572 small islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known as the Archipelago of Bay of Bengal. One of the Union Territories of India, these islands are mostly inhabited by various tribes and hence visiting this place is a completely unique experience altogether. The combination of sparkling blue water and white sand beaches is a sight to behold. This is the reason that Andaman and Nicobar Islands are hailed as the top Honeymoon destination in India.

The most popular places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Cellular Jail, Havelock Islands, Neil Island etc. However, it is the various water sports here which attract visitors the most like scuba diving, parasailing, snorkeling, sea walking etc. This place is definitely heaven for flora and fauna lovers too and the best time to visit these islands are from October to March.

If you want to know about the tourist places in South India during summer then Alleppey or Alappuzha might be your answer. Known as the Venice of the East, this place in Kerala is popular for its Backwaters and gorgeous houseboat experience. This place is a perfect mix of culture and nature which is quite evident in its temples and beaches. Some of the most popular places to visit in Alleppey are Alleppey beach, Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal Island and of course Alleppey Backwaters.

You just can’t miss to spend at least a day or two in the houseboats here and experience the closeness to nature like never before. Pay a visit to Mannarasala temple or visit the rice fields in Kuttanad, every place in Alleppey is a completely different experience.

Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is a small town in Tamil Nadu which is popular for its temples and monuments just like Hampi in Karnataka. The best time to visit this place is from November to February which is in winters. This place holds great historical value and boasts of amazing sculpting work, hence it is a great place to travelers who are always in search of something unique. The most popular places to visit here in Mahabalipuram are Shore temple, Five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Tiger caves etc. This was about the popular monuments here. If you want to visit more exciting places then you visit the Crocodile park, Sadras, Mahabalipuram beach, Covelong beach etc.

So, that was about the 10 best places to visit in south India but here are some addition inputs to ensure your travelling spree is fun and enjoyable Our tips will be really useful for your visit to plan your trip to the Southern parts of India

The climate conditions in Southern India is differs significantly with monsoons starting early. This is why you need to do a complete check while planning your trip so you do it smartly according to the climate conditions. Always check for the weather forecast in advance. Also, get to know about the best time to travel to each state in South India so your trip won’t be spoiled.

South India is way bigger than your imagination and this is why you need fantastic time management so that you can even visit the unexplored places in south India. Make sure to create a proper schedule so that you can pay a visit to all the popular places in a city. There are various tools available online to create a nice schedule for you. Or you can consult a travel guide for the same.

Things are much easier when you are visiting only a specific city. But if you want to explore entire South India then you really need to book a complete package for it. This way, things are easier to manage. For example, hotels, food, transportation and even travel guide, these important things are easily covered in a package. Hence, you won’t have to struggle with everything on your own.

Sudden health issues can totally ruin your time in South India and hence you need to know about the preventive measures. If you are someone with a highly sensitivity body system then you must opt for mineral water only.