Even each state of south India has maintained its individuality over the years. Intricate temple architecture, historical ruins, palm-fringed canals, spirituality, and beach will provide you with a varied and interesting trip.

Here are 10 places that you simply must visit on your next trip to South India:

1. Munnar, Kerala:

Located in God’s own country, Munnar is legendary for its tea estates, various reminder green, blankets of mist, and craggy peaks. Munnar is aptly referred to as the ‘Kashmir of South India’.

Best time to visit: September to March

Key attractions: Tata Tea Museum, Pothamedu View Point, Kundala Dam and Lake, Atukkad Waterfalls, Echo point, and Photo Point.

Anamudi and tea plantations near Munnar in Kerala
Anamudi and tea plantations near Munnar in Kerala, 2008. Restored original photograph. Photo: Bimal K C, CC BY 2.0. Resized; no crop.

2. Coorg, Karnataka:

It is located amidst the imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape. it’s widely known for being the “Scotland of the South”. it’s popular for beautiful green hills and streams cutting through them.

Best time to visit: September to June

Key attractions: Abbey Falls, Talakaveri, Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary, Honnamana Kere lake, Raja’s Seat.

Layered hills of the Western Ghats seen from Raja’s Seat in Coorg
Western Ghats viewed from Raja’s Seat in Coorg, Karnataka, 2023; archive photograph. Photo: Sreerag Santhosh, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized; no crop.

3. Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu:

It is one of the foremost famous honeymoon destinations in India. Kodaikanal may be a favourite amongst hill stations within the country thanks to the abundance of natural beauty, the waterfalls, the lakes, the luxurious greenery, or the magnificent view of the Palani hills.

Best time to visit: October to June

Key attractions: Green Valley View, Kodai Lake, Pillar Rocks, Bear Shola Falls, Thalaiyar Falls.

Discover India: Things to see or do in Kodaikanal , Tamil Nadu , India
Discover India

4. Thekkady, Kerala:

Thekkady is home to Periyar Tiger Reserve. Visit if you’re a lover of solitude and a jungle vacation. The quaint village of Thekkady is certain to capture your heart with its innocent charm and abundance of natural beauty. 

Best time to visit: Throughout the year.

Key attractions: Periyar park, Bamboo Rafting, Thekkady Lake, Green Park Plantation.

10 Places Near Thekkady You Must Add To Your Kerala Itinerary
Travel Triangle

5. Wayanad, Kerala:

A picturesque plateau nestled within the hills of the Western Ghats, Wayanad is one of the prettiest areas of the attractive state of Kerala. Its wildlife reserve is a component of Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, lying between the serene hills of Western Ghats.

Best time to visit: October to May.

Key attractions: Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves.

GRASSROOTS WAYANAD (Kalpetta, Kerala) - Guesthouse Reviews, Photos, Rate  Comparison - Tripadvisor
TripAdvisor

6. Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

The union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands comprises a complete 572 islands, only 37 of which are inhabited. It’s a brief land of paradise with blue waters, white sandy beaches, and a colonial past. The island provides a number of the simplest beaches with great diving options.

Best time to visit: October to March.

Key Attractions: Havelock Island, Cellular Jail, Neil Island, Radhanagar Beach, North Bay Island, Elephant Beach.

Andaman And Nicobar Islands - WorldAtlas
World Atlas

7. Gokarna, Karnataka:

Gokarna may be a Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka. Its pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes and scenic views attract thousands of tourists per annum. 

Best time to visit: October to March

Key attractions: Om beach, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Paradise Beach, Kudle Beach, Water sports in Gokarna.

Karnataka's Gokarna Beach: The Complete Guide
TripSavvy

8. Alleppey, Kerala:

Known as the “Venice of the East”, Alleppey with its backwaters and floating houseboats is one among the foremost beautiful places to go to in South India. Its palm-fringed interconnected network of canals backwaters attracts tons of tourists across the planet.

Best time to visit: October to February

Key attractions: Marari Beach, Alappuzha Beach, Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple, St. Mary’s Forane Church, Krishnapuram Palace.

Alleppey (Alappuzha) - Keralam, Kerala Tourism, Kerala
Keralam

9. Pondicherry:

Puducherry is a Union Territory of India. Pondicherry welcomes you to a completely different atmosphere, with its colorfully painted houses in French architecture and relaxed attitude. Here you’ll explore the right amalgamation of traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture.

Best time to visit: October to March

Key attractions: Paradise Beach, Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Arikamedu, café, and skin diving in Pondicherry.

Pondicherry-Giving Time a Break!
WOW Club

10.  Varkala, Kerala:

Varkala may be a coastal town in the southern part of Kerala. It’s popular for its hippie culture, shacks on the cliff serving great seafood and playing global music and therefore the samadhi of Kerala’s saint Sree Narayana Guru. Varkala is additionally known for Janardana Swami Temple, also referred to as Dakshin Kashi.

Varkala Tourism (2021) - Kerala > Beaches, Top Things To Do | Holidify
Holidify

Best time to visit: Throughout the year

Key attractions: Varkala Beach, Edava Beach, Anjengo Fort, Sivagiri Mutt, Thiruvambadi Beach, Water sports in Varkala.

Also Read:

5 Best Honeymoon Destinations in India