5 Amazing Tourist Destinations in South India (2024)

One of the greatest travel destinations in India is a trip to Southern India. The southern part of India is famous for its rich history, traditions, culture, and heritage. There is no end to the many gorgeous wonders that welcome you to South India. From lush green forests, stunning golden beaches, nature and wildlife, tranquil backwaters, and a variety of colorful festivals, a trip to South India will keep you enthralled through it all.

Surrounded by the azure ocean and known for being the cradle of Indian culture, it is difficult to shortlist just a few places to visit in South India. At every turn you take, something amazing and new awaits you to explore in this wondrous region. From rejuvenating on the backwaters of Alleppey to partying in North Goa and chilling out at the hill station of Munnar, you can spend hours exploring the amazing places of South India. You will need weeks to explore all the fantastic places here.

5 Amazing Tourist Destinations in South India

Since not all of us have the luxury of time, here are some of the must-visit amazing tourist destinations of south India to check out.

1. Munnar in Kerala

Munnar is referred to as a ‘pretty little hill station’ in Kerala. Sitting at an altitude of 1600 meters amidst the Western Ghats, Munnar is famous for its abundance of lush green natural beauty, sprawling tea gardens, blankets of mist that seem to be coming down right from heaven, and its majestic mountain viewpoints. It is no wonder then that Munnar is called the Kashmir of South India.

Munnar is also a popular honeymoon destination for young couples and there is an abundance of luxury resorts and quaint holiday cottages dotting the hill station. The hill station is located on the banks of the Periavaru, Madupetti, and Nallathanni Rivers, and is divided into Munnar and Old Munnar.

The major attractions of Munnar include:

• Top Station – Located just 32 kilometers from Munnar, Top Station is the highest point in Munnar, at an altitude of 6276 feet. This viewpoint gives you the best views of the entire majestic Western Ghats spread out all around. With abundant foliage and low-lying clouds, you will feel like you are looking out at the world from behind a canopy of clouds.
• Echo Point – Echo Point falls on the way to Top Station, and you can do both the destinations in one day. Echo Point is known for echoes, as its name suggests. The best activity to do here is to scream and hear your voice reverberating back to you from around the hills. This is one of the most scenic spots to visit in Munnar.
• Atukkad Waterfalls – Situated just 2 kilometers from Munnar, the Atukkad Waterfalls sits in the heart of magnificent hills surrounded by lush green forests. This pristine waterfall is a perfect picnic spot and there are many trekking trails nearby you can explore. There is a pool that forms at the base of the waterfall and it is perfect to indulge in a dip if you so wish.

2. Ooty in Tamil Nadu

From Kerala onwards to the state of Tamil Nadu. Ooty is the Queen of the Nilgiri Hills. Also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is a top-rated tourist destination in India. In fact, it used to be the summer headquarters of the East India Company at one point in time.

Ooty is all about natural beauty. You will find this quaint hill station dotted with mesmerizing waterfalls, sprawling tea estates, winding bylanes, and beautiful colonial architecture. Similar to Munnar, Ooty is also a popular honeymoon destination. It offers the best views of the Nilgiri Mountains all around.

A unique experience that every visitor must have while in Ooty is to take a ride onboard the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which is the steepest track in Asia. The train will take you through many stunning locates, as you see yourself surrounded by lush greenery. Some of the best places to visit in Ooty are:

• Ooty Lake – Located 2 kilometers from the main city, this stunning lake is sprawled over 65 acres. The lake is surrounded by greenery and tall Eucalyptus trees all around. You can also spot many streams come crashing out from the heart of the hills from here. This is a great place for photography. You will also be able to spot many rare and exotic water birds around the lake. You can hire rowboats, paddle boats, and motorboats for taking a ride across the lake from the main boathouse here. There is also a mini-train for children that gives a quick trip around the lake. On special occasions, boat races are also organized here.
• Ooty Botanical Gardens – Situated on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta Peal, this botanical garden is a must-see. Spread out over 22 hectares, the garden is divided into many separate sections based on different themes. The garden is over 160 years old. Feast your eyes on a wide variety of colorful flowers, ferns, and orchids while here.
• Emerald Lake – Another lake worth visiting is Emerald Lake, which is located around 22 kilometers from the main city. It is a part of the Silent Valley National Park and the perfect place to enjoy the peace and solitude of nature.

Some of the other places of interest in Ooty include:

• Ooty Rose Garden
• Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint
• Avalanche Lake
• Doddabetta Peak
• St. Stephen’s Church
• Thread Garden
• Kalhatti Falls
• Tiger Hill
• Kamraj Sagar Lake
• Annamalai Temple

3. Alleppey in Kerala

Known as the Venice of the East, Alleppey is the place to go if you want to experience the backwaters of South India. Also known as Alappuzha, Alleppey is a picture-perfect town. The beautiful backwaters and traditional houseboats offer some of the best up-close experiences you can have of Kerala. The Alleppey coastline is also known for being home to some of the best beaches in Kerala.

The palm-fringed inter-connected network of the canal backwaters of Alleppey is the main attraction of Kerala. There are many houseboats, homestays, and even Ayurvedic resorts where you can stay during your trip. If you stay on the houseboats, you will be taken on a tour of the stunning backwaters where you can catch a glimpse of the locals going about their daily tasks. From the lush green paddy field to choir-making activities, you will truly get to see the life of locals here.

If you visit in the months of August and September, you will be in for a treat as the traditional snake boat race is held during this time in Alleppey.

Some of the best places to visit in Alleppey include the Alappuzha Beach, Marari Beach, St. Mary’s Forane Church, Krishnapuram Palace, and the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.

4. Coorg in Karnataka

Rightly known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is located in the heart of some very majestic mountains in Karnataka. Having a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations. This quaint little hill town is popular with honeymooners for its lush green hills and the cascading streams that cut right through these imposing mountains. The culture and welcoming nature of the Kodavas, the local people here, have made Coorg a very popular tourist destination.

Also known as Kodagu, the hill station of Coorg is all about spice and coffee plantations, and forest-covered hills. To get around in Coorg, it is best to begin from Madikeri, the center point of the city from where all transportation is available. While here, you must visit the beautiful towns of Pollibetta, Somwarpet, Kushalnagar, Virajpet, and Gonikoppal. The beautiful homestays in Coorg are some of the more popular residential options while visiting.

For adventure lovers, white river rafting is a popular activity in Coorg. There is also zip lining, camping, trekking, and bungee jumping.

Some of the most amazing places to check out in Coorg include:

• Abbey Falls – Crashing down from a height of 70 feet, the Abbey or Abbi Falls is located just ten kilometers from Madikeri town. It is one of the most popular attractions in Coorg. As you walk up to the falls from the main entrance, 200 steps take you down through cardamom, coffee, pepper, and many other spice plantations.
• Talakaveri or Talacauvery – This is the very source of the Kaveri River. Located on the Brahmagiri Hill in the Kodagu District of Karnataka, the Talakaveri is a popular tourist destination. There is a tank that has been erected here and it is now considered as the origin. There is also a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kaeriamma located next to the tank.
• Raja’s Seat – This is a beautiful garden built on an elevated ground that oversees the entire valley. Over the years, this has become a popular viewpoint and people gather here to watch the magnificent sunrise and sunsets.

The Madikeri Fort, Honnamana Kere Lake, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Gaddige Raja’s Tomb, and the Namdroling Monastery are other popular places to visit in Coorg.

5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

One of the most splendid destinations in South India is the Andaman Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are truly heaven on earth. This paradise of South India is located 1400 kilometers from the eastern coast of India. The capital city of Port Blair is the major airport and seaport that connects this beautiful string of islands to the rest of the country. Many ferries run multiple times in the day to take visitors to the various islands. The Havelock and Neil Islands are the most popular here amongst visitors.

These are known for their stunning white sandy beaches. Scuba diving is a popular activity here.

The best attractions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands include:

• Radhanagar Beach – Known for its pristine white sand shores, the Radhanagar Beach was awarded Asia’s Best beach in 2004 by the TIMES magazine. Located on Havelock Island, Radhanagar Beach is famous for crystal turquoise blue waters and white sands. The beach sprawled over two kilometers is one of the major attractions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Cellular Jail – Also known as Kala Pani, the Cellular Jail is an old colonial prison that is located in Port Blair. This historically important prison was constructed by the Britishers during their rule in India. The prison was home to many Indian political prisoners who were sent in exile by the Britishers. Notable freedom fighters like Batukeshwar Dutt, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and Yogendra Shukla were housed here. Today it is recognized as a national memorial monument by the Government of India.
• Ross Island or Netaji Subhash Bose Island – Located two kilometers from Port Blair, Ross Island used to be the administrative headquarters of the British. The Indian Navy has rebuilt many old buildings here, including the local stores, bakery, a church, hospital, and some other structures. The island is open for visitors, especially those who want to get a feel of the era gone by. You can also purchase many types of souvenirs from the shops on the island.

Some of the other beautiful attractions of this place include:

• Elephant Beach
• North Bay Island
• Bharatpur Beach
• Kalapathar Beach
• Laxmanpur Beach

Coming to South India can be like a breath of fresh air. Being home to some of the most famous historical monuments, you will be spoilt for choice to decide where to go and which place to skip as you tour South India.