Top 15 Cool Destinations in South India to Visit This Summer | Guide (2024)
Summer in South India can be challenging with scorching temperatures and high humidity levels. However, the region is blessed with some of the most beautiful and serene destinations that provide respite from the heat and offer a rejuvenating experience.
Top 15 Cool Destinations In South India To Visit This Summer
This article presents a guide to the top 15 cool destinations in South India that one can visit during summer to escape the heat, explore nature’s beauty, and create unforgettable memories with family and friends.
1. Coorg In Karnataka
Coorg is an exquisite hill town in Karnataka and is settled in the Western Ghats. The mountain peaks touch the clouds and the roaring waterfalls amidst lush green forests make this place one of the best cool destinations for nature lovers. You can explore the trails leading to the mountains up to the Brahmagiri peak, check out the pristine forests, scenic hamlets, and coffee plantations, and visit the Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg. This is surely one of the top cool destinations in South India where you need to pay a visit this summer.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Brahmagiri Peak, Iruppu Falls, Abbey Falls, Nagarhole National Park, Dubare Elephant Camp.
How To Reach: The nearest airport is Mangalore, which is 160 km away from the destination. The nearest railway station is Mysore Junction Railway Station which is at a distance of 106 km from Coorg. This hill town in Karnataka is easily accessible by road.
2. Ooty In Tamil Nadu
Ooty, also known as The Queen Of Hill Stations is another great place in South India that you can visit during the summer months and get rid of the hotness. Blessed with pleasant weather and natural beauty, Ooty is surely the place in the southern part of India you will fall in love with. Located in the Nilgiri range of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, this beautiful hill station is known for its spectacular scenery, pristine gardens, and beautiful trekking trails. Moreover, boating and picnics by the lakes in Ooty are also some of the great things you can do in this cool destination of South India. Do not forget to check out the colonial relics of the British Raj.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, coffee plantations, Doddabetta Peak, Tiger Hill, several waterfalls, and lakes.
How To Reach: Coimbatore Airport, located at a distance of 95 km is the nearest airport, while Mettupalayam Railway Station, located at a distance of 47 km is the nearest railway station. Take the Nilgiri Toy Train to reach Ooty.
3. Munnar In Kerala
Munnar is a stunning place and one of the most popular hill stations in the southern region of India. This hill town in Kerala is settled in the Western Ghats and filled with the beauty of scenic waterfalls, lush tea estates, misty hills, and more. You can witness the tea gardens and explore Anamudi Peak and Eravikulam National Park. Camping and trekking are one of the best activities you can do here. Do not miss tasting local-made chocolates.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Tea Garden, Tata Tea Museum, Carmelagiri Elephant Park, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Peak, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, etc.
How To Reach: The most convenient way to reach Munna is via roadways. Cochin is the nearest airport that lies at a distance of 125 km, while the nearest railway station is Aluva, lying at a distance of 110 km.
4. Yercaud In Tamil Nadu
Yercaud is another cool destination in South India that will give you great scope to experience the coolness of greenery, waterfalls, and the beauty of nature all around during summer. This beautiful hill station is located in Tamil Nadu and is known to be the land of seven forests where you can spend some amazing time enjoying verdant greenery and exploring numerous waterfalls, and caves, roaming around the coffee estates, and visiting the silk farm. You should not forget to watch the Colonial Era survives in architectural masterpieces.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Yercaud Lake, Lady’s Seat, Botanical Garden, Pagoda Point, Shevaroy Temple, Killiyur Falls, Anna Farm, Bear’s Cave, Silk Farm, etc.
How To Reach: The hill station is easily accessible by road. The nearest airport is in Tiruchirapalli which is 165 km away and the nearest railway station is in Salem, lying at a distance of 38 km.
5. Alleppey In Kerala
The Land of Backwaters in Kerala, Alleppey is a well-known cool destination in South India that is one of the best places to visit in Summer. It is known as “India’s Own Venice”.
Surrounded by water, Alleppey is surely going to be one of your favorite destinations in India where you can experience enjoying cruising on the Backwaters on houseboats and also feel pampered and rejuvenated with various Ayurvedic treatments and therapies. Some other things that can be done in Alleppey are visiting hamlets on the backwater, exploring various marvelous architecture by the backwater, and watching different varieties of incredible birds around.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Krishnapuram Palace, Alappuzha Beach, Marari Beach, Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Karunakaran Museum, and Sri Krishna Temple.
How To Reach: At a distance of 53 km away from Alleppey, lies the Kochi Airport, while the city has its own railway station.
6. Varkala In Kerala
Kerala is a wonderful south Indian state that has a lot of cool destinations, and one of those is Varkala. You should visit this place at least once in your lifetime during the summer days. Known for its scenic lakes, less-crowded pristine beaches, and age-old lighthouses, Varkala is surely the place you should visit and explore. There are a lot of resorts where you can stay in this city of Kerala.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Varkala Beach, Bekal Beach, Sivagiri, etc.
How To Reach: The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport and Varkala Shivagiri Railway Station.
7. Coonoor In Tamil Nadu
Coming next on the list of our top 15 cool destinations in South India to visit this summer is Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. This is an incredible hill town that is perched amid the lush greenery of Nilgiri hills. If you want to escape from the summer heat and spend wonderful times in a picturesque cool destination with pleasant weather then you need to visit Coonoor. You can witness Sim’s Park, St. Georges Church, and visit Wellington Golf Course. The best thing that you can do in Coonoor is going trekking to Dolphin’s Nose, Droog Fort, Hidden Valley, etc.
Moreover, you should also try tasting various authentic food in this place.
Famous Tourist Attractions: St. Georges Church, Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose, Hidden Valley, Droog Fort, Ketty, etc.
How To Reach: Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport to Coonoor. The nearest railway station is Coonoor Railway Station, which is a part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
8. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Are you searching for a hill town in South India that is blessed with greenery, waterfalls, and lakes to spend your summer? If yes, then bookmark Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu and plan your summer trip to this amazing cool destination in the southern region of India. You can also visit the most amazing museums and temples in Kodaikanal. The most magical thing that you can experience here is the incredible phenomenon of Brachem Spectre on the scenic Coaker’s Walk. Let your imagination flow and you start imagining yourself with a rainbow halo if the light falls at the right angle.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Kodai Lake, Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Waterfalls, Berijam Lake, Dolmen Circle, Sacred Heart Science Museum, and Kurunji Andavar Temple.
How To Reach: The closest airport and railway station is in Madurai, which lies at a distance of 120 km from Kodaikanal. The hill town in Tamil Nadu is easily accessible by buses, private taxis, etc.
9. Wayanad In Kerala
Wayanad in Kerala is one more great place in South India to visit in the summer. Blessed with scenic beauty, and lots of waterfalls this place is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. You can get a wonderful dream come true here, and that is staying in a cozy treehouse. Some of the best things that can be done here are trekking, camping, hiking, nature walks, and bird watching. You can trek to the Chembra Peak in Wayanad and stop at a heart-shaped lake. You also get a wonderful chance to explore the rich tribal heritage.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Chembra Peak, Wayanad Heritage Museum, Edakkal Cave, Pookode Lake, Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Meenmutty Waterfalls, etc.
How To Reach: The nearest airport and railway station is Kozhikode. From the airport or railway station, you can reach your destination via KSRTC buses, taxis, cabs, or private vehicles.
10. Ponmudi In Kerala
Out of so many popular cool destinations in South India, Ponmudi located in Kerala is an unexplored beauty that should be on your travel list this summer. Settled in the Western Ghats mountain ranges, Ponmudi is known for its amazing diversity of flora and fauna, various springs, and beautiful trails. It is known to be a trekker’s paradise with so many viewpoints and the Agsthyakoodam peak, which is a high peak in the Western Ghats. You can explore the magnificent Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary in Ponmudi. Moreover, if you want then there is a great scope to try opting for Ayurvedic treatments.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Mini Zoo, Golden Valley, Agasthyakoodam, etc.
How To Reach: The nearest airport and railway station is located in Trivandrum, which is at a distance of 58 km from Ponmudi. The hill town can be easily accessed via KSRTC buses, taxis, etc.
11. Araku Valley In Andhra Pradesh
No cool place in South India, especially in Andhra Pradesh can be as beautiful as Araku Valley. This is a picturesque place known to be an amazing destination to visit during the summers. This valley is mostly known for its coffee plantations. “Araku Emerald” is a premium tribal-grown organic coffee brand, which is the first of its type in the country. The place is surrounded by various trekking options. You can get a chance to spend some serene time watching the beautiful waterfalls here.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Talimada Waterfalls, Chaaparai Waterfall, Anantagiri, Araku Tribal Museum, Coffee plantations, and Paadmapuram Botanical Gardens.
How To Reach: The nearest airport is in Vishakhapatnam, which is located approximately 100 km from the destination, while Araku is the closest railway station.
12. Kumarakom In Kerala
Another popular tourist destination in South India which is a great place to visit during the summers is Kumarakom in Kerala. It is the backwater hub of India where you can spend your summer holidays enjoying cruises on a houseboat and witness the lush palm trees. This cool town is settled on the banks of Vembanad Lake and is free from the crowd. You can go bird watching in the Kumarakom bird sanctuary and can visit the local hamlets to know about the local life of Kerala. You can also try out yoga and meditation and also go for relaxing Ayurvedic massages.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Kumarakom Beach, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Juma Masjid, and St. Mary’s Church.
How To Reach: The nearest airport is Cochin Airport, located at a distance of 91 km from Kumarakom, and Kottayam lying at a distance of 19 km is the nearest railway station.
13. Nandi Hills In Karnataka
Nandi Hills in Karnataka is another cool destination in South India and is also a fine tourist destination for people who love to escape from the summer heat. It is one of the most ideal weekend getaways from Bengaluru. You can enjoy the fresh mountain air and pleasant weather in Nandi Hills. Moreover, Nandi Hills offers you a great chance to explore the coffee and pepper plantations. You should visit the famous statue of “Nandi” or the mythological bull, guarding the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple. There are many other historical sites and temples that you can pay a visit to. Some of the popular activities in which you can keep yourself engaged in Nandi Hills are cycling, paragliding, nature walks, etc.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Amrita Sarovar, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Tipu’s Drop, Gandhi House, Nehru Nilaya, Gandhi House, Amrita Sarovar.
How To Reach: Nandi Hills is easily accessible by road from Bangalore, which lies at a distance of 65 km. The nearest airport and railway station is Bangalore.
14. Idukki In Kerala
Idukki in Kerala is another famous cool destination in South India that you can visit in the summer days and enjoy the coolness of scenic hills, murmuring lakes, and richness of wildlife. You can so witness the rubber plantations and tea factories here. This is surely going to give you some peaceful times and experiences of peace and happiness that you would feel great about.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Arch Dam, Kulamavu Dam, Thommankuthu Falls, Painavu, etc.
How To Reach: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport that is approximately 100 km away from Idukki, while the closest railway station is Theni Railway Station, which is at a distance of 98 km.
15. Gokarna In Karnataka
Known for its beaches and ancient temples, Gokarna in Karnataka is a small cool town that should be on the list of your summer travel destinations, especially, if you are looking to visit South India. The beaches in Gokarna is less-crowded and you feel actually peaceful being on the beaches. If you need to relax and get rid of the summer heat then make sure you plan for a trip to Gokarna during the summer and enjoy the pleasant weather.
Famous Tourist Attractions: Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Gokarna Beach, Mahabaleshwara Temple.
How To Reach: Dabolim Airport is the nearest airport, which lies at a distance of 154 km, and the nearest railway station is Ankola Railway Station which is 26 km apart from Gokarna.
Conclusion:
South India is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural richness, and its cool destinations offer a perfect getaway during summer. From the serene hills of Coorg and Ooty to the breathtaking backwaters of Alleppey, the region has something to offer for every type of traveler. With this guide to the top 15 cool destinations in South India, one can plan a memorable summer holiday and indulge in the beauty and serenity of this enchanting region. So, pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable journey to South India this summer.
