Top 9 Places To Visit In South India In 2025

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With a treasure trove of rich heritage, colorful festivals, vivid landscapes, refreshing nature, and ancient architecture, the best places to visit in South India paint a tapestry of delightful experiences for their visitors. From Hampi’s temples, Pondicherry’s beaches, Ooty’s tea estates, to Alleppey’s backwaters, South India has an assortment of distinguished tourist destinations that never disappoint!

Best places to visit in South India-Top 10 List

South India is a treasure trove of cultural richness, breathtaking landscapes, and historical marvels, making it one of the best travel destinations in India. If you’re planning your next getaway, here are some must-visit places that will leave you spellbound.

Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are home to a remarkable diversity of places that cater to every kind of tourist, be it a family traveling with kids, a newlywed couple, a group of adventure seekers, or a solo backpacker.

Each of these destinations showcases South India’s unique charm and diversity. So pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable journey through this vibrant region!

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We’ve taken the liberty of listing the best ones for you!

If you’re seeking an unforgettable travel experience in India, you must include the following South India tourist places on your list.

1. Mysore, Karnataka

The home of the iconic Mysore Palace and India’s oldest zoo – Sri Chamarajendra Park!

Also called the ‘City of Palaces’, Mysore is among the best places to visit in South India in summer.

It’s known for its royal heritage steeped in history, grand palaces that are just as vivid on the inside as they are outside, as well as its festivals that are a riot of colors, laughter, and thrill.

Visitors are always left speechless by its grand Dussehra processions, cultural dance and music shows, colonial-era buildings, art galleries, handicraft bazaars, as well as the Indo-Saracenic architecture of its royal Mysore Palace!

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The melodious Carnatic music, spicy street food, Mysore Silk sarees, sandalwood products, and the melt-in-the-mouth bites of Mysore Pak always manage to take your breath away!

Best time to visit: October to March
Attractions: Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, Chamundeshwari Temple, Brindavan Gardens, St. Philomena’s Cathedral, Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery, Karanji Lake
Activities: Heritage walks, sightseeing, shopping, street food
Nearest airport: Mysore
Nearest railway station: Mysore

 

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2. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Toy train rides through hills, lakes, and tea estates!

Officially Udhagamandalam, Ooty is the erstwhile summer capital of the British and currently one of the best hill stations in South India and one of the best places to visit in South India in May and summer season !

Ooty oozes British colonial-era charm that is reflected heavily in its architecture, churches, restaurants, cafes, and hotels, giving travelers a feeling of holidaying in the European countryside!

Its pleasingly cool climate, year-round fresh mountain breeze, undulating grasslands, misty hills, and sprawling tea plantations stretching into the horizon have landed it in every traveler’s bucket list.

People come from far and wide to taste its delicious tea, visit the Tea Factory, tour its vivid Botanical Garden drenched in a kaleidoscope of colors, and ride the thrilling Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

Best time to visit: October to June
Attractions: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, Emerald Lake, Pykara Falls, Tea Factory, St. Stephen’s Church, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Activities: Nilgiri Mountain Railway, plantations tours, nature walks, trekking, mountain climbing, boating, wildlife sighting, tea factory tours
Nearest airport: Coimbatore
Nearest railway station: Udhagamandalam (Ooty)

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3. Alleppey, Kerala

The Venice of the East flaunting a culture-rich experience of palm-fringed canals and dreamy houseboats

Loved by Indian and foreign travelers alike, Alleppey is one of the best places to visit in South India in Winter courtesy of its jade backwaters, rustic villages, ancient churches, and scenic network of canals and rivulets dominated by luxurious houseboats offering day tours and overnight cruises.

Alleppey is a melting pot of culture whose tranquil surroundings and silken backwaters lure travelers in droves!

When people aren’t cruising houseboats, they like to explore hidden villages on canoes, relish seafood, taste local liquor at toddy shops, get an Ayurvedic massage, ride bicycles through Kuttanad’s paddy fields, and visit colonial-era churches and temples.

If you visit during the Onam festival, you’ll get to witness the exciting Nehru Trophy Boat Race, one of the most popular festivals in Kerala!

Best time to visit: October to March
Attractions: Alappuzha Beach, Marari Beach, Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal Island, Krishnapuram Palace, Ambalappuzha Temple, St. Mary’s Forane Church
Activities: Houseboat cruising, canoeing, shikara rides, village tours, fishing, cycling, shopping, Ayurvedic spa
Nearest airport: Trivandrum
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha

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4. Coorg, Karnataka

A secluded hill town bathed in the delicious aroma of coffee, cardamom, and homemade chocolates!

Coorg is often called the ‘Scotland of India’, and rightly so! It’s a rather offbeat hill station in Karnataka with pristine lush foliage, a year-round cool mountain breeze, and scenic plantations of spices and coffee spanning over 30,000 hectares!

Coorg, in the Western Ghats, promises infinite adventures ranging from trekking, wildlife sighting, camping, river rafting, jeep safari, ziplining, and more. It’s among the best places to visit in South India for utmost peace and endless thrill!

Coorg is defined by its lush natural beauty, the refreshing Abbey Falls, insightful coffee-making tours, cultural festivals like Puthari, wildlife sanctuaries, Kodava’s rich tribal traditions, and the chocolate-making legacy of local families. Coorg is always cool and is among most popular places to visit in South India in August.

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Add to it a spicy bowl of Pandi Curry, Coorg’s most famous delicacy, and you have yourself one of the top South India holiday destinations!

Best time to visit: November to March
Attractions: Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, Dubare Elephant Camp, Madikeri Fort, Namdroling Monastery, Iruppu Falls, Talakaveri, Nagarhole National Park
Activities: Plantation tours, coffee factory tours, trekking, wildlife safaris, camping, river rafting, cycling, birdwatching
Nearest airport: Mysore
Nearest railway station: Mysore

5. Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

A Char Dham holy city accessible only by a 3 km long bridge over the sea!

One of the holiest Indian cities, Rameswaram holds deep spiritual value as per Hindu mythology. It is believed to be where Lord Rama and his Vanar Sena built a bridge all the way to Sri Lanka!

Located on Pamban Island, it is one of the prestigious Char Dhams in India. The town’s popular Ramanathaswamy Temple is among the 12 Jyotirlingas spread across important spiritual cities in India.

Other than religious eminence, Rameswaram also attracts tourists with its peculiar beaches, the remnants of the Rama Setu Bridge, and the Pamban Bridge, one of the longest sea bridges in India with a road and train track running parallel to each other!

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The sacred baths of Agnitheertham, the serenity of the Dhanushkodi Beach, and the lit evening aartis of Ramanathaswamy Temple are unmissable aspects of a trip to Rameswaram, one of the best places to visit in South India!

Best time to visit: November to February
Attractions: Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham, Dhanushkodi Beach, Pamban Bridge, Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Abdul Kalam Memorial, Water Bird Sanctuary
Activities: Temple visits, evening aarti, glass bottom boating, Pamban Bridge drive, diving, snorkeling, relaxing on beaches
Nearest airport: Madurai
Nearest railway station: Rameswaram

6. Hyderabad, Telangana

Royal history, Persian architecture, and spicy Hyderabadi Biryani!

Famously known as the ‘Pearl City’, Hyderabad is the perfect balance of Mughal history with modern tech-savvy culture and ancient royal architecture with impressive skyscrapers!

With a variety of historical monuments, gardens, parks, lakes, heritage resorts, and cuisine to die for, Hyderabad is among the most captivating tourist places in South India!

Founded in 1591, this ancient royal city is loved for the magnificent architecture of the 16th-century Charminar, the legendary halls of the Golconda Fort that once housed the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and the artsy handicrafts and delicious Mughlai food of Laad Bazaar.

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Other than tasty Biryani, Haleem, and Kebabs, Hyderabad also lets visitors taste the rich heritage and Persian architecture of Chowmahalla Palace, the excitement of Ramoji Film City, and the serenity of boating in Hussain Sagar Lake!

Best time to visit: October to February
Attractions: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Chowmahalla Palace, Ramoji Film City, Hussain Sagar Lake, Laad Bazaar, Nehru Zoological Park, Salar Jung Museum
Activities: Heritage tours, sightseeing, culinary experiences, boating, kayaking, shopping
Nearest airport: Hyderabad
Nearest railway station: Hyderabad

7. Hampi, Karnataka

The hauntingly beautiful ruins of the 14th century Vijayanagara Empire!

Hampi is a historical UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its mystical ruins, archaic temples, grand bazaars, intricately carved monuments, and thrilling coracle rides in Tungabhadra’s turquoise pools!

Everything from the Stone Chariot and “musical pillars” of Vittala Temple to the tall ‘gopurams’ and detailed murals of Virupaksha Temple, graceful arches and lotus patterns of Lotus Mahal, vivid scenes of the Ramayana in Hazara Rama Temple, and the opulent arched windows and massive pools of the Queen’s Bath blow their minds!

Its archeological marvels covering an area of 26 sq km are the remnants of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 AD) that stand as a reminder of the expert masonry of one of the largest medieval urban settlements in the world!

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The backdrop of Hampi’s rugged granite boulders, undulating hills, paddy fields, palm groves, golden sunsets, and the winding Tungabhadra River further adds to the charm of these antiquated ruins!

Best time to visit: October to February
Attractions: Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Matanga Hill, Queen’s Bath, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Sanapur Lake, Anjaneya Hill
Activities: Temple tours, heritage walks, coracle rides, cycling, trekking, fishing, boating, cliff jumping, rock climbing, shopping
Nearest airport: Hubli; Vidyanagar
Nearest railway station: Hospet

8. Kochi, Kerala

A vibrant mix of colonial history, diverse cultural influences, popular beaches, and scenic backwaters.

Popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi, or Cochin, is a historic port city on Kerala’s Malabar Coast. What was once the trading center of the Dutch, Portuguese, and British for over 600 years now serves as the industrial and commercial capital of Kerala!

It is one of the best places to visit in South India and offers guests the best experiences of its backwaters, beaches, colonial architecture, historical monuments, shopping centers, restaurants, and state-of-the-art museums.

It’s the perfect balance of history and modernism with its ancient Fort Kochi, Jew Town, and European-style buildings on one hand and the city’s modern shopping malls, lavish restaurants, and heritage hotels on the other.

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Everything from its old churches, holy temples, dazzling nightlife, contemporary art exhibitions, cultural centers, and quirky attractions like the famous Chinese Fishing Nets lure in travelers from far and wide.

Best time to visit Kochi: October to February
Attractions: Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Kerala Folklore Museum, Fort Kochi, Jew Town, Santa Cruz Basilica, Willingdon Island
Activities: Beach hopping, heritage walks, backwater cruising, shopping, food scene, nightlife, cultural dance shows
Nearest airport: Kochi
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam

9. Pondicherry

India’s very own French town with golden beaches, artsy cafes, French food, and European architecture!

Also called Puducherry, this Union Territory located in the confines of Tamil Nadu makes for a charming coastal town where you can experience a youthful blend of French colonial heritage with ethnic Indian culture.

It’s among the most attractive South India tourist places with its pastel-colored buildings, golden beaches, quaint souvenir shops, flea markets, spiritual retreats, and French-style cafes set in suave tree-lined boulevards.

It has two of the most unique beaches – Promenade and Paradise. While the former is a clean rock beach running parallel to the posh White Town, the latter is a golden beauty offering exciting experiences like sunbathing, beach shacks, fresh seafood, and backwater boating!

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One must also visit Auroville, an international township dedicated to sustainable living with spiritual retreats, workshops on healthy living, eco-friendly homestays, hippie cafes, a shopping complex, and the stunning Matrimandir!

Best time to visit Kochi: October to March
Attractions: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Promenade Beach, Auroville, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, White Town, Paradise Beach, Serenity Beach, Old Lighthouse
Activities: Sightseeing, beach hopping, backwater cruising, boating, yachting, diving, cafe hopping, shopping, nightlife
Nearest airport: Pondicherry
Nearest railway station: Pondicherry

Which of these places will you visit first? Regardless of what you pick, we can bet you’ll end up having the most memorable travel experience in these amazing places to visit in South India!