Best tourist places in south India
The Southern part of India holds a treasure of ancient history, spellbinding architectural marvels and the exceptional natural beauty. The Southern part of India consists of five main states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala along with the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. Here’s a list of the most famous tourist places in South India.
Karnataka
Karnataka was originally known as princely state of Mysore, and is well famous for its pristine beaches and rich cultural history. This historical land has seen reigns of many famous rulers like the Maurya, Cholas, Chera, Sathavahanas, Vijay agar, and Hoysala. Kannada is the main language spoken here and has Bengaluru (Bangalore) as its state capital city.
1. Bangalore
The silicon valley of India is the famous IT city of India. Bengaluru is home to many famous temples, gardens, and royal residences. It is a perfect blend of modern infrastructure with traditional values.
Places to See-
- Cubbon Park
- Bangalore Palace
- Lal Bagh
- Bannerghatta National Park
- Tipu Sultan’s summer palace
Best time to visit- October to February
2. Mysore
Often referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is famous for its Mysore Palace, Mysore sarees, and the world famous desert- the Mysore Pak. The city is blessed with architectural marvel of ancient history. It’s a must visit place especially during the Dusherra festival.
Places to See-
- Mysore Palace
- Kabini Dam
- Brindavan Gardens
- Folklore Museum
Best time to visit- It has pleasant climate year round. September to February is the major tourist season.
3. Mangalore
It is the chief port city of Karnataka and very famous with tourists. Mangalore is home to beautiful beaches, temples and parks. It has a pleasant climate and friendly locales that add to the charm of the city.
Places to see-
- Panambur Beach
- Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple
- Mangalore beach
- Kateel
- Pilikula Park and Golf Course
Best time to visit-
4. Hampi
No discussion on important world heritage sites in India can go without the mention of Hampi. The ruins of Hampi are also closely related to the incidents of Ramayana.
Places to see-
- Archaeological Museum
- Monkey Temple ( Hanuman Temple )
- Vijaya Vittala Temple
- Royal Enclosure
- Hampi Bazaar
- Queen's bath
Best time to visit- October to December
5. Coorg
Famously known as ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg beckons your presence for its lush green plantations of coffee, waterfalls, and small cozy cottages. It’s a place that offers absolute tranquility away from the routine life.
Places to see-
- Madikeri Fort
- Abbey falls
- Raja's seat
Nagarhole National Park
- Irruppu falls
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
Andhra Pradesh
The 4th largest state of India is also one of the most ancient places to find its place in the history. Andhra Pradesh has been mentioned in Sanskrit epics like Mahabharata, Brahmana and Aitareya since 800 BC. Due to its rich cultural history, world renowned architectures and rich geographical area, Andhra Pradesh is one of the top visited tourist places in India.
1. Visakhapatnam
One of the largest cities of Andhra, it is beautifully located amidst the hills of the Western Ghats towards Bay of Bengal. It is a paradise for travelers with beautiful beaches, valleys, hills, and modern infrastructure.
Places to see-
- Rishikonda
- Bhimli Beach
- Gangavaram
- Jagdamba center
- Kailasagiri
- Kambalakonda
Ross Hill
Best time to visit- October to March
2. Tirupati
Mostly famous for the world renowned balaji temple, Tirupati witnesses millions of tourists round the year to visit the second richest temple in the world. It is known as the paradise of pilgrims.
Places to see-
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- Talakona Waterfalls
- TTD Gardens
- Deer Park
- Sri Vari Museum
- Sri Govindarajaswami Temple
Best time to visit- November to March
3. Vijayawada
Vijayawada has suddenly gained popularity after being declared as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is an important historical place and home to three important temples of south India.
Places to see-
- Undavalli caves
- Kanak Durga temple
- Bhavani island
- Magalagiri
- Papi hills
- Prakasam Barrage
Best time to visit- October to March
4. Nellore
One of the primary agricultural cities of Andhra Pradesh, Nellore is full of vast paddy fields and is one of the major resources of rice for the country. It is famous for its stunning architectures, temples and the historical wealth.
Places to see-
- Udayagiri Fort
- Venkatagiri Fort
- Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
- Penchalakona
- Jonnawada
- Mypad Beach
- Pulicat Lake
Best time to visit- November to February
5. Chittoor
Situated at the banks of the Ponnai river, Chittoor is another important agricultural; town of India and a very picturesque too. Especially the western areas of Horsley hills are a perfect place to relax and unwind.
Places to see-
- Horsley Hills
- Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kalavagunta
- Gurramkonda Fort
- Nagari Hills
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- Mogili
Ramagiri
Best time to visit- September to February
Tamil Nadu
Earlier known as Tamizahagam, the history of Tamil Nadu goes back 5000+ years. The birthplace of the famous Dravidian culture, Tamil Nadu was ruled by the Pallavas for more than 400 years and the dynasty has left a lasting impression on the state. It has Chennai as its capital which is famous for its beaches, temples and churches.
1. Coimbatore
Also known as Kovai, Coimbatore is a wonderful city of Tamil Nadu attracting many tourists every year. With a pleasant climate throughout the year, it is full of tourists all year round.
Places to see-
- Dhyanlinga
- Marudamalai
- Black Thunder
- Siruvani waterfalls
- Indira Gandhi wildlife Sanctuary
- Amravati Dam
Best time to visit- Throughout the year
2. Kodiakanal
Kodaikanal is a picturesque city in the hills surrounded with dense forests all around. The city offers many tourist attractions for friends, family and adventure enthusiasts.
Places to see-
- Kodaikanal lake
- Berijam lake
- Bear Shola falls
- Pillar Rocks
- Palini Hills
- Solar Observatory
Best time to visit- April to June and August to September
3. Ooty
One of the major hill stations of India, Udhagamandalam or Ooty is loved by tourists for its superb weather and majestic natural surroundings. It is the favorite getaway for people of neighboring cities like Bangalore and Mysore.
Places to see-
- Ooty lake
- Doddabetta
- Nilgiri Mountain railway
- Avalanche lake
- Emerald lake
- Stone house
- Kamaraj Sagar dam
Best time to visit- May to June and December to February
4. Kanyakumari
Earlier known as Cape Comorin, Kanyakumari is the name derived from a famous Devi Kanyakumari temple. It is famous for its beaches and these are also the only unique beaches of the world to experience both sunrise and sunsets.
Places to see-
- Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Thiruvalluvar statue
- Thanumalayan temple
- Padmanabhapur palace
- Vattakottai Fort
- Muttom Beach
Best time to visit- September to March
5. Madurai
One of the oldest inhabited cities of the world, the ancient temples of Madurai are the major tourist attractions. The city is illuminated during festivals and is a must visit during this time.
Places to see-
- Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple
- Gandhi Museum
- Samanar Hills
- Koodal Azhagar Temple
- Pazhamudhir Solai
Best time to visit- September to February
Telangana
The newly christened state of India, Telangana has 10 districts with all major towns including the earlier capital city of Andhra Pradesh- Hyderabad. The state is still in its nascent stage and with the help of flourishing tourism; it is gaining tourist popularity pretty fast.
1. Hyderabad
The capital city of Telangana, Hyderabad is also fondly called as the city of Nizams. It is famous for its historical monuments and infrastructural facilities.
Places to see-
- Ramjet Film city
- Charminar
- Golconda Fort
- Laad Bazaar
- Taramati Baradari
- Birla Mandir
Best time to visit- October to February
2. Nalagonda
With influence from various dynasties that have ruled over hundreds of years, Nalgonda has become an important historical place. It is a perfect vacation place if you want a good blend of history and adventure.
Places to see-
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- Yadagiri Gutta Temple
- Kulpakji
Yadagirigutta Temple
- Kunda Satyanasrayana Kala Dhamam - Mythological Museum
- Phangiri Buddhist Site
Best time to visit- October to March
3. Nizamabad
Nizamabad is mostly famous for its forts, temples and celebration of popular festivals like Rathasaptami, Janda and Neelkantheshwara festivals. It is also the commercial marketing center of Telangana.
Places to see-
- Sarangpur Hanuman Temple
- Ali Sagar Reservoir
- Sri Neelakanteshwara Shrine
- Quilla Temple
- Sri Dattashram
- Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
Best time to visit- October to March
4. Medak
Lying northwest, Medakk however, is a small town but is abundantly blessed with impressive temples, mosques and churches that speak volumes about the history behind it. It is full of rich flora-fauna and scenic surroundings.
Places to see-
- Medak Cathedral
- Pocharam Reservoir
- Medak Church
- Laxmi Narasimha Swami temple
- Sri Venugopal Swamy temple
Best time to visit- December to February
Kerala
One of the most famous tourist places in South India, Kerala is famous for its sprawling backwaters across the world. Forts, palaces, beaches, hills, monuments, museums, wildlife, waterfalls and pilgrimage places are all in abundance in Kerala. With 100% literacy rate, Kerala is India’s most advanced society. It is also India’s cleanest state with highest life expectancy rate.
1. Kumarakom
Very famous for its backwater rides in houseboats, Kumarakom is a hot favorite tourist spot of Kerala. It also has the Vembanand Lake, the longest lake of Kerala.
Places to see-
- Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
- Pathiramanal
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Best time to visit- November to February
2. Alleppey
Alleppey is a happy and treasured home to classic literary and art works of 1st and 2nd century. This charming city is known to have great trade relations in middle ages with Rome and Greece.
Places to see-
- Alleppey Beach
- Krishnapuram Palace
- Backwaters
- Ambalapuzha Temple
Best time to visit- June to September, November to February
3. Munnar
It’s the perfect place to go for honeymoon, family and fun outings with friends. The city is covered with lush green plantations, mountains with clouds descending over them. This place is particularly picturesque during monsoons.
Places to see-
- Attukal Waterfalls
- Devikulam
- Rajmala
- Floriculture Centre
- Chithirapuram
- Muniyara Dolmens
Best time to visit- All year round
4. Wayanand
Offering abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, Wayanand gives you a pleasurable experience with greenery, lakes, mountains and valleys all over. Come here to relax and enjoy a laid back vacation.
Places to see-
- Chembra Peak
- Neelimala
- Meenmutty waterfalls
- Chethalayam
- Pakshipathalam
Best time to visit- November to February
5. Thekkady
Giving you the best of nature walks, sprawling plantations, relaxing massages, and wildlife, Thekkady has everything you need for a perfect vacation. Surrounded by lush green forests from all sides, it is a beautiful and loved tourist place of Kerala.
Places to see-
- The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Spring Valley Mountain
- Pandikuzhi
- Vandiperiyar
- Chellarkovil
- Panchalimedu
- Mangala Devi Temple
Best time to visit- November to February
South India has so many jewels, that it becomes difficult to select some from the exotic bouquet of mesmerizing places. Each state is classic example of India’s rich cultural heritage. Visiting south India states of India is truly enriching.
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