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Best tourist places in south India

by Maureen P. wander

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.