South India is a vibrant and culturally rich land, where ancient temples, serene beaches, misty hill stations, and bustling cities await your visit. Whether you are a history buff, an adventure enthusiast, or just seeking a relaxing vacation, South India has something for everyone. With its diverse landscapes and unique cultural heritage, this region is a treasure trove of tourist attractions that are waiting to be explored. So pack your bags, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey as we take you through the 15 top tourist places to visit in South India in 2023.
Best Places to Visit in South India
Grab your sunscreen and your sense of adventure, because we’re about to explore the 15 top tourist places to visit in South India in 2023! From bustling cities to serene beaches and everything in between, this region has got it all. Get ready to feast your eyes on ancient temples, explore hidden gems, and indulge in mouth-watering cuisine. Get ready to be amazed, surprised, and thoroughly entertained!
- Mysore – Karnataka
- Gokarna – Karnataka
- Coorg – Karnataka
- Bangalore – Karnataka
- Alleppey – Kerala
- Kochi – Kerala
- Munnar – Kerala
- Thekkady – Kerala
- Ooty and Coonoor – Tamil Nadu
- Mahabalipuram – Tamil Nadu
- Rameswaram – Tamil Nadu
- Coimbatore – Tamil Nadu
- Araku Valley – Andhra Pradesh
- Tirupati – Andhra Pradesh
- Hyderabad – Telangana
1. Mysore – Karnataka
Mysore, the popular tourist spot in Karnataka is home to one of the most spectacular cultural events in the world, the Mysore Dasara. The annual event sees thousands of people thronging to watch this spectacular display of art and culture. Apart from the Mysore Dasara, this city is also famous for its palaces, temples, and parks. The city features a mixture of history, royalty, and tradition. Mysore Palace is by far the most famous sightseeing attraction in Mysore and it is home to several museums and galleries.
Top Attractions: Mysore Palace, Mysore Zoo, Brindavan Gardens, Chamundeshwari Temple, Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden, Venugopala Swamy Temple, Jaganmohan Palace, Philomena’s Church, Somanathapura Temple, and Karanji Lake.
Nearby City: Bangalore
Best Time to Visit: July to February
2. Gokarna – Karnataka
Located on the west coast of India, Gokarna is a small historical town that is popular for its shore temples and golden beaches. This place attracts numerous tourists from all around the world because of its religious significance and pristine beauty. The most significant site in this town is Sri Kshetra Gokarna, which is the abode of Lord Shiva. Apart from its religious significance, this place is famous for its beaches. The Gokarna Mahabaleshwar beach is well known for its scenic beauty and great atmosphere. It is one of the finest beaches in India. So if you are looking to spend some quiet time by the beach during your South India trip, then make sure to include Gokarna in your itinerary.
Top Attractions: Om Beach, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Half Moon Beach, Kudle Beach, Paradise Beach, Maha Ganapathi Temple, Shiva Cave, Koti Teertha, and Sri Bhadrakali Temple
Nearby City: Goa
Best Time to Visit: October to March
3. Coorg – Karnataka
The Coorg region of Karnataka is a popular tourist destination that has a pleasant climate throughout the year. It offers scenic valleys, beautiful lakes and valleys, and stunning beaches. The region is also known for its cuisine, which is particularly famous because of its spicy take on traditional Indian dishes. If you are planning a vacation to Coorg and want to relax in the peaceful atmosphere of mountains and valleys, then you should include this region in your itinerary.
Top Attractions: Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Tadiandamol Peak, Raja’s Seat, Talacauvery, Namdroling Monastery, Nagarhole National Park, Barapole River, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara Temple, and Gaddige Raja’s Tomb.
Nearby City: Mysore and Bangalore
Best Time to Visit: October to March
4. Bangalore – Karnataka
Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka is a major economic center in India. The city is home to some of the largest IT companies in India, world-class educational institutes, and several landmark attractions. The city has a diverse culture and offers numerous monuments, museums, parks, and gardens that will fascinate you. If you are looking for a dynamic and vibrant city to visit, then Bangalore is the place for you.
Top Attractions: Bangalore Palace, Cubbon Park, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Bannerghatta Biological Park, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Nandi Temple, Dodda Alada Mara, Lumbini Gardens, Bangalore Fort, and Vidhana Soudha.
Nearby City: Mysore
Best Time to Visit: October to February
5. Alleppey – Kerala
The Alappuzha District of Kerala is the best place to visit in South India that offers scenic beaches, rivers, and backwaters. Though the attractions are numerous, the most popular spot in this region is the backwaters of Alappuzha. This place is known for its natural beauty and for being an ideal tourism destination for water sports enthusiasts. If you are looking to enjoy a peaceful vacation along a stunning coastline with beautiful beaches and fresh water, then you should visit Alleppey.
Top Attractions: Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad, Marari Beach, Pathiramanal, Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Punnamada Lake, Krishnapuram Palace, Basilica of St. Mary, Mullakkal Temple, International Coir Museum, and Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum.
Nearby City: Cochi
Best Time to Visit: August for boat races, November to February
6. Kochi – Kerala
Kochi, also known as Cochin is a popular tourist destination in Kerala. The city is famous for its beautiful lakes, monuments, and beaches. The city has several centuries-old churches and temples that will fascinate history enthusiasts. If you are looking to visit a city on the coast that has pristine beaches and lush green gardens then Kochi is the place for you. This is a popular tourist destination for those who want to travel in Kerala but do not like the burning sun of the coastal regions
Top Attractions: Fort Kochi, Cherai Beach, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis CSI Church, Paradesi Synagogue, Hill Palace Museum, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Willingdon Island, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, and Princess Street.
Nearby City: Thiruvananthapuram
Best Time to Visit: October to February
7. Munnar – Kerala
Munnar is a small town in the state of Kerala, located in the Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. It is famous for its tea plantations and scenic hill stations. The region is a popular tourist destination, which is famous for its four tea shops. Munnar is known for its lush green forests, lush greenery, and misty skies. It is a popular tourist destination and one of the best places to visit in May 2023 attracting millions of tourists every year. If you are looking to spend some relaxing time in the lap of nature in Kerala then you should include Munnar in your itinerary.
Top Attractions: Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, Tea Museum, Pothamedu View Point, Attukal Waterfall, Nayamakad Waterfall, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Chokramudi Peak, and Carmelagiri Elephant Park
Nearby City: Cochi.
Best Time to Visit: October to May
8. Thekkady – Kerala
Thekkady is a small town in the Idukki District of Kerala. It is a popular tourist destination because of its lush greenery and beautiful hills. The region is known for its natural beauty and is an ideal place to visit if you want to enjoy nature at its best. The region is also famous for its scenic walks, which attract tourists every year. If you are looking to spend some time in the lap of nature and see the beauty of Kerala then you should include Thekkady in your itinerary.
Top Attractions: Periyar National Park, Tiger Trail, Thekkady Lake, Green Park Ayurvedic & Spices Plantation, Anakkara, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, Chellarkovil Viewpoint, and Pandikuzhi.
Nearby City: Cochi and Madurai
Best Time to Visit: November to March
9. Ooty and Coonoor – Tamil Nadu
Ooty and Coonoor are popular hill stations in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The region is a popular tourist destination, which is known for its beautiful mountain views and lush greenery. The regional passes, historical monuments, and panoramic views will fascinate history enthusiasts. If you are looking for places to visit for 2 days in India to enjoy nature at its best then Ooty and Coonoor are the places for you.
Top Attractions: Government Botanical Garden, Government Rose Garden, The Tea Factory and Tea Museum, St. Stephen’s Church, Thread Garden, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Line, Government Museum, Doddabetta, Ooty Lake, Kamaraj Sagar Dam, Catherine Falls. Dolphin’s Nose, and Deer Park.
Nearby City: Coimbatore. Explore the city of Ooty by booking your bus tickets from Coimbatore to Ooty
Best Time to Visit: October to June
10. Mahabalipuram – Tamil Nadu
Mahabalipuram is located in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The entire district is popular for its beaches, which offer spectacular views of the sea and ocean. The region is a popular tourist destination and famous for its ancient temples. These ancient temples are associated with legends, histories, and myths. If you are looking for a place to visit in Tamil Nadu that has some of the most exquisite and beautiful ancient temples, then Mahabalipuram will fascinate you.
Top Attractions: Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, Descent of the Ganges, Group of Monuments, Krishna’s Butterball, Thirukadalmallai, Mahabalipuram Beach, Ganesha Ratha, India Seashell Museum, Arjuna’s Presence, Mahishasuramardini Mandapa, and Tiger Cave.
Nearby City: Chennai
Best Time to Visit: October to March
11. Rameswaram – Tamil Nadu
Rameswaram is located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The region is famous for its temples, beaches, and natural beauty. The island has a lot of religious significance and is known for being a Hindu pilgrimage center. The temple is famous for the ‘Ramanathaswamy Temple’ and ‘Ramatheertham’. If you are looking to visit an important religious site in Tamil Nadu then Rameswaram will fascinate you.
Top Attractions: Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agni Tirtham, Sri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir & Floating Stones, Rameswaram TV Tower, Adam’s Bridge, Pamban Road Bridge or Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial
Nearby City: Madurai
Best Time to Visit: October to April
12. Coimbatore – Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore is one of the important cities in Tamil Nadu. It is an industrial center and a popular tourist destination. The city is famous for its textile industry, traditional silk saris, and cultural heritage. The region is popular for its four-season weather and its scenic greenery, which attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. If you are looking to spend some time in the lap of nature and enjoy the beauty of Tamil Nadu then Coimbatore is the place for you.
Top Attractions: Marudhamalai, Dhyanalinga, Siruvani Waterfalls, Black Thunder, Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Arulmigu Eachanari Vinayagar Temple, GD Naidu Museum, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Monkey Falls, Koniamman Temple, and Gass Forest Museum.
Nearby City: Kochi. You can book bus tickets from Kochi to Coimbatore here
Best Time to Visit: July to March
13. Araku Valley – Andhra Pradesh
Araku Valley is located in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The entire region is popular for its natural beauty and luscious landscapes. It is a popular tourist destination, which attracts visitors from all over the Telugu states every year. If you are looking to spend some time in the lap of nature and enjoy the beauty of Andhra Pradesh then Araku Valley should be placed at the top of your list.
Top Attractions: Padmapuram Gardens, Borra Caves, Coffee Museum, Ananthagiri Water Falls, Rana Jilleda Water Falls, and Katika Water Falls
Nearby City: Vizag
Best Time to Visit: October to March
14. Tirupati – Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati is located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and is a budget friendly place to visit in South India. The region is popular for its religious importance and natural beauty. The city is famous for its Tirupati Balaji Temple and Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The region is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and religious importance. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD is one of the richest religions as the temples have an enormous amount of wealth, which will fascinate history enthusiasts and art lovers. If you are looking for a place that has some of the finest religious structures, cultural heritage, and natural beauty then Tirupati is the place for you. You can book TSRTC TTD darshan tickets here.
Top Attractions: Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Chandragiri Fort, Kapila Theertham, Natural Arch- Tirumala Hills, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Sri Venkateswara Museum, Srivari Mettu, and Varahaswamy Temple
Nearby City: Bangalore. You can book bus tickets from Bangalore to Tirupathi here
Best Time to Visit: September to February
15. Hyderabad – Telangana
Hyderabad is the capital of Southern India’s Telangana state. The city is famous for being the first capital of the Nizams. The city is known for its historical significance, culture, tourism, and amusement parks. Hyderabad also has some of the finest palaces in India, which will fascinate history enthusiasts. If you are looking for a place to explore the historical sites and enjoy the culture and heritage of Telangana then Hyderabad is the place for you.
Top Attractions: Charminar, Golkonda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar Lake, Chowmahalla Palace, Ramoji Film City, Birla Mandir, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Lumbini Park, Shilparamam, NTR Gardens, Osman Sagar, Necklace Road, and Paigah Tombs.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
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As we come to the end of our journey through the 15 top tourist places to visit in South India in 2023, we hope that you have been inspired to pack your bags and embark on your own adventure. Whether you’re seeking spiritual enlightenment, relaxation, or thrills, South India has something for everyone. From the magnificent temples of Tamil Nadu to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala and the buzzing streets of Bangalore, this region is a traveler’s paradise. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today and get ready to experience the magic of South India for yourself. Trust us, it’s an experience you won’t forget!
