South India offers travellers a stunning mix of attractions, from beautiful beaches, backwaters, temples and palaces to timeless tradition and modern cities. Each of the four major southern states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu – has unique things to see and do.
Getting there
South India is well connected by flights from different parts of the world. There are international airports at Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi and Trivandrum. In addition, some of the smaller cities have domestic airports with connections to other cities in India.
Places to see
Andhra Pradesh – Hyderabad, the capital, was once a city of the Mughal emperors. It has several monuments, mosques and tombs built in the Islamic architectural style. Vijayawada is a port city with many temples. It is also close to the Buddhist center, Amravati. Vishakhapatnam, by the coast, is known for its beaches. Besides this, the Lord Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati in the Tirumala hills is a major Hindu pilgrimage center in India.
Karnataka – Bangalore, the capital, is a cosmopolitan city that is known for its pubs and restaurants. In contrast, its neighbor Mysore has an air of a royal capital with its beautiful palaces, temples and gardens that were built by the Wodeyar Kings, who ruled over the state before independence. Karnataka also has some exquisite ancient temples at Hampi, Badami, Belur and Halebid, besides lovely beaches along the Konkan coast, coffee plantations in Chikmagalur and Coorg, and National Parks at Bandipur and Nagarhole near the Western Ghats.
Kerala – God’s Own Country, as the state is popularly known, is famous for its backwaters, beaches and greenery. The capital, Thiruvananthapuram, has beaches, palaces and temples. Kochi is known for its colonial architecture. A cruise on a house boat on the backwaters and lakes near Alleppey, Kollam and Kottayam is a must-do on most tourist itineraries.
Tamil Nadu – Chennai, the capital, is one of India’s four major metropolises. It is known for its colonial architecture and beaches. The city is a gateway to the architecturally splendid temples in nearby towns and cities such as Madurai, Thanjavur, Rameswaram and Trichy. The state also has beautiful hill stations at Ooty and Kodaikanal.
Best time to visit
Most of South India has typically tropical weather, except on the hills of the Western Ghats. The best time to visit the plains is between October and March, just after the monsoons and before summer begins.
