Best Tourist Places to Visit in South India this 2024
Posted by
Digvijay Singh
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Travellers are enthralled by South India’s culture, traditional values, shimmering beaches, and picturesque scenery. One can see the abundance of unusual flora and wildlife because the eastern and western ghats are the region’s lush protectors.
From the backwaters of Alleppey to the vast plantations of Munnar, the lovely temple cities of Odisha, and the historic towns of Madurai and Thanjavur, several getaways in South India are worth exploring. Here, we’ve included South India’s top tourist destinations for sightseeing and thrilling excursions.
On the southernmost point of Pamban Island, a village called Dhanushkodi was devastated by a storm in 1964. Formerly a town in Rameshwaram with all the amenities, Dhanushkodi is now just a sandy stretch of coastline bordered by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama and his fellow allies built Adam’s Bridge, also known as Dhanushkodi Ram Setu.
How to get there
By air: At about 167 kilometres, Madurai Airport is the closest airport to Dhanushkodi. Booking or ordering a taxi, bus, or cab is simple: go where you’re going.
By train: Dhanushkodi is around 18 km away from Rameshwaram railway station. You can board a train.
St. Mary Island
Only 6 kilometres separate, St. Mary Island, a lesser-known tourist destination in South India, from the coast of Karnataka, is a grouping of the islands Darya Bahadurgarh Island, North Island, South Island, and Coconut Island. When Madagascar was still a part of India 88 million years ago, sub-volcanic and subaerial action created St. Mary. Visitors visit the island for its white sand beaches, exotic wildlife, and rock monoliths. Crystalline basalt rock formations and spectacular views of the setting sun will also make for an unforgettable experience.
How to get there
By Ferry: The island is accessible by ferry services and is 6.4 kilometres from the coast.
By air: Mangalore, which is 58 kilometres from Malpe, has the closest airport. Malpe may be reached by frequent buses and taxis.
By rail: Udupi, 4 km from Malpe, is the station closest to the city.
Kodaikanal
The picturesque city of Kodaikanal is in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The “Princess of Hill Stations,” Kodaikanal, is the ideal escape for city residents. Kodaikanal offers various activities like hiking, birdwatching, and the region’s fascinating sights. If you want to explore the best of the area, go to sites like Silver Cascade Falls, Thalaiyar Falls, Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Green Valley View, Dolphin’s Nose, Berijam Lake, Pambar Falls, and more. When visiting Kodaikanal, undoubtedly one of the most stunning places in South India, get ready to enjoy nature at its best.
How to get there
By air: At about 120 kilometres, Kodaikanal’s closest airport is Madurai.
By rail: The closest railhead to Kodaikanal is the Kodai railway station, which is halfway between Dindigul and Madurai.
Wayanad
Wayanad provides all you need to make your journey memorable with its mesmerizing waterfalls, stunning caves, abundant spice plantations, and many other similar attractions. Going to areas like Chembra Peak, Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves, Kuruva Island, Pookode Lake, and Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, you may get closer to nature. Additionally, you may include trekking, hiking, bamboo rafting, and shopping among the top things to do in Wayanad on your agenda.
How to get there
By air: The closest airport, Kozhikode International Airport (CCJ), is 98.0 kilometres from the location.
By rail: The closest station to Wayanad is Kozhikode Railway Station, approximately 86.3 kilometres away.
Gokarna
On Karnataka’s western coast, the little temple town of Gokarna is an ideal location. Lovely beaches and lush flora encircle it. Gokarna is the perfect place to go if you want to get some peace. Gokarna, well-known for the Mahabaleshwar and Maha Ganapati Temples, is a good option for those who wish to visit holy places. Go to Half Moon Beach, Gokarna Main Beach, or Om Beach for the best beach experience.
How to get there
By air: Dabolim Airport in Goa is the closest airport, about a 3-hour away.
By rail: The closest rail station is Gokarna Road, around 20 kilometres away.
Thekkady
You may satisfy your inner adventurer in Thekkady, a plantation town on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The area, regarded as one of Kerala’s top tourist destinations, is well renowned for its dense forests, fascinating wildlife, and savanna grasslands, all of which year-round lure people. When planning a trip here, be prepared to participate in activities like boating, bamboo rafting, trekking, nighttime forest patrol, and other things. Go shopping for some authentic spices at the town’s spice plantations. Additionally, it’s only a kilometre from Periyar National Park, where you may embark on a forest safari.
How to get there
By air: The closest airport is in Madurai, about 151 kilometres away.
By train: Kottayam Railway Station, located 114 kilometres from Thekkady, is the closest station.
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A passionate travel, food, and electric vehicles – EVs (primarily Electric Cars, Cabs, and Electric Buses) enthusiast, I immerse myself in experiences that celebrate the rich cultural and culinary heritage of India. As a self-taught explorer, I creatively blend indigenous aesthetics within the travel and tourism industry, promoting local biodiversity while sharing incredible stories from across the nation.
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