10 Most Popular Summer Holiday Destinations in SouthIndia

Blazing sun, scorching heat, humid climate and enormous sweating, Indian summer is just around the corner and is the most favorite time for Indians to travel around the corner of the country because of the holiday season for children and is an opportunity to escape from the heat. South India is well known as the land of beautiful hill stations. During summer, the hill stations of South India provide a welcome respite from the scorching heat in the plains. Trawell.in presents the 11 best summer destinations in South India based on their popularity, quality of sightseeing options, ease of access and accommodation options.

Munnar, Kerala

Munnar is a charming hill station in Idukki district of Kerala and one of the most popular places to visit in South India. Also called as the Swiss of South India, Munnar was once the summer resort of the British Governors of South India and also one of the top places to experience Kerala Tourism. It is known for its tea gardens, lakes, waterfalls and beautiful landscape. The weather in Munnar is pleasant during summer and good for sight-seeing. Anamudi Peak, Mattupetty Dam, Echo point, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Devikulam, Nyayamkad Falls, Eravikulam Park and Attukal Waterfalls are the top attractions of Munnar.

Ooty, Tamilnadu

Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is one of the best hill stations in India. Often referred as ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, Ooty was served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, and much visited by British during the colonial days. Its rolling green hills and pleasant weather make it an ideal summer destination in South India. Ooty is also one of the best hill resorts around Bangalore and also one of the top places to represent Tamilnadu Tourism. Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Wenlock Downs, Pine Forest, Doddabetta Peak, Emerald Lake, Pykara Dam & Falls, Avalanche Lake are the top places to visit in Ooty.

Coorg, Karnataka

Coorg is a fascinating hill station located in the mesmerizing Western Ghats of Karnataka. Also known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is the largest producer of Coffee in India and also one of the top hill stations near Mysore. Picturesque beauty, tranquility, strong aroma of coffee plantations and salubrious weather makes Coorg one of the top summer getaways in South India. Raja’s seat, Abbey Falls, Irupu Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, Golden Temple at Bylakuppe, Talacauvery and Dubare the major attractions in Coorg.

Wayanad, Kerala

Wayanad is a picturesque hill resort nested amidst the mountains of the Western Ghats on the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka States. It is one of the cheapest hill stations in India and also one of the top places to visit in Kerala. Wayanad has a pleasant weather throughout the year and is one of the popular summer places to visit in South India. Meenmutty Falls, Soochipara Falls,Pookote Lake, Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri, Chembra Peak, Lakkidi and Edakkal Caves are the prime places of sightseeing in Wayanad.

Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu

Kodaikanal, often referred as the ‘Princess of Hill stations', is a beautiful hill station situated on the southern tip of upper Palani hills in Tamilnadu. Featuring unspoiled natural beauty, cascading waterfalls, glimmering lake and cool weather, Kodai is one of the best places to visit in South India during summer. Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade and Pillar Rocks are the famous toutist attractions in Kodaikanal.

Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Araku Valley or Araku is a scenic hill station in the Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Located on the Eastern Ghats, Araku is a perfect tourist destination with pleasant climate, lush greenery, waterfalls and streams. It is well known for its valleys & coffee plantations. Araku is the most popular hill station in Andhra and also regarded as one of the least expensive summer getaways in India. Borra caves, Anantagiri Hills, Tyda Nature Camp, Katiki Falls, Chaaparaayi, Tribal Museum and Padmapuram Gardens are the top places Araku attractions.

Yercaud, Tamilnadu

Yercaud is a small hill station in the Shevaroy hills of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. Sir Thomas Munroe, erstwhile governor of Madras Presidency in 1842 developed this place. The place is covered with the lakes, waterfalls, parks and many colonial buildings. Best places to visit in Yercaud are Emerald Lake, Anna Park, Lady’s Seat, Shevaroy Temple, Small Lake, Bear’s Point, Pagoda Point, Killiyur Falls and Botanical Garden. The weather of Yercaud is pleasant during summer never exceeds 30 degrees.

Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Chikmagalur is situated at the foothills of Mulliyangiri range in the state of Karnataka. Chikmagalur is famous for its pleasant atmosphere, lush green forests and tall mountains. Often called as ‘the coffee land of Karnataka’, this is the place where coffee was cultivated for the first time in India. Hirekolale Lake, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Amruthapura, Baba Budangiri, Mulliyangiri, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kemmangundi and Manikyadhara Falls are the popular tourist places in Chikmagalur.

Coonoor, Tamilnadu

Coonoor is an idyllic hill station situated in Nigiris at an altitude of 1,858 m above the sea level. After Ooty, Coonoor is the second popular hill station in the Nilgiri region. Coonoor is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Tamilnadu and is known for its production of Nilgiri tea.Velvet lawns, exotic flora and the cool mountain breeze of Coonoor attract visitors in large numbers. Sim’s Park, Lambs Rock, Dolphins Nose and Law’s fall are the top attractions of Coonoor.

Yelagiri Hills, Tamilnadu

Located at an altitude of 4,626 feet, Yealagiri is a beautiful hill station in Vellore district of Tamilnadu. This is the considered as the best hill station close to Bangalore & Chennai. Yelagiri is a cluster of 14 hamlets lie between four mountains. It is surrounded by green forests and wonderful mountain slopes. Yelagiri is also one of the popular places for trekkers due several trekking trails. Swamimalai Hill, Javadi Hills, Palamathi Hills, Punganur Lake, Velavan Temple & Jalagamparai falls are the top attractions in Yelagiri.

Our goal is to help our visitors plan their trips better with detailed travel guide, best itineraries, weekend getaways from major cities and ability to explore destinations around their city or close to their driving route. For summer destinations, we recommend Ooty, Coorg,Kodaikanal or Wayanad.

He is an travel blogger by passion. He is also a travel and food lover.