South India is home to the country’s most breathtaking stretches of coastline.
Kerala Cliff-framed Varkala, up-and-coming Marari, and secluded, palm-fringed Thottada and Bekal are absolute visions.
Goa Despite the crowds, Goa’s beaches still shine: Cola, Agonda, Palolem and Mandrem are among the prettiest.
Andaman Islands Pristine tropical beaches far away from everything on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and Little Andaman.
Mumbai Hit Chowpatty Beach for local bhelpuri, people-watching and blazing-pink sunsets.
Maharashtra The Konkan Coast’s sun-soaked sands are less crowded than those of its neighbours, especially around Ganpatipule.
Kovalam (Covelong) A beachy surf, yoga and water-sports scene near Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu.
Nowhere does grand temples like the subcontinent. From Tamil Nadu’s psychedelic Hindu towers to the faded splendour of the Buddhist caves of Ajanta and Ellora, the range is as vast as it is sublime.
Hampi Mighty Vijayanagar’s rosy-hued temples and crumbling palaces are strewn among otherworldly boulders and hills.
Meenakshi Amman Temple Fantastical structure that soars skyward in riotous rainbows of sculpted deities in Madurai (Tamil Nadu).
Thanjavur (Tanjore) The greatest heights of Chola (and Tamil) temple architecture.
Ajanta Magnificent, Unesco-listed Maharashtrian rock-cut temples, revered for their spiritual significance and architectural prowess.
Ellora Five centuries of extraordinary rock-cut temples chiselled by generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks in Maharashtra.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) Exquisite medieval relief carvings, sculpted by Pallava artisans, and rock-cut temples dot this seaside Tamil town.
South India’s history is a uniquely colourful tapestry of wrangling dynasties interwoven with influxes of seafaring traders. Their legacy lives on in a remarkable collection of palaces and forts.
Mysuru Palace A spectacular royal confection of rare artworks, stained glass, mosaics and beautifully carved wood.
Daulatabad Fort A magnificent Maharashtrian hilltop fortress constructed by Yadava kings throughout the 12th century.
Hyderabad Golconda Fort complements the opulent palaces and ethereal royal tombs of the city of pearls.
Janjira A remarkably preserved island fortress built off the Konkan Coast in 1571.
Bidar Fort So weathered and peaceful, it’s shocking that this marvellous 15th-century complex once commanded a powerful sultanate.
Gingee Fort Choose from three ruined citadels on the Tamil Nadu plains.
The art of well-being has long been ardently cultivated in the south. Numerous courses and treatments strive to heal mind, body and spirit, with meditation and yoga especially abundant.
Mysuru Home of ashtanga yoga; one of India’s most popular places to practise and get certified.
Goa Yoga, meditation and other spiritual-health pursuits are taught and practised chiefly between October and April.
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram Well-known and highly regarded yoga courses, yoga therapy and intensive teacher training in Chennai.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram Yoga courses at Kerala’s respected ashram. Kerala, Kovalam, Varkala and Kochi have popular classes, too.
Vipassana International Academy Intensive meditation courses at one of the world’s largest vipassana meditation centres, in Igatpuri, Maharashtra.
Gokarna Drop-in classes in a wonderful, natural beachy environment.
Isha Yoga Center Yoga courses and meditation at a renowned ashram near Coimbatore.
International Centre for Yoga Education & Research Yoga training at an established Puducherry (Pondicherry) school.
South India offers plenty of opportunities to search for wild things in wild places.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Remote, beautiful, unspoilt Keralan sanctuary with good chances of spotting wild elephants.
Nagarhole National Park Little-visited Karnataka park good for elephant sightings and – if you’re lucky! – a tiger or two.
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Top Indian tiger territory, plus gaurs, chital deer, nilgai antelope, sloth bears and leopards.
Periyar Tiger Reserve Popular Keralan sanctuary with gaurs, sambar deer, around 2000 elephants and a few tigers.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu’s favourite wildlife spot: deer, gaurs, wild boars, langurs, wild elephants and a good number of (elusive) tigers.
Bandipur National Park Another much-loved Karnataka reserve.
Megamalls may be popping up like monsoon frogs in southern cities, but the traditional outdoor bazaars – their tangled lanes lined with everything from freshly ground spices and floral garlands to kitchen utensils and colourful saris – can’t be beat.
Goa Anjuna and Baga flea markets mesmerise; Margao, Mapusa and Panaji (Panjim) bazaars make for atmospheric wandering.
Mumbai Wonderful old markets are conveniently themed: Mangaldas (fabric), Zaveri (jewellery), Crawford (food) and Chor (antiques).
Mysuru (Mysore) The centuries-old Devaraja Market is filled with millions of flowers, fruits and spices.
Hyderabad Historic Charminar-area bazaars hawk everything from pearls and lac bangles to livestock and wedding outfits.
Chennai George Town’s frenzied bazaar streets each flog their own particular products, from paper to jewellery.
It’s true that most Indians live in villages, but the southern cities have vibrant arts scenes, terrific multi-cuisine restaurants and oodles of style.
Mumbai Fashion, film, art, dining, nightlife against a backdrop of fanciful architecture and scenic water views.
Hyderabad The architecture of bygone dynasties sits across town from a refined food, nightlife and arts scene.
Bengaluru (Bangalore) Liberal and modern IT industry nucleus, superb for drinking, dining and shopping.
Nashik Surrounded by gorgeous vineyards, India’s wine-country capital lures juice-loving city sophisticates.
Puducherry (Pondicherry) Lively coastal town known for its charmingly faded French flavour, boho boutiques and arty cafes.
Chennai Long-standing urban hub which now hosts sophisticated luxury hotels, contemporary restaurants, boutiques and nightspots.
Pune Progressive Pune relishes in its juxtapositional relationship between cutting-edge capitalism and age-old spiritualism.
Kochi (Cochin) A growing arts, cafe and shopping scene graces Kerala’s central historical hub.
The colonial-era tradition of heading for the cool, green elevations of South India’s Western Ghats when the plains get just too hot is alive and well among honeymooners, families and pretty much everyone else.
Ooty (Udhagamandalam) Tamil Nadu’s ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ combines Indian bustle with Raj-era bungalows and a miniature train.
Kodaikanal (Kodai) A smaller, quirkier, more scenic alternative to Ooty, centred on a pretty lake surrounded by shola (virgin forest).
Munnar Trek through jade-green Keralan tea plantations, then meet a local family at an out-of-town homestay.
Matheran A scenic and vehicle-free weekend retreat for Mumbaikars.
Kodagu (Coorg) Coffee and spices scent the fresh mountain air of this Karnataka region, with Madikeri its hub.
Coonoor Heritage hotels, tea plantations and hilly hikes await in the Nilgiri Hills near Ooty.
Sometimes you just want to stop moving for a bit and relax and swap stories with fellow travellers.
Hampi The stunning beauty of Hampi’s landscape and architecture sucks everyone in for a while.
Anjuna Goa is one big traveller enclave, but Anjuna, Palolem and cheaper Arambol are its current epicentres.
Gokarna Cosy, beautiful and relaxed beaches that form part of a sacred village in Karnataka.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) Cheap accommodation, striking ancient architecture and a booming surf scene on Tamil Nadu’s coast.
Colaba Mumbai’s boisterous melange of street stalls, classic watering holes, budget accommodation and bucket-list tourist sights.
Varkala Charming guesthouses, yoga shalas and traveller-packed cafes cling to cliffs above surf-tastic waves in Kerala.
Diving, snorkelling, surfing, SUP, kayaking and an array of other water sports are growing rapidly along South India’s coasts.
Andaman Islands World-class diving and snorkelling in crystal-clear, coral- and marine-life-rich waters – 1370km east of mainland India.
Tamil Nadu Surf’s up in Kovalam, Mamallapuram and Puducherry; Rameswaram has kitesurfing, kayaking, snorkelling, SUP and more.
Goa Gentle waves perfect for beginner surfers at Aswem and Agonda, and scuba diving at Grande Island.
Malvan India’s little diving-destination-that-could: caves, coral, marine life and a top-class scuba school.
Lakshadweep Pristine lagoons and unspoilt coral reefs 300km off Kerala have wonderful diving and snorkelling.
Varkala Surfing, kayaking and SUP from this temple/traveller town in southern Kerala.
Seeing South India from the water offers a whole new angle on its attractions.
Alappuzha (Alleppey) Houseboat, kayak or canoe drifting from Kerala’s backwaters hub is one of South India’s most cinematic experiences.
Kollam (Quilon) Observe village life on punted canoe rides through networks of canals around Munroe Island (Kerala).
Goa Dolphin- and croc-spotting tours on the Mandovi River.
Andaman Islands See coral-rich Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, and travel between ravishing islands by local ferry.
Malvan Take a trip along Maharashtra’s little-known but beautiful Karli River backwaters.
Elephanta Island Catch a different perspective on Mumbai’s iconic harbour while returning from this Unesco World Heritage Site.
As well as embracing a range of countrywide festivals, South India has many vibrant locally celebrated events, from sacred temple processions to flamboyant beachside affairs.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race A lively showdown between elegant 40m-long canoes in Alleppey, Kerala.
Chennai Festival of Music & Dance For a month, Chennai fills up on Carnatic (and some non-Carnatic) music, dance and drama.
Pongal Decorated cows feast on pongal (a rice, sugar, dhal and milk concoction) in Tamil Nadu.
Goa Carnival This four-day fiesta kicks off Lent with colourful parades, concerts and plenty of merrymaking.
Ganesh Chaturthi Mumbai buzzes for the ceremonial dunking of statues of Hindu god Ganesh into the Arabian Sea.
Dussehra Mysuru Palace is spectacularly lit up at night, while the town puts on cultural events.