Hill Stations in South India For A Cozy Vacation

Known For : Abbey Falls Mandalpatti Raja's Seat

Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is a popular coffee producing hill station. It is popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specializing in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality.

Best Time: October to March

37 Coorg Attractions

Known For : Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty Lake Emerald Lake, Ooty

Nestled amidst Nilgiri hills, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu which serves as a top-rated tourist destination. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company, the Queen of the hills is a picturesque getaway. Dotted with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, winding country lanes, and charming colonial architecture, Ooty is the perfect respite everyone. 

Best Time: Throughout the year

43 Ooty Attractions

Known For : Eravikulam National Park Mattupetty Dam Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

Famous for the tea estates, greenery, winding roads, blanket of mist, and viewpoints, Munnar is a hill station in Kerala, located in the Idukki district. Lying in the Western Ghats at 1600 metres, it is one of the most sought after and visited travel destinations globally, especially popular amongst honeymooners.

Best Time: September to May

54 Munnar Attractions

Known For : Edakkal Caves Banasura Sagar Dam Chembra Peak

Nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Wayanad in Kerala is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. Situated at an altitude ranging from 700 to 2100 meters above sea level, this picturesque region is blessed with verdant forests, mist-covered hills, and glistening waterfalls, making it a haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike. 

Best Time: Throughout the year

46 Wayanad Attractions

Known For : Green Valley View (Suicide Point) Kodaikanal Lake Bear Shola Falls

Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in India. A Lakeside resort town of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has a beautiful climate, mist-covered manicured cliffs and waterfall that come together to create the ideal setting for a perfect getaway. Kodaikanal means 'the gift of the forests'.

Best Time: September to May

35 Kodaikanal Attractions

Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Popularly known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range and is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. Chikmagalur has a perpetual fragrance of coffee lingering in the air with it plenty of coffee plantations. 

Best Time: Throughout the year

22 Chikmagalur Attractions

Known For : Sim's Park Dolphin's Nose Ketti Valley

One of the three beautiful Nilgiri hill stations, Coonoor is the second largest hill station of the Western Ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 1930 meters and just 19 km from Ooty. With slopes of tea plantations, dotted with many attractions and blessed with chilly weather throughout the year, this place is a perfect summer retreat.

Best Time: October to March

17 Coonoor Attractions

Known For : Emerald Lake, Yercaud Pagoda Point Botanical Garden, Yercaud

Nestled in the Shivaroy Hills of Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is a hill station in the Eastern Ghats steeped in abundant greenery. Commonly called ‘Ooty of the Poor’, this region has a history dating back to the time of the British. Located at an altitude of 4970 feet, Yercaud is known for its vast expanses of coffee plantations and great weather.

Best Time: October to June

20 Yercaud Attractions

Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls

Popular and named after a mountainside that resembles a horse's face, Kudremukh is famous for its biodiversity and scenic beauty. A popular hill-station among the Bangalore crowd, Kudremukh is actually a hill range in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Kudremukh Peak is a paradise for trekkers and naturists alike, with its mountainous paths and floral and faunal diversity.

Best Time: October to May

10 Kudremukh Attractions

Known For : Devi Lake Pallivasal Falls Thoovanam Falls

A lake with a legend of its own, greenest sceneries, waterfalls and tea plantations are what offer its charm to Devikulam, a hill station in Kerala. This quaint little hill-station located at an altitude 1800 m above sea level is best known for its mythical Sita Devi Lake, rolling hills, waterfalls and its innumerable tea and spice plantations.

Best Time: November to May

4 Devikulam Attractions

Known For : Hebbe Falls Kalahatti Falls Z Point

A hill station of widespread views and scents of beautiful gardens, Kemmanagundi or KR hills offer a perfect summer retreat for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The area also has trekking, nature walks and picnics. The Royal Horticulture Society of Karnataka is located here and has some of the most beautiful gardens. 

Best Time: September to May

9 Kemmanagundi Attractions

Known For : Vagamon Falls Kurisumala Vagamon Lake

Vagamon, also known as Wagamon, is a tranquil hill station nestled near the border of Kottayam and Idukki districts in Kerala. Offering a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, Vagamon boasts meandering rivulets, verdant hills, tea gardens, pine forests, and captivating waterfalls, creating a picturesque setting for travelers seeking solace amidst nature's splendor.

Best Time: October - March

20 Vagamon Attractions

Known For : Punganur Lake Nature Park Jalagamparai Falls

A quaint little hill station located in Vellore, Yelagiri is just three hours away from Bangalore, making it the perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway. Spread a little over 30 square kilometres, and at a height of over 1100 metres above sea level, Yelagiri offers its tourists some beautiful places like the Jalagamparai falls, sweeping orchards and rose garden, among others. 

Best Time: November to February

13 Yelagiri Attractions

Known For : Borra Caves Katiki Waterfalls Chaparai Waterfalls

Araku Valley, located in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, is a scenic hill station known for its lush green landscapes, coffee plantations, and tribal heritage. The valley, situated about 120 kilometers from Visakhapatnam, offers visitors a cool, refreshing climate, making it a popular escape from the coastal heat. 

Best Time: September to February

8 Araku Valley Attractions

Known For : Papi Kondalu Hills Gandi Pochamma Temple Perantapalli Village

Papikondalu mountain range runs along the River Godavari (Western Godavari) and is located in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. Papikondalu is a sheer fest to the eyes in terms of its scenic beauty. As the hills become closer and closer to the visitor, the width of the mighty Godavari becomes narrower.

Best Time: October to March

5 Papi Kondalu Attractions

Known For : Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Golden Valley Mini Zoo, Ponmudi

Nestled in the lap of rolling hills of the Western Ghats, enveloped with tea plantations, lush green hills and valleys, waterfalls and streams; Ponmudi is a quaint little town in Trivandrum, Kerala. Trekking and mountain climbing on Agasthayarkoodam, the highest peak in the region is the most popular activity. 

Best Time: November to May

5 Ponmudi Attractions

Known For : BRT Wildlife Sanctuary Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Adventure Activities

Around 175 kilometres away from Bangalore, BR Hills, also known as Billigiriranga Hills, is a hill range and one of the most popular road trips from Bangalore. BR hills is an abode to Billigiri Rangaaswamy Temple and BRT Wildlife sanctuary. This range of hills is a deific conjuncture for the Eastern and the Western Ghats, thus opening myriad opportunities for forest adventures and sports.

Best Time: April to October

5 BR Hills Attractions

Known For : Butterfly Safari Adventure zone Trekking

Snuggled between the dense woods of Western Ghats, Thenmala is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in Kollam, Kerala. With winding roads, dotted with rubber and tea plantations, Thenmala boasts of being the first planned ecotourism spot in India. Spread over acres of dense timber trees, the name 'Thenmala' translates to Honey Hill.

Best Time: December to February

7 Thenmala Attractions

Bellikkal is one of those places where you can completely relax, without having to worry about a 'to-do' list for your vacations and yet experience mountains that will steal your breath away. Instead of having a hundred places to offer, it will take you by its beauty, calmness and serenity.

Best Time: Throughout the year

Kodachadri Hills serve as a stunning backdrop of evergreen forests to the town of Maravanthe. Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 4411 feet above the sea level amidst Karnataka’s Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, they also prove to be one of the good trekking trails, beginning at the South Kanara Forest.

Known For : Elk Falls Longwood Shola Trekking

Snuggled in the Nilgiris District, Kotagiri is a gorgeous hill station frequented by tourists from different parts of the country. It is one of the oldest hill stations in the Nilgiris and rests at an altitude of 5882 feet. Once served as a site of coffee plantation, today the town is a tea plantation covering a huge area of 30,000 acres. 

Best Time: December to May

7 Kotagiri Attractions

Known For : Nelliyampathy Hills Nenmara Vallanghy Vela Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

With plenty of unexplored treasures, Nelliyampathy is a hill station located near the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border offering bounty of nature and lush green surroundings of tea, coffee and cardamom plantations. The town is also ornamented with a variety of flora, fauna and picturesque tourist attractions.

Best Time: October to March

15 Nelliyampathy Attractions

Anthargange is situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka in the Shathashrunga range, about 70 km from Bangalore. The mountains at an altitude of 1712 meters from sea level with rocky boulders, small caves and dense plantations are one of the best getaways for trekking, rock climbing and cave exploration enthusiasts.

Best Time: October to March

2 Anthargange Attractions

Known For : Grampi Thrissanku Hills Peeru Hills

Blessed with lots of green cover, beautiful rolling hills, wandering streams and gurgling waterfalls; Peermede is a small bewitching hill station of Kerala, pure and pristine. Perched at an altitude of 915 m above the sea level, the town has many hidden treasure troves waiting to be uncovered.

Best Time: April to June, September to November

8 Peermede Attractions

Known For : The Borra Hills and Caves Araku Tribal Museum Musi River

Ananthagiri Hills, located in the lush Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh near Visakhapatnam, is a scenic hill station known for its coffee plantations, dense forests, and serene environment. It offers visitors beautiful viewpoints, waterfalls, and trekking trails, making it a popular escape for nature lovers and adventurers. 

Best Time: October to March

10 Ananthagiri Attractions

Situated at 1500m above sea level in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, Valparai is an offbeat yet tranquil hill station in the Anamalai Hills. Its alluring picturesque sights entice tourists from all over the country making it one of the sought-after destinations in the south of Western Ghats.

Best Time: December to January

Known For : Karapuzha Dam Kanthanpara Waterfalls Shopping in Kalpetta

Kalpetta is a quaint town with a backdrop of majestic hills lurking in the shadows, lush green surroundings, fresh air and picturesque beauty. Housed in the Wayanad District of Kerala, at a height of 780 m above the sea level, Kalpetta is a perfect place for nature lovers as well as honeymooners.

Best Time: October to March

20 Kalpetta Attractions

Often known as the “High Wavy Mountains”, Meghamalai is a petit yet beautiful place located in the Western Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu. At an elevation of 1500 meters, this place is a perfect getaway to beat the heat and enjoy some peaceful time relaxing amidst nature. 

Fondly called the ‘Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh’, Lambasingi is a quaint hamlet nestled in Chintapalli Mandal in the richly forested Arakku Valley at an elevation of 1025 m above the sea level. On of the best kept secrets of Andhra Pradesh, the dainty village is known for its majestic hills, apple orchards and panoramic views of the adjoining valleys. 

Located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, Agumbe is a small village often referred to as the "Cherrapunji of South India". This biodiversity-rich region has the highest rainfall in south India and the second-highest annual rainfall in India. Agumbe is an enriching experience as this hill station is blessed with picturesque beauty and trekking trails.

Known For : Manjarabad Fort Sakleshwara Temple Bisle Reserve Forest

Sakleshpur is a popular yet offbeat hill station in Karnataka flanked by the Western Ghats. There is something for everyone, from the dense rainforest, hiking trails, historical temples and an old fort, mountain peaks and waterfalls. Whether its the significant agricultural products or the discovery of a jyotirlinga by the Hoysalas, the quaint town of Sakleshpur earned its name rightly as it is no less verdant than Ooty.

Best Time: October to March, May-June

14 Sakleshpur Attractions

Covering an expanse of 60,000 acres, Sirumalai is a hilly region in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu. At an altitude of 1600m, this densely forested region boasts of diverse wildlife and flora. The weather in this southern hill station is pleasant throughout the year. Having also been recognised as a place of religious importance, certain sacred and rare medicinal herbs grow in this region. 

Best Time: October to March