Southern India is packed with beautiful and interesting places to visit. From the backwaters of Kerala to the colourful temples of Tamil Nadu, this part of the country offers a lot of variation, and that’s exactly what this South India itinerary is – varied!
This itinerary will take you to some of the most beautiful places the South of India has to offer, and it includes some pretty unique ones too! It will bring you to temples, tea plantations, colonial buildings, waterfalls, palaces and more.
>> Read: South India VS North India: 9 Differences
Itinerary to Visit the South of India in 15 Days
So, let’s dive right into it!
You will find a day-by-day itinerary including the highlights of each place in the first part of this post. I’ve also included a map and other useful information (how to get around, the best time to visit, etc.) in the second part.
Day 1: Chennai
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu, and as it has an international airport, it’s the perfect introduction to this culture-rich state.
There are many things to do in Chennai, but some of the most popular ones are going temple hopping, spending time at the city’s beaches and seeing the colonial architecture.
🛕 Highlights of Chennai
- San Thome Cathedral Basilica: This beautiful church was built by the Portuguese in 1523. It’s one of the three churches in the world that have been built on the tombs of one of the apostles (this one was built on Thomas the Apostle’s tomb).
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Hindu temple was built in the 7th century and later extended. It boasts some impressive architecture with many colourful details (that’s my favourite thing about Hindu temples).
- Ripon Building: The beautiful Ripon Building was built in Indo-Saracenic architecture in 1913, and it’s the official seat of the Chennai Corporation. It’s good to know that you can’t visit this building on the inside, but it’s most famous for its chiming clock, which is wound every day.
- Elliot’s Beach or Marina Beach: If you feel like relaxing, then heading to one of Chennai’s beaches is the perfect thing to do. While Marina Beach is the city’s most popular beach, Elliot’s Beach is a more quiet alternative.
Where to stay in Chennai: The Raintree
🚍 Mahabalipuram, the next destination on this South India itinerary, is just 1 hour from Chennai, so you can either head here on day 1 or day 2 of this itinerary.
Day 2: Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram was one of my favourite places to visit in the South of India! This place is home to a group of royal monuments dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. You will find plenty of beautifully carved temples and rock-cut caves here.
There are three different sites to see in Mahabalipuram but make sure to start your visit at the famous Shore Temple as this is where you can buy entry tickets.
A unique sight at Mahabalipuram is Krishna’s Butterball (as pictured above). According to the story, they tried moving this gigantic boulder numerous times for safety reasons, but it didn’t work.
Where to stay in Mahabalipuram: Bodhiwoods Resorts
🚍 The next stop on this itinerary is Pondichery (Puducherry), which is a 2-hour drive from Mahabalipuram. You can head here on day 2 or day 3.
Day 3, 4 & 5: Pondicherry and Auroville
The charming town of Pondicherry is famous for its mustard-yellow colonial buildings, beautiful beaches and cosy restaurants.
From the 16th century onward, this city was ruled by Dutch, British and French colonists. Pondicherry was repeatedly fought over during the Anglo-French Wars. In 1815, however, when the British gained control over India, they allowed France to keep their settlements in this city.
Some of the best things to do in Pondicherry are to explore the city’s different quarters, head to the beach and visit the nearby township of Auroville.
🛕 Highlights of Pondicherry
- French Quarter: Pondicherry’s French Quarter is also called “White Town” and it’s here that you will find the mustard-yellow colonial buildings Pondicherry is so famous for.
- Tamil Quarter: This quarter is often called “Black Town”, and it’s located on the West side of the French Quarter, across the canal. You will find three parts here – the Hindu, the Muslim and the Christian part. This area is completely different from the French Quarter and it’s nice to soak up the atmosphere in this part of the city too.
- Beaches: If you want to relax a little, it’s good to know that the French Quarter of Pondicherry is located right at the beach. This is the perfect place for a stroll on the beach promenade or to swim in the sea.
- Auroville: This experimental township was founded in 1968 by Mira Alfassa, who is also called “The Mother”. It was based on the vision of the Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo and its purpose is to realise human unity. I would suggest reading my post about Auroville if you want to know more about the place, though, as I will keep it short in this one.
Where to stay in Pondicherry: Executive Inn
🚍 On day 5, it’s time to head to Thanjavur, which is about 5 hours from Pondicherry.
Day 6: Thanjavur
With over a hundred Hindu temples, the small city of Thanjavur is often called “the temple city of India”, and you will indeed find a temple on every street corner here.
This city is also home to one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage sites in India, the famous Brihadisvara Temple, which is also called the “big temple”. But more about that below!
🛕 Highlights of Thanjavur:
- Brihadisvara Temple: This is Thanjavur’s most famous tourist attraction and it’s easy to understand why. The magnificent Brihadisvara Temple was built in the 11th century by Chola emperor Rajaraja I and it’s one of the three Great Living Chola Temples. Its granite tower is one of the tallest in India.
- Maratha Palace: This palace was built at the demand of the Thanjavur Nayak kings in the 15th century. It’s not as spectacular as the Brihadisvara Temple but it is worth visiting if you have more time in Thanjavur. You will find a beautiful Durbar Hall here among other things.
Another thing I loved doing in Thanjavur was simply wandering around the streets. There’s an incredible amount of Hindu temples here, more than in any other city I’ve been to in India (or any other country actually).
Where to stay in Thanjavur: Hotel Victoriyah
Day 7 & 8: Madurai
🚍 The next destination on this itinerary for South India is Madurai, which is about 4 hours from Thanjavur. If you head here in the morning of day 7, you will still have some time left to explore Madurai (or rest) in the afternoon.
Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and this is one of the best cultural destinations in India. Among other things, you will find one of the most famous Indian landmarks in this city – the Meenakshi Temple.
One of the things I love the most about Madurai is how friendly and welcoming the people are in this city. They don’t (or hardly) speak English, but they still manage to welcome you with open arms.
🛕 Highlights of Madurai
- Meenakshi Temple: This is one of India’s oldest and most important Hindu temples. It’s estimated that the first temple that stood on these grounds was built in the 1st century. The temple that you can see today, however, was rebuilt in the 16th century after the previous one was destroyed by Muslim invaders. The Meenakshi Temple is a very impressive structure with enormous gopurams (towers) containing stunning details.
- Saint Mary’s Cathedral: Saint Mary’s Cathedral is a beautiful, gothic-style church that was initially built in 1841 but rebuilt in 1916. It’s also called The Church of Our Lady of Dolours, and it’s one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest churches.
- Thirumalai Nayak Palace: Built by Tirumala Nayak in the 17th century, this palace was considered one of the wonders of the South during its heyday. Today, only the main palace is left, which is just a quarter of the original complex. It makes you wonder how huge the place must have been during the olden days.
- Banana Market: Madurai’s banana market is another place I loved walking through. The merchants here sell over 16 varieties of bananas (I didn’t even know there were so many), including red ones (which I also didn’t know existed)!
- Gandhi Memorial Museum: The Gandhi Memorial Museum is one of the seven Gandhi museums in India. This is the perfect place to head to if you would like to learn more about India’s most famous freedom fighter.
Where to stay in Madurai: Avenue 11 Premium Stays
Day 9, 10 & 11: Munnar
🚍 On day 9, it’s time to head to Munnar, which is the tea capital of Kerala. Munnar is a 4 to 5-hour drive from Madurai and this hill town is famous for its lush green tea plantations and beautiful greenery.
Many locals flock to this hill station during the boiling-hot Indian Summer and it’s also one of India’s most popular honeymoon destinations.
But apart from spending your honeymoon here, Munnar is also the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature for a while.
🛕 Highlights of Munnar
- Tea plantations and tea factories: One of the most popular things to do in Munnar is to pay a visit to one of its many tea factories and tea plantations. Here, you can learn more about how tea is harvested, see tea plantation workers at work and taste some fine tea.
- Echo Point & Top Station: Echo Point (a lake where you can make echoing sounds) is a nice stop on the way to Top Station, the highest point in Munnar. The latter is a 40 km (24 mi) drive from Munnar and you will be rewarded with magnificent views if you head here!
- Eravikulam National Park: Apart from its beautiful landscapes, this national park is also famous for being the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat. It’s also home to the Lakkom Waterfalls, which is easily accessible.
I have to admit that the downside of Munnar is that foreigners are not allowed to rent scooters here anymore, which makes it pretty difficult to visit things by yourself. However, there are plenty of tours or auto-rickshaws that can bring you around.
Where to stay in Munnar: Elephant Passage
>> Read next: What to Pack for India as a Woman
Day 12, 13 & 14: Backwaters of Alleppey
The backwaters of Alleppey are full of lush greenery, beautiful palm trees and sparkling rivers. This place is on many traveller’s Indian travel bucket lists. As you cruise these waters, you will witness the everyday life of the farmers and fishermen along the canals.
Alleppey is also the perfect destination to go canoeing, drink coconut water and simply relax. It’s a peaceful destination that’s perfect for nature lovers.
If you have the budget, you can also rent your own private houseboat for the night. This will allow you to cruise the backwaters by yourself and spend the night there too. I didn’t do this myself, as it’s quite expensive and I was backpacking in India alone.
Where to stay in Alleppey: Malayalam Lake Resort
🚍 Head to Fort Kochi on day 14. This city is a 1.5-hour drive from Alleppey.
Day 15: Fort Kochi
On the last day of this South India itinerary, it’s time to explore Fort Kochi (or Cochin). This was the first European township in India.
Fort Kochi is an area in the city of Kochi and, before India’s independence, it was first controlled by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and eventually the English.
This town is steeped in history and you will find plenty of colonial buildings, interesting museums and charming alleys here.
🛕 Highlights of Fort Kochi
- Chinese fishing nets: The Chinese fishing nets (or Cheena vala) are one of Fort Kochi’s most famous tourist attractions. It’s said that Chinese explorer Zhang He introduced these nets to Kochi in the 14th or 15th century. Because of this, the nets stand as a symbol for the exchange of ideas that happened in the Indian subcontinent at that time.
- St. Francis Church: This church was built in 1503 and it was the first Portuguese church in India. It’s inside this church that Portuguese explorer Vasco Di Gama (who died in Kochi) was originally buried, but his remains were later moved to Lisbon, Portugal.
- Vasco da Gama Square: Its little restaurants make the Vasco da Gama Square a great place to spend the evening. Make sure to look up when you’re there, as this square is covered with beautiful rain trees.
- Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica: This magnificent, Roman Catholic church was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Don’t forget to visit it inside too while you’re there, as it’s very nice!
- Dutch Palace: The Dutch Palace (or Mattancherry Palace) was actually built by the Portuguese as a gift to the Kingdom of Cochin. However, when the Dutch took over, they renovated the palace, which is why it’s nicknamed “the Dutch Palace”. If you’re a history buff, then you will love this place! It exhibits many paintings, furniture, weapons, palanquins, Dutch maps and more.
And that was it! This was the last day of this itinerary for the South of India. Kochi is a nice place to end your journey in the South of India and it has an international airport.
Where to stay in Fort Kochi: Rossitta Wood Castle
Map and Itinerary
Day 1: Chennai
Day 2: Mahabalipuram
Day 3, 4 & 5: Pondicherry & Auroville
Day 6: Thanjavur
Day 7 & 8: Madurai
Day 9, 10 & 11: Munnar
Day 12, 13 & 14: Backwaters of Alleppey
Day 15: Fort Kochi
Best Time to Visit the South of India
The best time to visit southern India is during the Winter season, from October to March. This is when the weather is at its best.
I was in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in April and May (the Summer months) and I’ve honestly never been so hot in my life. I seriously underestimated the humidity in this part of the country and would not recommend heading there at this time of the year.
June to September is the monsoon season and it can rain quite a bit at this time of the year. When I was in Kochi (in April), there were floods each time it rained and I found myself walking with water up to my knees more than once.
How to Get Around the South of India
You will find the best ways to get around below. This includes how to get from one city to another and how to get around in the cities.
How to get from one city to another
- Bus: All of the places mentioned in this list can be reached by local bus. This is not the most comfortable way to travel but it’s absolutely doable if you’re on a budget!
- Train: Not all of these destinations can be reached by train, but some can. You can take the train from Thanjavur to Madurai, for example.
- Private car: The most comfortable (and fastest) way to get from one city to another is by taking a private car. This will be more expensive too, though.
I did everything by local bus and never booked anything in advance (which is necessary when you travel in the north of India). I just showed up at the bus station and asked around to find the right bus, and it worked fine.
How to get around cities
- Auto-rickshaw: You will find these everywhere. I would recommend using the Ola app, though. It works just like Uber and will save you some money. Rickshaw drivers charge foreigners 10 times the local price, but if you use Ola, you will get a fair price immediately and won’t need to haggle.
- Bus: There are plenty of local buses in the cities. This is the cheapest way to get around, but it requires a bit more planning than the rickshaw.
- Private car: Another way to get around the cities is by private car, but this will be more expensive.
South India Itinerary: Final Thoughts
I hope that this itinerary will help you plan your trip to the beautiful South of India. I really loved exploring this part of the county. The South is less touristy than the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan in the North, and there are so many beautiful things to see here!
Of course, this part of the country has got more to offer, it’s HUGE, after all! However, this itinerary offers a nice mix of culture, history and nature, which is a varied introduction if you have 15 days to spend here.
Are you heading to the north of India too? Check out my Rajasthan itinerary next!
India Travel Planning Guide
🛫 Find the cheapest flights to India on Skyscanner.
🏨 Find the best accommodation via Booking or Hostelworld.
🛺 Download the Ola app to order a rickshaw or a taxi.
🚃 Use 12GoAsia to book trains and buses in India.
🚗 Rent a car with Discover Cars to get the best rates.
💰 Get travel insurance via VisitorsCoverage, one of the best-reviewed travel insurance companies.
👘 Check out my complete India packing list for females.
📋 Don’t forget to check if you need a visa to visit India.
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3 comments
Nice. Do you know how to UK alone. My husband & I were planning to go in Sept 2024. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Vijaya
Hi Vijaya! I’m not sure what you mean with how to UK alone?
Your articles are good enough to understand the importance