Hill Stations in South India That Can Offer You a Rejuvenating Vacation

Hill stations or hilly areas in summer are just like candy for a child. It gives a huge smile on the faces of people as and when they hear about them. Blissful, serene, aromatic, and whatnot- the hill stations of southern Indian states are simply amazing.

From calming and soothing weather to the tea and coffee estates; one gets a lot of diversity to rejoice. So, while we pick up a few names for you and list down some important information. Make sure you have all your plans ready and bookings done.

Wait a moment, want help in that as well? No problem, let’s just do it together. Pick your destination and check out the information given below and enjoy your vacation with your partner, friends, family, or even alone (if you want that).

Here is a list of some best hill stations to visit in South India on 2023

1. Ooty

Okay, so Ooty might not be the first name that would strike your mind when you think about hill stations in South India, but it will surely be there. You cannot miss out on the beauty of Nilgiris and all that’s on offer. Ooty is probably one of the most peaceful and beautiful hill towns in India.

There are thousands of visitors who plan their trip to the Queen of Hills every year. From family movers to solo travelers; you will find each one of them here. And it won’t be wrong to say that Ooty is among the best hill stations in South India for summer.

See Also: Best Time to Visit Ooty

Nearest Airport	Coimbatore Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Coimbatore Railway Station
Location	Tamil Nadu
Ideal For	Honeymooners, Families, Couples, Adventure lovers

Places to visit	Avalanche Lake Doddabetta Peak Ooty Lake Wax World Ooty Ooty Botanical Garden
Things to do	Take a ride in the world heritage site Go for trout fishing Trek up to the summit Enjoy at a wonderful offbeat spot Explore the botanical garden See More: Things to do in Ooty
Places to stay	Aranya Inn Oxygen Resort Ooty Sterling Ooty Elk Inn Zostel Ooty Hotel Darshan
Places to Eat	Hyderabad Biryani House Sidewalk Café Ooty Coffee House Angara Shinkows

2. Munnar

Munnar’s natural beauty is unfathomable and that’s the reason why this hill station or hill town of Kerala is known as the Kashmir of South India. It is located in the Idukki district in the Western Ghats of India. Bird watching, sightseeing, enjoying delicious delicacies, and so much more is on offer at this amazing place to visit in Kerala.

From exploring the tea estates to enjoying the summits- you have all the amusing activities here to enjoy. And don’t forget the tea tasting sessions.

Nearest Airport	Cochin International Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Ernakulam Railway Station
Location	Kerala
Ideal For	Adventure Lovers, Couples, Honeymooners, Families

Places to visit	Cheeyappara Waterfalls Anamudi Peak Tata Tea Museum Pothamedu Viewpoint Kundala Lake See More: Places to visit in Munnar
Things to do	Pedal Boating Trekking to the summit Enjoying the serenity at the viewpoint Take a hike to the waterfalls Explore the tea museum See More: Things to do in Munnar
Places to stay	Tea County Munnar Hotel Emerald Inn Lumino Rainbow Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel Tea Garden riverside
Places to Eat	SN Restaurant Copper Castle Restaurant Eastend Restaurant Saravana Bhavan DTPC Food Court

3. Madikeri (Coorg)

Situated at an altitude of 1452 m; Madikeri (Coorg) is an amazing hill station or hill town situated in Karnataka. This beautiful place is situated in a perfect location making it immensely beautiful. From cascading waterfalls and spice plantations to green verdant forest and misty mountains- Coorg is rightfully the “Scotland of India.”

The unparalleled beauty of this place leaves people mesmerized and they wish to stay here for long. Multiple people visit here over and over again.

See Also: Best Time to Visit Coorg

Nearest Airport	Mangalore Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Mysore Junction
Location	Karnataka
Ideal For	Couples, Honeymooners, Families, Leisure Travelers

Places to visit	Abbey Falls Dubare Elephant Camp Honnamana Kere Lake Omkareshwara Temple Madikeri Fort
Things to do	Explore the Madikeri Fort Offer your prayers to the lord Enjoy at the elephant camp Take a hike to the waterfall Click pictures from the sunset point
Places to stay	Club Mahindra Resort Avyukta Stay Woodstock Resorts IBNI Springs Gowri Nivas
Places to Eat	The wheel cafe Big cup cafe Coffee blossom East End Hotel Udupi Restaurant

4. Kodaikanal

If you were to list some of the amazing hill stations in Tamil Nadu, then Kodaikanal has to be there on your list. One of the most vibrant towns in the state and a place where you get to enjoy the peaceful environment at its best. While visiting Kodaikanal you will see that there is a huge diversity in terms of visitors.

From leisure travelers to families, you will find a lot of different types of people here. And there is no dearth of amusing and breathtaking attractions at this hill station.

Nearest Airport	Madurai Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Madurai Railway Station
Location	Tamil Nadu
Ideal For	Honeymooners, Nature Lovers, Leisure Travelers

Places to visit	Bryant Park Pillar Rocks Moir Point Kodaikanal Lake Coaker’s Walk
Things to do	Take a walk at the park Go for a hike to the waterfalls Enjoy at the sunset point Have a look at the valley from the view point Click some amazing pictures from Dolphin’s nose
Places to stay	Villa Retreat Bruton Resorts Hotel Cliffton Hotel Grand Palace SRM Hotel and Villa
Places to Eat	Hotel Astoria Veg Sree Krishna Bhojanalaya The Royal Tibet Cloud Street Hotel Eden Paradise

5. Ponmudi

Now, Ponmudi is a bit offbeat and not as popular as the other hill stations on this list. This place is a very beautiful and enjoyable destination for all kinds of travellers. You can carry out a lot of different types of activities and also make sure that you don’t miss out on the fun.

Spending a weekend to a complete week is doable here. So pack your bags and hit the destination with your travel partners.

Nearest Airport	Trivandrum International Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Trivandrum Railway Station
Location	Kerala
Ideal For	Honeymooners, Nature Lovers, Adventure Seekers

Places to visit	Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Varayattumotta Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary Kallar Golden Valley
Things to do	Go for a short Trek Hike up the summit for a beautiful view Enjoy exploring the valley Take a safari at the wildlife sanctuary Don’t miss out on the beautiful view
Places to stay	River County Resort Hill View stay Inn Jijis Castle Vintage Halton Ponmudi Valley Resort
Places to Eat	Azad Restaurant The main course Cafe Mojo Oriental Spice Chinnus Restaurant

6. Coonoor

One of the finest hill stations in South India-Coonoor is a peaceful destination. If you are looking for a place that is more of a hideout from the hustle-bustle of cities, then Coonoor will serve you right! With all the attraction offerings and amazing things to do- it won’t be wrong to say that Coonoor is a top-notch hill station in Tamil Nadu. Apart from this, you can also visit Ooty which is not far away from here.

The hill station is also home to several colonial-era bungalows and cottages that offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the region. Sim’s Park, a beautiful botanical garden with a variety of exotic plants and trees, is another popular tourist attraction in Coonoor. Also, Coonoor is one of the highest hill stations in South India.

Nearest Airport	Coimbatore Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Coimbatore Railway Station
Location	Tamil Nadu
Ideal For	Nature and Peace Lovers

Places to visit in Coonoor	Dolphin’s Nose Hidden Valley Ketti Valley Highfield Tea Estate Law’s Falls
Things to do in Coonoor	Go for a tea tasting session Take a ride in the Nilgiris Toy Train Click pictures from the Dolphin’s Nose Try shopping some souvenirs Explore the city
Places to stay in Coonoor	Jungle Hut Teanest Avadale Masinagudi Labdhi Resort Great Windows Resort
Places to Eat in Coonoor	Hotel Lakshmi The Taj Retreat Gateway All Day The bite Inn Quality Restaurant

7. Yercaud

Tamil Nadu is filled with many amazing and beautiful hill stations in South India. It is one of the best places if you want to enjoy peacefulness with good food. Not to forget the amazing palate of activities that can be enjoyed here. And talking about hill stations, you can’t leave aside Yercaud. An ideal destination for every kind of traveler and there is another thing about it; Yercaud is known as the “Ooty of the Poor.” And this is a beautiful place to visit and one of the cheapest hill stations in South India.

Nearest Airport	Trichy Airport (Major Airport)
Nearest Railway Station	Salem Railway Station (Major Railway Station)
Location	Tamil Nadu
Ideal For	Nature Lover and Peace Lover

Places to visit in Yercaud	Pagoda Point Anna Park Killiyur Falls Shevaroy Hill Annamalaiyar Temple View Point
Things to do in Yercaud	Go to the viewpoint Take a trip to the Silk Farm Offer your prayers to the temple Explore the Deer Park You can also consider shopping
Places to stay in Yercaud	Story Resort and Spa Sizzling Stay Cliffhanger Retreat Guru Residency Casita Inn
Places to Eat in Yercaud	Dakshin Restaurant Sweet Rascal Orange Restaurant The Family Restaurant Deer’s Cafe and restaurant

8. Araku Valley

Looking for a hill station in Andhra Pradesh? Why don’t you think of visiting Araku Valley? It is situated in the Eastern Ghats and is surrounded by thick forest. There is a tribal museum which is dedicated to the indigenous tribes of the state.

The valley is surrounded by dense forests that are home to a variety of flora and fauna. The coffee plantations, with their lush green foliage, offer a refreshing respite from the heat and dust of the city. The Borra Caves, located in the valley, are a popular tourist attraction and offer a surreal experience with their unique rock formations and stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

Nearest Airport	Visakhapatnam Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Visakhapatnam Railway Station
Location	Andhra Pradesh
Ideal For	Nature Lovers

Places to visit in Araku Valley	Borra Caves Katiki Waterfalls Tadimada Waterfalls Matsyagundam Bheemili Beach
Things to do in Araku Valley	Visit the museum Offer your prayers to the lord Go to the Padmapuram Gardens Enjoy at the waterfalls Click pictures at Gosthani
Places to stay in Araku Valley	Casa Holiday Resorts Sri Sai Suvarna Inn Krishna Tara Comforts Sterling Puri Shofar Kutir
Places to Eat in Araku Valley	New Spicy Restaurant Amantran Bengali Restaurant Vasundhara Restaurant Family Bhojanalaya The spicy Family Restaurant

9. Wayanad

The natural beauty of Wayanad lies in its lush green forests, rolling hills, and sprawling tea plantations. It is home to an extensive range of flora and fauna that adds to the beauty and charm of the region. It is a perfect getaway destination in the mesmerizing Western Ghats. The district is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that are home to an array of animals such as elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, and langurs.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is one such popular attraction that offers a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the region. The sanctuary is also home to several rare species of birds, including the Malabar Grey Hornbill, the Blue-Winged Parakeet, and the Indian Peafowl. Wayanad is known to be the coldest hill station in South India, but it is highly subjective.

Nearest Airport	Calicut International Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Kozhikode Railway Station
Location	Kerala
Ideal For	Honeymooners and Nature Lovers

Places to visit in Wayanad	Chembra Peak Edakkal Caves Banasura Sagar Dam Pookode Lake Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Thirunelli Temple
Things to do in Wayanad	Trek to Chembra Peak Explore the Edakkal Caves Enjoy boating at Pookode Lake Go for a wildlife safari in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Visit the ancient Thirunelli Temple See More: Things to do in Wayanad
Places to stay in Wayanad	Vythiri Resort The Windflower Resort and Spa Pepper Trail Plantation Resort Wayanad Wild – CGH Earth Banasura Hill Resort
Places to Eat in Wayanad	ClayHut A Village Restaurant Jubilee Restaurant The Bungalow Restaurant Wilton Restaurant Hotel Mint Flower

10. Idukki

The amazing hill station of Idukki is a district located in Kerala. This wonderful hill town is known for its natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and rich biodiversity. The district is situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is home to several protected areas, including the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers an area of over 77 square kilometers.

The district is characterized by its rolling hills, lush forests, sparkling rivers and waterfalls, and sprawling tea and spice plantations. The forests of Idukki are home to a rich variety of flora, including several species of rare and endangered plants, such as the Neelakurinji, a flower that blooms once in 12 years. The district is also known for its tea and spice plantations, which cover vast stretches of land and add to the scenic beauty of the region. The serenity and beauty of Idukki is known to be a perfect honeymoon hill station in South India.

Nearest Airport	Cochin International Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Kottayam Railway Station
Location	Kerala
Ideal For	Honeymooners and Solo Travelers

Places to visit in Idukki	Idukki Arch Dam Mattupetty Dam Anamudi Peak Hill View Park Kurisumala Ashram Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary
Things to do in Idukki	Trekking and hiking in the Western Ghats Wildlife Safari in Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary Boating in Mattupetty Dam and Idukki Dam Visit to the tea estates and spice gardens Jeep Safari in Munnar hills and Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
Places to stay in Idukki	Green Berg Resorts Munnar Tea Country Resort SpiceTree Munnar Forest Glade Resort Aranyaka Resorts Thekkady Wild Corridor Resort
Places to Eat in Idukki	Rapsy Restaurant Ambadi Restaurant Kerala Cafe The Orchard Silver Tips

11. Yelagiri

The Yelagiri hill station is known for its serene natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and scenic landscapes. The town is situated at an altitude of 1,410 meters above sea level, and its surroundings are covered with lush green forests, rolling hills, and cascading waterfalls.

The hills of Yelagiri are home to a variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. The hill station is surrounded by dense forests of teak, sandalwood, silver oak, and eucalyptus trees. The forests are also home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, wild boar, spotted deer, rabbits, and a wide range of bird species. It is also named as one of the highest hill stations in South India.

Nearest Airport	Bangalore International Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Jolarpettai Junction
Location	Vellore district, Tamil Nadu
Ideal For	Flora and Fauna Lovers

Places to visit in Yelagiri	Yelagiri Nature Park Jalagamparai Waterfalls Swamimalai Hill Punganoor Lake Park Velavan Temple
Things to do in Yelagiri	Trekking and Hiking Paragliding and other Adventure Sports Boating in Punganoor Lake Sightseeing and Nature Walks Visiting the Herbal Farm
Places to stay in Yelagiri	Sterling Yelagiri Hotel Landmark Hotel Emerald Dove Hotel Hills Hotel Lakeview
Places to Eat in Yelagiri	Aruvi Hotel Hotel Rhythms Restaurant Hotel Tamil Nadu Restaurant Hill Breeze Restaurant Friends Restaurant

12. Kotagiri

The hill town of Kotagiri is surrounded by lush green tea estates, rolling hills, and dense forests that are home to a variety of wildlife. The area is also known for its cool and pleasant climate. The town is also surrounded by many waterfalls, including Catherine Falls, Elk Falls, and Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar.

Kotagiri is home to a range of trees, including eucalyptus, acacia, pine, and wattle. The forests here are home to a variety of wildlife such as bison, deer, wild boar, and several species of birds. One of the popular attractions in Kotagiri is the Longwood Shola, a forest reserve that is home to many rare and endangered species of plants and animals.

Nearest Airport	Coimbatore International Airport
Nearest Railway Station	Mettupalayam Railway Station
Location	Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu
Ideal For	Adventure Seekers and Nature Lovers

Places to visit in Kotagiri	Catherine Falls Elk Falls Longwood Shola Reserve Forest Kodanad View Point Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar
Things to do in Kotagiri	Trekking to Catherine Falls Enjoying the view from Kodanad View Point Trekking to Rangaswamy Peak and Pillar Exploring Longwood Shola Reserve Forest Picnicking at Elk Falls
Places to stay in Kotagiri	The Point Tea Nest Kurumba Village Resort Highland Hotel Sunvalley Homestay La Maison
Places to Eat in Kotagiri	Nihara Resort and Spa The Dining Room at The Gateway Hotel The Valley View Restaurant Café Coffee Day La Belle Vie Café and Bakery

Conclusion

We have a few more amazing hill stations in South India which we are going to include in this blog. But for now, this is the list and you can decide based on that. Make sure you have all the needful items required for a wonderful trip. More or less we have given all the important information that’s required to you.

Ensure that you have already done the bookings because that’s the best way to travel if you don’t want to face any hiccups.

See Also: Hill Stations in India | Hill stations in North India

Hill stations near Kolkata | Hill Stations near Bangalore

Hill Stations near Belgaum