Exploring India’s South West Coast: Travel Itinerary
Why Visit the South West Coast of India?
There is so much to see and do along this long stretch of coast and it has such a variety of different cultures, colours, and landscapes for you to enjoy.
There are some really incredible places that you don’t want to miss along this part of India such as the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Hampi. And not to forget the big cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru and the beautiful, tranquil coastal cities such as Goa and Varkala.
A trip to the South Western coast of India will be full of excitement and a trip you don’t want to miss!
How long do you need?
It really depends on how long you have and what you like to prioritise whilst travelling as if you like to relax then you may want more days in places like coastal towns rather than in the bigger cities.
To see all the key sites in South India you should try to give yourself 3 weeks to travel from Mumbai to Varkala. This will allow you plenty of time in each place and plenty of relaxation time as well.
Mumbai
A visit to India would not be complete without a visit to Mumbai. The contrast between the skyscrapers to the different cultural and historical sites is striking and what makes Mumbai so special.
It is most famous for being the commercial capital of India as well as being the best place to watch a Bollywood movie. Mumbai makes you feel as though you could be back in Europe, it really is a one of kind in India. To see all Mumbai has to offer then you should spend 2-3 days here.
Top things to see in Mumbai include:
- The Gateway to India
- Marine Drive
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
- Colaba
- Elephantine Island
Goa
South Goa is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the beautiful west coast of India. The beaches are nice and clean and have a range of different bars and restaurants along for you to dine in and enjoy the sun and the beautiful sunsets Goa has to offer.
As well as this, North Goa has a brilliant nightlife with streets full of clubs and bars that you can enjoy partying in or in the daytime you can scuba dive, take a boat ride, or go water skiing. If you come to Goa you should take some time to relax and should try to spend 3 days here, you will really miss this relaxing environment when you leave Goa.
Hampi
Hampi is one of the highlights of India and a place that must not be missed! Hampi is most famous for its ruins belonging to the medieval kingdom of Vijayanagara and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The workmanship at Hampi is unbelievable and you can see a range of different things such as temples, sculptures, and monuments.
If you visit Hampi then you must hike up to the sunset viewpoints as this will give you the best view of the city of Hampi and a bird’s eye view of all the ancient ruins. To be able to see everything here then you need at least 2-3 days as the ancient site is so big and you should really take your time to embrace the craftsmanship of this ancient city.
Bengaluru
Bengaluru is commonly known as the Silicon Valley of India as its the centre of India’s high-tech industry. Bengaluru feels very westernised just like Mumbai, with lots of high-rise buildings and also a lot of green parks.
It’s a great place to break up your journey between Hampi and Kerala and a nice place to enjoy the luxuries Bengaluru has to offer so one day is sufficient to see Bengaluru.
Here are some things you shouldn’t miss in Bengaluru:
- Lalbagh Botanical Gardens
- Iskon Temple Benaglore
- Bengaluru Palace
- Cubbon Park
- Vidhyanath Soudha
Kerala
Kerala has such a variety of things to visit and enjoy whilst travelling around here. It varies in scenery from rolling green hills in eery, misty mountains to scenic beaches over the Arabian Sea.
The main places you should visit in Kerala include Kochi, Munnar, Alappuzuha, and Varkala. You should try and spend at least a week in Kerala to see the main touristy things.
Kochi
Kochi is commonly known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ thanks to its natural beauty and vibrant culture. The most famous thing to see in Kochi is the Chinese Fishing Nets which are still in use today. You will need at least 1-2 days in Kochi to see all the main sites this place has to offer.
You could also see:
- Cherai beach, Veeranpuzha beach
- Santa Cruz Basilica
- Gowreeswara Temple Cherai
- Fort Kochi
Munnar
Munnar is a nice place to retreat from the chaos of India. It has spectacular waterfalls as well sprawling tea plantation and beautiful green hills surrounding this incredible place.
The main sites to see here include the tea plantations, the tea museum, spice plantations, and coffee plantations which can see all In 2 days.
Alappuzha
The best place to enjoy the famous backwaters of Kerala is in Alappuzha. To see the backwaters here you will only need a day out on the boat to do this.
You can enjoy the backwaters using a variety of different types of boats, the choices range from:
- House Boats
- Shikara Boats
- Public Ferries
Varkala
Varkala is a beautiful coastal town which is unique as its hills come right up to the Arabian Sea. It has stunning scenery and beaches that are perhaps the most beautiful in India.
This bustling town has lots of restaurants and gift shops for tourists as well as offering a variety of water sports activities such as paragliding and para-sailing.
Read more about Kerala Here
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