In India, the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, turns dry land into lush, green wonders. Although the season is known for its severe rainfall and thunderstorms, traveling to India during the monsoon offers a unique experience. The rainy season is a great way to escape the heat and see well-known locations from a different angle because the heat disappears and the landscape changes to a variety of emerald hues. Imagine enjoying a special must-have experience while sitting on a deserted beach and watching the rain splash onto the sand! Have you started arranging your monsoon vacation yet? Find the ideal location for your monsoon vacation by perusing our list of the top destinations in India at this time of year!

Monsoon in India

In India, the monsoon season varies by area. The southern and northwest parts of India receive between 50 and 75 percent of their annual rainfall allotment during this period, while the majority of western and central India receives around 90 percent of their annual quota. Even though it raises humidity, India’s monsoon season offers a welcome respite from the oppressive heat, with most areas of the country experiencing lows as low as 27 to 35°C.

Best places to visit in India during monsoon

Goa

The monsoon season in Goa reveals a far more subdued aspect of the famed destination, which is noted for its lush foliage, empty beaches, gushing waterfalls, swollen backwaters, and almost no visitors. You can have the entire shoreline to yourself while you watch the rainfall flow down the palm trees because the majority of shacks and beach vendors are closed for the season. Goa during the monsoon season offers more affordable lodging options, making it a good choice for people looking for a peaceful vacation.

Average temperature: 26°C to 29°C

Things to do in Goa: Go white water rafting, explore Mollem National Park & Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, and enjoy the gushing Dudhsagar Waterfalls.

Best hotels: ITC Grand Goa, Hilton Goa Resort, and Bogmallo Beach Resort

Best restaurants: The Fishermans Wharf, Copperleaf Panaji, and Venite Bar & Restaurant

How to reach
By air: Dabolim Airport is located in Goa.
By train: Madgaon Junction is located in Goa.

Munnar, Kerala

The rainy season in Munnar is characterized by misty mornings and cold evenings, which turn this picturesque town in Kerala into a lush environment with every shade of green under the sun. The weather is perfect for taking a walk around the tea plantations, with occasional rains throughout the day. Waterfalls like Lakkom and Attukal are ideal for hiking or taking a quick plunge into the naturally formed, full-to-overflowing pool at the bottom during monsoon season.

Average temperature: 23°C to 34°C

Things to do in Munnar: Enjoy a boat ride on Kundala Lake, explore Anamudi Shola National Park, and visit the iconic Cheeyappara Waterfalls

Nearby hotels: Viceroy Luxury Mountain Resort and Spa, Windermere Estate, and Vibe Munnar

Best restaurants: Butler’s Creek, Copper Castle, and Saravana Bhavan

How to reach
By air: Cochin International Airport is approximately 110 km away.
By train: Aluva Railway Station is approximately 120 km away.

kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Kodaikanal offers an abundance of scenic vistas for those who enjoy the rainy season. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Kodaikanal’s monsoon season brings out the finest of the hill station. One of the best locations to visit in India during the monsoon is Kodaikanal, which boasts tumbling waterfalls, towering hills that look brand-new after an afternoon of rain, and tranquil lakes that entice visitors to their shores.

Average temperature: 20°C to 28°C

Things to do in Kodaikanal: Trek to Vattakanal Falls, enjoy boat rides on Kodai Lake, and take in the lush greenery all around from Dolphin’s Nose

Nearby hotels: Villa Retreat, Zacs Valley Resort, and JC Residency

Best restaurants: Aromas of Kodai, Whistler Cafe, and Club Astoria

How to reach
By air: Madurai Airport is approximately 120 km away.
By train: Kodai Road Railway Station is approximately 90 km away.

Alleppey, Kerala

Alleppey, the most popular backwater location in Kerala, is a breathtaking sight to see in the monsoon season. A new round of rain revitalizes the landscape, making the backwaters and nearby settlements even more enticing. Rainfall ranging from light to heavy is ideal for taking a covered houseboat cruise along the backwaters, enjoying a hot beverage, and thinking about sampling a variety of fresh fish.

Average temperature: 25°C to 31°C

Things to do in Alleppey: Go kayaking on the backwaters, try parasailing on Alleppey Beach, and attend the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (August 10, 2024)

Nearby hotels: Marari Beach Resort, Warmth Lake Haven, and Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey

Best restaurants: Cassia Restaurant, Bayroute Bistro, and Dreamers Café and Restaurant

How to reach
By air: Cochin International Airport is approximately 73 km away.
By train: Alleppey Railway Station is located within the city.

Diu

Diu is a well-liked vacation spot for people looking for quiet beaches and breathtaking scenery without the crowds. It becomes an even more appealing choice during the monsoon season for people looking for a peaceful vacation in the middle of nature. The mild to medium downpour revitalizes Diu’s marsh woodlands and beaches while providing relief from the intense heat.

Average temperature: 15°C to 40°C

Things to do in Diu: Explore Naida Caves, go beach hopping, and spend time at Mirasol Lake Garden

Nearby hotels: Casa De Diu, Hotel Premium, and Radhika Beach Resort & Spa Diu

Best restaurants: The Cats Eye Restaurant, O’Coqueiro Restaurant, and Bavarchi The Indian Cuisine Restaurant

How to reach
By air: Diu Airport is located in Diu.
By train: Delwada Railway Station is approximately 9 km away.

Udaipur, Rajasthan

During India’s monsoon season, the picturesque City of Lakes is a perfect destination for exploration. During the monsoon, Udaipur experiences medium to moderate rainfall, which significantly reduces the famous desert heat of Rajasthan. During the rainy season, Udaipur is a sight to behold, even with high humidity levels. The lakes, gardens, waterfalls, and hills are all alive with lush greenery as the rains cleanse the city. When roaming around, anticipate mild, overcast afternoons and nice evenings.

Average temperature: 25°C to 35°C

Things to do in Udaipur: Enjoy breathtaking views from Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, go on a boat ride on Lake Pichola, and explore the City Palace Museum

Nearby hotels: Mementos by ITC Hotels Ekaaya, Sarasiruham Resort, and Trident Udaipur

Best restaurants: Savage Garden, Myra by Ramada, and Chandni at the Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel

How to reach
By air: Maharana Pratap Airport is located in the city.
By train: Udaipur City Railway Station is located in the city.

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang’s monsoon season brings with it lower temperatures, the possibility of an exciting climb, and breathtaking scenery all around. Tawang’s lush hills and forests are soaked by heavy to average rainfall, which turns the area’s stunning lakes and other natural features into a little piece of paradise. In Tawang, the monsoon season offers more than simply opportunities for tourist excursions. It’s also a great time to curl up with a book and your preferred beverage while taking in the town’s greenery while the rains fall.

Average temperature: 15°C to 25°C

Things to do in Tawang: Visit the gorgeous lakes of Tawang, spend time at Tawang Monastery, and enjoy a few hours at the Thingbu Hot Springs

Nearby hotels: Vivanta Tawang, Dup, and Hotel Dewa Elegance

Best restaurants: Dharma Coffee House and Library, GTK Kitchen, and Orange Restaurant & Lounge Bar

How to reach
By air: Salonibari Airport in Tezpur is approximately 320 km away.
By train: Rangapara Railway Station is approximately 315 km away.

Sohra (Cherrapunjee), Meghalaya

One of the most well-liked places to experience rain is Sohra, or Cherrapunjee as it is commonly called. Does going during the monsoon season make a difference, because it rains here all year round? Yes, it does, is the response. The town is alive with the charm of the monsoon, with its gushing lakes and waterfalls, cool weather, rolling hills, and countless small streams. When it rains, the region beneath the Cherrapunjee root bridges fills with fresh water, giving them new life.

Average temperature: 21°C to 23°C

Things to do in Cherrapunjee: Go hiking across verdant trails, explore Mawsawa Waterfalls, and walk across living root bridges to cross meandering streams.

Nearby hotels: Polo Orchid Resort Cherrapunjee, Sulawado Resort, and SAN NAEL LA RESORT

Best restaurants: Jiva Grill Sohra, Cafe Dylan, and Trattoria

How to reach
By air: Shillong Airport is approximately 55 km away.
By train: Guwahati Railway Station is approximately 145 km away.

Jog Falls, Karnataka

Jog Falls appears to take monsoons more seriously, even though all waterfalls grow to multiple times their original magnitude during this time. Jog Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in Asia and a top tourist destination in India during the monsoon, is a seasonal feature that is best experienced in the monsoon. Jog Falls is composed of four distinct cascades that come together to form one enormous, incredibly spectacular waterfall during the wet season.

Things to do at Jog Falls: Pay a visit to Linganamakki Dam, explore Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and visit Kaoor Fort

Nearby hotels: Hills View Stay, KSTDC Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa, and The Lyca Resorts

Best restaurants: Sri Kumarram, Mayura Restaurant, and Hotel Sachin

How to reach
By air: Shivamogga Airport is approximately 113 km away.
By train: Talguppa Railway Station is approximately 13 km away.

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

The monsoon season in Ooty breathes new life into the local flora and animals, blanketing the hills in dense mists. Ooty is one of the greatest locations to travel in India during the monsoon season because of its cooler temperatures, moderate to intense rainfall, clear lakes, lush scenery, striking waterfalls, and beautiful gardens.

Average temperature: 12°C to 25°C

Things to do in Ooty: Go boating on Ooty Lake, visit Pykara Waterfalls, and explore Mudumalai National Park

Nearby hotels: King’s Cliff, Western Valley Resorts, Willow Hill by Nature Resorts

Best restaurants: Garden Restaurant, Willy’s Coffee Pub, and Earl’s Secret

How to reach
By air: Coimbatore International Airport is approximately 87 km away.
By train: Udagamandalam Railway Station is located within Ooty.

Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

Mahabaleshwar’s landscape transforms from hot and dusty to clean and verdant during the monsoon. During the rainy season, this hill station receives moderate to heavy rainfall, reviving and reviving the waterfalls. Tiger Spring’s hot springs in Mahabaleshwar are teeming with water that is said to have therapeutic qualities.

Average temperature: 20°C to 25°C

Things to do in Mahabaleshwar: Go boating on Venna Lake, spend time at Lingamala Falls, and enjoy the views of the lush, green hills from Lodwick Point

Nearby hotels: Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa, Advait Resort Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, and Brightland Resort & Spa

Best restaurants: Woods – The Forest Dining Experience, Barbeque Bay, and Mad Smoke House

How to reach
By air: Pune International Airport is approximately 130 km away.
By train: Satara Railway Station is approximately 60 km away.

Kaas Plateau, Maharashtra

If the idea of wildflower-filled meadows with windmills rotating languidly in the background appeals to you, Kaas Plateau is the ideal location to experience it all firsthand. One of the best locations in India to travel during the monsoon is here, where you can stroll through a foggy valley filled with wildflowers and rolling hillsides to lakes, waterfalls, streams, and views where you can take in the breathtaking scenery. Once you arrive, you will see how strikingly similar it is to Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers.

Average temperature: 26°C to 34°C

Things to do at Kaas Plateau: Spend time by Kaas Lake, visit Ekiv Waterfall, and explore Chalkewadi Wind Mill Farm

Nearby hotels: Vamoose Kaas Hill Resort, Kaas Woods Resort Yavateshwar, and Prabhusrushti Agro

Best restaurants: The Black Pearl Resto, Shreeman Resto, and Manas Resto & Lounge

How to reach
By air: Pune International Airport is approximately 122 km away.
By train: Satara Railway Station is located within the city.

Tips for traveling during monsoon in India

• Remember that the rains might delay or cancel your sightseeing plans for the day, so plan accordingly.
• Don’t leave the hotel without checking the weather forecast.
• Carry insect repellant.
• Ensure clean drinking water.
• Avoid street food, especially uncooked varieties like fruit salads, juices, and grappas.
• Carry umbrellas and raincoats at all times.
• Carry rain covers for your bags and electronic items.
• Roads become slippery during rain, so make sure to watch your step.
• Wear anti-slip footwear.