New Delhi: Valentine’s Day is the time when couples love to step away from routine and choose time together over everything else. South India suits this mood effortlessly, offering hill towns wrapped in mist, slow beaches, old-world cities and calm backwaters. These landscapes encourage quiet conversations, shared discoveries and unhurried mornings. A thoughtfully planned escape here feels intimate rather than extravagant. Planning a Valentine’s escape becomes easier when variety works in your favour. South India brings choices that suit different moods and budgets, without sacrificing romance.

Majestic settings with lush green views or rhythmic sound of waves near a beach can set the right mood. If you are love adventure, peace or looking for luxurious stays, South India’s multiple landscapes and rich heritage create the perfect backdrop for celebrating love. Valentine’s Day 2026 falls on Saturday, February 14, offering couples the opportunity for an extended romantic weekend getaway. Here are the top places to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Set in the emerald folds of the Western Ghats, Munnar feels like a world wrapped in clouds. Rolling tea plantations, cool mountain air and drifting mist create a serene backdrop for couples craving privacy and quiet romance.

Romantic things to do

• Stay in a cosy hilltop cottage or a secluded treehouse.
• Stroll through Kolukkumalai Tea Estate.
• Watch the sunrise from Top Station.
• Explore Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam.

Best time to visit: October to March.

• Chandys Windy Woods Resort: Special 2 nights-3 days suite packages range between Rs 53,000 and Rs 55,350.
• The Panoramic Getaway: Nightly rates usually begin at Rs 7,014 and go up to Rs 10,300.
• Blanket Hotel and Spa: Close to Attukad Waterfalls, known for its infinity pool; prices start around Rs 8,435 to Rs 9,582 per night with taxes.
• Elixir Hills: Located within Letchmi Tea Estate, offers spacious jacuzzi suites; average rates hover near Rs 9,372, with deals from Rs 6,900.
• The Fog Resort and Spa: A peaceful hideaway with warm hospitality; from approximately Rs 5,650 per night.
• Eden Woods Resorts and Spa: Popular for honeymoon décor and immersive nature stays; around Rs 7,195 per night.

Coorg, also called Kodagu, is know as Scotland of India. This place has lush coffee estates, mist-laced hills and cascading waterfalls. It strikes a perfect balance between indulgent luxury and raw natural beauty.

Romantic things to do

• Walk through coffee plantations at sunrise.
• Visit Abbey Falls and Iruppu Falls.
• Catch sunset at Raja’s Seat.
• Book a forest-view villa or plantation bungalow.

Best time to visit: October to April.

• Taj Madikeri Resort and Spa: Spread across 120 acres of rainforest; approximately Rs 27,000 to Rs 31,000 per night.
• Evolve Back Coorg: Famous for lily pool villas and romantic dining experiences; Rs 35,000 to Rs 41,000 per night, often inclusive of meals.
• The Tamara Coorg: Elevated cottages amid coffee plantations offering maximum privacy; Rs 21,000 to Rs 28,000 per night.
• Ayatana Coorg: Features a private waterfall and rooms with direct views; Rs 21,000 to Rs 25,000 per night.
• Club Mahindra Madikeri: Rustic-chic accommodation with activity options; Rs 8,000 to Rs 11,000 per night.

Often called the “Venice of the East,” Alleppey is synonymous with floating romance. Calm lagoons, palm-fringed canals and traditional houseboats offer an experience unlike any other. Imagine drifting across the backwaters in a private boat, sharing candlelit meals as the sun melts into the horizon.

Romantic things to do

• Book a luxury overnight houseboat with meals.
• Spend a quiet day at Marari Beach.
• Indulge in Ayurvedic spa therapies.
• Savour traditional Kerala dishes onboard.

Best time to visit: November to February.

• Sterling Lake Palace: Lake-view suites from Rs 9,900 to Rs 12,000 per night.
• Uday Backwater Resort: Balcony-facing lake views; Rs 12,500 to Rs 14,700 per night.
• Lake Canopy: Pool villas and boating access; Rs 7,500 to Rs 20,600 per night.
• Luxury private houseboats: Premium options range between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 per night. Honeymoon décor packages cost approximately Rs 1,500 extra.

Nestled in the Nilgiris, Ooty combines colonial elegance with crisp mountain air. Its gardens, heritage homes and scenic viewpoints offer timeless romance.

Romantic things to do

• Ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor.
• Visit Botanical and Rose Gardens.
• Climb Doddabetta Peak.
• Stay in a heritage bungalow with a fireplace.

Best time to visit: March to June and October to February.

• Savoy: Heritage estate with fireplaces; Rs 18,700 to Rs 22,300 per night.
• Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Ayatana Ooty: Luxury hillside retreat; Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000 per night.
• Glyngarth Resort: Valley-facing infinity pool; Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per night.

Pondicherry charms visitors with pastel façades, cobbled streets and breezy beaches. It suits couples who enjoy culture, cuisine and quiet seaside evenings.

Romantic things to do

• Walk along Promenade Beach.
• Cycle through White Town.
• Dine at French cafés.
• Visit Auroville for a peaceful escape.

Best time to visit: October to March.

• Le Pondy Beach Resort: Private beach setting; Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,500 per night.
• Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay: Riverside luxury villas; Rs 15,500 to Rs 24,000 per night.

Varkala offers dramatic cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea, bohemian cafés and glowing sunsets. It is quieter than mainstream beach hubs, making it ideal for couples seeking calm.

Romantic things to do

• Watch sunset from Varkala Cliff.
• Book a couples’ Ayurvedic massage.
• Explore Edava and Black Beach.
• Join a beachfront yoga session.

Best time to visit: October to March.

• Gateway Varkala: Sea-facing luxury; Rs 11,000 to Rs 13,775 per night.
• B’CAnti Boutique Beach Resort: Private beachfront boutique stay; Rs 8,500 to Rs 9,800 per night.
• Villa Luca by Elixir Cliff: Intimate cliffside retreat known for exclusivity and honeymoon suites.

Valentine’s Day is less about grand gestures and more about shared moments such as a sunrise above tea hills, a silent boat ride across still waters, or a sunset on a windswept cliff. South India offers countless backdrops for love; the only choice left is the one that matches your story best.