The moment one thinks of Goa, sun-kissed beaches and partying are instantly conjured. The rains give a different view to this famous coastal state. Among India's top 10 places to visit during monsoon, Goa takes a different avatar in the rains as a green paradise—cascading waterfalls and peaceful backwaters.
During the wet months, Goa's popular beaches take on a brooding intensity. The rough seas and cloudy skies set a lovey-dovey feel that's just right for strolling along the water's edge. You won't be swimming, but you can still soak in the beauty of the coast from seaside cafes and hotels.

Another top attraction during the rainy season when visiting Goa is Dudhsagar Falls. The falls are on the Mandovi River and drop 310 meters to create a white mist that gives them their name, "sea of milk." Because of the monsoon rains, the falls become even more impressive, so one should not miss them.
The Monsoons bring the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary alive, much to the delight of nature lovers. A lush green forest with gurgling streams offers just the right environment for several flora and fauna. You may even be lucky enough to have a glimpse of the elusive Black Panther!
Don't miss June's unique Sao Joao festival, where people jump into wells to catch bottles of feni, the local booze. This makes it obvious that the monsoon season is welcomed with a lot of fun in Goa.

Nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Munnar enlivens as a hill station with the onset of monsoon. It represents one of the top 10 destinations for the Indian monsoons, with fantastic views of hills fully carpeted with green tea plantations.
The misty mornings of Munnar during a rain shower simply take one's breath away. Clouds dip into the hills and form an ethereal scene. Take a stroll in the tea gardens in the dawn to renew yourself and fill your lungs with clean, rain-soaked air.
This would be the best time to visit many of the waterfalls near Munnar. Attukal, Lakkam, and Cheeyappara Waterfalls will be at their best with roaring waters during the monsoon season, rendering a breathtaking display.
Wildlife lovers should definitely visit Eravikulam National Park, which is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Once the monsoon rains set in, the grassy slopes of this park become carpeted with wild flowers.
Not to mention tasting some brewed tea and enjoying the vast views of the foggy hills. The fragrance of tea joined with the smell of the rain on dry earth, is a memorable moment.

 

People call Coorg the "Scotland of India." This hill station in Karnataka turns emerald green when the monsoon arrives in the city. Foggy views, coffee farms, and rushing waterfalls render it one of the top 10 monsoon spots across India.
The rain brings alive Coorg's already green countryside. On the coffee plants mixed with pepper vines and cardamom, the raindrops sparkle, a sight to see. You can have a tour of these farms—learn how they make coffee and smell the rich scents left behind.
Coorg waterfalls take on a totally different look during the rainy season. The Abbey Falls is a place of loud, thunderous waters that cut through thick greenery – it is simply stunning. Near Nagarhole National Park, Iruppu Falls is considered one of the most beautiful places of religious importance for the people living in that region.
In Coorg, when it rains, trekkers can have excellent treks. During this season, the path to the Tadiandamol — the highest mountain in Coorg — becomes tough but worth it.
Try local Kodava cuisine, which is well suited to the cool monsoon weather. Pandi, or pork curry, along with kadambuttu (rice dumplings), will keep you warm during the rains.

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is nicknamed the "Scotland of the East" because of its characteristics—rolling hills and a pleasant climate. During monsoon season, it becomes a misty paradise, ranking among the top ten places to visit during this season across India.
The word Meghalaya literally means "abode of clouds" in Sanskrit, and it is very apt, especially during the monsoons. The city of Shillong gets drenched in clouds, and this gives the atmosphere a dreamy, surreal feel. From the top of Shillong Peak, the highest point in the state, opens an ethereal view of the city that shrouds itself in mist.
This would be topped by visiting the living root bridges of Mawlynnong village during monsoons. These natural wonders—formed by guiding rubber tree roots over streams—are an absolute testament to the ingenuity of the local Khasi tribe. During the monsoon season, the surrounding area of these bridges presents a magical view.
The Elephant Falls is a three-tier waterfall, just on the outskirts of Shillong. During the rainy season, its cascades are truly a thundering spectacle. The surrounding forest in its best attire, drenched in rain, just adds to the beauty of the falls.
Visit Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth, located just 50 km from Shillong. The monsoon creates innumerable waterfalls in this region, which is a wonderland.

 

Though located at an altitude in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most beautiful hill stations during monsoon. It is one of the top 10 places in India, with misty peaks, verdant valleys, and cascading waterfalls.
This is what the monsoon can do: turn the strawberry fields of Mahabaleshwar into a green carpet. Picking strawberries might be a summer activity, but the rainy season has a charm of its own in misty fields and promising future harvests.
Mahabaleshwar is a view-point—literally so, since the number of view-points here runs into several; and in monsoon, it gets a dramatic touch to these vistas. Panoramic dimensions of the valleys below are presented with vistas by Arthur's Seat, Wilson Point, and Kate's Point, often veiled in clouds during this season.
This Lingmala waterfall, which is on the way to Pune, is a sight during monsoons. Reaching a point, the waterfall has bifurcated into two streams, flows, and forms a beautiful display against the lush green backdrop.
An exclusive experience will be the boat ride on Venna Lake. The atmosphere turns misty, with greenery all around, creating a serene atmosphere to relax in.
Sample the local specialty - corn roasted with spices, and one gets it that it is meant to be the perfect snack in cool monsoon weather.

Among the crown jewels of West Bengal, Darjeeling has been bestowed with the charm of colonialism and brilliant Himalayan views. The hill station becomes mystical during monsoon season and easily makes it one of the top 10 places to visit during this season across India.
The monsoon paints the famous tea gardens of Darjeeling in shades of green. Drive through these tea plantations to learn about tea production and enjoy the aroma of fresh tea leaves against the rain-washed air.
One of the absolute highlights of a visit to Darjeeling during the monsoon season is witnessing Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak. On days when the rain clears up, the snow-capped mountain rises against the blue sky, creating an absolutely stunning view.
Experiencing the monsoon on board the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway—this 70-kilometer-long, fourteen-station, steam-locomotive UNESCO World Heritage site—is an experience like no other. It is a journey so idyllic, passing through misty hills and dense forests, that it appears full of magic.
Get ready for the view of a sunrise at Tiger Hill when the sun's first rays hit the Himalayas' peaks. The show is often dramatic, with the monsoon clouds hanging in the backdrop.
On a rainy day, one can visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which displays the region's climbing history and mountaineering equipment used on various Everest expeditions.

 

Known for its backwaters, houseboats, and silent beaches, Alleppey or Alappuzha is called the "Venice of the East." Continuous rains in the monsoon season don a different character to this city, and it also features among the top 10 places to visit during the monsoon season in India.
The monsoon brings the backwaters of Alleppey to life. Continual rains make these canals and lagoons full, encircling the terrain with green. A houseboat cruise will give one a different view of the rural Kerala way of life in general—lashing waves of water at the shores of rice fields, with people going about their daily routines.
Though there might be less in terms of beach activity, the monsoon brings a dramatic backdrop to long walks on the beach. Cloudy skies and chopped-up seas lend an air of brooding romance to the beaches around Alleppey.
One of the Alleppey monsoon season highlights includes the Snake Boat Races. These traditional boat races are held between July and September, and they are indeed so very thrilling. Hundreds of rowers man longboats that race through the backwaters.
Avail of an Ayurvedic massage during your stay. Ayurvedic treatments are considered best done during the monsoon season in Kerala.

This quaint hill station of Uttarakhand, Lansdowne, is at its finest during the monsoon. With misty oak and pine forests, and architecture left from the colonial era, it occupies its place in the top 10 places to be visited in India during the monsoons.
During the monsoon, Lansdowne is covered in clouds, giving a mystic charm to the place. The lush forests burst into songs of falling raindrops and chirping of birds to provide isolation from noise.
One of the major attractions of Lansdowne is the Tip-n-Top viewpoint, which gives a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Rolling over of clouds during monsoon over the mountain looks mesmerizing.
For the history enthusiast, there is the Garhwali Museum maintained by the regiment of the Garhwal Rifles that helps one understand the military history of the region. The monsoon adds a touch of nostalgia to the buildings of the colonial era that house the museum.
Take advantage of the opportunity to walk in nature in the surrounding forests. Wet trails sprinkled with wildflowers, as if for this very reason nature lovers refreshed their memory.

India's first planned hill city, Lavasa, offers a totally different kind of monsoon experience. Drawing inspiration from the Italian town of Portofino, with its colored buildings and lakefront promenade, Lavasa makes it to the list of top 10 places for a visit during the monsoon.
This is when the atmosphere at Lavasa and its surroundings gets drenched in a bright green. Filling up during the monsoon season, the Warasgaon Lake, around which the city is built, displays a beautiful sight. The hills surrounding the lake are misty, and the romance just oozes through the air.
A prominent feature of a monsoon visit to Lavasa is the innumerable waterfalls that spring into life in the surrounding areas. These seasonal falls, set against the backdrop of verdant hills, make for excellent trekking destinations.
For the adventurer, activities at Lavasa range from kayaking and rock climbing. The monsoon adds a dollop of adventure to these pursuits.
Take this opportunity to indulge in local cuisine in promenade restaurants. Cool monsoon weather is well-suited for hot spicy dishes while savoring the misty lake views.

 

Athirappilly is a monsoon paradise, housing the largest waterfall in Kerala, which rounds off our top 10 places to visit during monsoon season in India. During the rainy season, Athirappilly Falls presents the most wonderful sight, often referred to as the "Niagara of India.".
During monsoons, these falls come alive with the swollen Chalakudy River rushing down 80 feet. The spray from these falls can be felt at a good distance.
Nature lovers will enjoy lush forests surrounding the falls, which the rain brings out in full force, hosting a diverse flora and fauna. So it is excellent for birdwatching and wildlife photography.
For the adventurous, there are trekking trails all the way to the top of the falls. Of course, it would get much more challenging during the monsoon, but again, what a view from the top.
Visit the nearby Vazhachal Falls, which is smaller but has a more secluded and peaceful experience.

In conclusion, the best 10 places to visit during the monsoon season in India will be acquainted with misty mountains and lush green forests, thundering waterfalls, and serene backwaters. Each destination brings a different dimension of India's monsoon beauty, allowing many special memories if you are ready to embrace the rainy season. Be it adventure, relaxation, or a beautiful time amidst nature, these monsoon getaways will never leave you disappointed. Pack your raincoat, click those gorgeous captures in your camera, and get ready to experience the magic land of India during the monsoons!