Gokarna

Gokarna is a small temple town on the Karnataka coast that has quietly become one of the most loved beach getaways in South India. It is what many travellers wish Goa still was: a string of crescent beaches tucked between rocky headlands, reached by cliff paths rather than highways, with shacks, hammocks and sunsets over the Arabian Sea instead of crowds and nightclubs.

The town itself is a pilgrimage centre built around the Mahabaleshwar Temple, which houses the Atmalinga of Lord Shiva and draws devotees year-round. A short drive south, Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach line up along the coast. The best way to see them is the coastal trek that links one to the next over the cliffs, with boat rides available to bring you back. Om Beach, named for its shape when seen from the clifftop, is the most photographed spot.

Our three-night package pairs the beaches with Murudeshwar, an hour and a half south, where a towering Shiva statue overlooks the sea and boats run out to Netrani Island for snorkelling and scuba. Gokarna suits friends' groups, couples and anyone who wants a long weekend of sea, sun and seafood without the commercial feel of bigger resort towns. Travellers from Hyderabad usually fly into Hubballi or Goa and drive the final stretch. The drive itself runs through the Western Ghats and along the coast, so it is part of the experience rather than a chore. Evenings are slow and social, with bonfires, fresh seafood and the sound of the waves, which is exactly why so many visitors end up staying an extra night.