Which Part of India Has the Most Foreigners? South India's Surprising Hotspots
Apr, 24 2025
Picture walking through a street in India and suddenly hearing more German, French, or Hebrew than Hindi. Oddly enough, that could happen in certain parts of South India. Forget the usual clichés about the Taj Mahal or crowded Delhi bazaars. Down south, the vibe’s totally different, and so is the crowd.
People flock here for more than just palm-tree beaches or cheap yoga classes. South India has this wild combo: easier visas (especially Kerala and Goa), reliable Wi-Fi (you’d be shocked how good it is in Pondicherry), and a laid-back feel far from the chaos up north. It’s not just tourists either. Loads of long-term travelers, digital nomads, and expats decide this is where they want to set up shop, at least for a while.
If you’re the sort who likes to actually meet people from everywhere—including the West, East Asia, and Europe—knowing where most of them hang out can change your trip. You’ll find coffee shops in Mysore filled with Australians fresh out of yoga school, and bakeries in Varkala packed with Scandinavians. South India somehow pulls a crowd that mixes all these different backgrounds.
- Why South India Attracts Foreigners
- The Most Popular Cities for International Visitors
- Hidden Gems Loved by Expats
- What Draws Foreigners Here: Food, Culture, and More
- Tips for Exploring South India Like a Local
Why South India Attracts Foreigners
There’s no denying it—South India just hits different for travelers and expats. For starters, the climate stays comfy pretty much year-round. Places like Kerala, Goa, and Tamil Nadu avoid the extreme weather dramas you find up north. You get sun, some rain, but rarely those foggy chillers or crazy heatwaves.
Safety is a big selling point. Compared to most Indian metro cities, crime rates in South Indian towns are much lower. Women especially feel safer walking around at night in cities like Kochi or Mysore, which isn’t always the case elsewhere.
The region’s also famous for being way cleaner and more organized. If you’ve tried to cross a street in Mumbai or Delhi, you know the madness. In South India, roads are friendlier and folks usually follow traffic rules—well, most of the time!
Another pull is the culture mix. Sure, Hinduism is huge here, but you’ll also stumble onto old Portuguese churches, Jewish synagogues, and shrines dedicated to all sorts of faiths. In Kochi, you get a blend of Indian, Middle Eastern, and even Dutch and British influences. Foreigners are often amazed by how everyone just gets along, sharing space and traditions.
Language helps, too. English is understood almost everywhere, especially in touristy towns. You don’t have to battle with the language barrier much when haggling with rickshaw drivers or ordering food. Locals seem used to talking with tourists and are generally patient if you’re lost or confused.
And yeah, the practical stuff. Visa-free stays are way simpler for some nationalities in places like Kerala thanks to their e-Visa and Visa-on-Arrival schemes. Internet’s solid in the bigger towns—critical for expats and digital nomads. The cost of living is low, so your dollars or euros stretch further, whether you’re booking a beachfront hut or grabbing dinner.
Beaches, ayurveda, international food, quiet mountain retreats, and buzzing backpacker scenes—South India has a little bit for every taste. No wonder it’s become a magnet for foreigners hunting for something different from the classic Golden Triangle experience up north.
| State | Top Destinations for Foreigners | Main Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | Kochi, Varkala, Alleppey | Backwaters, Beaches, Ayurveda |
| Goa | Anjuna, Palolem, Panaji | Parties, Portuguese Heritage, Surfing |
| Tamil Nadu | Pondicherry, Chennai, Mahabalipuram | French Quarters, Spiritual Centers |
The Most Popular Cities for International Visitors
When you talk about where the most foreigners hang out in South India, a few cities always come up—these places have built strong reputations for being kind of like international hangouts. You won’t just see backpackers; you’ll see every kind of traveler and expat living life like a local.
Goa is always at the top of the list. Even though it's technically its own state, it’s a magnet for folks from Russia, Israel, Germany, and the UK, especially in the beach towns. There’s a reason: quick visas, cheap guesthouses, famous all-night parties, and a pretty relaxed attitude toward almost everything. Russians even have their own restaurants and stores along Morjim Beach. During winter, the foreign population can swell to over 100,000.
Over in Kochi, you’ll bump into clusters of European retirees, American teachers, and even a few Japanese artists. This city makes it easy for foreigners to blend in, thanks to its historic Fort Kochi area, loads of homestays, and hipster-friendly cafés that could be straight out of Berlin. Plus, Kochi’s Biennale art festival attracts thousands of international visitors every other year. If you like connections, this city brings them together.
Pondicherry (or Puducherry) is another big hit. It still has lots of French expats and a style that feels way more Mediterranean than Indian. French bakeries here are legit, and people come for weeks just to chill at the Auroville ashram. Besides, most signboards are bilingual—which tells you exactly who visits most.
Next up: Mysore. This city isn’t about beaches, but it’s the yoga capital of South India. Mysore’s ashtanga yoga scene brings in thousands of serious students every year, mostly from Australia, the US, and Europe—so much so that you’ll find more foreign-run organic cafés and bookstores than maybe any small city in Karnataka. Not down for yoga? The usual foreign crowd also comes for the chilly weather, green spaces, and slower pace.
Don’t forget Varkala in Kerala. Pack your flip-flops: this place is full of Scandinavian and Israeli backpackers all season long. Think cliffside cafés, sunset jams, and a ton of international menu options. Varkala’s got a small but tight expat community. Walk up the cliff path and you’ll probably run into someone with a guitar from somewhere way colder than India.
| City | Main Visitor Nationalities | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|
| Goa | Russia, Israel, UK, Germany | Nov - Feb |
| Kochi | France, USA, Japan | Dec - March |
| Pondicherry | France, Germany, UK | Nov - March |
| Mysore | Australia, USA, Europe | Nov - Feb |
| Varkala | Israel, Scandinavia, France | Nov - Feb |
If your goal is to meet travelers from around the world or tap into a real expats scene, these cities will not disappoint. You get all the perks—global food, great Wi-Fi, local tips, and a mixed vibe that’s hard to beat elsewhere in India.
Hidden Gems Loved by Expats
You’d expect South India to be teeming with tourists in obvious spots like Goa or Kochi, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find some chill places where expats actually stick around. These aren’t just places you pass through—they’re the kind of towns folks accidentally call home for months, sometimes years.
Pondicherry makes the top of nearly every list, even if it gets mysteriously left out of the backpacker circuit. With its French quarter, legit croissants, and cycle-friendly lanes, this little coastal city draws digital nomads, artists, and French expats who just never left. Rentals are cheaper than you’d think, and there’s a real community vibe—not just a revolving door of travelers.
Up the Western Ghats, Auroville isn’t just a tourist spot but a social experiment that attracts people from over 50 countries. Here, money’s not king—community work is. Most folks come for spiritual retreats or organic farming but end up finding something they want to stay for. It’s also a hotspot for eco-builders, yoga teachers, and international volunteers.
Then you’ve got Varkala in Kerala. No, not just another beach town. Check out the cliffside cafes any afternoon and you’ll meet people from Russia, Israel, or Sweden, who’ll swear the surf, Ayurveda, and rooftop parties beat anything up north. The local wellness scene is a magnet for health-conscious travelers, especially from Europe and Australia.
Mysore is on the radar for expats keen on deep-diving into yoga or Ayurveda. The city hosts one of the world’s most famous Ashtanga yoga schools, so there’s a steady stream of Westerners here, not just for a quick class, but for months of serious practice. Walk around Gokulam and you’ll bump into a dozen different accents before breakfast.
If you like stats, here’s a quick snapshot of expat-heavy spots and their foreigner draw:
| Town/City | Estimated Expat Population | Countries Most Represented |
|---|---|---|
| Pondicherry | 2,500+ | France, USA, Germany |
| Auroville | 3,200+ | Italy, France, Israel |
| Varkala | 1,800+ | Russia, Israel, Sweden |
| Mysore | 1,500+ | USA, Australia, UK |
If you’re looking to go beyond the tourist scene and make actual connections, these are the places in South India where you’re most likely to blend in with a mixed crowd. Don’t just breeze through—stay a bit longer and you’ll see why expats genuinely love these spots.
What Draws Foreigners Here: Food, Culture, and More
So why are so many people from abroad hooked on South India? It comes down to the mix—no other part of India feels quite as chill while still being packed with stuff to do. And it all starts with the food. Here, you’re not stuck with just curries. You get fluffy idlis, spicy dosas, fresh seafood, vegan bites, and even solid espresso—especially in places like Pondicherry where the French influence lingers.
It’s not just about what’s on your plate, though. South India’s got this slower rhythm. Yoga and Ayurveda—especially in Kerala, Mysore, and even parts of Tamil Nadu—are serious draws. Some yoga retreats in Mysore have waiting lists months out, and people actually plan whole trips around getting certified here. Plus, ayurvedic massages in Kerala are famous for a reason. It’s not just hype; it’s an everyday part of life and visitors want in.
The festivals and temple life are next level. Ever seen a real elephant procession? Thrissur Pooram in Kerala goes huge every year and gets talked about on travel forums for a reason. Tamil Nadu’s temples in Chennai, Madurai, and Thanjavur attract architecture nerds, spiritual seekers, and anyone with a camera. The music scene—like the famous December Music Season in Chennai—has actual fans flying in from Europe and the U.S., just to catch live Carnatic performances.
For a lot of foreigners, life here feels easier too. Several spots in South India are less hectic compared to other parts of the country. It’s often considered more female traveler-friendly, with many hostels and hotels run by expats and locals who get what international travelers need. And if you’re working remotely, internet speeds often blow away what you’ll get elsewhere in the region.
Check out some numbers showing why this region is catching on:
| City/Region | Foreign Visitors (annual, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Goa | over 800,000 |
| Kerala | around 350,000 |
| Pondicherry | about 90,000 |
It’s the local culture, the mix of old and new, vegetarian food hotspots, and easy-going beach towns that make South India a magnet for international travelers. Once people stumble onto these places, most don’t want to leave.
Tips for Exploring South India Like a Local
Want to blend in and not look like you’ve just fallen off the tour bus? Here are some real-world tips that make your time in South India a lot more fun—and honestly, safer and cheaper too.
- Ditch the Hotel Chains: Homestays are where it’s at. Not only are they budget-friendly, but you’ll get home-cooked food, inside info, and sometimes even a scooter to borrow. Places like Fort Kochi and Auroville have some real gems.
- Eat Like You Mean It: South Indian food is spicy, but locals can help you order so you don't get knocked out by a chili bomb. Ask for a thali—it's basically a taste tour on a single plate, and you can find these everywhere from basic eateries to upscale restaurants in Mysuru and Chennai.
- Public Transport Hacks: Don’t underestimate the trains, especially local ones. They’re cheap and surprisingly comfy if you book in advance. The Kochi Metro is spotless and air-conditioned, and in Bengaluru, the Namma Metro zips through traffic faster than any cab.
- Dress the Part: Flip-flops work, but covering shoulders and knees gets you fewer stares and saves you hassles at temples. You’ll see plenty of foreigners in linen pants and light cotton shirts in places like Pondicherry and Hampi—it’s not just for the photos.
- Learn a Few Words: Even just 'Nandri' (thank you in Tamil) or 'Namaskara' in Kannada gets big smiles. People appreciate the effort. Bonus: bargaining at the local markets gets a lot easier.
- Festival Time: Check out when big festivals like Onam (in Kerala) or Pongal (in Tamil Nadu) happen. Locals are friendly, and if you tag along with a homestay family, it’s a game-changer—think flower carpets, special meals, and crazy-good music.
| City | Main Draw | Foreigners per Month (avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Goa | Beaches, parties | 32,000 |
| Kochi | Culture, backwaters | 18,000 |
| Pondicherry | French vibe, cafes | 14,500 |
| Varkala | Cliff beaches, yoga | 9,700 |
| Hampi | Ruins, backpacker scene | 7,200 |
Finally, don’t just stick to the major tourist traps. Rent a scooter, wander into smaller coastal towns like Mararikulam or head inland to coffee country in Coorg. Locals love sharing their favorite chai stands or waterfall spots—you just have to ask. Stick around for a while, and soon you’ll stop feeling like a tourist altogether.