Indian Families Head To Beaches And Hills; This Summer, Searches Up Across Key Destinations

With schools closing across India for the summer, families are making holiday plans, and their choices point clearly to the beach, the hills and the outdoors. Accommodation searches have risen across several domestic destinations compared to last year, according to accommodation search data released by digital travel platform Agoda for check-ins between May and June 2026.

The May-June period is one of the few times in the year when families can take an extended holiday together, and the data points to the destinations Indian families are preferring. Destinations with open spaces, cooler air, and places which offer outdoor activities are seeing the strongest rise in interest.

Puri Leads With 68 Per Cent Rise

Puri has recorded the highest jump among the destinations tracked, with a 68 per cent rise in family accommodation searches. The Odisha coastal town offers families two things at once: the Jagannath Temple for those seeking a spiritual visit, and a long, open stretch of Bay of Bengal shoreline for a more relaxed beach holiday.

Kerala's Wayanad follows with a 40 per cent rise. Its wildlife sanctuaries, plantation stays, and cool forested terrain draw families looking for something quieter and more nature-focused, away from the heat of the plains.

Goa, a perennial favourite, has seen searches rise 29 per cent. It's the beaches, water parks, and wide range of resort options which make it a practical and popular choice for families travelling with children.

Hill Stations And Adventure Towns Attract Families

Rishikesh in Uttarakhand has seen a 22 per cent rise in searches, with families drawn to its riverside camps, rafting on the Ganga, yoga retreats, and spiritual significance.

Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, and Ooty in Tamil Nadu, both long-established summer destinations, are also seeing steady interest. Searches for Mahabaleshwar are up 15 per cent, and Ooty has recorded a 13 per cent rise, with both hill stations offering cooler temperatures, scenic viewpoints and reliable hospitality options.

School Holidays Shape Travel Window

With most Indian states observing school closures through May and June, the season remains one of the most active periods for domestic family travel. The spread of destinations, from temple towns and beach resorts to hill stations and river camps, points to the range of experiences families are looking for when they finally get time away together.