Mangaluru (Mangalore)

Alternating between relaxed coastal town and hectic commercial hub, Mangaluru (more commonly known as Mangalore) has a Jekyll-and-Hyde thing going, but it’s a useful gateway for the Konkan coast and the inland Kodagu region. While there’s not a lot to do here, it has an appealing off-the-beaten-path feel, and the spicy seafood dishes are sensational.