There are many places in India to enjoy holidays with family and friends. And for that, you need not have to incline to only Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan as the natural beauty also lies in the South of India. One prominent example is Tamil Nadu. There are many tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu, which are exceptional in their distinct features. If you search for Tamil Nadu’s beautiful homes, you will find many names, including Rameshwaram.
If you have never been to this southern state of India, it’s time to explore it now. So take a break from usual tourist destinations like Udaipur or Manali, when there are famous places in Tamil Nadu to explore to the fullest.
Let us tell you that Tamil Nadu is not far behind in attracting maximum tourist footfall like other Indian states. The state has many ancient temples attracting a maximum number of devotees. Today, in this blog, we have come up with a checklist of those famous spots in the latter state, which will convince you to visit those places and get familiar with its culture, eateries, and much more. So, let’s begin our exploration.
Best tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu
- Rameshwaram
When it comes to Tamil Nadu tourism, then Rameshwaram is one popular place to visit. It is famous as Varanasi of the South among those 4 Char Dhams, including Badrinath, Dwarka, and Puri. Nestled in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, Rameshwaram is a famous pilgrimage spot for devotees.
According to a mythological fact, the place got its name from the time of Ramayana, when Ram prayed to Lord Shiva to bless him in winning over Ravana and bringing back his wife Sita from Lanka. Although Rameshwaram temple is associated with Lord Shiva, it is also known for Lord Ram.
The best time to visit Rameshwaram is from July to August or in November. Some popular places to explore here include Olaikuda, Pamban, Sethu, Danushkodi, Tirupullani, and Uthirakosamangai. You must search for the best hotel in Rameshwaram for your convenient and luxurious stay.
At Rameshwaram, you can grab the golden opportunity to do scuba diving and watch
migratory birds, which you have been dreaming of. You can reach this Varanasi of South by train at Rameswaram Railway Station. If you choose to go by air, you must board a flight to Tuticorin Airport. By road, there is Rameshwaram Central Bus Station.
- Coimbatore
Coimbatore is also one of the top tourist places in Tamil Nadu. The best time to visit this place is from July to March. However, you need not worry about the weather as it is pleasant throughout the year.
Now, the one big reason to spend the vacation in Coimbatore is it’s a perfect picnic spot with your kids as you can watch spectacular views of waterfalls and rivers, which are enough to refresh your senses.
Nestled at the banks of the Noyyal River, Coimbatore is encircled by Sahyadris, which gives a pleasant view to eyes. The places to visit here include the Marudhamalai Hill Temple, Perur Patteeswarar Temple, Eachanari Vinayagar Temple, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kovai Kondattam, and Siruvani Waterfall. Adding one more entrant is the famous Adiyogi Shiva Statue. The replicas of these statues can be seen in car dashboards today.
At Coimbatore, you can enjoy trekking and photography with your friends. Coimbatore Main Junction is the railway station to reach this place. You can also take a flight to Coimbatore International Airport by air. There are also bus services from Gandhipuram Central Bus Stand.
- Vellore
Nestled at the banks of the Palar River, Vellore is no behind in being a top tourist spot in Tamil Nadu, with numerous holy shrines and historical monuments. Two of its famous institutions are Vellore Institute of Technology and Christian Medical College. The best places to visit in Vellore include The Vellore Fort, Amirthi Zoological Park, Science Park, Vainu Bappu Observatory, and French Bungalow.
You can take pictures of whatever you find interesting. To reach Vellore by train, there are two railway junctions – Vellore Town Railway Station and Katpadi Junction. You can also board a flight to Chennai International Airport. Buses are available at Vellore Central Bus Station.
- Thanjavur
As the name suggests, Thanjavur is one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu. Known as the city of temples, the place is known for its rich cultural value, Tanjore paintings, textiles and saris, metal sculptures, handicraft items, and antique pieces. The best time to reach Thanjavur is from October to March. Throughout the year, you can expect the tropical weather here.
Now, the places to visit in Thanjavur include Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Vijaynagar Fort, Thanjavur Palace, and Shiva Ganga Garden. To reach Thanjavur, there are two railway junctions to opt for. One is Thanjavur Junction Railway Station, and the other is Tiruchirappalli Junction. If you want to go by air, you must fly to Tiruchirapalli Airport. There is also a Thanjavur New Bus Station from where you can take the bus.
- Chennai
Joining the list of top tourist places in Tamil Nadu is Chennai. All the developments in South India, be it commercial, cultural, industrial, social, or economic, are expected here. That is why it is considered a central hub of all these. On your visit to Chennai, you can explore many exciting places, including parks, beaches, museums, and temples. In Tamil Nadu, Chennai is among those cities with maximum tourist footfall.
The places to visit in Chennai during your 3 – 4 days visit are Elliot Beach, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, MGR Film City, Muttukadu, Breezy Beach, VGP Golden Beach, Pulicat Lake, Marina Beach, Government Museum, Marundeeswarar Temple, and more. It would help if you visited Chennai from October to February.
Besides showcasing your photography skills, you must taste the local South Indian street foods, including Idiyappam, Pani Puri, Uthappam, Dosa, Puttu, and Sundal. The two railway stations to reach Chennai are Chennai Central Railway Station and Chennai Beach Railway Station. By air, you can take a flight to Chennai International Airport. The bus services are available at Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus.
- Auroville
Like many other cities of Tamil Nadu, Auroville is also one of the top tourist attractions. Not just from India, but people from all across the globe visit here. They all come from different cultural backgrounds. Auroville is just 15 kilometres from Pondicherry. It is the best tourist place to free your mind from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Places you can visit in Auroville include Savitri Bhawan, Adishakti Laboratory For Theatre Arts & Research, Vérité Learning Centre, Sadhana Forest, and Matrimandir. The best time to visit this place in Tamil Nadu is from November to March. To reach Auroville, take a train to Puducherry Railway Station or take a flight to Chennai Airport. Bus services are available at Pondicherry Bus Stand.
- Kanyakumari
Nestled at the tip of the Indian peninsula, Kanyakumari is also one of the top tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. This famous town is at its central position between 3 water bodies: the Arabian Sea, the Bay Of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. The spectacular sunrise and sunset view brings the tourist footfall on its soil.
The places to visit in Kanyakumari include Kanyakumari Beach, Tirparappu Falls, Vivekanand Rock Memorial, Thanumalay Temple, Thiruvalluvar Statue, and Padmanabhapuram Palace, Udayagiri Fort, and Gandhi Memorial. The ideal time to visit this wonderful place in Tamil Nadu is October to March.
You can enjoy photography and exploring nature during your short visit to Kanyakumari. You must reach Kanyakumari Station by train or take a flight to Trivandrum International Airport to visit this place. The bus service is also available at Kanyakumari Bus Station.
- Mahabalipuram
Like other well-known places in Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram is also a popular name in the list. It is famous for its sculptures and historical monuments. One such is Shore Temple. Its history traces back to the 7th century. For your information, Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO heritage site famous for its intricate designs.
Every year, the local people here rush to become part of the Mammalapuram Dance Festival conducted by the Department of Tourism from December to January. It is an ideal destination to visit with your kids to expose them to ancient historical monuments and other relevant things. It is a great picnic spot to enjoy photography.
The places to explore in Mahabalipuram are Mahabalipuram Beach, Tiger Cave, Cholamadal Artist’s Village, Crocodile Bank, and Thirukadalmallai Temple. Feel at peace in the serene environment of Mahabalipuram Beach. You can reach Mahabalipuram by train at Chengalpattu Junction to explore all these places. If you travel by air, board a flight to Chennai International Airport. The bus facility is also available at Mahabalipuram Bus Station.
- Kodaikanal
Joining the list of best places in Tamil Nadu is Kodaikanal. In contrast to other cities of the southern state, it is less commercialised. With many natural scenic attractions, it is an ideal spot for solo travellers seeking peace. Besides Udaipur in Rajasthan or Manali in Himachal, Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu is also a famous staycation for newly married couples.
The places to visit in Kodaikanal are Kurinji Andavar Temple, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade Falls, Thailayar Falls, Kodai Lake, Pillar Rocks, Coaker’s Walk, and Green Valley View, also known as Suicide Point. This may trigger a thought as to why such a name calls it. Green Valley View is 5,000 feet deep and dense.
You can enjoy your passion for photography and sightseeing during your short visit to this lovely place in Tamil Nadu. To reach Kodaikanal, there are two railway stations to opt for. One is Kodai Road Station, and the other is Palani Railway Station. You can also go by air to Madurai Airport. There is a Kodaikanal Bus Station to catch buses.
- Chidambaram
The next very famous tourist spot in Tamil Nadu is Chidambaram. This beautiful temple town is located in the Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. There is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in his Nataraj form. The renowned chariot festival is also to be noticed. Tracing back to history, we will find that Chidambaram had been a ruling kingdom of Cholas, Pandyas, Vijaynagar rulers, Marathas, and then Britishers.
The places to visit in Chidambaram include The Nataraja Temple, Sirkazhi, Kali Temple, Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, Tirukkazhippalai Palvannanathar Temple, Pasupatheswarar Temple, and Govindaraja Perumal Temple.
Chidambaram is the best place to explore sightseeing, photography, and viewing nature from October to March. To visit this southern charm of Tamil Nadu, there are two railway stations to reach by train. One is Chidambaram Railway Station and Villupuram Railway Station. If you go by air, you must board the flight to Tiruchirapalli Airport. You can catch buses at Chidambaram Central Bus Station.
- Kanchipuram
With the name of Kanchipuram, the picture of Kanchipuram sarees comes to mind. This is all because of its popularity. But other than that, this place is also famous for being called the ‘Golden City of Thousand Temples’.
Also addressed as Kanchi in its short form, it is one of the famous tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu, drawing the attention of people from not only India but worldwide. These people come here to either learn about Hinduism or are simply interested in exploring South Indian architecture.
Places to visit in Kanchipuram are Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadaraja Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Devarajaswami Temple, and Ekambareswarar Temple. There are several things to do in Kanchipuram, including shopping for Kanchipuram sarees and attending classical musical concerts.
You can reach Kanchipuram at Kanchipuram Railway Station by train. Another option is boarding a flight to Chennai’s Meenambakkam Airport. The bus services are available at Kanchipuram Bus Stand.
- Madurai
If you wish to visit some holy shrines in Tamil Nadu, Madurai welcomes you to explore its ancient temples spread across the city. Located in the fertile lands of the Vaigai River, the place is a significant spot for agriculture. When you start sightseeing the temples in Madurai, you will be astonished to see the fabulous architecture and ravelled sculptures.
Some top spots to explore in Madurai include Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Koodal Alagar Temple, Meghamalai, Meenakshi Temple, and Samanar Hills. There are two main railway junctions to visit Madurai. These are Madurai Junction and Madurai East. By air, you have to board the flight to Madurai Airport. To catch buses, there are two bus terminals – Mattuthavani Bus Terminus and Arappalayam Bus Station.
- Tuticorin
Tuticorin or Thoothukudi, this city in Tamil Nadu, is worth visiting for its superb beaches, wildlife sanctuary, temples and churches. Some top spots to explore here include Muthu Nagar Beach, Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Hare Island, and Thiruchendur Murugan Temple.
You can do a lot of photography of the places you visit. You can reach Tuticorin by train at Thoothukudi Railway Station. You can also board a flight to Tuticorin Airport. The bus services are available at Thoothukudi Bus Stand.
- Ooty
Ooty, or Udagamandalam, is a famous tourist destination in Tamil Nadu with maximum tourist footfall. Nestled at Nilgiri Hills, this place is beautiful with its breathtaking view of hills and greenery, which is why it is also known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Ooty is a perfect pick to plan a weekend getaway or romantic vacation.
You can take a joyful toy train ride running from Mettupalayam to Ooty. Besides this, you can enjoy photography and tasting delectable cuisines. The places to visit include Pykara Lake, Ooty Lake, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Emerald Lake, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, and Tiger Hill.
The best time to visit Palampur is from October to May. Since Ooty is rich in natural beauty with vast greenery and other scenic attractions, the place is perfect for doing photography. However, you must also not skip tasting the local delicacies here.
There are two railway stations to reach Ooty. One is Ooty Railway Station, and the other is Metupalaiyam Railway Station. You can also take buses that ply from Ooty Central Bus Station or board a flight to Coimbatore Peelamedu Airport by Air.
- Tirunelveli
Last on the list is Tirunelveli. Located on the bank of River Thamirabarani, this place is also counted among the best places in Tamil Nadu. Tourists here can experience spectacular views of waterfalls, visit temples, and more.
Some top places to visit are Nellaiappar Temple, Papanasam Falls, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary, and District Science Centre. Keep your camera ready to capture unique sights.
To reach Tirunelveli, take a train to Tirunelveli Junction Railway Station or board a flight to Vagaikulam Airport. The buses are available at Veinthankulam New Bus Stand.
Conclusion
So this ends our list of those top 15 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu worth visiting with your family and friends. For your comfortable staycation, you can book luxurious hotels in any of these cities in Tamil Nadu. If you visit Rameshwaram, you can plan your stay at jüSTa Sarang, Rameswaram.