Tamil Nadu- A state of cultures, heritage and vast history with amalgamation of modern and ancient traditions. If you want to delve into South India, Tamil Nadu is perfect place for you. Only Hill Stations will be an under expression to describe completely the beauty of Tamil Nadu. Cherish some amazing experiences with best tourist places in Tamil Nadu. Bustling with beautifully architect temples, serene beaches, gushing waterfalls, spectacular forts & adventurous wildlife places, the state offers a splendid mix for adventure trip. So, you must have many excuses now to pack your bags and plan a tour to the Enchanting Tamil Nadu.
With absolutely beautiful backdrop of Bay of Bengal, the state has seen the rise & fall of many dynasties with enriched customs, splendour of the Indian Civilization. With offbeat places like Yelagiri and Yerucad, there are lovingly famous places cited with cultures as Mahabalipuram & Madurai. To plan a family trip in Tamil Nadu, choose from Coonoor, Kanyakumari, Coimabatore, Chennai and Nilgiri. For a romantic escapade of honeymoon, pre-wed shoot or anniversaries Ooty, Pondicherry, Kodaikanal can be best picks. Home to cultural Citadels, visit Madurai, Rameshwaram, Krishnagiri. Heritage lovers can choose among boasting destinations as Thanjavur, Auroville, Kalhatty Ghat & many more. Before planning a trip to South, scroll through the highlights of the 15 top tourist places of Tamil Nadu picked for worth exploring.
Chennai
Starting with Capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is the Metropolitan City dotted with beautiful temples and the World-famous Marina Beach. Form party atmosphere to gateway of beautiful places nearby, Chennai shows a perfect balance between rich cultural history and metropolis lifestyle. With an old-World charm, the city gives adventure escapes for thrilling activities like paragliding, river rafting, surfing and scuba diving.
Best time to visit Chennai: With humid climate, ideal time to visit is form October to February. Monsoon season come with strong winds and probably heavy rainfall, hence avoidable.
Must Visit Places: Stunning Marina Beach, Marundeeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills, Birla Planetarium, Guindy Snake Park, Iskcon Temple
Ooty
Named as Queen of the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is famous hill station & honeymoon spot stippled with eye-catching waterfalls & wide spread tea gardens. Most visited tourist attraction for its picturesque charm, the hill station is dotted with tea gardens, panoramic view of Nilgiri mountains. The place rejuvenates with nature’s gifts, cool breeze and greenery of dense forestation.
Best time to visit Ooty: March to June for Summer retreats
Places to visit: Mudumalai National Park, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Tracks, Deer Park, Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Dolphin’s Nose, Rose Garden, Emerald Lake, Stone House
Puducherry
Influenced with French culture, Puducherry is must visit for Tamil Nadu tourists for amazing bakery products, French cuisines and serene beaches. You can keep it in travel bucket list with romantic vibes around beaches, vibrant colonial structures and seafood. Enjoy the quality time at unique theme cafes with impeccable French cuisine as well as international dishes. Have a lavish nightlife at beach parties offering soothing music and cocktails.
Best time to visit: October to March
Must-Visit Attractions: French Style houses draped with Bougainvillea creepers, Churches, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Rock Beach, Serenity Beach, Promenade Beach, Chunnambar Boathouse
Kodaikanal
Covered with forests and rolling hills of Palani slopes, Kodaikanal is also named as princess of Hill Stations make sense for your peaceful holidays or a romantic escape. Connect with nature away from hustle-bustle of urban cities across mist-covered mountain cliffs. It will not be wrong if you call it as city of waterfalls. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your next anniversary trip & click perfect pictures at scenic waterfall to collect beautiful memories. Indulge in most romantic boating at Kodai Lake amid picturesque beauty surrounded.
Best time to Visit Kodaikanal: December to June
Top attractions: Suicide point, Kodaiknal lake, Bear Shola Falls, Dolphin’s Nose, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Falls, Thalaiyar Falls, Bryant Park
Coimbatore
Place with pleasant weather throughout the year, Coimbatore is photogenic place with breath-taking mountain view, Green Hills, Ghats, Temples and gorgeous waterfalls. Enjoy the ample of culture, geographical beauty and ethnicity at one place. Also considered as the traditional capital of India, the place had earned a great respect in various terms. From big scale industries to classy buildings, 112 feet tall statue of Adiyogi Shiva Statue the city is most visited for architectural masterpiece. If looking for thrill, go for camping and trekking at famous trekking trails near Dhoni Hills, Perumal peak and Thalaiyar Falls Peak.
Best time to Visit: Throughout the year except monsoon season
Must Visit Places: Marudhamalai Hill Temple, Voc Park, Vydehi Falls, Shree Ayyappan Temple, Gedee car Museum, Monkey Falls, Siruveni Waterfalls
Coonoor
Near to Ooty, Coonoor is the second largest Hill Station of the western Ghats that make it best for summer vacations or Staycations amidst panoramic view of Nilgiri Hills. For best trekking expeditions in South, it is an ideal base to trek upto the Nilgiri Hills. Must savour the breath taking views of hills from Dolphin’s nose & raise your heart beat with trekking experience towards Doddabetta Mountain.
Best time to Visit: March to November
Places to visit: Sim’s Park, Catherine Falls, Droog Fort, Lamb’s Rock, Ketty Valley, Wellington Lake
Madurai
Home of magnificent Shree Meenakshi Amman Temple with brilliant architecture and sacred ambience, Madurai can be called as cultural State. The Temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi with a sanctum for her consort, Sundershwara. Dive in deep roots of culture, enjoy the authentic cuisine and indulge in shopping of artifacts of brass and wood. If trip time matches with festival dates, you will witness the cultural vibe of ancient city.
Best time to Visit: November to Mid-March
Places to visit: Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Gandhi Museum, Alagar Koyil, Thiruparankundram, Samanar Hills, Vaigai Dam
Thanjavur
Also known as Tanjore, Thanjavur is City of Temples with Tanjore paintings, antiques, handicrafts and Carnatic music. Vast history, legacy and literature recalls for admiration again & again.
Best time to visit: October to March
Places to Visit: Thanjavur Maratha Palace, Saraswathi Mahal Library, Brihadeeswara Temple, Schwartz Church, Thanjavur Palace, Vijayanagar Fort
Mahabalipuram
Historical city of Tamil Nadu with intricate Carved Temples and Rock cut Caves impresses tourists with alluring beaches and serene atmosphere. Stretched between the Bay pf Bengal and the Great Salt Lake, the city represents rich Indian culture. Must visit attraction is group fo five temples sculpted in form of Chariots where the Descent of the Ganga River is present as a giant rock with an open mouth providing amazing view.
Best time to visit: October to March
Places of Attraction: Shore temple, Panch Rathas, Varaha Cave Temple, Thirukadalmallai, Crocodile Farm, Seashell Museum
Kanyakumari
For a beautiful glimpse of sunrise from the Land’s End, visit Kanyakumari. See the confluence of three giant seas- Arabian, Indian & Bay of Bengal at famous beaches. Join the ferry ride to visit Vivekanand Rock Memorial and indulge in beautiful place with rich historical importance.
Best time to visit: November to March
Places of Attraction: Kumari Amman Temple, Vivekananda Fort, Lord Subramanyam Temple, Thirparappu Falls, Vattakottai Fort, Gandhi Mandapam
Rameshwaram
One of the pillars of Char Dhams, Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is a unparallel destination to attain Moksha and peace of heart. Also revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Rameshwaram is related to epic age of Ramayana. As per Hindy Mytholgy, see the Ram Setu Bridge bult by Sri Ram and Vanar Sena. Get thriiling voew of Sea from Pamban Bridge connecting Madurai to Rameshwaram.
Best time to visit: November to March
Famous attractions: Dhanush Kodi Beach, Pamban bridge and many Tirthams as Jatayu Tirtham, Agnitheertham, Lakshmana Tirtham, The Five-faced Hanuman Temple, Ariyaman Beach, Sea World Aquarium, Kalam House, Water Bird Sanctuary
Trichy
Best for weekend outings for tourists in Tamil Nadu, Trichy is fast emerging city as metro network development. Enjoy the enchanting view of ancient Kallanai Dam and Puliyancholi Waterfalls.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Places to Visit: Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Thayumanaswami Temple, Jambukeswarar Temple, Kallanai
Vellore
Experience the royal forts charms like Rajasthan in Fort City of Tamil Nadu, Vellore. Roots of city buried in Dravidian Civilization comprises of various pilgrimage sites and historical monuments. With vibrant culture, roam around city and do the shopping. Go for famous hiking trails of Yelagiri Hills and Swamimalai Hills. Wildlife spotting, archaeological survey, Periyar Park bird watching, boat riding are some activities to enjoy in Vellore.
Best Time to Visit: December to Mid-February
Best places: Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple, Vellore Fort, Sripuram, Jalakandeshwar Temple, Science Centre, Palamathi Hills
Krishnagiri
A remarkable beautiful landscape with lush green forests and black granite rocks aged back. Claimed for home-grown mangoes, Krishnagiri is fame for ancient temples & museums. Most thrilling experience is forest camping & trekking with enjoying village life and bonfire.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Best places to Visit: KRP Dam, Kattuveera Anjaneysa Temple, Nandi Monolith, Shri Parshwa Padmavati Shaktipeeth Tirth Dham, Krishnagiri Museum
Kanchipuram
Known as Golden City of Temples & shining as crown of Tamil Nadu is home to beautiful temples with architectural splendour. Seek spiritual solace and bliss at famous temples glorified with Dravidian heritage. Adorned with natural beauty, blooming gardens and cascading lakes. Give peace of sigh to your busy life amid soothing environment. Can buy souvenirs for loved ones from Kanchipuram sarees to antiques.
Best time to Visit: October to March
Famous Tourist Attractions of the city: Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, Kailasnathar Temple, Ekambareswar Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
Concluding Thoughts
Whenever you want to indulge in beautiful architecture, temple tour, nature abudance, plan a trip to Tamil Nadu with popular places to must visit.
