Enjoy a vacation to remember and cherish some amazing experiences while touring the most gorgeous places to visit in Tamil Nadu. With many serene beaches, beautiful temples known for Dravidian architecture, bustling shopping bazaars and adventurous wildlife places, these places offer a splendid mix to help you make a superb travel itinerary.
Looking forward to visiting the most stunning places to see in Tamil Nadu? Well, then you are in for a great time. From the thriving cosmopolitan vibes of Chennai to the emerald tea plantations of Ooty and the French – style houses of Pondicherry to the scenic beauty of Kodaikanal, these places will leave you overwhelmed. There is an awesome experience in store, whether you are going for leisure, backpacking or looking for an adventure.
The variety of tourist places in Tamil Nadu offers you a glimpse of all kinds of sightseeing and adventures. Tourists here can choose from many offbeat places like Yelagiri and Yercaud to the famous cultural citadels like Mahabalipuram and Madurai. Tamil Nadu is also home to the southernmost land of India- Kanyakumari and one of the char Dhams – Rameshwaram. Whether it is an adventure you are looking for or a religious respite in the temples, these places are a delight for anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of life.
Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu
1.COONOOR
For a Hill station, Coonoor is very accessible, with the nearest airport being only at a distance of 79 km from the town of Coonoor. The population being so less, it offers a peaceful and relaxing environment which other hill stations don’t. The station features a subtropical highland climate which means cool summers and cool but not cold winter. Among the tourist places in Coonoor comes Sim’s Park, with a collective display exceeding one thousand types of species of plants.
The botany based garden is developed partly in Japanese style. The main attractions of this park are the fruits and vegetables shows held annually, in May. Another important place to visit lies about 10 km away from Coonoor, considered a part of Coonoor, which is the Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint, which is famous for the magnificent view of the beautiful Hills of Nigari and the beautiful Falls called Catherine. Catherine Falls is another important tourist attraction Coonoor.
2.KOTAGIRI
One of the most popular places to visit in Tamil Nadu, just a stone’s throw from Kotagiri, is Elk Falls. The beauty and attraction of the fall are enhanced manifolds by the surrounding lush forests and an old European house located nearby that lends an old-world charm to the place. For nature enthusiasts who want to lose themselves in the rustic wilderness of nature, Longwood Shola forests are a must-visit.
One of the best things to do in Kotagiri is explore its raw natural beauty on foot. There are several great hiking trails here, the most popular being the Kotagiri-Kodanad trail. Kotagiri also lets you experience a gorgeous sunset at its various vantage points. One of the best locations to do the is Dolphin’s Nose which also lets you enjoy views of the nearby ravines and waterfalls.
3. AUROVILLE
The main motive of the Ashram is to unite people of all races, caste, creed, political background and nationalities. The Auroville township was envisioned as an international community free from the clutches of the government, religion, strife, and money.
Regarded as one of the most exotic places to visit in Tamil Nadu, the beauty of Auroville lies in the simplicity of the people and the peaceful atmosphere. This makes it a must-visit place on your trip to the Southern part of India. Auroville tourism has seen a gradual growth since its inception in the year 1965. As the township is unique in its principles and values, more and more people got interested in such an idealistic township which attracted a large number of tourists since its establishment.
4.THENI
The Kolukkumalai Tea estate is a spellbinding escape to enjoy the beauty of nature along with the Suruli Falls and Kumbakarai Falls. Theni also entices the travellers with a lot of interesting places to see in Tamil Nadu which include the Meghamalai Hills, Bodi Mettu and the Paravasa Ulagam Water Theme Park.
Tourists here can enjoy many engaging activities and cherish beautiful memories. You can enjoy a super picnic at Vaigai Dam, Sothuparai Dam and Shanmuganathi Dam. If you want to take a religious detour, there are many temples and shrines to visit in Theni like Kuchanur, Mavoothu, Teertha Thotti, Gowmariamman Temple, Devadanapatti Kamakshi Amman Temple and Balasubramanya Temple.
5.DHARMAPURA
Dharmapuri is now mainly an agricultural trade center. The city is renowned for the 50 varieties of delicious mangoes found here. It is also fringed by the Kaveri River in the west which enhances its scenic beauty. Dharmapuri city, being well-connected to all major metropolises in South India, is also an attractive weekend getaway for the citizens of Chennai and Bengaluru. Visitors flock here to view Hogenakkal Falls, located around 46 km away from the town center. It is often referred to as the Niagra of India because of its mighty waters gushing down in cascades, taking the visitor’s breath away.
6. Kanchipuram
There are many places to visit in Kanchipuram that create an impression that last forever on your senses. From bird sanctuary to scenic gardens and cascading lakes, Kanchipuram takes you closer to nature with its fresh burst of air, and soothing environment. This city is extremely renowned for its beautiful Kanchipuram Sarees that are woven from the thread of pure mulberry silk.
If you’re looking for some of the best accommodation options, then there are numerous luxurious hotels in Kanchipuram that offer you a royal stay. You can even explore the palatable local delights served by quirky cafes and swanky restaurants over here. If you’re a shopaholic, then there are both high end as well as local stores in Kanchipuram from where you can buy everything under the sun at great prices.
7. SAYALGUDI
This is the perfect place to enjoy a day under the sun. Another attraction to visit near Sayalkudi is Kilakarai Lighthouse. Established in 1979, this is a great vantage point to see the beautiful beach and fishermen’s activities. People visit from all over Tamil Nadu to the lighthouse to see a gorgeous beachside sunset and spend time in quietude.
One of the most amazing activities to enjoy in Sayalkudi is beach camping along with bonfire, food, and music. The beach here offers striking views of the Bay of Bengal and its waters with ever-changing colours. This rocky beach is the home to a variety of birds like flamingos and seagulls. You can also enjoy trying out a variety of rustic South Indian foods here in Sayalkudi. There are several great restaurants like Al Baik Broasted, Hyder Ali Tea Stall, Vathiyar Mess, Jamal Hotel, etc. that serve the typical south Indian fare along with seafood.
8. VALPARAI
It is a magical city dotted with enchanting grasslands, evergreen trees, cascading waterfalls, and majestic dams. You can also find here endless stretches of coffee plantations and tea estates that will rejuvenate your tired soul.
Some of the best attractions that you can witness here are Whispering Falls and Sholayar Dam which are an absolute retreat for nature lovers. Valparai is also home to some of the most beautiful temples, such as Balaji Temple and Sree Muruga Temple. You can also visit Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to spot lion-tailed macaque, wild boar, common langur and other animals.
9. TIRUCHIRAPPALLI
The famous Rock Fort Temple is one of the prominent landmarks in the city. There is also the Thayumana Swamy Temple known for its 100-pillar hall and Ranganatha Swamy Temple which is hailed as one the largest temples in South India.
If you are a foodie, you will love to attend the annual food festival here which is called Suvai and enjoy many South Indian dishes like Parupu, sambar, rasam, moru, kootu etc. The vibrant city also celebrates many other festivals like Srirangam car festival, Samayapuram flower festival, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and the Teppakulam float festival which attracts many visitors. If you have some extra time on hand, you can also play day excursions to Chettinad and Kanyakumari from Tiruchirappalli.
10. DHANUSHKODI
This place can be tricky to find for tourists as it is in an off beat location and can be missed easily, nonetheless, it is a breathtaking place any adventurer would like to Visit. Dhanushkodi is surrounded with many small fishing villages which can be seen from the incredible train journey on the Palk strait, it is this stretched structure that goes between India to Sri Lanka.
It was a peaceful town back in the british raj and was one of the prime locations for traders and pilgrims coming from Sri Lanka, at present the town of Dhanushkodi is abandoned and has turned into a ruin, as surprising it may be the coastline of Sri Lanka is just 31 km away from this ghost town.
11.HOGENAKKAL FALLS
A spectacle that will remind you of Niagara Falls, this waterfall means ‘Smoky rocks’ in the local language. This gorgeous cascade falls from a height of 700 meters, Hogenakkal Falls will enthrall you with its natural beauty and the thundering sounds.
If you like a little adventure, you can choose between swimming and a coracle ride to make the best use of your day outing with your loved ones. Best visited during the early monsoon season, this waterfall is an ideal weekend getaway from Bangalore. Another popular activity to be enjoyed here is trekking to Melagiri Hills and capturing the scenic beauty of the forests nearby.
12 CHETTINAD
With a history dating back to 400 years ago, it is a delight to see a number of heritage mansions which dot the landscape of the entire region. Shopaholics will also enjoy this beautiful place as they get to browse through many items ranging from wood carvings, Athangudi tiles, landing sarees, cotton baskets, gold jewellery etc. For an offbeat experience, a visit to the villages of Chettinad will offer you an interesting perspective on the culture of the region.
13. KOLLI HILLS
There is a lot to explore here, starting from the Arapaleeswarar Temple with the Dravidian style architecture to the Botanical Garden and the Tampcol Medicinal Farm. Or the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls and Madurai, visit these places to observe the rich culture and historical significance of this hill-station.
14. MAHABALIPURAM
Mahabalipuram is a place that is famous for its temples and monuments, especially the very famous Shore Temple. It consists of three temples built in one single complex, that was constructed way back in the 8th century. Another famous temple is the Pancha Rathas.
As the name suggests- they are a group of five temples sculpted in the form of chariots. The Descent of the Ganga is a giant rock with an open mouth in the form of sculpture. Some other popular tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram are Arjuna’s Penance, the Crocodile Farm, the Cave temples, the Indian Seashell Museum, Krishna’s Butterball. Along with these, there are innumerable monoliths, temples and stone carvings that are a testimony to the rich cultural heritage of India.
Even though Mahabalipuram is a small town situated in the suburbs, it is well connected by buses and cars because of its immense popularity amongst Indian and even foreigners. These buses ply from different parts of Chennai, Chengal Pattu and Kanchipuram.
15. MUDUMALAI
Many endangered species are reside in this reserve. It is on the border of Karnataka and Kerala and shares its importance with the other wild life sanctuaries in the nearby locations. You will find more than 200 species of birds, 34 species of reptiles, and many other animals and birds in this wild life sanctuary. Mudumalai is popular for sightseeing and wild life tours. You can get the best of scenic view when you walk by the streams, rivers, waterfalls, and take a stroll in the deep valleys.
