Whether it is a romantic getaway or a religious tour, a beach vacation or a spiritual holiday that is on your mind, the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu is the ideal place to be! The tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu are filled with a mix of natural, historical, cultural and cosmopolitan attractions that never fail to amuse tourists. If you are traveling to Tamil Nadu for the first time, then below is a list of the top tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu that you must visit.
Madurai:
Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India with a history dating back to the pre-Christian era. Planned and constructed in the form of a lotus, Madurai is also called Lotus City. Madurai, often referred to as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, is dotted with many ancient temples that attribute a divine charm to this place. The most famous of them all is the Meenakshi Amman Temple that exemplifies the Dravidian architectural grandeur. Apart from temples, Madurai’s bazaars and street food attract a lot of tourists.
Places to visit in Madurai: Meenakshi Temple, Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Koodal Azhagar Temple, Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Pazhamudhir Solai, Alagar Koil, etc.
Best time to go: December to February
Ooty:
Situated in the Nilgiri hills at an altitude of 2250 mt above sea level, Ooty or Udhagamandalam is another of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu, no matter which time of the year you travel to the state. Often frequented by honeymooners, the scenic hill station boasts an amazing landscape dotted with rolling hills, tea plantations, lush vegetation, sparkling lakes, waterfalls, beautiful gardens, etc. This picturesque place was once a summer retreat for the British. Taking the toy train (Nilgiri Mountain Railway) ride is the best way to experience the beauty of the Queen of the Hills.
Places to visit in Ooty: Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Pykara Falls, Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake, St. Stephen’s Church, Dolphin’s Nose, Tea Museum, Tiger Hill, etc.
Best time to go: Anytime
Rameshwaram:
As a beautiful place with immense religious and spiritual significance attached to it, Rameshwaram attracts everyone from nature, history, and architecture lovers to pilgrims. A part of Char Dham Yatra, this popular Hindu pilgrimage site is situated on an island separated from Sri Lanka by the Pamban channel. According to Ramayana, this is the place where Lord Rama, with the help of vanara sena, built a bridge across the sea. Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is known to house the longest corridor in the world.
Places to visit in Rameshwaram: Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Five-Faced Hanuman Temple, Adam’s Bridge, Lakshmana Theertham, Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge, Danushkodi, Gandhamadhana Parvatam, etc.
Best time to go: October to April
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu’s capital city without which this list of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu would be incomplete, Chennai is a bustling city that is equal parts traditional and modern. It is here that you can find an array of tourist attractions like British-era monuments, ancient temples, modern skyscrapers, sprawling beaches, pretty parks, shopping hotspots, etc. Chennai is usually where every traveler’s exploration of Tamil Nadu begins. So, what’s the wait for? Book your flights and pack your bags. The best deals on flights to Chennai from Dallas and other US cities are available year-round at Indian Eagle.
Places to visit in Chennai: Marina Beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George, National Art Gallery, Santhome Cathedral, Government Museum, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, etc.
Best time to go: November to February
Mahabalipuram:
The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram are famous across India, not just in Tamil Nadu. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these monuments belonging to the 7th century are some of the best examples of Dravidian architecture during the Pallava dynasty. After you explore the monolith temples, rock-cut monuments, caves, rathas, mandapas, sculptures, stone carvings sprinkled across Mahabalipuram, go relax on its sandy beaches and soak up the tranquility of this place.
Places to visit in Mahabalipuram: Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, Pancha Rathas, Krishna’s Butterball, Mahabalipuram beach, Covelong beach, Crocodile Farm, Indian Seashell Museum, Tiger Caves, etc.
Best time to go: November to February
Kanyakumari:
At the southernmost tip of India lies this amazing tourist place to visit in Tamil Nadu. This beautiful coastal town bordered by three seas (Arabian Sea, Indian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal) is famous for its serene beaches and the stunning views of sunrises/ sunsets that these beaches offer. Moreover, you could also catch the sunset and moonrise simultaneously on a full day at Kanyakumari! This town is also home to ancient temples, forts, palaces, waterfalls, memorials and several other attractions.
Places to visit in Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari Beach, Triveni Sangamam, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Vattakottai Fort, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam, Bhagavathy Amman Temple, etc.
Best time to go: October to February
