Tamilnadu - India: Top places to visit

Tamil Nadu is one of the most important southern states of India. Apart from being touted as one of the developed states of the country, Tamil Nadu maintains its popularity in terms of tourism as well. The state is absorbed in culture and traditions, which together serve as a highlight of tourism in Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, there a many beautiful and picturesque places to visit in this southern state where you will end up having a gala time.
Tamil Nadu culture speaks a lot about the state. Apart from being the epicenter of South Indian culture, Tamil Nadu is a place where all nature-lovers can escape to seek peace and tranquillity. Lush green landscapes, high mountains, picturesque hill stations, etc. are a few elements of Tamil Nadu tourism that you must not skip exploring.
Listed below are the best places to visit on your trip to Tamil Nadu:

Chennai

​Nearest airport - Chennai
2176 Kms from New Delhi

Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu state and also one of the most developed cities in the country. In fact, Chennai is the most dynamic southern city that you will ever visit in south India. The traditional side of Chennai will allure you in the first place. There are many offerings for tourists here.
 
Chennai is quite popular among the tourists for its temples. There are many temples located here where you can seek blessings from your favourite deities. The British-era museums of Chennai will give you an introspection into the history of the city. Another highlight of this city for the tourists is the Marina Beach. Unlike the other beaches in India, this beach remains clean and well-maintained, thereby a must-visit spot. The skyline of the city is also popular for its towering skyscrapers. The Chennai International Airport is located at a distance of 7 km from the main city.

Salem

Nearest airport - Coimbatore
345 Kms from Chennai (south west)

Catch a glimpse of the picturesque and breath-taking natural beauty at Salem, one of the many popular cities of Tamil Nadu. The picturesque views offered by many natural spots will charm and calm your soul. Apart from the wonders of nature, Salem boasts many temples and holy shrines of religious importance. The famous Hindu temples such as Sugavaneshwar Temple, Kottai Mariamman Temple, ISKCON temple, etc. are where you can seek blessings and find the much-needed peace.
 
Apart from temples, Salem also has many important mosques and churches to mark your presence. Bangalore is situated only at 186 km away from Salem. This place has connectivity with other major cities of Tamil Nadu – Coimbatore and Chennai. Salem Airport is situated in Kaamalpuram (NH7) at a distance of 15 km from the city.

Yercaud

Nearest airport - Salem
366 Kms from Chennai (south-west)

Yercaud is a famous hill station of Tamil Nadu state that is snuggled in the great Shivaroy Hills. This place is surrounded by abundant greenery and there are many offerings of nature to explore in this small hill station. Yercaud is situated at a height of 4970 feet. You can experience nature in its most organic form by visiting this place.
 
The climate of Yercaud is very salubrious. This is one reason why many tourists get attracted to this hill station. It is also famous for its summer festival that is organized in the month of May. The festival is an ode to Lord Servarayan. You can take a glimpse of the rich heritage of this area by attending this festival. Bangalore Airport is the nearest airport to Yercaud, located at a distance of 230 km from the place.

Coimbatore

Nearest airport - Coimbatore
406 Kms from Chennai (south west)

Coimbatore is the second-largest city of Tamil Nadu state and is also termed as the Manchester of South India. This city rests on the banks of the river Noyyal and it boasts some of the most beautiful tourist attractions for you to check out. Ancient temples, majestic mountains, picturesque waterfalls, new buildings, etc. are some of the most important elements that together make this place a perfect getaway for family and friends.
 
Adiyogi Shiva Statue, the 112-feet tall statue of Lord Shiva stands in Coimbatore and happens to be one of the most important tourist attractions. Apart from exploring different temples and monuments, you can also participate in some adventure activities including trekking and camping in the city. The nearby attractions such as Vellari Mala, Dhoni Hills, Thalaiyar Fall trek, as well as Perumal Peak are the perfect spots to calm your adrenaline rush. The NH-47, NH-67, and NH-209 are the most convenient routes to enter this city.

Kodaikanal

Nearest airport - Madurai
529 Kms from Chennai (south west)

Another famous vacation spot for all the honeymooners in Tamil Nadu is Kodaikanal. This quaint town is known as the lakeside resort town of Tamil Nadu and it entertains a beautiful climate and cliffs covered in mist. This place rests amidst the famous Palani Hills at a height of 7200 feet above the level of the sea.
 
The slopes, the waterfalls, picturesque views, and many other elements together constitute the beauty of this mesmerizing hill-station. If you want to invite a break in your hectic lifestyle, this is the place to be in. Here you can connect with many bounties of nature and spend a gala time with your family and friends. The adventure junkies can have the time of their lives by strolling in the forests, participating in trekking, biking, hiking, and many other activities.

Coonoor 

Nearest airport - Coimbatore
539 Kms from Chennai (south west)

If you want to visit Tamil Nadu to admire its natural beauty, Coonoor is the place to be in. This is the second largest hill station on the Western Ghats and is situated only 19 km away from Ooty. There are many beautiful tourist attractions of this hill station that would steal your heart. The tea plantations, waterfalls, and panoramic views of many other places are a few of them.
 
Visit the Catherine Falls on your trip to Coonoor and capture the beautiful green view of the mighty Nilgiri Hills. This place is flanked by greenery from all around. You will never get tired of admiring its beautiful scenery. The Colonial Culture of Coonoor is another highlight of this place. There are heritage homes, hotels, and guest houses where you can comfort yourself. If you want to reach Coonoor by flight, Coimbatore Airport is the closest commute system.

Ooty 

Nearest airport - Coimbatore
555 Kms from Chennai (south-west)

Another soothing paradise that you can escape to in Tamil Nadu is Ooty. This place is one of the most sought-after destinations among the honeymooners who visit here to spend the most romantic time with their partners. The serene waterfalls, tea gardens, enchanting colonial architecture, country lanes, etc. are some of the highlights of this place.
 
The panoramic views of the mighty Nilgiri Mountains can be viewed from this hill station. The mountain view are one of the major tourist attractions in Ooty. The local markets are another point of attraction among all the shopaholics. Ooty is also touted in terms of its hospitality. A visit to Ooty during your Tamil Nadu excursion is a must.

Auroville

Nearest airport - Chennai
150 Kms from Chennai (south)

Auroville is located at a distance of 15 km from Pondicherry. Visiting this place would be an experience in itself. The history of Auroville is worth learning. It was founded in the year 1968 by the disciple of Aurobindo, Mirra Alfassa. This place is where you can seek peace, away from the hustle-bustle of mundane lifestyle. You can visit the Auroville Ashram to gain information about everything related to the establishment of this quaint city.
 
Interestingly, Auroville is referred to as a Universal Town where people from everywhere in the world live together in a community despite their varied cultures, traditions, and rituals. It is believed that people from 195 nations together live in Auroville following the principle of harmony, peace, divine consciousness, and sustainability. This place has a touch of hippie culture that is going to attract the tourists for sure.

Chidambaram

Nearest airport - Chennai
215 Kms from Chennai (south)

Chidambaram is situated at a distance of 250 km from Chennai and happens to be a place of the cultural importance of Tamil Nadu State. The famous Lord Nataraja Temple is situated here, serving as one of the most important tourist attractions. This place is also famous for its chariot festival. Ever since its inception, Chidambaram has been a city of utmost religious importance.
 
The Dravidian style architecture of this place speaks volumes about the rich Dravidian influence and culture. There are beautiful temples that boast the same-style of architecture and if you have an eye for it, you will surely get smitten by the same. Pichavaram Backwater is another highlight located nearby the city. You can catch a glimpse of the chirping of beautiful little birds whilst soaking up the calm ambiance. Both the flora and fauna of this tourist spot will charm you.

Tiruchirappalli

Nearest airport - Tiruchrappalli
332 Kms from Chennai (south)

Admire the beauty of Dravidian temples at the best by visiting Tiruchirappalli. This city is also known as Trichy and is located at a distance of 320 km from Chennai. The city rests on the banks of Cauvery River and is a sweet amalgamation of old and new cultures. If you are a fiend of history, the site of Rockfort will allure you the most. This place is packed with beautiful cave temples.
 
Do not forget to attend the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival that takes place in the month of December in the Ranganathaswamy Temple. This temple is considered one of the largest temples in the world. This city also has a lot of offerings for all the shopaholics. You can explore the local markets and stumble into a variety of textiles, cigars, cheap diamonds, etc. Your historic encounter will become worth cherishing upon visiting this beautiful city.

Madurai

Nearest airport - Madurai
462 Kms from Chennai (south)

The cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is where you can taste the south Indian culture at its best. This place is referred to as the Lotus City as it was built in the shape of a lotus. Meenakshi Amman Temple is the most famous tourist spot here which is dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi. Apart from this particular tourist attraction, there are many other ancient places of worship here including the famous Thiruparankundram.
 
Another highlight for the tourists in Madurai is its heritage walks that are conducted throughout the day. You can participate in these walks to learn about the heritage, culture, and traditions of this place. Madurai is also famous for its street food where you can gorge upon some of the most mouth-watering South-Indian cuisines. The buzzling bazaars are where you can shop for the local handicrafts and artifacts.

Rameshwaram 

Nearest airport - Madurai
558 Kms from Chennai (south)
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One of the holiest places in India, Rameshwaram is in the state of Tamil Nadu and is located on a pristine island. The town is separated by the Pamban channel from Sri Lanka. If Hindu mythology is to be believed, Rameshwaram is the same place where Lord Rama created a bridge to Sri Lanka across the sea. This place is famous for its beautiful prakaras with gigantic sculpted pillars on either side. You must not skip visiting this site.
 
Another place to visit in the Rameshwaram Temple is the Ramanathanswamy Temple. Agniteertham is another tourist spot especially for the pilgrims who look forward to bathing in the sacred waters and performing prayers for their ancestors. Another temple, the five-faced Hanuman temple holds a very important place among the believers. This city doesn’t have an airline but its own railway station. The nearest airport is situated 142 km away from the main city. You can reach Rameshwaram by air from cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Thiruchi, Madurai, and Mumbai.

Kanyakumari

​Nearest airport - Trivandrum (Kerala)
706 Kms from Chennai (south)

Kanyakumari is the only place in India that is surrounded by three seas – the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal. This small coastal town is one of the most popular tourist places in Tamil Nadu. The coconut plantation, elevated hill patches, paddy fields, etc. form the highlight of Kanyakumari. This is the only place where you can spot the sunrise as well as sunset standing in the same place.
 
The beaches, temples, as well as waterfalls of Kanyakumari, are top attractions of the city. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Statue of the Poet Thiruvalluvar, Gandhi Memorial, as well as Vattakottai Fort are some of the most popular places here. Do not skip your visit to the Courtallam and Thirparappu Falls to spot the wonders of nature. Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest mode of commute to Kanyakumari.

Kanchipuram 

Nearest airport - Chennai
75 Kms from Chennai (west)

This city is also called as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples. Kanchipuram is a place of religious importance. There are many temples where you can offer prayers and seek blessings from your favorite gods and goddesses. If you are interested in Hinduism and want to dig deeper into its history, visit this city and you will be imbibed with a lot of learnings on the subject. Kanchi Mutt is a beautiful spot of the city that South Indian classical music events in the evenings. Any music lover would love the ambiance created by the concerts at this place.
 
The temples such as Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambeshwarar Temple are some of the major tourist spots that host crowds of people who come here to offer prayers on certain events. All these temples also represent architectural marvel. Thus, if you are a connoisseur of architecture, adding Kanchipuram to your bucket list is a good idea. For all the shopaholics, this is the same place that exports the finest Kanchipuram sarees throughout the country, and you can take all your favorites back home. The nearest mode of commute to Kanchipuram is the Chennai Airport, located at a distance of 53 km from the city.

Vellore 

Nearest airport - Chennai
138 Kms from Chennai (west)

Vellore is one of the oldest cities of Tamil Nadu that is located in the north-eastern part of the state on the banks of the river Palar Vellore. The beautiful Vellore Fort is the most popular tourist attraction in the city. You can take a tour of this fort and learn about its history and heritage. Vellore is imbibed in the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and its temples are proof of the same.
 
The Ratnagiri Temple and Roman Catholic Diocese are other important places that might attract the tourists at large. The markets of Vellore, too, are very popular, especially when it comes to buying leather. Thus, you can take away home some of the finest accessories of leather at the best prices. The architecture of the city depicts many stories about the ancient Rashtrakuta, Vijaynagara, and British who ruled here for a long time. Abdullapuram has the nearest airport when it comes to reaching Vellore by air.

Tamil Nadu is a beautiful representation of South Indian culture as well as South Indian natural bounties. All the tourist spots of this state are glorious in terms of their history and abundant in terms of their natural offerings. The tempting South Indian cuisine at the local restaurants of this state will make you crave for it even more. Tamil Nadu is all about good vibes and your visit to this state should be a must!