Places To Visit In Tamil Nadu

Only those who haven’t been to Tamil Nadu will find hard to believe that it’s the most visited state in India, not just South India. With over 4,000 years of cultural history, the southernmost state in India features some of the most stunning temple architecture and living tradition of music & dance in the country. Let’s take a closer look at the best tourist places in Tamil Nadu.

There is no dearth of top places in Tamil Nadu, be it a holiday or a honeymoon. The capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is one of the four major metropolises in India. Formerly known as Madras, the city is known for its beaches, ancient Tamil architecture, colonial history, and cultural festivals. One of the top attractions in Chennai, Marina Beach is the longest urban beach in the country. Referred as the Manchester of South India, Coimbatore is one of the most visited cities in Tamil Nadu. Madurai, the cultural headquarters of the state, is also known as Athens of the East for being the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. Sri Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, and Gandhi Memorial Museum are top attractions in Madurai.

Thanjavur finds itself among the top in the list of popular historical places in Tamil Nadu. A vital centre of South Indian art and architecture, the city is renowned for Tanjore paintings and for producing exquisite handicrafts. One of the popular places to visit in Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur’s musical legacy rightly receives plenty of attention from travellers.

Among the top tourist places in Tamil Nadu for a honeymoon, Ooty is situated 2,240 metres above the sea level in the Nilgiris Hills of Tamil Nadu. Caressing the border with Kerala, Ooty or Udhagamandalam is a popular hotspot for newlyweds and families. With the natural beauty of tea states, green rolling mountains, and sprawling grasslands, Ooty ranks high among the summer tourist places in Tamil Nadu.

Another one of the hill stations of Tamil Nadu, Coonoor lies only 19 km from Ooty at an altitude of 1930 metres. With a jaw-dropping view of the Nilgiri Hills and the Catherine Falls, Coonoor is an ideal place for a romantic rendezvous in Tamil Nadu. It’s hard to oversee Kodaikanal when listing top 10 tourist places in Tamil Nadu. The Princess of Hill stations is among the top destinations in Tamil Nadu for trekking, boating, and horseback riding. After exploring the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, visit Yercaud in the Eastern Ghats. Known for evergreen forests and coffee plantations, it is one of the best trekking places in Tamil Nadu.  

Call it Pondicherry or Puducherry, the allure of Frech culture and Cajun cuisine in this scenic coastal town never fades away. Dhanushkodi Temple & Beach and Pamban Bridge are major tourist attractions in Rameswaram, which is considered one of the holiest places in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites in India.

Trace history of Tamil Nadu by visiting ancient Hindu Temples built by Chola and Pallava kings. UNESCO has listed these magnificent temples, with Dravidian architecture, as the world heritage sites in Tamil Nadu. The Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur and the Airavateswara temple in Darasuram along with the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram are some of the most famous temples in Tamil Nadu for not just devotees but art lovers.