Exploring The Best Of South India: 6 Best Places To Visit In Tamil Nadu

If you are willing to unearth the rich historical, cultural, and natural beauty of Southern India, Tamil Nadu is in a league of its own. Whether traveling solo or with your friends and family, Tamil Nadu provides the ideal retreat from the daily hustle, which depends on personal choices and inclinations.

Tamil Nadu offers a perfect getaway to refresh your body and soul. This place is blessed with picturesque landscapes, lush green vegetation, lofty mountains, prehistoric sites, and flawless beaches. From hair-raising outdoor activities to mild-paced outdoor activities, the state of Tamil Nadu has it all.

When you think, Tamil Nadu has depleted all its reasons to visit, the riveting sightseeing tourist destinations welcome the tourists with open arms. Some of the magnanimous tourist sightseeing places include Bandipur National Park, Hogenakkal Falls, Paradise Beach, and Marina Beach. Notable cities like Salem, Vellore, Ooty, Kanchipuram, Chennai, etc. perfectly fit the bill for the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu.

Best Places To Visit In Tamil Nadu

Listed below is a curated list of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu, which will help you plan a perfect getaway with family and friends.

1. Chennai – Cultural Capital Of India

If you are seeking an enchanting trip with a perfect combination of history, art, and culture, Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is one of the best tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. The cultural hub of India, Chennai is a subtle blend of culture, alluring scenic beauty, historical sites, and beautiful beaches.  

Best Tourist Attractions

• Uncover the rich history of the city by visiting places like Fort St. George, Vivekananda House, and Government Museum Chennai to name a few.
• The city is known for its mesmerizing ancient temples, which are the epitome of stunning architecture, and the alluring beauty of the temples attracts devotees from around the world. Some of the best religious places to visit are Kapaleeshwara Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Ramakrishna Temple, etc.
• Plunge into the cool blue waters to relax, allowing yourself to cool off after the long day tour. Visit some of the best beaches like Marina Beach, Kovalam Beach, and Santhome Beach to name a few.
• Indulge in the famous traditional cuisine at local stalls and famous restaurants like 10 Downing Street and The Westminster, etc.

Best Time To Visit Chennai

The tapering end of the monsoon and the winter months, oscillating between October and February is the best time for planning a trip to Chennai. Cool dry days to relatively pleasant nights offer the perfect environment for engaging in various outdoor activities without breaking a sweat.

Ideal Trip Duration: 3-4 days

You can book your tickets to Splendid Chennai: Private Half Day Tour of Chennai, here.

2. Ooty – The Queen Of Hills

Visit the Queen of Hills, Ooty formerly known as Udhagamandalam, is one of the best tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. The municipal town in the Nilgiri district treats its visitors with misty landscapes, rolling hills, and lush green vegetation which ranks among the top places to visit in Tamil Nadu. The drop-dead gorgeous beauty of the lush green vegetation as you traverse down the rolling hills, impart one of the most surreal experiences, which makes it a perfect escape for family and couples.

Best Tourist Attractions

• The Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train, also known as the Toy Train was started in 1899 and is one of the main attractions in Ooty.The train ride allows you to explore through the tunnels while having the best view of the lush green vegetation of the hills. 
• If you’re seeking a lively boat ride, the Ooty Lake is an L-shaped artificial lake that makes it to the top of the best places to visit in Ooty.
• Visit the Ooty Botanical Garden to explore the variety of species of plants, which is one of the best places to visit for nature lovers.

Best Time To Visit Ooty

The ideal time for planning a visit is during the summer season, ranging from March to June. The soothing temperatures and lesser mist in the air as compared to other seasons, make it an ideal situation for planning a refreshing getaway with friends and family.

Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 days

3. Kodaikanal – Awe-Inspiring Natural Beauty

Densely decked with lush green forests, alluring waterfalls, huge rocks, and other captivating tourist attractions, Kodaikanal ranks as one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu. 

Best Tourist Attractions

• The star-shaped Kodai Lake is a man-made water body, which provides one of the most surreal boating experiences. Brought to life in 1863, Kodai Lake offers one of the best scenic views of the lush green meadows surrounding the crystalline blue waters of the lake. 
• Some of the most visited tourist destinations are Coakers Walk, Bryant Park,  Pine Forest, and Guna Cave, allowing you to get closer to Mother Nature.
• Explore some of the most captivating waterfalls like Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade Waterfall, Kumbakkarai Falls, etc
• Drop a visit to some of the most renowned religious sites like Subrahmanya Temple, Palani Murugan Temple, and Kuzhanthai Velappar Temple, to uncover the cultural side of Kodaikanal.
• One can engage in various thrilling outdoor activities like horse riding, while you soak in the surreal beauty of the surroundings.

Best Time To Visit Kodaikanal

The best time to visit Kodaikanal starts at the end of the Monsoon stretching to the full winter season, which starts in October and ends in March. The cool and pleasant temperatures range from 8 to 25 degrees, making an ideal weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities. If you are fond of waking up to the sound of the raindrops falling off the lush green vegetation, monsoon is the perfect time for you.

Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 days

4. Yercaud – The Jewel Of The South

Often referred to as the Jewel of The South, Yercaud is a gripping hill station that offers some of the best scenic backdrops of the Western Ghats. Known for its abundant coffee plantations, boundless evergreen forests, and a wide variety of flora and fauna species, making Yercaud one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu. 

Best Tourist Attractions

• Visit the Botanical Garden to uncover the multitude of exotic flower and plant species which are segregated into distinct sections. One of the main attractions in the Botanical Gardens is the Orchadium which is the third-largest Orchadium in India housing more than 250 different species of orchids. 
• If you are looking for a stimulating trek, Killiyur Falls is the perfect place to visit. Soak in the beauty of alluring Mother Nature, while you hike 2 km to reach the bottom of the waterfall. The gripping trek allows you to traverse through the dense vegetation which takes approximately an hour. 
• Explore some of the best viewpoints in Yercaud are Pagoda Point, Lady’s Seat, Karadiyoor View Point, Manjakuttai viewpoint which is a treat to the eye.

Best Time To Visit Yercaud

The ideal time to plan a visit to Yercaud is from October to June, which allows you to take a break from the daily routine. October to February is the peak season, where the mornings are cool and dry accompanied by chilly nights.

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 days

5. Coimbatore – Manchester Of The South

Coimbatore is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, which is renowned for its textiles, manufacturing, and various industries, thus getting the name of the Manchester of the South. Magnanimous waterfalls, ancient temples, and spectacular mountains make Coimbatore one of the best tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. 

Best Tourist Attractions

• The 112-foot Shiva statue at the Isha Foundation and Yoga Center is one of the main attractions for visitors. Recognized as the Largest Bust Sculpture in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, the 500 tonnes of steel structure steals the show.
• The Kovai Kondattam is an eco-friendly amusement park, which is the perfect destination for a fun-filled day for families. With various water rides like Aqua dance, Dashing Cars, Wave pool Rock Climbing, etc which call it home.
• Explore various places of attraction like Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple, Gass Forest Museum, Siruvani Waterfalls, etc to uncover nature’s brilliance, intricately carved architecture, and rich history of the city.
• If you are in the mood for some adventurous hiking trails, the Vellari Mala, Thalaiyar Falls Trek, and Perumal Trek perfectly fit the bill.

Best Time To Visit Coimbatore

The ideal time for planning an ideal visit to Coimbatore is during the late monsoons and winter seasons, ranging from September to March. The cool dry days and chilly nights are ideal for engaging in various outdoor activities, without breaking a sweat.

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 days

You can book your Coimbatore Darshan With Uber to explore every part of Coimbatore here.

6. Rameshwaram – Land Of Temples

Rameshwaram, which is heavily associated with the story revolving around Lord Rama who initiated his journey to rescue Goddess Sita from the evil god, Ravana. Rameshwaram is one of the most sacred towns located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The mythical Ram Setu is one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu, as the floating stones in the ocean water at Ram Setu attract tourists from around the world.

Best Tourist Attractions

• The main attraction of Rameshwaram is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, drawing thousands of tourists from all around the world. Irrespective of the fact that you are religious or not, the intricately carved temple architecture will surely make your experience a memorable one. The third corridor of the temple comprising 1212 pillars is the third largest temple corridor in the world.
• The trip to Rameshwaram is incomplete without the visit to the legendary Ram Setu believed to be built by Lord Rama. Visitors can throw a stone at the Ram Setu to watch nature’s unexplained phenomenon of gravity as the stone floats in the serene waters of the Ram Setu.
• Visit Dhanushkodi, a beautiful abandoned town located 20 km from Rameshwaram, attracting a wide amount of tourists from all around the world. Once a lively and vibrant town, the ruins at Dhanushkodi today, depict the amount of devastation caused by the cyclone in 1964.

Best Time To Visit Rameswaram

The best time to plan a visit to Rameshwaram is from October stretching to the end of March when the soothing temperatures are ideal for engaging in various thrilling outdoor activities. The cool dry mornings with a misty chill in the evenings, make it a perfect tourist place to visit in Tamil Nadu.

Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 days

Also Read: 8 Of The Most Famous Temples Of Chennai That You Should Visit

Although there are several magnificent places to visit in Tamil Nadu, each one is unique and different from the other. If you wish to experience the best of Southern India, pack your bags and en route to Tamil Nadu to have the experience of a lifetime. It will be great to hear about your experiences in Tamil Nadu in the comments section below.

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