The State of Tamil Nadu is the 11th largest State out of the 29 states of India. But what Tamil Nadu lacks in size, it gains in its abundance of natural resources. The western, north-western and southern parts are abundant in vegetation since they’re the meeting points of the Western and Eastern Ghats with the Nilgiris Hills. Top 10 Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu. Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu.
These top places are brimming with beautiful temples, serene beaches, spectacular forts & waterfalls, and more, which only means that there are multiple excuses for you to pack your bags and head for a tour!
Here are the Top 10 Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu:
Table of Contents
Kodaikanal
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. A Lakeside resort town of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has a beautiful climate, mist-covered manicured cliffs and a waterfall that come together to create the ideal setting for a perfect getaway.
Kodaikanal means ‘the gift of the forests’. Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of 7200 feet above sea level, and once you visit this hill station, you will find that every bit of what you have imagined it to be is real.
Kodaikanal is a place you can go to take a break from the rigours of daily city life, and this hill station lets you sit back and connect with nature as you head out on biking or trekking trails or take a stroll through the vast forests surrounding the town.
A big part of the experience of visiting Kodaikanal lies in visiting the various viewpoints that the town has on offer, such as Green Valley Viewpoint, Pillar Rocks Viewpoint, and the famously-known Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint.
You need to partake in a moderate uphill trek to reach a few of these viewpoints, but the view from the top – clear skies and rugged mountain terrain at its finest – is worth it. Overall it is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Auroville
Located around 15 km from the city of Pondicherry, Auroville is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Tamil Nadu and was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, a disciple of Aurobindo and fondly known as the ‘Mother’ of Sri Aurobindo Society.
This place is the epitome of tranquillity and proves as the perfect escape for the ones in search of peace.
The best way to experience Auroville ashram is to actually just sit in one of the cafes, and talk to some of the residents here about their experience of living in the city.
Conceived as the ‘Universal Town’, Auroville is an experimental township where people from across the world of all cultures and traditions come and live together in peace.
People from 124 countries including Indians from 23 different states came together with some of their native soil brought from their homelands and deposited in a marble urn.
Currently, over 2,800 people from over 195 different nationalities are the official residents of this township.
The Aurovilleans as they call themselves live together on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living and ‘divine consciousness’ which was the philosophy of the Mother. Overall it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Hogenakkal
Often referred to as the ‘Niagara of India’, Hogenakkal is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the wonderful tourist places to visit near Bangalore & Chennai.
When the River Kaveri enters the Tamil Nadu border after winding its way through the state of Karnataka, it descends down the lofty landscape forming the Hogenakkal Waterfalls.
The Carbonatite rocks found near the waterfall are some of the oldest in the world. Hogenakkal is also a good place to try out your swimming skills. The water is quite challenging.
The water from the fall flows towards the Mettur Dam which is also known as the Stanley Reservoir. It is connected by rail with Bangalore, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Tuticorin, Coimbatore, Salem, Nagercoil, Mysore, Pondicherry, Tirunelveli and Ernakulum.
Dharmapuri is the nearest major bus station to Hogenakkal. It has buses from Bangalore, Mysore, Salem, Coimbatore, Chennai, Trivandrum, Kochi, Ooty, Madurai and Hyderabad.
The best time to visit Hogenakkal Falls is from July to October while the peak season is from August to October. Usually, it takes one half day to visit Hogenakkal Falls. Moreover, it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Chettinad
Sitting just a few kilometres from Madurai, Chettinad is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. It is a hidden region that is known for its ancient and old mansions, lip-smacking meat curries, and rich heritage.
This region is the coolest place in Tamil Nadu for those who are seeking an amazing day-out experience. With plenty of places to witness and ample dishes to relish, Chettinad is a foodie’s paradise.
It is one of the best tourist places in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Trichy
Trichy is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. It is a mid-sized, fast-emerging city in Tamil Nadu.
It is a refreshing change from cities that are either completely religious or some that are nothing but concrete jungles. Trichy is one of those places that you can explore over a weekend and will hold secrets even after several years.
Equipped with its own airport and railway station, Trichy enthrals you with not only the number of temples and churches it offers, but also the amazing uniqueness that each of these places bring with them. Trichy is one of those places that you can cover in a weekend and will still hold secrets even after several years.
Tiruchirapalli is well connected to Chennai by air, rail and road. There are frequent trains and buses to and from Chennai. If travelling by train or bus, night travel is the best.
There is a bus leaving almost every hour from Chennai to Trichy and vice versa. Moreover, it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Bellikkal
Bellikkal is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. Bellikkal is a small village in the south of Sigur Plateau in Tamil Nadu.
This small and elusive hill station is as beautiful as those in the Himalayas and has yet to manage to retain its old-world charm.
Anyone who has gone to Bellikkal will pine to go back. Bellikkal, true to its form, experiences fantastic weather nearly throughout the year. The summers are on the warmer side but the mountain climate never gets hot or humid.
The winters are equally beautiful, but there isn’t any snowfall. Monsoons are just as euphoric but some people prefer not to travel to the hills in the monsoons.
So, it is best if you pick a non-rainy month for your visit. No wonder it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Vellore
An ancient city in the northeastern part of Tamil Nadu, Vellore is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
It is located on the banks of river Palar Vellore. Nicknamed ‘The Fort City’ due to the marvellous Vellore Fort which sits at the heart of Vellore city, it is an ideal place to glimpse Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage through its temples.
Contributing to 37% of the country’s total leather export, Vellore is primarily known for two premier institutions, Christain Medical College and Vellore Institute of Technology. Apart from this, the city is known for the Ratnagiri Temple and Roman Catholic Diocese.
A legend says that the region where the city now stands was once upon a time surrounded by Velan Trees giving the place the name Vellore.
With the numerous developments that the city of Vellore is seeing, it is on its way to becoming one of the Smart Cities of India. Moreover, it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Kanchipuram
The city has a rich history dating back to the 2nd century BCE and was believed to have been a part of the Dravida Kingdom of the Mahabharata. Kanchipuram is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
It has been ruled by many great and powerful dynastiesThe architecture of Kanchi monuments was trendsetting with great sculpture work and unique style and became a benchmark for South Indian architecture.
This is another popular attraction to visit as part of Chennai tour packages.
It is particularly known for being a cultural and philosophical hub. With such an association being made with the city, it is only natural that this destination has become such an influential centre in these avant-garde times.
The city is home to the famous Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, which is the highly revered abode of Kamakshi – the consort of Lord Shiva. The Kailasanathar Temple is also popular and is known for its magnificent architecture.
The highest, largest and most impressive temple in the town, spanning 40 acres and dating back to the Pallava period is the Ekambeshwarar Temple.
The Kanchi Mutt holds kutcheris or South Indian classical music concerts in the evenings. Moreover, it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Mudumalai National Park
It is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu. The neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka both have their borders adjacent to the park.
The Ooty-Mysore highway passes through the forest, curving around the Moyar River which separates Mudumalai and the Bandipur National Park.
Mudumalai is presently being considered for declaration as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The 6,000 square kilometre area under consideration comprises the Western Ghats in Nilgiri, encompassing all of Mudumalai National Park.
Mudumalai is best known for its beautiful landscape of blue skies complimenting the Nilgiri Hills owning a similar tint and surrounding hills and the Mudumalai National Park, which houses many species of animals and birds.
Bird watching is an interesting activity here as fine bird specimens flock to this area quite often. Overall it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Chidambram
A beautiful temple town in the Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram is one of the top 10 tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
It is famous for housing the marvellous Lord Nataraja Temple and the famed chariot festival. Situated 250 km away from the city of Chennai, Chidambaram has been a place of architectural glory and religious importance since antiquity.
It has been ruled by several dynasties over time namely Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar rulers, Marathas and the British. Due to the cultural influences, it boasts of a rich heritage and traditions.
Apart from its authentic history, the town is a slice of paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers. Pichavaram backwater is one of the many highlights of this region.
For tourists, Chidambaram is all about relishing nature’s beauty and soaking up the spiritual ambience. No wonder it is one of the top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Faq related to top tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu:
Which city is most visited in Tamil Nadu?
Madurai
Which city is the richest city in Tamil Nadu?
Kanniyakumari
Which place is most visited?
Golden Temple
Which is the poorest city in Tamil Nadu?
Ariyalur
Which city has the most tourism in India?
Agra
What is the most visited city tourist?
Hong Kong
What is very famous in Tamil Nadu?
Temples, festivals, and celebrations of the arts
Which is the second biggest city in Tamil Nadu?
Coimbatore also known as Kovai
Which is the smartest city in Tamil Nadu?
- Chennai
- Coimbatore
- Madurai.
Conclusion
As for the final say, these are the top places to visit in Tamil Nadu. These places are exquisite and are worth a visit.
see also: Top 10 Protected Wildlife Areas in Tamil Nadu
