Places to visit in Tamil Nadu

Temple towns, hill stations and the southern tip.

Capital ChennaiPlaces in this guide 13

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Places to see

Auroville

Villupuram

Experimental township around the golden Matrimandir.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

Madurai

Temple complex of towering, colourful gopurams.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Ooty

The Nilgiris

Nilgiri hill station and its UNESCO mountain railway.

Best time: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

Mahabalipuram

Chengalpattu

Pallava shore temple and rock carvings, a UNESCO site.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Kodaikanal

Dindigul

Star-shaped lake and pine forests in the Palani hills.

Best time: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

Rameswaram

Ramanathapuram

Island temple with long corridors, near Dhanushkodi.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Kanyakumari

Kanniyakumari

India’s southern tip, with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Thanjavur

Chola temple completed in 1010 CE, a UNESCO site.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Chettinad

Sivaganga

Grand merchant mansions and a famously spicy cuisine.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Velankanni

Nagapattinam

Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health by the Bay of Bengal.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Yercaud

Salem

Coffee-scented hill station in the Shevaroy hills.

Best time: Oct–Jun

Gingee Fort

Villupuram

Fort spread over three hills, once called the Troy of the East.

Best time: Oct–Mar

Mudumalai National Park

The Nilgiris

Elephants, tigers and a famous elephant camp at Theppakadu.

Best time: Oct–May

Food to try in Tamil Nadu

Idli and dosa, Chettinad chicken, Filter coffee, Jigarthanda.

Crafts and products

Kanchipuram silk, Thanjavur painting.

Festivals

Pongal, Across Tamil Nadu: Usually 14–17 Jan. Harvest festival of kolam art, sweet pongal and decorated cattle on Mattu Pongal.

Timings, permits and prices change. Check official sources before you travel.