Best Tourism Places in TamilNadu to enjoy tour with family
Whisk the family away to magical Tamil Nadu
If you’re looking to explore South India as a family and find out more about its rich history and cultural heritage, Tamil Nadu tours and packages are an ideal holiday sure to please everyone in the family.
Tamil Nadu boasts amazing sceneries surrounding gorgeous antique temples and cities, all in great weather with wonderful food. From quaint activities like the Toy Train at Ooty, to cultural excursions uncovering the ancient rock-carved temples of Mahabalipuram, there is something for every age in this corner of South India. The best tourist places to visit in Tamil Nadu are all family-friendly and here we take a look at the top picks for your next holiday.
Explore the Toy Train and Hill Stations of Ooty
Ooty is so well-known for its peaceful green surroundings in the Nilgiri Hills. With its dense forests and scenic views over the mountains, Ooty is a must-do destination in Tamil Nadu. You can enjoy the sights and let yourself indulge your senses amongst the tea and coffee plantations as well.
For mountain lovers, you can drive all the way up to Doddabetta Peak at 2,693 metres and take in the sights from up top! Then come down and visit the Government Rose Garden where you can discover the largest collection of roses in India. The Botanical Gardens will also delight you with exotic species, and then you can finish the day at the Deer Park.
On the northern side of the Nilgiri Hills, take the family to Mudumalai National Park and spend the day visiting the elephants, Bengal tigers, leopards and other threatened species. A wildlife adventure to remember!
And of course – one of the best family attractions Tamil Nadu has to offer, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway! Jump on at Coonoor station and enjoy the trip on the Toy Train, taking in the views and reliving the olden days.
Madurai – Athens of the East
Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and was once known as the Athens of the East, thanks to its multitude to temples and gorgeous buildings. A trip here is a cultural delight, with some of the most interesting sights in South India.
Spend your day visiting the Meenakshi Amman temple at the centre of the city, the destination of thousands of pilgrims every year. Built in the 12th century, the temple complex is impressive with four towering gateways and a total surface of 14 acres. You’ll be greeted by no less than 33,000 statues in one of the biggest and most important active temples of India.
Just east of the temple, visit Puthumandapa which was built by King Thirumalai Nayakkar in the 17th century as the summer residence of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi.
You can find out more about one of India’s most prominent figures, Mahatma Gandhi, at a museum dedicated to him, and then finish your visit with the Art Museum.
Enjoy the cultural melting pot of Chennai
One of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu, Chennai has a wealth of cultural and entertainment offerings for your holiday.
You can explore Fort St George, built in 1644 and once the British military outpost here in the Bay of Bengal. It is now a museum where you can learn all about the British colonial occupation, as well as the East India Company and its trading history.
Another top sight is the Kapaleeshwar Temple with its multitude of sculptures and paintings, as well as St Mary’s Anglican church.
Learn about Indian art and archeology at the Government Museum and then head off to Marina Beach for a spot of afternoon sun. Check out the food stalls or fly a kite!
In the evening, the whole family can enjoy an exceptional theatre show of Tamil Nadu traditional performing arts at the Kalakshetra Foundation.
Go to the southern tip of India at Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is a must-do destination where you can watch the sun rise and set at the southernmost tip of India. Enjoy Sunset View on the quiet, beautiful beach!
But first, you are in one of the main pilgrimage sites of South India, at the temple of Bhagavati Amman, dedicated to the goddess Parvati. This is where Bengali philosopher Vivenakanda attained enlightenment and you can see his Rock Memorial near the confluence between the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, in a most special spot.
Come back here early in the morning for a magnificent view of the sunrise!
Discover the ancient rock carvings and temples of Mahabalipuram
This is the city of the Seven Pagodas and a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a beachside tourist resort too! A wonderful destination for the whole family, Mahabalipuram was once a major port city and it houses a number of 7th and 8th century battle monuments carved out of rock: the Five Rathas (temples in the form of chariots), the mandapas (cave sanctuaries), the Shore Temple dedicated to Shiva, Durga, Vishnu and Krishna among others, and finally the amazing rock relief of Arjuna’s Penance. Explore the fantastic rock-cut temples and marvel at the intricate reliefs and statues, like a modern-day archeologist! Then, relax by the seaside in one of the many nearby resort hotels.