22 Tourist Places In Tamil Nadu For The Ultimate Getaway

1. Anaimalai (partially shared with Coimbatore & Palakad, Kerala)

It is named after the Anaimudi Hills surrounding it. It is also a 'pit- stop' for pilgrims going to Sabrimala Temple in Kerala as it harbours the presence of the Goddess Masani Amman.

2. Coonoor (Nilgiris)

Known for the production of Nilgiri Tea, Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1,850 m above sea- level and is the 2nd highest hill- station in the Nilgiris. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Tamil Nadu.

3. Javadi Hills (Tiruvannamalai)

An extension of Eastern Ghats, this range separates Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts. The Beemanmadavu Waterfalls and the Kavalur Observatory here are some of the best tourist places in Tamil Nadu, besides the 'bluish gray granite peaks' of course.

4. Kalrayan Hills (Villupuram)

This range serves as a boundary between the Salem and Villupuram districts. The Kalrayans are divided into 2 sections — the northern section, referred to as the Chinna ("little") Kalrayans, and the southern section, called the Periya ("big") Kalrayans.

5. Ketti Valley (Nilgiris)

It is the revenue village of Coonoor Taluk. Upper Ketti is another village called Yellanahalli, which is located on the main Coonoor to Ooty road.

6. Kodaikanal (Dindigul)

Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and one of the most popular tourist places in Tamil Nadu. Much of the local economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

7. Kolli Hills (Namakkal)

The mountain is named Kolli Malai after the name of Goddess Ettukkai Amman (KolliPaavai). This is one of the tourist places in Tamil Nadu that are featured in several works of classical Tamil literature. It is also believed that Chanakya, the author of Arthashastra, was born in this area before he migrated to North India to pursue education at Takshashila.

8. Kolukkumalai (Theni)

Kolukkumalai is about 7,130 feet (2,170 m) above sea level and lies some 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Munnar. One of the most verdant tourist places in Tamil Nadu, it is home to the highest tea plantations in the world with the tea grown here possessing a special flavour and freshness because of the high altitude.

9. Kotagiri (Nilgiris)

Kotagiri is one of the distinct tourist places in Tamil Nadu. It is a panchayat town in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu and is situated at an elevation of around 1793 m above sea- level. Of all the hill stations in Tamil Nadu, it is third largest in the Nilgiri Hills.

10. Kurangani (Theni)

It is one of the most rejuvenatinga tourist places in Tamil Nadu and is located atop the Western Ghats. It has estates growing coconut, mangoes, spices, and coffee. There is a mountain rivulet that passes between Kurangani mountains in the east and Kolukkumalai in the west.

11. Manjolai (Tirunelveli)

With elevations ranging from 1,020–1,500 metres (3,350–4,920 ft), the Manjolai area is set deep in the Western Ghats. Located on top of the Manimuthar Dam and the Manimuthar waterfalls, the Manjolai area is among the best tourist places in Tamil Nadu, comprising of several of tea plantations and small settlements around it. There is also Upper Kodaiyar Dam and a windy viewpoint called Kuthiravetti.

12. Meghamalai (Theni)

Popularly called the High Wavy Mountains, it is a cool and misty mountain range situated in the Western Ghats. The place is situated at an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level. Rich in flora and fauna, this is one of the most stunning tourist places in Tamil Nadu.

13. Ooty (Nilgiris)

Udhagamandalam (also Ootacamund) is abbreviated as Udhagai or Ooty. It is located 80 km north of Coimbatore and is the capital of the Nilgiris district. To this date, Ooty remains the most popular of all the tourist places in Tamil Nadu.

14. Pachaimalai Hills (Trichy)

Also known as the Pachais, is low mountain range in the Eastern Ghats. In the Tamil language, Pachai means green. The Veera Ramar Dam, one of the most attractive tourist places in Tamil Nadu, is located on the Kallar River in the hills.

15. Palni Hills (Dindigul)

The Palani Hills are an eastward extension of the Western Ghats range and adjoin the Anamalai range on the west, to extend east into the plains of Tamil Nadu, covering an area of 2,068 square kilometres (798 sq mi). It is also home to one of the shrines of Lord Karthikeyan or Murugan, who is worshipped as the primary God in Tamil Nadu. The shrine is one of the most revered tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu.

16. Sathuragiri (Virudhunagar)

Sathuragiri Hills or Chathuragiri, otherwise known as ' Sundara Mahalingam ' is situated 10 km from Watrap (Wathirairuppu) near Srivilliputhur and is among the most spiritual tourist places in Tamil Nadu. The name Sathuragiri came from Chathur (4) Veda (Vedas) Giri (Hill), i.e. where all the four Vedas met and formed the hill. Another meaning is that the whole mountain is square (Chathuram) in shape so the name Chathuragiri. This is also called as "Siddargal boomi". 18 Siddhas were said to live here.

17. Sirumalai (Dindigul)

Sirumalai is a dense forest region with moderate climate throughout the year. With an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea- level, this is one of the tourist places in Tamil Nadu that contains diversified flora and fauna. The hill has 18 hairpin bends. On the 18th bend is a church and a view point of Dindigul city and the "Dindigul Rock Fort". The hill contains a small waterfall as well.

18. Thali (Krishnagiri)

19. Topslip (Coimbatore)

Topslip, one of the hill stations near Chennai, is located at 2554 feet (774 meter) above sea- level on the Anamalai mountain range. This is one of the most peaceful tourist places in Tamil Nadu. It is about 37 km from Pollachi, the nearest town, and 9 km from the village of Sethumadai.

20. Valparai (Coimbatore)

It is located 3,500 feet above sea- level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats, at a distance of 100 km from Coimbatore and 65 km from Pollachi. There are 40 hairpin bends on the way up to Valparai from Azhiyar, making the ride between these two tourist places in Tamil Nadu thrilling.

21. Yelagiri (Vellore)

Situated off the Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur road and located at an altitude of 1,110.6 meters above Mean Sea- Level, the Yelagiri village (also spelled as Elagiri ) is surrounded by orchards, rose-gardens, and green valleys.

22. Yeracud (Salem)

It is located in the Shevaroys range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5,326 feet (1,623 m). It is so named owing to the abundance of trees near a lake, the name signifying Lake Forest. As one of the most popular tourist places in Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is also called as Jewel of South.