One of the famous coastlines of Chennai, Marina Beach is best known for its breathtaking view and serene surroundings. Nested within the city premises, the placid beauty of the beachfront, the rolling waves and the picturesque surroundings attract almost everyone visiting this kaleidoscopic city! With a coastline of around 13km, Marina Beach has bagged the title of the world's second-largest beach; well, this makes it a must-visit place in Chennai.
Being one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, this place is calling people to discover it in its raw form. Be it the azure waters, soft sands and the openness of the ocean, Marina Beach is sure to keep you enchanted with its alluring charm and appeal.
Also known as the ‘Bessie’ or ‘Besant Nagar Beach’, it is one of the most popular destinations among the locals. Owing to the Pictorial beauty, calm and tranquil surroundings, easy accessibility and the lesser amount of crowd within this sandy retreat, it is also gaining popularity among the tourists who prefers to avoid the rush and stay away from the crowd. A walk along the long stretches of Eliot’s Beach will not only pamper your sense but will also take you to the ‘Schmidt Memorial’ which serves as a major landmark in the city
The modern state of Mahabalipuram; a weekend getaway near Chennai, was established in the year 1827 and has a pre-history from the time of Pallavas. The town is a historical venture which attracts the maximum number of tourists flocking to Chennai and keeps them engaged with its ancient architecture. With several temples and monuments in the town, this place gained much popularity among visitors; it is a hub for history, culture, architecture, and archaeology enthusiasts.
On your visit to this historic town, you can visit many of the ancient temples that have deities like Lord Krishna and other Gods and Goddesses; temple caves dedicated to other deities can also be visited within the town. Among the other major attractions in Mahabalipuram, there are enchanting Pancha Rathas, Krishna's Butter Ball, Mahabalipuram Beach and several others. Owing to its opulent beauty and religious importance, the range of temples and other historical monuments in Mahabalipuram has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built during the Portuguese rule in Chennai, what was earlier called Madras, Santhome Cathedral is one of the most popular shrines in Tamil Nadu. Built in the neo-gothic style, this church is beautifully decorated with amazing architecture that will leave every traveller spellbound. Believed to be built on the grave of St Thomas, it was recently declared a ‘National Shrine’ by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India. A major religious centre for the catholic, it has also become one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Chennai.
Just on the outskirts of Chennai, a 165 kms by road, you have this beautiful French colony with its well-known shore and French styled buildings and streets along with its hearty cafés and restobars. This is most common weekend getaway for most Chennaiites. The picturesque yellow buildings and the bright bougainvillea are a must see.
Kodaikanal, referred to as the Princess of Hill Stations, is a perfect romantic getaway, especially in the month of July, when the monsoon season adds to its beauty by manifold. The verdant vegetation all around and gushing waterfalls – Silver Cascade, Bear Shola and Fairy are a treat to the eyes!
Best places:
Kodaikanal Lake, Dolphin’s Nose, Kurinji Andavar Temple, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Byrant Park and Pillar Rocks
Transport:
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (130 km)
Nearest Train Station: Kodaikanal Road (80 km)
‘The Queen of Hills’ – Ooty has mesmerized tourists from across the globe over the years, and such is its charm that you simply wish to come here over and over again. The charm of this hill town doubles up in monsoons when its lush green tea plantations are greener than ever; its scenic lakes are overflowing and its waterfalls make for pretty scintillating sight. In Ooty, walking in the rain with clouds passing by just above you will certainly become an experience of a lifetime
Best places:
Pykara Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Stone House, Ferrnhills Royale Palace, Avalanche Lake, Mariamman Temple, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden and Doddabetta Peak
Transport:
Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport (85 km)
Nearest Train Station: Mettupalayam (50 km)
Tanjore or Thanjavur is a beautiful town located in the prosperous state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. This is a prominent place in South India where people can bask in the bliss of architectural beauty and cultural heritage. Brihadeshwara Temple is located along with other architectural wonders in the Gangaikonda Cholapuram region of Tanjore. The full might of South Indian architecture will blow your mind away as you observe the exquisite detail of sculptures. Although these are ruins, you can easily imagine the glory of Tanjore during its zenith on seeing these ruins.
Other places to visit:
Thanjai Mamani Koil, Alangudi Guru Temple, Chandra Bagwan Temple, and the Vijayanagar fort.
Transport:
Nearest airport is the Tiruchirapalli International Airport
Nearest railhead is the Trichy Junction
One of the most famous pilgrimages, Meenakshi Madurai Temple, is a place worth seeing by every art lover. This architectural masterpiece is a finest example of Dravidian style of architecture. The most important part of Madurai tour, this temple was built during the Pandya reign dedicated to goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswara. Meenakshi temple is considered to one of the oldest and the largest temples of India. Majestic architecture, intricate carvings, beautiful paintings, exquisite sculptures and an ancient history associated to it makes this temple one of the most visited tourist destination of South India.
Located just 2 km away from Madurai railway station
The temple is believed to feature powerful energy that has been created using the essence of yogic science. The temple is spread over a large area and it has a special where visitors can take part in yoga and meditation sessions. The temple features a unique rustic charm that adds to the serenity of the place.
Set amid the Eastern and Western Ghats is the Nilgiris, also known as the ‘Blue Mountains’. The Blue Mountains are a part of the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. The mountains are located at different elevations for 2500 meter to 2600 meter above sea level. The Nilgiri Hills offer suitable conditions to trekkers all around the year. The Nilgiri district is home to three popular hill stations- Coonoor, Ooty, and Kotagiri. These three hill stations form an ideal base to start treks to the Nilgiris. Trekking to the Nilgiris is an opportunity of a lifetime. Those trails take you through beautiful meadows, cascading waterfalls, coffee plantations, tea estates and serene lakes. Small beautiful villages welcome you on the way and add to the beauty of your trek.
Located in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist attraction. The memorial was built back in the year 1970 and is considered one of the finest examples of architecture in South India. Set on a rock island, the memorial houses a statue of the great preacher Swami Vivekananda. It is believed that Swami Vivekananda came to this rocky island and meditated at the island to attain enlightenment.
