Adventurous Road Trips to Take in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the most picturesque states in India with abundant scenic beauty and gorgeous tourist places. If you live in Tamil Nadu or visiting this beautiful state you can explore the landscape thoroughly with best road trips to take in Tamil Nadu. Here you will find the routes that will help you make the most out of your trip and enjoy the well known tourist spots.

14 Best Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu 

1. Mahabalipuram
2. Kanchipuram
3. Nagalapuram
4. Pulicat
5. Vellore
6. Nellore
7. Tiruvannamalai
8. Yelagiri
9. Tharangambadi
10. Nagapattinam
11. Karaikal
12. Thekkady
13. Masinagudi
14. Yercaud

1. Mahabalipuram

One of the best road trip routes in Tamil Nadu you can take is that to Mahabalipuram. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Arjuna’s Penance rock carvings, the windswept Shore Temple, and the Five Rathas are some of the major attractions in this destination. Apart from these, you can also take tour of the beaches and try surfing.

2. Kanchipuram

While it is about best road to drive in Chennai, you can choose Kanchipuram as well. Kanchipuram has deep historical and religious links. Once upon a time, it was the capital of the Pallava dynasty. Today, it is better known for the numbers of temples and traditionally crafted silk sarees.

3. Nagalapuram

One of the best road trips from Chennai is to Nagalapuram. The attractions that are visited by the tourists here are the Nagalapuram Falls and the Vedanarayana Swamy Temple. But if you are an adventure enthusiast, you would love the trekking trails here. Many tourists also spare a day for camping in the serene environment of Nagalapuram.

4. Pulicat

Pulicat is known for its history as well as natural beauty. The first Dutch port in the country was in Pulicat. You can also take tour of the Fort Geldria and Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary. The environment of this town is tranquil; thus, perfect to unwind.

5. Vellore

Vellore is known for having one of the major tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu, which is the year old fort. The Vellore fort looks absolutely stunning with high ramparts and wide moats. There is an ancient Jalakanteswara Temple and a State Government Museum in this fort. While you are in Vellore, you must not forget about the delicious Ambur Biryani.

6. Nellore

Nellore is known for its rich history. It was quite an important place during the time of Mauryan Empire. The Udaygiri Fort is one of the significant tourist attractions here, while tourists also enjoy their time at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary and Somasila Dam.

7. Tiruvannamalai

Located at the foothills of the Annamalai Hills, Tiruvannamalai is better known for the number of temples and ashrams it has. When you are here, do not miss the chance of visiting ancient Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

8. Yelagiri

Enjoy the best of Tamil Nadu road trip by visiting Yelagiri. It is a hill station in the state which is filled with natural beauty. The steep hills and the winding roads look awesome. Do not miss out on exploring the enchanting Swamimalai Hills and the Punganoor Lake here.

9. Tharangambadi

If you want to see and feel the Scandinavian charm, you can visit Tharangambadi. There was a time, when Tharangambadi was a Danish colony. You will come across various heritage buildings, old churches, and the Danish museum. There are also beaches in this town where you can spend some quality time with your loved ones.

10. Nagapattinam

If you are looking for the best roads in Tamil Nadu, you can plan a trip to Nagapattinam. This has been a port town ever since the era of Medieval Cholas. The Portuguese and the Dutch also settled here once upon a time. You can find many churches here. The other attractive things here to take tour of are the serene beaches, the Soundararajaperumal Temple, and the Chudamani Vihara.

11. Karaikal

Kairaikal is another port town, which once was a part of the Kingdom of Thanjavur. Later the Frech settled in here. Karaikal is also famous for being the birthplace of the Nayanmar saint Karaikal Ammaiyar. You can see several French heritages here. The secluded beaches are the awesome option to spend some time at solitude or with dear ones.

12. Thekkady

While you are planning your Chennai to Kerala road trip, a must to add place to your bucket-list is Thekkady. This amazingly beautiful place with captivating scenic views is mostly famous for the coffee and spice plantations. You may also spot elephants here very easily. While you take a boat ride at the Periyar Lake here, you will be able to spot various flora and fauna. The distance of Thekkady from Chennai is 561 km; thus, you have to plan your trip accordingly.

13. Masinagudi

Situated at the foothills of the Nilgiris, the place will offer you plenty of opportunities to spot animals like deer, elephants, boars, tigers, and bears. You can take safari to explore the jungle. There is an elephant camp here which is used to train the elephants. The best time to travel to Masinagudi is between October and May.

14. Yercaud

Yercaud can be visited at any time of the year for its perfect pleasant weather. The place is famous for various plantations like coffee, jackfruit, black pepper, orange, and guava. You must try the handmade chocolates available here, and can even get some for your family and friends as well.

The above list shows that there is no shortage of tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu and one can enjoy the rich culture and hospitality found in this state. If you are going around Tamil Nadu you may consider taking a car on rent from Chennai for road trips. Revv provides excellent self driving cars which also fit the budget of most people.