Top 20 Places to Visit in Kanyakumari: Best Kanyakumari Tourist Places

Best tourist places to visit in Kanyakumari

One of the most famous tourist attractions of Kanyakumari is the Vivekananda Rock Memorial perched up a few miles into the Indian Ocean! To reach the island, you will need to take a ferry ride, but once there, you would be amazed by the wondrous rock structure of the saint. The quaint vibe of the island will take you by surprise as the iconic Swami Vivekananda statue stands tall. There is a beautiful Dhyan Mandapam or a meditation hall where you can relax and learn more about breathing techniques.

As you visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, adjacent to it, you will find the beautiful structure built of Tamil poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar. They have constructed a pedestal 38 ft high as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the 38 chapters of virtue penned in the book Tirukkural, by Thiruvalluvar in the field of literature. Meanwhile, the statue is 133 ft high to embody the 133 chapters of the book. The statue is also a popular place to visit in Kanyakumari.

The south of India is blessed with many temples and religious places. Kanyakumari also has beautiful temples with Devi Kanyakumari temple being the most famous one. It is known to be one of the 108 shaktipeeths in India and is also about 3000 years old. With Dravidian architecture and an exquisite idol of Goddess Kanya Kumari decked up in diamond nose pin and alluring features. The temple is well-connected to the railway station and the bus stop so you can easily reach it from anywhere.

In honour of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the locals constructed a memorial for him. What makes the mandapam fascinating is the architecture and how on his birthday on October 2, the sun rays fall on the particular place where Gandhi's ashes were once placed. The structure is certainly quite excellent with respect to such an achievement. Further, you can also see the ocean from the mandapam. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kanyakumari.

The beach is perfectly located at the confluence of the Indian ocean where the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. It is most certainly a gorgeous place with scenery to die for! From the Kanyakumari beach, you can easily spot the lovely Swami Vivekananda statue. Paints quite the picture, doesn't it? The stunning backdrop adds more charm to a sunset experience.

The Thanumalayan Temple is a unique one that is famous for being the shrine to the holy trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They have been enshrined as a single deity called Sthanumalayan. The temple premise also has a 22 ft Hanuman statue which is recognised as one of the tallest in the country. The temple has many astounding architectural delights that make it the perfect place to visit in Kanyakumari. The gorgeous gopurams, musical pillars, an air of spiritual bliss and more make it one of the top tourist attractions in Kanyakumari.

To indulge in some sightseeing and to learn about the science of ancient carpentry, you might want to check out the Padmanabhapuram Palace. It is an ideal example of Taccusastra, another word for the science of ancient carpentry. It is also evidence of the architectural prowess along with the rich heritage of the kingdom of Travancore. You would be amazed by the brilliant setting and beauty that is unparalleled. Interestingly, the structure also has some chairs with Chinese carvings along with Belgian mirrors.

It's not just Dravidian-styled temple architecture that would enthral you but also some gothic-style churches! While you're in the city, you should visit Our Lady of Ransom Church for its vintage setting and gorgeous views. The church is also located at a walking distance from the marvellous beach. When in Kanyakumari, you should check out this tourist destination.

A little out of the city is the historically rich Vattakottai Fort. It is close to 40-minutes from Kanyakumari and is perched up a perfect location that promises exquisite views. The fort played a pivotal role in being part of the Travancore kingdom's defence and has been constructed from stone and granite. It is certainly one of the best places to visit in Kanyakumari, and you should not miss it.

If you want a different environment which doesn't have the ocean in sight, you should probably drive out 60 km from the city to the engineering marvel, Mathur Aqueduct. The aqueduct has been constructed across the Pahrali river as a relief measure for drought. The structure transfers water from one hill to another and is quite narrow. You can make a day of it by visiting this bridge and further relishing the surroundings and the pineapples that they are known for.

Ever wanted to go on a boat ride close to a waterfall? As exciting as this sounds, you would be happy to known that Kanyakumari also has a place where you can engage in boat rides or sit under the Thirparappu Falls! The waterfall is manmade, but the cascading waters continue to attract tourists to the spot. Indulging in a boat ride or taking a dip close to the waterfalls are some of the fun things that you can do in Kanyakumari. Take your family along for this expedition!

Although not the most fun place to visit, the Wax Museum might pique the interest of your children if you're travelling as a family. There are many known celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Michael Jackson, APJ Abdul Kalam and more. It will certainly entertain your kids. As it is in the vicinity of the Baywatch amusement park, you can spare a few minutes to go on sightseeing

The crowded Kanyakumari beach can get a little overwhelming. However, to soak in the magic of the confluence of the waterbodies joining the Indian Ocean, you can visit the offbeat Sothavilai beach, which is also called Chothavilai beach. Stretched up to 4 km, the beach is perfect for those who wish to indulge in a quaint environment with bare minimum people, gorgeous views, shallow waters and green lawns.

Another important and famous tourist attraction in Kanyakumari is the Tsunami Monument. It was built in the memory of all those who perished during the tragic Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that took place on the Southeast coast of India in 2004. The memorial is 16-foot tall and has been designed and constructed by B Kanagaraj Cangan. There is no fee that you need to pay to visit the monument, and it is in proximity to the waters.

A little out of the city of Kanyakumari, in Nagercoil, to be specific is the stunning St Xavier Church. With its strong spiritual vibe and gorgeous structure, the church has continues to attract a lot of tourists to visit their abode. Tourists from around the world come over to pay respects to the lord and to seek blessings. The church is quite famous and a must-visit on your list of tourist destinations in Kanyakumari.

To add some adventure to your trip, you can take up trekking in the Western Ghats as an activity. You can visit the lovely Olakaruvi Falls. It is a one-hour trek to reach the waterfalls, and it is completely worth all the effort. You can even make a picnic out of the expedition.

A little in the borders of Kanyakumari is the quaint village of Sanguthurai. The village is famously known for its beautiful beach. It is easily one of the best places to visit in Kanyakumari and perfect for beach bums. The white sands further add more beauty to the beach where you can hang out.

Among the temples, another major tourist attraction in Kanyakumari is the Lord Subramanya Temple. The temple comes with an interesting that the locals would fill you in with when you visit. It was constructed back in the 17th century and was once again redecorated in 1983. One of the highlights of the temple is the nine-storey gopuram that further adds to the luxe of the place.

Interestingly, the Kanyakumari View Tower gives you the view of the exquisite sunrise and sunset. Imagine a breathtaking view as such while you enjoy the calming breeze of the ocean. Doesn't that make you want to pack your bags instantly and head down south? The Kanyakumari View Tower is one of the most resplendent places to visit in Kanyakumari. Sadly though, you might have to deal with the crowd while you try to enjoy the scenic beauty.

Located right opposite the great Maruthuval Malai is the Sai Baba Temple. The white structure, with its fine architecture, is a tour that you wouldn't want to miss when you visit Kanyakumari. Further, it is also an ideal place for devotees who are looking to spend some time in tranquillity.

Tip for when you plan to travel- Visit InterMiles to book your flights for yourself and your loved ones and earn miles. You can earn InterMiles when you book flights across multiple airlines not just in India but worldwide.

For Flights, Hotel Booking, Shopping, and other lifestyle needs, download the InterMiles App on Google PlayStore and iTunes