The great big southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu (the 10th biggest in India to be exact) is blessed with a gorgeous geography: it is bordered by stretches of idyllic Indian Ocean coastline to the east and the sweeping foothills of the steamy Western Ghats to the west. And the climate? Well, that might just be even better. Tamil Nadu has a delightfully tropical climate (which means year round warm temperatures), yet unlike its southern Indian sisters to the west, the state is shielded from the worst of the monsoon season, as the rain struggles to get up and over the mighty Western Ghats. All of this makes it hard to declare an official best time to visit Tamil Nadu; nevertheless, we’ll break it down for you season by season so you know exactly where to be and what to do.
Spring
For Coastal Relaxation
Spring in Tamil Nadu is not for the faint hearted. During March the infamous Indian sun start ramping up its gears to full-blown insanity, with daily temperatures in cities like Chennai and Madurai sitting around 38°C (but soaring as high as 45°C in May). The good news is that, while the cities might be a springtime no-go, the state’s charming string of coastline – stretching from the Bay of Bengal and right down to the Indian Ocean – is seriously beautiful at this time. Around half of the 650 miles of coastline is made up of golden sandy beaches, so picking out where to go is no easy feat. But whether you’re in the market for a spot of surfing, traditional fishing or just some good old R&R, you can rest assured knowing that our team of experts are on hand to recommend the finest coastal haunts of the lot.
Summer
For Outdoorsy Adventures in the Mountains
Temperatures remain fairly high at the start of the summer season, often climbing to a toasty 38°C. Nevertheless, June also marks the beginning of the southwest monsoon, which means seasonal winds and cool showers (a great relief to those unaccustomed to the tropical heat). Thanks to the rain turning the countryside into an emerald oasis, this is one of the best times to head for its hills. Tamil Nadu’s low-lying foothills of the picture-perfect Western Ghats are peppered with around 25 charming hill stations (towns and holiday resorts set in the mountains) where intrepid explorers and leisure lovers alike can relish in beautiful vistas, pleasant temperatures and intriguing temples. Head to the hill stations of Yelagiri, Velliangiri, Coonoor and Kotagiri to enjoy exciting walks, lakeside lounging, leisurely golfing and just about any another activity you can conjure up.
Autumn (September-November)
For Temple-Hopping Without the Crowds
The amount of rainfall strengthens a tad during the autumn season with the North East Monsoon (October and November see some of the highest amounts of rainfall). And while this might not immediately sound like the best time to visit Tamil Nadu, this is actually a great opportunity to take advantage of the lack of crowds and check out the state’s incredible selection of ancient temples. We can organise private tours of some of the state’s finest on offer for you – we’re talking Kanchipuram (also known as the “city of 1000 temples”), which is one of only seven holy cities in India and features over 100 well-preserved temples; Brihadishvara, in Tanjore, which is perhaps most dazzling in India with its high pyramid tower; and Sri Meenakshi, where you can observe puja (Hindu prayer ritual) in one of the nation’s most important active temples. For something extra special, we can arrange for you to enjoy guided bike rides between lesser-vested temples, private yoga sessions surrounded by architectural splendour and even a glimpse of an authentic wedding ceremony.
Winter (December-February)
For Cities and Cultural Delights
We’re going to finish up our whistle-stop trip around the southern Indian sun with the absolute best time to visit Tamil Nadu – the winter. Temperatures throughout the state hover around a comfortable 25°C, making it possible to enjoy just about every dreamy destination Tamil Nadu has to offer. That said, we’d argue that a spot of city-hopping is perfect in the winter, as you can enjoy long days of sightseeing without having to worry about wet weather conditions. One of our favourite cities in the state is the beautiful Pondicherry, where you can admire exquisite French colonial architecture, ancient religious sites and serene seaside vistas. Tamil Nadu is jam-packed with countless other towns and cities too, boasting plenty of cultural clout. Stop by bustling food markets, stay in palatial properties and enjoy private cooking classes with local families.