Hostels in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of India’s twenty-nine states. It is located at the southern tip of the country. With its classical arts, beach resorts, and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this state draws tourists from around the world; hostels abound in this ancient, culturally rich region. Although most natives speak Tamil, you will find that English is spoken (and written) throughout the area.

The number one place to find a Tamil Nadu hostel is in the capital, Chennai (formerly known as Madras). This city has one of the state’s four international airports, making it ideal for beginning your travel itinerary. Along the Bay of Bengal, Marina Beach stretches 8 miles long. This is the perfect place to escape Chennai’s humidity. It is also an idyllic spot to take a stroll along the water.

A second international airport is located in the city of Madurai where you will find more Tamil Nadu hostels. It you stay in a hostel here, you will have plenty of Tamil architecture to admire. This city contains the architectural wonders of the six Murugan temples, including Pazhamudhir Solai, Sri Meenakshi Temple, and Alagarkoil Temple and Shrine. You can also marvel at the ancient 1000 pillars of Meenakshi Temple’s Aayiram Kaal Mandapam as well as the grandiose pillars of Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal.

More hostels in Tamil Nadu are situated in the city of Ooty. Here you can take in the sights of rolling hills of Eucalyptus flowers. To breathe in more flowery scents, you can pay a visit to the Ooty Botanical Gardens. For a little more action, you might want to make a reservation to ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway which will take you on a scenic drive over bridges and through tunnels. One final sight to take in are the many bodies of water, including Upper Bhavani Lake and Avalanche Lake, which decorate Ooty’s beautiful countryside. After all that fresh air, you will look forward to returning to the comforts of your hostel.

For one more popular place to find a hostel in Tamil Nadu, you can visit Kanyakumari. Here you can take a ferry across the Laccadive Sea to reach the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. It is a sight to behold, especially when it is lit at night. Right next to it you will see the immense Thiruvallular Statue. This majestic statue of a Tamil poet and philosopher can be seen from any point within the city.

Tamil Nadu is a culturally rich state full of marvelous sites. You can find plenty of lodgings within many of its cities, enabling you to take in the variety of wonders found in this southern part of India. Just look for the word “inn” most often used to name the affordable accommodations akin to western hostels.

Handwritten by local expert for Tamil Nadu hostels Jakob Lombardi