Everything here is within a comfortable drive of Nagercoil. Rent a car for the day and see them in your own order, without waiting on a tour bus.
Coast
The southern tip, where the sea on three sides meets at one point. Sunrise is what people come for; the ferry out to the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar statue queues in season, so go early or accept it will take an hour.
Directionsto Kanyakumari and the Vivekananda Rock, opens Google Maps in a new tabCoast
A small granite fort right on the shore about six kilometres up the coast from Kanyakumari, with the sea on one side and the hills behind. Half an hour is enough, and the drive there along the coast road is half the reason to go.
Directionsto Vattakottai Fort, opens Google Maps in a new tabCoast
Rocky shore rather than sand, with a lighthouse above it and far fewer people than Kanyakumari. Good at sunset. The rocks are slippery where the sea reaches them, which is worth saying to anyone with children.
Directionsto Muttom Beach and Lighthouse, opens Google Maps in a new tabCoast
The closest proper beach to Nagercoil, with a long stretch of sand and a footbridge out over the water. Quiet on weekday mornings and busy at weekends. Twenty minutes from town, which makes it the easy evening drive.
Directionsto Sanguthurai Beach, opens Google Maps in a new tabHeritage
The old wooden palace of the Travancore kings at Thuckalay, and the largest of its kind anywhere. Bigger inside than it looks and worth ninety minutes. It shuts earlier in the afternoon than most people expect, so check before setting off.
Directionsto Padmanabhapuram Palace, opens Google Maps in a new tabHeritage
Rock-cut Jain carvings from the ninth century on a hill near Marthandam, reached by a short climb. Quiet, rarely crowded, and the view from the top is worth the walk on its own.
Directionsto Chitharal Jain Monuments, opens Google Maps in a new tabTemple
A short run out of Nagercoil to one of the district's great temples, known for its musical pillars and the tall Hanuman statue. Like most temples here it closes in the middle of the day and opens again late afternoon.
Directionsto Thanumalayan Temple, Suchindram, opens Google Maps in a new tabFalls
A broad, low waterfall on the Kodayar river with a bathing area below it, inland towards the hills. Fullest after the monsoon and quiet on a weekday. The road out is tarred with some broken stretches — unhurried is the right pace.
Directionsto Thirparappu Falls, opens Google Maps in a new tabFalls
A falls in the Western Ghats reached by a proper walk uphill from where the road ends, which keeps the crowds away. For anyone who wants a half day on foot rather than a drive between car parks.
Directionsto Olakaruvi Falls, opens Google Maps in a new tabEngineering
A working aqueduct carrying water across the Pahrali valley on concrete piers, high enough that walking its length is the point. Usually combined with Thirparappu, which is a few kilometres away.
Directionsto Mathur Trough Aqueduct, opens Google Maps in a new tabHills
A reservoir in the hills north-west of Nagercoil, surrounded by rubber and forest. The drive is the attraction as much as the dam — this is the greenest part of the district and the road climbs gently the whole way.
Directionsto Pechiparai Dam, opens Google Maps in a new tabHills
A hill of medicinal herbs just outside Nagercoil with a temple at the top and a steep set of steps to reach it. Early morning is the sensible time; there is no shade on the climb.
Directionsto Maruthuvazhmalai, opens Google Maps in a new tab