What to do in Madurai

Activities, attractions and tours

Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India.
Hindu temple details
Intricately sculpted gopuram (tower) of Azhagar Temple, a historic Dravidian-style Hindu temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The colorful carvings depict mythological figures and divine stories.
palais de Madurai
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Madurai Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Madurai has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Madurai, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Madurai with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Madurai

Madurai is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Madurai, and make it a breeze to explore Madurai and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Madurai to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Madurai, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Madurai.

Madurai attractions

Madurai has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Madurai to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Madurai.

Looking for things to do in Madurai can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Madurai or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Madurai attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Madurai

Tours & day trips

See all 26 activities
Nature & Spiritual Trails of Madurai (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)

Nature & Spiritual Trails of Madurai (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)

Activity duration is 3 hours
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is £13 per adult*
Nature & Spiritual Trails of Madurai (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour)Opens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 5 activities
Madurai Street Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Tour)

Madurai Street Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Tour)

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £8 per adult*
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Spa & wellness

See all 3 activities
Private Day Tour: Pondicherry to Tanjore, Trichy & Madurai

Private Day Tour: Pondicherry to Tanjore, Trichy & Madurai

Activity duration is 14 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is £328 per adult*
Private Day Tour: Pondicherry to Tanjore, Trichy & MaduraiOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Madurai

Number of things to do
32
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Madurai Street Food Crawl (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Tour): £9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Madurai

Popular places to visit

India, Madurai, Sri Meenakshi Temple, carvings and gold roof, close-up

Meenakshi Amman Temple

4.5/5(7 reviews)

After visiting Meenakshi Amman Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Meenakshi Amman Temple
Estanque Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Madurai,India

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

After visiting Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
Close-up of Thirumalai Nayak in Madurai, India

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

3/5(4 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Thirumalai Nayak Palace during your travels in Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple

5/5(1 review)

After visiting Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Thiruparankundram. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple

Goripalayam Mosque

1/5(1 review)

After visiting Goripalayam Mosque, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Goripalayam Mosque

Samanar Hills

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Samanar Hills during your travels in Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Samanar Hills

Athisayam Theme Park

Enjoy the thrill rides with your children at Athisayam Theme Park during your visit to Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Athisayam Theme Park

Gandhi Museum - Madurai

4/5(1 review)

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Gandhi Museum - Madurai during your trip to Madurai. Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Gandhi Museum - Madurai

ISKCON Madurai, Sri Sri Radha Mathurapati Temple

ISKCON Madurai, Sri Sri Radha Mathurapati Temple is just one of the places to see in Madurai, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Take some time to visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

ISKCON Madurai, Sri Sri Radha Mathurapati Temple

Explore areas of Madurai

India, Madurai, Sri Meenakshi Temple, carvings, close-up

Madurai Main

If you're spending some time in Madurai Main, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Pudhu Mandapam are top sights worth seeing.

Madurai Main
Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India.

KK Nagar

Though KK Nagar may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Gandhi Museum - Madurai and Thirumalai Nayak Palace.

KK Nagar
Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India: December 25, 2018: Beautiful sculptures in the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India

Goripalayam

When in Goripalayam, you can plan a visit to Gandhi Museum - Madurai and Thirumalai Nayak Palace, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Goripalayam
closeup shot of sundareswarar temple , Shiva and Meenakshi Madurai wedding

Arappalayam

Though Arappalayam may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Gandhi Museum - Madurai.

Arappalayam
Default Image

Tallākulam

While Tallākulam isn't home to many top sights, Gandhi Museum - Madurai and Thirumalai Nayak Palace are some notable places to visit nearby.

Tallākulam
Madurai temple

Simmakkal

While Simmakkal isn't home to many top sights, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Gandhi Museum - Madurai are some notable places to visit nearby.

Simmakkal

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Madurai

Main tower of Sri Thirumarainathar Temple, Thiruvathavur, Madurai, India.

Nattam

Frequently asked questions

Is Madurai worth visiting?
Madurai has an interesting mix of culture, attractions and local charm. Whether you're into history, outdoor activities or local cuisine, there are many things here to enjoy.
How do I spend a day in Madurai?
Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Madurai Government Museum are two good places to begin your adventures. Be sure to check out the dining and shopping options in Madurai while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Madurai?
Don't leave without checking out Thirumalai Nayak Palace, ranked the top tourist attraction in Madurai.
Is three days enough to stay in Madurai?
You can easily tour leading sights like Thirumalai Nayak Palace, St. Mary's Cathedral Church and Madurai Government Museum with a three-day break in Madurai. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stick around longer and venture to Thiruparankundram.
Is Madurai a walkable city?
Some top sights in Madurai, such as Thirumalai Nayak Palace and St. Mary's Cathedral Church, are within walking distance. You can also enjoy several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) from the city centre of Madurai is Madurai Main and KK Nagar is 3 kms (2 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Madurai with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or playful teenagers, an itinerary filled with fun activities makes a big difference. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Madurai with kids.

What to do in Madurai for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Madurai, with experiences for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Goripalayam Mosque or Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara.
Are there free things to do in Madurai?
In Madurai, St. Mary's Cathedral Church is an unmissable spot for anyone planning to tour the city without taking their wallet out. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Madurai.

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