Coimbatore Travel Guide – Top things to do in the city

The 5th stop of my South India travels was Coimbatore, one of the major cities of Tamil Nadu state. I made a stop here to take a break from a continuous two weeks of travel across tiny villages.
Coimbatore is a big city, and I did not expect a lot from it. But it surprised me with beautiful, majestic views when I drove a little over 10 km from the city center.
Here is a detailed Coimbatore Travel Guide to help you spend your time in the city pleasantly, without worrying about the “big city” noise and pollution.

How to reach Coimbatore?

I took a direct Tamil Nadu state bus from Ooty to Coimbatore that cost me Rs110 for the ticket and 3.5 hours of the bus journey.
If you are not coming from very far, you can take a train or the state/private bus to Coimbatore. You can also take a flight to Coimbatore from any major city. On my way to Coimbatore

Where to stay in Coimbatore?

I am not a huge fan of hotels, so I decided to stay in a Bed “n” breakfast property.

The place is owned by Mr. Suresh, who found his calling in the hospitality industry. His love for his work was clearly visible from how the property was maintained.
The moment I entered the room allotted to me, I felt at home. The room was well-lit and extremely neat. The bedsheet was covered with another sheet to prevent dust from soiling it. The bathroom had all the essential toiletries.
My room did not come with a kitchen, but there were basic utensils, tea and coffee sachets, and filtered water to get the day started.

If you are also in Coimbatore for a few days and are looking for a homely stay, this place is just perfect.

PS: Mr. Suresh was really helpful in guiding me about Coimbatore’s places to visit and food to try.

A clean comfortable double-bed The rooms comes with a table to work at View from room

Things to do in Coimbatore

Eat Tamilian food at Annapurna Restaurant

When in Tamil Nadu, try Tamilian!

If you are a food enthusiast and love spicy food, Annapoorna Restaurant’s thaali is a must-have. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Coimbatore, serving South Indian meals for more than 50 years.

Enjoy an authentic Tamilian lunch meal at Annapoorna for just Rs 110.

PS: The service is not the most polite, but the place promises good food.

Tamilian meal

Pray at Maruthamalai Hill Temple and enjoy scenic views

Maruthamalai temple is situated on a hillock, around 10 km from Coimbatore city. Lord Murugan of Hindu mythology has the temple dedicated to him.
The temple is supposedly very crowded during peak hours of prayers. Luckily, when I visited the temple, there weren’t many people. I had enough time to look around and appreciate the intricate architecture of the temple. The panoramic views of the city and the hills around are another reason to visit the temple.

PS: The temple was not the cleanest, but if it is for the faith that you are visiting it, this should not matter much.

On the way to the temple Nestled between the hills, is the Maruthamalai temple

Visit the magnificent Adiyogi statue at the Isha Yoga Center

With a backdrop of the hills, the Adiyogi Shiva statue looks so mesmerizing that it is so difficult to take your eyes off it. It is the world’s largest bust sculpture, and will surely leave you spellbound.

In addition to the Adiyogi statue, you can also pay a visit to the other parts of the Isha Yoga center, including the Dhyanalinga and Theerthakunds.

PS: You can rent a vehicle or take a bus to the Isha Yoga Center. It is only 30 km from Coimbatore city.

There are many more places that you can explore if you are in the city for a longer time. Ooty is just a 3-hour drive from Coimbatore. You can visit Kovai Kutralam waterfalls on your way to the Isha Yoga Center if you have sufficient time.