Hidden Gems in South India that Belong at the Top of Your List

South India is famous for its temples, backwaters, and spices, but tucked along its coastline are 3 neighbourhoods that tell a completely different story. A Portuguese basilica, a French quarter, and a Danish colony, each one an unexpected slice of Europe hiding in plain sight. These hidden gems in South India are defined by cobbled colonial streets, weathered European facades, and centuries of layered history.

Santhome, Chennai: A Basilica Built over an Apostle's Tomb


Most visitors pass through Chennai without realising it holds one of the world's most extraordinary Christian sites, one of the true hidden gems in South India. Santhome Cathedral Basilica, in the Mylapore neighbourhood, is traditionally regarded as one of the few churches worldwide built over the tomb of an apostle, St. Thomas.

The Portuguese built the first church over his tomb in the 16th century. The current neo-Gothic structure, with its white spire and stained-glass windows, was built in 1896 and elevated to a minor basilica in 1956 by Pope Pius XII. Open to visitors of all faiths, it serves both as a sacred space and a significant historical monument.

Low-angle view of white pointed arches and spires of a church building against a clear blue sky.
A low-angle shot of a white cathedral with a tall, pointed spire set against a dramatic sky with clouds.

Highlights of Santhome

 
  • The Gothic nave and stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes
  • The underground chapel housing the tomb of St Thomas
  • The museum inside the premises displays relics and artefacts
  • The Portuguese statue of Our Lady of Mylapore (brought from Lisbon in 1523)
 

How to Reach Santhome?

 
  • Nearest Airport: Chennai International Airport (~16 km)
  • Nearest Railway Station: Chennai Central Railway Station (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR CTL), (~8 km)
  • Best Time to Visit: October to February
  • Entry: Free
  • Timing: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

White Town, Puducherry: France on the Coromandel Coast


Among all the best places to visit in South India with a colonial past, White Town in Puducherry is perhaps the most immediately striking. Pastel villas, bougainvillaea-draped balconies, French street signs, and cafes serving croissants alongside filter coffee—this is what 280 years of French colonial administration looks like when it lingers gracefully into the present.

The French East India Company established its trading post here in 1674. When France transferred control of its Indian territories in 1954, some long-established residents maintained French citizenship, and ties with France remain culturally significant.

A symmetrical yellow facade featuring a central wooden door, white columns, lantern-style lights, and a balcony with a wooden railing above.
A street view of a colonial-style building with white walls, blue trim, and windows, next to a streetlamp.

Highlights of White Town (French Quarter)

 
  • Promenade Beach (Rock Beach) Around 1.5 km seafront lined with the Gandhi Statue, French War Memorial and Dupleix Park; vehicles are usually restricted in the evening, making it ideal for a sunset walk.
  • Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Founded after Sri Aurobindo’s arrival in 1910, this peaceful monastery welcomes visitors free of charge from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with limited phone use expected within the premises.
  • Our Lady of Angels Church: Built in 1855, this historic church is known for conducting Mass in Tamil, French and English, reflecting Puducherry’s French legacy.
  • Auroville: About 15 km from White Town, this experimental township, founded in 1968, is home to the iconic golden Matrimandir meditation centre. It is easily reachable by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or rented scooter.

How to Reach White Town (French Quarter)?

 
  • Nearest Airport: Puducherry Airport (~7 km)
  • Nearest Railway Station: Puducherry Railway Station (~1.5 km)
  • Best Time to Visit: October to February

A street-level view of a vibrant green building featuring a wrap-around balcony with glass panels and traditional wooden trim.
High-angle shot of the ocean waves crashing against a dark rocky pier and sandy shoreline.

Tharangambadi (Tranquebar): India's Forgotten Danish Colony


‘Land of the singing waves’, that is what the Tamil name 'Tharangambadi' means. And the name could not be more fitting for this quiet coastal town in Tamil Nadu, one of the most fascinating places to visit in South India, where Denmark ruled for 225 years.

On 19th November 1620, Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde struck a deal with Raghunatha Nayak, the king of Thanjavur, a stretch of Coromandel coastline, in exchange for an annual tribute of INR 3,000. India's most significant Danish colony was born. It thrived until 1845, when it was sold to the British East India Company. What the Danes left behind is extraordinary: European-planned streets, a sea fort, a printing press, and some of India's earliest social reforms.

Highlights of Tharangambadi


Fort Dansborg: Built in 1620, this is the second-largest Danish fort in the world. It sits right at the edge of the Bay of Bengal.

  • Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed on Fridays)
  • Entry fee: INR 5 for Indian citizens and INR 50 for foreigners
  • Highlights: India's first Tamil printing press was established here in 1712. It features rooftop ramparts with sea views, a colonial museum, a gold-leaf treaty display, and the Governor's quarters.


Landporten (Land Gate): A white stone archway built in 1792, bearing the coat of arms and royal insignia of the King of Denmark, the first thing you see when entering Tharangambadi

  • Location: King's Street (Kongensgade)
  • Highlights: Danish royal coat of arms, 2-century-old stonework, cobblestone approach
  • Entry: Free, open access

A tan stone building situated on a dark beach under a moody, overcast twilight sky.
A long, open-air walkway with high white walls leading toward a decorative archway and blue sky.


King's Street (Kongensgade): The spine of Tharangambadi's colonial quarter, retaining much of its original colonial character: low-rise heritage buildings, quiet lanes, and an unhurried pace that feels nothing like the rest of Tamil Nadu. Walk it from the Land Gate to Fort Dansborg, and you get the entire Danish chapter of the town in under 20 minutes.

 

How to Reach Tharangambadi (Tranquebar)?

 
  • Nearest Airport: Puducherry Airport (~128 km)
  • Nearest Railway Station: Mayiladuthurai Junction railway station (~31 km)
  • Smoothly Accessible: About 125 km from Puducherry and 285 km from Chennai via the East Coast Road
  • Best Time to Visit: September to February

Why These 3 Places Deserve a Spot on Your South India Itinerary


Each of these destinations redefines what an offbeat destination in South India can look like in the truest sense: overlooked, underrated, and completely rewarding. Santhome gives you a piece of early Christianity that the world barely knows about. White Town gives you France, served warm with a South Indian filter coffee. And Tharangambadi gives you Denmark in Tamil Nadu, best experienced slowly, which is exactly what Neemrana's Coconut Alley is built for. Steps from Zion Church, on Rani Street, this 21st-century heritage-inspired stay feels like a natural extension of the town itself.

A view of the room cottage exterior with a cycle outside at Neemrana's Coconut Alley - 21st century, Tranquebar, one of the best Tharangambadi hotels.
A cosy bedroom featuring a bed with striped orange and yellow linens, wood-panelled walls, an arched ceiling, and an open doorway leading to a small courtyard at Neemrana's Coconut Alley - 21st century, Tranquebar.

A Stay Rooted in Place: Neemrana's Coconut Alley, Tranquebar


While Tranquebar writes its history around you, Coconut Alley on Rani Street gives you a place to sit with it; a 21st-century Neemrana property where heritage detailing, vintage rooms, and terrace dining meet the easy pace of coastal Tamil Nadu.

 
  • Rooms:Each accommodation blends South Indian architectural charm, vintage touches, and open-air showers with essential modern comforts for an easy seaside stay.
  • Dining: Experience terrace dining with the Bay of Bengal stretching out in front of you, with a menu built around local produce and coastal flavours.
  • Activities: Guests can enjoy beach walks, boat rides, bird-watching, relaxing by the swimming pool, and a visit to Tranquebar’s historic landmarks nearby.

These 3 destinations hold stories far beyond what postcards reveal about South India—tourist places where a Danish fort, a 2,000-year-old tomb, and a French promenade quietly redefine everything you thought you knew about the region. Tharangambadi, perhaps the most layered of the 3, is best closed out at Neemrana’s Coconut Alley where the history outside the window and the comfort within make for a stay that is hard to leave. Plan your escape and discover this unexpected side of the coast for yourself.

FAQs


1. Why is Santhome considered historically significant?
Santhome Cathedral Basilica is traditionally believed to be built over the tomb of the apostle St. Thomas, making it one of the rare apostolic burial churches in the world.

2. Can non-Christians visit Santhome Cathedral?
Absolutely. It is open to all and is as much a historical landmark as a place of worship. Entry is free.

3. What makes White Town one of the best places to visit in South India?
White Town stands out for its preserved French architecture, seaside promenade, heritage churches, and cafe culture shaped by over 280 years of colonial history.

4. Can I do Auroville as a day trip from White Town?
Yes, it is around 15 km away, easily reached by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or rented scooter. Allow at least half a day.

5. How far is Tharangambadi from Puducherry and Chennai?
Tharangambadi is approximately 135 km from Puducherry and 285 km from Chennai via the East Coast Road.

6. What are the timings and entry fees for Fort Dansborg?
Fort Dansborg is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Fridays. Entry is around INR 5 for adults and INR 50 for foreigners.

7. Is Tharangambadi worth visiting from Chennai or Puducherry?
Yes, Tharangambadi is well worth a visit from Chennai or Puducherry for its rare Danish colonial legacy, sea-facing Fort Dansborg, cobbled King’s Street, and unhurried coastal charm best experienced between September and February.

8. Where to stay in Tharangambadi for a heritage-inspired coastal experience?
For an immersive stay, Neemrana's Coconut Alley - 21st century, Tranquebar, on Rani Street, offers vintage-style rooms, terrace dining, and easy access to the town’s historic landmarks.

Trekking in Nainital

Continue your booking