Things to Do in Nagapattinam

A small 17th-century cemetery with worn tombstones of Dutch traders and soldiers. Overgrown but atmospheric. The oldest graves are from the 1660s, when the Dutch East India Company controlled the town.

🕐 Typically 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (caretaker may close early)

💡 Hard to find — ask a local for 'Ollandesi kovil' (Dutch church) near the old bus stand. No entry fee, but you might need to get the key from the caretaker who lives next door.

An ancient Shiva temple built by the Cholas, with a five-tiered gopuram and carved stone pillars. The main sanctum is below ground level — unusual for the region. Active temple, so dress modestly.

🕐 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM

💡 Photography is allowed outside but not inside the sanctum. Best visited early morning before 9am when it's quieter and cooler.

A long stretch of sand with the Bay of Bengal on one side and the town on the other. Watch fishing boats come in, or just sit on the low sea wall. The lighthouse at the northern end gives good views for a small fee.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Go late afternoon to avoid the heat. Street vendors sell fresh corn on the cob and coconut water — best snack on the beach.

A public walkway along the eastern edge of the working port. Watch cargo ships being loaded, trawlers coming and going, and workers moving goods. Not a tourist site — just real working harbour life.

🕐 Daylight hours only

💡 Best between 8–10am when the fish auction is happening nearby. No ticket needed, but keep your bag close and stay out of workers' way.

Small but tidy museum housing Chola bronze statues, Roman coins found locally, Dutch-era cannons, and old photos of the town before the 2004 tsunami. Two rooms only, so you'll see everything in 45 minutes.

🕐 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Fridays)

💡 Entry fee is 10 rupees (about 10p). Closed on Fridays and public holidays. The coin collection includes a 1st-century Roman aureus — ask the curator to point it out.