Stand on the southern edge of Race Course in the early morning and you will see the city at its most relaxed: walkers circling the track, the small replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Red Fort standing among the trees, and a statue of a racehorse and its jockey watching over the traffic island. Beyond the greenery, the Western Ghats ring the city on the west and north, and the Noyyal River marks its southern boundary.
Coimbatore suits travellers who are passing through on the way to the Nilgiris or the Palakkad Gap, and those with a half-day to spare for temples, museums and a long evening walk. Its sights are spread out, so plan on hiring a vehicle rather than relying on walking between them.
This guide covers the parks, museums, places of worship and other stops worth your time in the city, followed by a one-day plan that strings the best of them together.
Top things to do in Coimbatore
1. Marudhamalai Murugan Temple
A huge temple complex on a picturesque hill, also known as Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Thirukoil, at least 1200 years old. It sits about 15 km north west of Coimbatore, so give it a proper half-day rather than squeezing it between city stops.
You can call +91 422 2422490 for enquiries. Because it is on a hill outside the city, pair it with your journey towards the northern side of Coimbatore rather than with the central sights.
2. GD Museums
A complex on Avinashi Road holding an interesting collection of inventions by G.D. Naidu, who is also referred to as the Edison of India. Three museums sit inside it: Experimenta Science Centre, Gedee Car Museum and GD Science Museum. They share the same complex but have separate tickets, and combo tickets are available.
The museums are open daily from 9AM to 6:30PM, closed on Monday and also closed on Republic Day, May Day and Independence Day. Combo A covers the Gedee Car Museum and GD Science Museum at ₹175 for adults and ₹80 for children aged 5 to 17, with under-fives free. Combo B covers the Experimenta Science Museum and GD Science Museum at ₹300 for adults and ₹170 for children, with under-fives free. Group bookings of between 20 and 30 people get a discount.
3. Gedee Car Museum
One of the three museums in the GD Museums complex, founded by GD Gopal in 2015 as a commemoration of his late father, Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu. Tickets are ₹125 for adults and ₹70 for children aged 5 to 17, with under-fives free, and group bookings of 20 to 30 people get a discount.
Since it is in the same complex as the other two museums, buy a combo ticket if you intend to see more than one, and keep in mind the Monday closure.
4. GD Science Museum
Interesting science experiments are on show here, along with the History of Industrialisation in Coimbatore exhibition and an old motorbike which G.D. Naidu learned to assemble from a British officer, after which he became interested in engineering. A gift shop is attached where you can buy toys from Germany, and the museum is appropriate for children.
Tickets are ₹75 for adults and ₹30 for children aged 5 to 17, with under-fives free, and group bookings of 20 to 30 people get a discount. It pairs naturally with the Gedee Car Museum under Combo A.
5. Experimenta Science Centre
The centre aims to stimulate curiosity, develop an inquiring mind and enable children and adults to learn science in an informal and fun-filled manner, with a variety of interactive exhibits and tasks. Tickets are ₹250 for adults and ₹150 for children aged 5 to 17, with under-fives free, and group bookings of 20 to 30 people get a discount.
It is the most expensive of the three museums on its own, so compare the Combo B price against buying separately before you decide.
6. Gass Forest Museum
A natural history museum with exhibits and artifacts related to forests and their wildlife, housed in a heritage building more than 100 years old. It was established in 1902 by H.A. Gass, the then Conservator of Forests of Coimbatore circle, and the building itself dates back to 1915 and was built in Gothic style.
The exhibits cover disciplines including botany, zoology and geology, and a stuffed full-grown Indian gaur is a prime exhibit. There are several stuffed animals, including a collection of over 1200 insects, plus non-forest items such as a million-year-old meteorite. It is on the Forest College Campus.
7. Race Course
A place for food and recreation and an ideal spot for a morning and evening walk. Various installations stand here, including the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Red Fort, and a traffic island on the southern side houses a statue of a racing horse complete with a jockey.
Come in the morning or evening rather than the middle of the day, and treat it as a slow hour rather than a quick stop.
8. VOC park
A park near Gandhipuram that includes a zoo and a children's park. Nehru Stadium is nearby, and there are also a few small playgrounds for basketball, tennis, badminton and similar games.
Evening is the best time to visit the park. Tickets are ₹3 for adults and ₹2 for children.
9. Eachanaari Vinayaga Temple
Also known as Arul Migu Eachanari Vineyagar Temple, this temple sits on Pollachi road. It is a straightforward stop if your route takes you south out of the city towards Pollachi.
Combine it with your travel along Pollachi road rather than making a separate trip from the centre.
10. Athar Jamad Masjid
Also known as Athar Jamaath Masjid, this famous mosque in Big Bazaar Street is a hundred years old. It places you in the busy commercial heart of the city.
Pair the visit with a walk through the surrounding Big Bazaar Street area.
11. Infant Jesus Church
A church in Kovaipudur where devotees throng on Thursdays to attend the Novena. If your visit falls on a Thursday, expect the church to be at its busiest.
Choose another day if you would prefer a quieter visit.
12. Anjeneyar Kovil
A temple constructed in one of the calmest localities, at Esso Bunk, Peelamedu. It is peaceful, open in the morning till noon, and opens again from 5PM for the public.
Do not miss the various alangaarams done for the God. Note the midday closure when planning your timing.
13. Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple
A temple at Chinna Thadagam with a natural outflow that spouts water all through the year, which is why it is quite popularly known and people never fail to make their visit. There are hundreds of steps to get to the temple and no mechanical help available.
The place is frequented by elephants, so do not plan to visit during evening hours. Do not forget to visit the Lalithambikai temple situated at its foothills.
14. Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore
An ashram in the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains beside the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, set in 150 acres of thick forest. Visitors can participate in yoga programmes and ceremonies in the temples, and the centre includes a Shiva temple and the Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple.
It is at Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post, about 35 km from Coimbatore, roughly an hour's drive without traffic. You can call +91 83000 83111 or email info@ishafoundation.org.
15. Water theme parks
There are three good water theme parks: Black Thunder near the Ooty foot hills, Kovai Kondattam en route to Siruvani Dam, and a third in the same group. Entry fees are ₹800 to ₹1000 for adults, while children get a discount of ₹100-300 per head.
Black Thunder and Kovai Kondattam both sit on routes out of the city, so fit them into a day when you are already heading that way.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Race Course for a walk among the installations and the statue of the racehorse and jockey, then head to VOC park near Gandhipuram, where you can see the zoo and children's park before the day heats up.
Afternoon: Spend the middle of the day at the GD Museums on Avinashi Road, working through the Gedee Car Museum, GD Science Museum and Experimenta Science Centre. Buy a combo ticket and remember the complex is closed on Mondays.
Evening: Make the trip out to Marudhamalai Murugan Temple on its hill north west of the city, or, if you would rather stay closer in, return to Race Course in the evening when it is at its liveliest and stay for food.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of day to visit VOC park?
Evening is the best time to visit the park. It includes a zoo and a children's park, and Nehru Stadium and a few small playgrounds are nearby.
Are the GD Museums open every day?
No. They are open daily from 9AM to 6:30PM but closed on Monday, and also closed on Republic Day, May Day and Independence Day.
Can I visit the Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple in the evening?
No. The place is frequented by elephants, so do not plan to visit the temple during evening hours. There are hundreds of steps to reach it and no mechanical help available.
How far is the Isha Yoga Center from Coimbatore, and how long does it take to get there?
It is about 35 km from Coimbatore, roughly an hour's drive without traffic, at Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post.
Decide which of these fits your route, check the Monday closure at the GD Museums, and start planning your days in Coimbatore around the places that suit your timing.