With some terrific day trip options in the surrounding area, having your own car makes good sense. Without one, it wouldn’t be half as easy to soak up all that Madurai, 35 miles away, has to offer. See the best sights beginning with Meenakshi Amman Temple, Samanar Hills and Vaigai River. Locals will also likely point you toward Tiruchirappalli, 55 miles away. If you can only find time for one thing here, let it be Vayalur Murugan Temple. (But we’re also huge fans of Rock Fort and Vekkaliamman Temple.)