Popularly called the Pearl City due to the abundant availability of pearls, Thoothukudi, is a popular tourist stopover. The main attraction is the beautiful Our Lady of Snows Basilica, which bears traces of a Portuguese style of architecture. A gorgeous structure painted in blue and white, it can be traced back to 1713. Tourists can also head to a Shiva temple located in the city centre. Another attraction is one of the oldest seaports of the world that has a profound history and was also the site of trading with the Portuguese. Dotted with many beaches and parks, Thoothukudi is an amalgamation of the old and the new. Some of the popular spots you can visit are Harbour Beach Park, Rajaji Park, Roche Park and Nehru Park. The Pearl City Beach and the Muthu Nagar New Beach are the most popular and attract tourists to lay back and enjoy nature. Sunset views are quite splendid from here. A visit to Thoothukudi is incomplete without trying its delicious macaroons, made of dry fruits and coconut milk.

According to locals, the ancient town of Korkai (present-day Thoothukudi) was a centre of pearl fishery and maritime trade for over 2,000 years. According to the geography of Ptolemy, Korkai was the centre of pearl fishery.