Palayamkottai, the twin town of Thirunelveli is situated on the eastern bank of the perpetual river Thamirabarani about 3 km east of the city. Surrounded by paddy fields, the place is well known for its numerous educational institutions of which some of them are 100 years old and so known as 'Oxford of South India'. This little city has one of the most popular Science Centres in South India, a satellite unit of Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore and a Government Museum with a huge and realistic fibreglass Tyrannosaurus rex.

Palayamkottai is considered as the headquarters of the Church Missionary Society in Tamil Nadu. Holy Trinity Cathedral built in 1826 as the main place of worship is well known for its 35m tall spire which is considered as the landmark of the city. The diocese of the cathedral church of the Church of South India and the St. Francis Xavier church of Jesuit mission built in 1863 are the other important churches located here. There are several Hindu temples namely Siva Temple, Ramar Temple, Gopalaswamy Temple, Uchini Makali temple and Amman Temple.

Another landmark of Palyamkottai is the central prison, notable for its large capacity and tight security. Several eminent people had imprisoned here during the pre-independence era and afterwards.