We reveal the intrinsic band‐to‐band photoluminescence (PL) in Tl‐based anisotropic semiconductors by means of confocal spectroscopy. The PL achieves largest value for k ⊥ c, where c is the layers stacking axis, and is dependent on polarization. In TlGaSe2, the band edge absorption spectra were determined at different excitation geometry by using techniques of depth‐resolved free‐carrier absorption (FCA) and photoacoustic response (PAR). A strong absorption enhancement is detected in a large spectral area in the near‐surface region lateral to ab plane. The band‐to‐band absorption enhancement is the most probable cause for high PL intensity. The near‐surface behavior, different from the bulk, might implement useful photonic functionality at room temperature (RT). (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)