Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the state capital of Tamil Nadu, located in southern India. Chennai, a city on the Coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal, is a vibrant and traditional centre. One of India’s four major cities, this “capital of the south” has a rich cultural heritage that combines perfectly with the lifestyle of a big city.
Chennai is worth visiting for its South Indian-inspired temples, British-era museums and monuments, culinary delights, and Marina Beach despite its messy traffic and oppressively humid climate (the second largest urban beach in the world). In spite of the city’s reputation for soaring skyscrapers, the central district of Chennai has a certain old-world glamour.
Places to visit in Chennai
1. Marina Beach
Marina Beach is a natural urban beach on the Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, specifically near the city of Chennai. The 13-kilometer beach is the longest natural urban beach in India, second largest in the world, and most crowded in India, with 30,000 people a day.
Marina Beach’s landscape is mesmerising and quiet, with a white sand shore that seems to go on forever. The beach is mainly sandy and is lined with amusement rides and gift shops. Enjoy the evening sea breeze while strolling along Marina beach with your loved ones or by yourself and snacking on a hot dish of crispy sundal and murukku. It is awe-inspiring and fascinating to watch the sun rise into the sky or even sink into the ocean from the beach.
Attractions: On the southern end of Marina, you’ll find an antique lighthouse, in addition to other attractions like an aquarium, a swimming pool, and a park. The sunrise is a picture-perfect illustration of the stunning beauty that can be seen here.
Location: Locally, in the city of Chennai.
Best time to visit:From the months of November through the month of March.
2. Ashtalakshmi Temple
Chennai’s Ashtalakshmi Temple, located just a few metres from the popular Basant beach on the Bay of Bengal, is another bustling Hindu holy destination. The goddess of prosperity and learning in Hinduism is worshipped in this temple. One of the best things about the complex is that you can constantly hear the echoing sound of the ocean waves, which creates a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
An major Hindu religious rite known as the “Jeernodhara Ashta Bandana Maha Kumbhabhishekam” is held at the temple, drawing visitors from all over the nation.
Location: Paindi Amman Kovil, 6/21, Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar, Chennai.
Timings: Every day from 6:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm (1:00 pm on Fridays and Sundays).
Entry Fee: There isn’t a cost to enter.
3. Government Museum
Discovering the history and cultural wealth of a region is easiest through visits to museums and examination of the artefacts kept there. The Government Museum in Chennai houses an extensive collection of ancient and contemporary sculptures from South India. The artefacts created by marble sculptors and the replicas of the Amravati marble mansions depicting scenes from Gautam Buddha’s life are the museum’s most popular displays, drawing in tens of thousands of visitors annually. If you’re a history geek, you’ll appreciate the pure brilliance of these artefacts.
Location: Located at Pantheon Road and Egmore in Chennai
Time: 9:30am – 5:30pm (closed on Fridays and national holidays)
ntry Fee:
Children under 12: 10, Students: 5, Adults: 15
4. Mylapore
Mylapore, located near Chennai, is an exotic location known for its unique culture. Thousands of temples, churches, and mosques can be found throughout the area. Both San Thomas Basilica and Adi Kesava Perumal Temple are well-known landmarks. In the past, this location was known as Vedapuri, and is recognized as the oldest residential district.
The music sabha and the musicians are this area’s main cultural additions, aside from the architecture. Many sabhas are held in December in an effort to restore the long-standing tradition of playing music together. The cuisine of Mylapore is known for its unique flavour and aroma.
Attraction: Famous attractions include Ramakrishnan Math and the Kapaleeswarar Temple
Location: South of Chennai, a city created by the British, is Mylapore.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM are the hours.
Entry Fee: Entry is free.
5. A Thousand Lights Mosque, Chennai
The Royapettah neighbourhood of Chennai is practically lit up by its multi-domed mosque, a treasured site of worship for the local Muslims. The mosque is known as the Thousand Lights Mosque because it is thought that in earlier times, some 1000 candles were needed to light up the prayer space. So, with everything gleaming, this place looks just amazing. It is one of the best places to go at night in Chennai. These minarets, which rise to a height of around 64 feet, are a striking example of the mediaeval architectural style that was used to construct this mosque.
Attraction: There is a vast area under these gorgeous domes where people pray to the Lord. In addition, a separate hall is designed for women to pray in the same environment.
Timings: 5:30 am to 9 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
6. Covelong Beach
Covelong Beach, located on the Coromandel coast not far from Chennai, is a gem that attract tourists day and night thanks to the wide variety of things to do there. This beach, today popular for its peaceful beauty, was formerly a key stop for ships on the journey.
Covelong Beach has been a rising star in terms of watersports, with windsurfing and swimming being the most popular options. In fact, beach camping with a bonfire in the sands is a popular activity here. In addition, fishing is the most popular activity here, drawing thousands of people each day and taking place for centuries.
Attractions The beach offers pristine natural beauty with a line of palm trees and is adjacent to old sites including forts, churches, mosques, and the ancient town of Mahabalipuram, as one passes by it on the road to Mahabalipuram. The crocodile farm is very popular.
Distance: 40 kilometres from Chennai
Location: Towards the south of Chennai
Best time to visit: Seasonal (November–March)
7. Connemara Public Library
The Connemara Library, which is a veritable library of books, journals, magazines, and other relevant literature, was officially opened in the year 1896 and has since become a unique attraction in Chennai. A library is the one place where you can find any book you want.
Because the Connemara Public Library is one of the country’s four national depository libraries, it receives copies of all books and other texts published in India. Over a century has passed since it first opened, and it still houses books from that era.
Attraction: One of the largest libraries in Asia, it houses almost 600,000 volumes. Anyone who enjoys books—from casual readers to serious researchers—could spend hours buried in this enchanted world.
Timings: 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Entry Fee: No entry fees
Location: Pantheon Road, Egmore, Museum Compound, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
8. Vivekananda House
The Vivekananda House, or The Ice House, is a place of worship and pilgrimage for those who admire Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda spent six weeks here in the year 1900.
The two-story home, which dates back to at least 1877, is a masterwork of Victorian architecture because of its sunburst and saddleback roofs. The room where Vivekananda meditated for six weeks is now open to anybody seeking serenity. The dining table he used can be seen when you visit, beautifully set up in the basement by the fire. The basic kitchen he used to prepare his meals, the parlour where he lectured, and the garden where he frequently played with the kids are all open to visitors. These things that remind us of Swami Vivekananda’s life give new life to the simple but important ideas that he stood for all his life.
Location: Marina Beach Road, Triplicane, and Kamaraj Salai
Timings: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. from 5 to 7 p.m. (Monday closed)
Entrance Fee: Adults pay INR 20, children (3–12 years) INR 10, and school students pay INR 5 for a group ticket.
9. Kanchipuram
Another popular destination that draws thousands of tourists each year is Kanchipuram. In the vicinity of Chennai, it is one of the best places to visit. It is known as India’s Golden City of Temples. You can find serenity, calm, and tranquility by traveling to Kanchipuram, a sacred city. The architectural skill displayed in these temples is remarkable. It is surrounded by lush gardens and protected areas for birds, which only add to its charm.
Location: Chennai’s Tondaimandalam area
Best Time to Visit: that spans the months of October through February
Fee: Free Enrty
Timings: Throughout the Entire Day
10. Breezy Beach
In Chennai’s remote and peaceful Valmiki Nagar area is where you’ll find Breezy Beach. Anyone seeking a quiet evening will find it to be the ideal hideaway because it is smaller and less polluted.
This beach is less famous and well-known than Elliots Beach, making it more peaceful and quiet. Many tourists have been drawn to this beach in recent years because of its beauty in the evenings, which are particularly pleasant and windy. The Breezy Beach in Chennai is the perfect place for anyone looking for a friendly, cool, and breezy location to unwind and have fun.
Attractions: Enjoy the beach at dawn and sunset. Long walks among water noises. Try the beachside sundal and idlis. Visit Thiruvanmiyur market.
Distance: Located around 10 km from the Chennai International Airport
Location: The area is called Valmiki Nagar in Chennai.
What is the best time to visit Chennai?
The best time to visit Chennai is during the winter months of October to February, which is also the start of monsoon season. This time of year is definitely worth a visit the metropolitan city, as the summers are extremely hot and the monsoons bring torrential downpours and storms. Mostly because to its geographic location on the lovely coast, the city has hot, humid weather.
