13 BEST Places to Visit in Chennai, India

One of the best places to visit in India and blessed with a vivid history and rich culture, Chennai hosts its guests with utter charm and exciting activities. This capital city of Tamil Nadu was a significant place during the British rule and had gained a lot of attention hence several historical monuments are established including temples, forts, mosques, churches, and more.

Chennai (formerly called Madras) is a city younger than its image along the Bay of Bengal. More than any other city in India, it is a true reflection of the diversity of this country. This floating metropolis is a mixture of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. Chennai is more like a hidden mystery.

It is the capital city and is famous for its beautiful tourist places in Tamil Nadu. Chennai has a large number of beaches along the Bay of Bengal Ocean that offer enchanting views of nature. These beaches are a perfect weekend gateway for all visitors. Visit the seashore along with their families, friends, and life partners on special occasions and to spend their vacation.

Some beaches are popular for sports activities, sunrise and sunset views, and special occasions that focus on music and dance. So, you can choose your own ambiance and interest that is best suited to you. It has some spectacular beaches where you can relax. Marina beach, VCR beach, Thiruvalluvar Nagar beach are some of the most amazing beaches in Tamil Nadu where you can rest and spend some quality time with your loved ones. You can also visit the colossal temples and forts.

Chennai is one of the biggest metropolitan cities in India. It is a city worth all your time and money, for the experience would be unforgettable. Depending on the duration of your trip and budget there are several combinations of places you could visit to have an amazing time. The beauty of the sea, serenity of tradition, the glamour of city life, and commercial streets are the highlights of Chennai.

There are a lot of amazing activities in Chennai that can give you wonderful experiences like camping on the shores of the calm beaches and playing games around the bonfire at night. Some other places in Chennai that must not be left unexplored are Elliots beach, V.G.P Golden Beach, MGR Memorial, Snake Park and Ripon Building.

Marina Beach, Mahabalipuram, Mylapore, Birla Planetarium, Velankanni, St. George Fort, Thousand Lights Mosque, Royapuram Fishing Harbour, DakshinaChitra, Ashtalakshmi temple, Guindy National Park, Semmozhi Poonga, Murudeshwara Temple are some of the must-visit places if you want to know about the plentiful bosom of Chennai.

Officially known as the gateway to South, Chennai is also the gateway to the unbound cultural extravaganza of India. Chennai, one of the most bustling cities in Tamilnadu which has all modes of transportation facilities but if you want to travel through the length and breadth of the city, then the most reliable option is to rent a car in Chennai.

Picking a rental car provides you with that ideal autonomy and flexibility to drive through its various neighbourhoods on your own.

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Below stated are few of the most loved activities to do in Chennai that you can select from the various Chennai holiday packages.

1. Marina Beach

Marina Beach, the largest beach in the country is truly vivid and a famous sightseeing site and experience morning troll on this beach stands unparalleled. You see a huge crowd of travelers enjoying cricket matches, people flying kites, storytelling sessions by poets as well as romantic couples enjoying the mesmerizing views of the surroundings.

Locals prefer enjoying their weekends and picnic trips at Marina beach as the beauty and the positive aura of the site refreshes your soul. Besides all such things, the city is along the magnificent Bay of Bengal, therefore, one can explore serene beaches in the city where you get to indulge in several water sports activities.

Witnessing the mesmerizing views of sunrise and sunset by sitting on the beachside adds more charm to your holiday in Chennai. Located at a distance of about 4 kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, the famous Marina beach is the second longest beach in the world with a coastline of about 15 Km. The best time to visit this beach is during morning and late evening when the beach is all lively with food stalls and other entertainment.

2. Thiruvalluvar Nagar Beach

South India cuisine is one of the most loved and quite comfortably available dishes and no matter which new city you are exploring, you will surely find South Indian Food everywhere. The food here is inspired by the religious roots of the city and it has a unique place in the south.

However, there are certain specific places that offer more to the cuisine than the certain typical and traditional food items. Dakshin is one of the most preferred places to try some unique and delectable delicacies in the city.

3. VGP Universal Kingdom

Honored as one of the cleanest and glimmering beaches in Chennai, VGP Golden Beach sees a huge influx of travelers spending some amazing moments with their family, friends, and loved ones. There is a popular amusement park established on the East coast road where children love to enjoy their weekend. Kids can enjoy several swings and take part in different fun activities and even it is a perfect place for youngsters too.

VGP Golden Beach is a captivating part of the Bay of Bengal with its soft and silver sand lies on Marina, the second largest beach on the globe. The cascading waves of the beach and the gentle breeze are like melodious music to the ears adding extra charm and glory to the place.

4. VGP Marine Kingdom

During the summer months, the city witnesses hot and humid climate, hence, beating the hot weather would be the first priority of every traveler. What other place could be better than diving into Bay of Bengal somewhere off the coast of Chennai. Those who are excited to witness the beauty of the world under the surface of the sea and relaxing yourself at the same time are the most appealing deal of Chennai Holiday packages.

5. Valluvar Kottam

Valluvar Kottam is a gorgeous temple chariot like monument built to honor Thiruvalluvar, the great classical poet and saint. Constructed with innovative layouts and well thought execution, the temple is nationwide famous for its unmatched and great architecture. Although the site is open for public visit for several hours yet the most recommended time to visit here is either when the city wakes up to the day or when the sun sets over the horizon.

6. Connemara Library

The Connemara Library is believed to be one of the great landmarks in Chennai was inaugurated in the year 1896. The library is quite popular as a treasure trove of books, periodicals, newspapers, and several other related texts. The best thing about this library is that you will unquestionably find almost every text that you are looking for.

Despite being a century old structure, it is still standing tall and holds several repositories of century old published works.

7. Ranganathan Street

None of the holidays is complete without shopping out your favorites of that particular destination. T Nagar is counted amongst one of the most crowded and busiest market places in Chennai. This market area is not only a commercial and economic hub but also a very famous and preferred residential area.

Checking out the apparels and the accessories at throwaway prices is one of the most exciting activities to do in the city especially for the women travelers.

8. Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Chennai, located on the coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal, is the merging point of culture. It is vibrant and bright, full of artistic delights and vividly painted temples.

There is a cluster of interesting places that showcases the rich culture and heritage of Chennai and Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one amongst them. Kapaleeswarar Temple, dedicated to Shiva, was built in the 8th Century by Pallavas and was later rebuilt by the Vijayanagara rulers in the 16th century. The 37 meters tall and grand gopuram of this temple is made in the characteristic Dravidian style of architecture and is a major attraction.

Established in the Mylapore region of the city, this magnificent pilgrimage is a beautiful representation of the Dravidian style of architecture. Being one of the oldest shrines in the city, Kapaleeswarar temple holds immense significance in Hinduism and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

9. Semmozhi Poonga

It is the first botanical garden set up by the Government in the city. It is home to numerous species of flora and has a special butterfly garden.

10. Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple

Dedicated to Krishna, Sri Parthasarathy Temple is one of the oldest temples in Chennai. The temple was built by Pallavas in the 8th century and is of high religious importance.

11. Government Museum

Situated inside the Government Museum Complex, National Art Complex is one of the oldest art galleries in India and among the most visited attractions. The National Art Gallery consists of four different sections, including Tanjore Painting Gallery, Decorative Art Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery and Raja Ravi Varma Painting Gallery.

12. Amir Mahal

Here the Chepauk Palace was the official residence of the Nawab of Arcot from 1768 to 1855. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. By the end of the Carnatic Wars, the independent kingdom before the Carnatic had become practically a protectorate of the British East India Company.

The Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah was a close friend and ally of the British and was dependent on the company's troops for their protection. Thus, in 1764, he thought of building a palace for himself within the walls of Fort St George. However, due to space limitations, Wallajah was forced to abandon his plans and instead built a palace in Chepauk, a few kilometers south of the fort.

13. Santhome Cathedral

Chennai has a variety of places. You can also visit the famous Santhome cathedral.

The list of fun-filled and exciting activities to enjoy in Chennai doesn’t end here as the destination offers a plethora of opportunities to its guests. If you like this post and find it helpful for your future holidays then do follow us and don’t forget to like and share this post.

Kalyan Panja