Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Running for about 13 km, Marina Beach is the heart beat of the city, best known for its sweeping waves, refreshing breeze, attractive promenade and friendly community ambience. Tired of the sweltering heat of Chennai? Let the Marina Beach be a sweet escape spot for you. Beaches in Chennai along the Bay of Bengal coast, it happens to be the longest beach in India and one of the longest in the world. Got enough time to pay a visit to this amazing place during the morning or evening? We suggest that you should not miss out on experiencing the enthralling view of the sun setting or rising from the beach. You may shop for trinkets such as imitation jewellery, shell mementos from the stalls on the beach side. Among the best places to visit in Chennai with friends, it is perfect to build sand castles or play games like beach volleyball.

Timings: All through the day

One of the major tourist attractions in Chennai, this fort was once a British stronghold and their first garrison settlement in the country. Built on the banks of Bay of Bengal by the British in 1640, this fort was the nucleus around which Chennai (then Madras) gradually developed. Today it is home to government/ administrative departments. You can explore the Clive House, the first British official residence, and attend mass at the St. Mary’s Church.

Location: Mount Poonamalle High Road, Nandambakkam

Timings: St. George Museum: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed on Friday)

St. Mary’s Church: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Saturday) (Regular masses held on Sundays)

Entry Fee: For St. George Museum – INR 15 (Indians), INR 200 (Foreigners) and Free for kids up to 15 years

Those of you who love writing probably heard or read with regards to the well known Tamil writer and holy person, Thiruvalluvar. For the ignorant, Thiruvalluvar is hailed as one of the best Tamil researchers. Valluvar Kottam is a complicatedly planned chariot underlying his honor. The wonderfulness of Valluvar Kottam can be best capable promptly in the first part of the day or when the sun is simply setting. Considering how to reach here? It is situated at the crossing point of Kodambakkam High Road and Village Road; cabs and transports can be taken from around the city.

Location: Nungambakkam Lake Area Main Road, Chennai

Timings: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fee: ₹ 5 (children); ₹ 10 (adults)

With Ashtalakshmi Kovil in its area, Elliot's Beach is a well known spot to visit with companions or family. This delightful ocean side, which was named after Edward Elliot (the Chief Magistrate, Superintendent of Madras during the British Era), is one of the cleanest seafronts in India. Sunbathe, unwind and loosen up, keeping the pressure under control at this incredibly quiet and beautiful spot. Highlighting in the rundown of spots to visit in Chennai for couples, this one is incredible for a twilight walk.

Timings: All through the day

Vandalur Zoo, officially known as Arignar Anna Zoological Park, is a renowned zoological park located in Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1855, it is one of the oldest and largest zoos in the country, sprawling across a vast area of over 1,500 acres. The zoo is named after Arignar Anna, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in honor of his contributions to wildlife conservation.

Vandalur Zoo serves as a crucial center for wildlife conservation, education, and research. It houses a diverse collection of over 2,500 animals, including various endangered and rare species, making it a prominent destination for nature enthusiasts, students, and families alike. The primary aim of the zoo is to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and provide a safe and natural habitat for animals to thrive.

The town Mylapore bears its name from the name of the bird Peacock. In Tamil, Peacock is termed as “Mayil”. It is believed that the town was once a forest where there was a large number of peacocks. Hence the name of the town. There is another legend that, Goddess Parvathi was once cursed to be born as a pea-hen on the earth. Upon her hard penance in this region, she pleased Lord Shiva and got back her original personality. The holy shrine of Lord Shiva, Kapaleeswarar Temple was built by the mighty Pallavas which was demolished by the Portuguese explorers and rebuilt during the Vijayanagara Empire. Kapaleeswarar Temple is the best specimen of the Dravidian and Vijayanagara architecture making it look absolutely marvellous!

Location: Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai

Timings: 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

How To Reach Mylapore? :

By Air:The nearest airport is Chennai from where the cabs can take you to the temple which is only at 18kms distance. The place can be reached in one hour drive during regular traffic.

By Train:The two huge railway stations Chennai Egmore and Chennai Central disgorge people from all parts of the country and well connected to even the smallest towns. From the railway station, the temple is at a distance of 7 kilometers which can be crossed easily by road.

By Road:Chennai being the capital of the state, it is connected across the network of all places in the state as well as to the neighbouring southern states. From the Asia’s largest Bus Terminal Koyambedu, the temple can be reached in one hour even during heavy traffic flow, covering a distance of 17 kilometers.

Parthasarathy Temple, located in Triplicane area of Chennai, is a structure more than 1000 years old, standing in the heart of the bustling city. Dedicated to different avatars of Lord Vishnu within the many shrines of the temple, it attracts thousands of Vaishanvite followers from all across the country. The temple gets its name from the charioteer version of Lord Krishna when he drove the vehicle of Arjuna in the war. Parthasarathy Temple is classified as one of the 108 Divya Desams or holy shrines dedicated to Vishnu, as mentioned in the canonical Tamil literature penned down by the Alvar saints of the 6th-9th century, known as Divya Prabandha.

The temple houses five different forms of Vishnu - Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha and Krishna. In Tamil, they have different names for these. There are numerous additional shrines as well, enclosed within the 8th-century Dravidian architecture. Chennai is a popular city for the followers of Vishnu to carry out a pilgrimage to because of the many temples devoted to that faith. Parthasarathy temple is one of the oldest among them, and also one of the most popular. The number of legends that are associated with the structure and its historical past is fascinating, and the stories are interesting as well.

Travellers would be delighted to visit the imposing ancient shrines located in the city. Parthasarathy temple is one of the precious charms of Chennai dedicated to Lord Parathasarthy, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu.

This enchanting religious site is one of the 108 Divyadesams. Divyadesams are the sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu which has been mentioned in the Divya Prabandha, the rich literature works by Tamil saints or the Alvars. Divya Prabandha comprises of 4000 Tamil verses composed by the 12 Alvars and compiled by Vasihnava Acharya Nathamuni.

Location: Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai

Timings: 5:30 am-12 pm and 4:00 pm-9:00 pm