30 Amazing Places to Visit in Chennai
One might run out of time as there are scores of some of
the best places to visit in
Chennai. This coastal city has embedded in itself every
aspect of its rich culture, be
it the cuisine, music and dance, textiles or architecture.
A visit to Chennai is a
visit through time as each place showcases its age old
heritage.
Beaches to Visit in Chennai:
- Marina Beach
- Covelong Beach
- Elliot’s Beach
Historical Places to Visit in
Chennai:
- Fort St. George
- Kapaleeshwar Temple
- San Thome Church
- Sri Parthasarathy Temple
- Thousand Lights Mosque
Places to visit near Chennai:
- Muttukadu
- Mahabalipuram
- Tiruttani
Chennai caters to all kinds of travelers. There is a long
list of some of the very famous
as well as unknown but beautiful religious
sites, galleries, museums, gardens, historic
monuments, beaches that are known
for appealing people with their simplistic charms.-
Marina Beach
India’s largest beach happens to be Chennai’s Marina Beach
which extends from Fort
St. George to Besant Nagar. One of the best places to
visit in Chennai for viewing a
spectacular sun rise, this sandy delight is
lined by palm trees on one side.
An old light house stands on the southern end of Marina
along with several other structures
including an aquarium, a swimming pool and
a park. With food stalls, rides on ponies,
kite flying and beach games to
entertain you, a visit to here
must be included on your trip to this city.
Elliot’s Beach
Now renamed as Besant Nagar Beach, Elliot’s is one of the
places to see in Chennai and
less crowded than the popular Marina Beach. On the
southern side this seashore are the
famedAshta Lakshmi Temple and Velanganni
Church, popular among the residents
of Chennai.The Schmidt Memorial is yet another draw of Elliott Beach
which was
built in remembrance of a Dutch sailor, Karl Schmidt. Head here to
experience a
tranquil evening overseeing the waves as they roll into the shore
Covelong Beach
Located a distance of 40km from Chennai, on the coast of
Coromandel, Covelong Beach
is well-known for its beach activities and the
serene beauty of its surroundings. Once a
major port, one comes across it on
the way to Mahabalipuram.
It is now thronged mostly by water sports enthusiasts for
activities such as wind
surfing and swimming. Close by are ancient monuments
like forts, churches and mosques
apart from the town of Mahabalipuram and the
Crocodile Farm, makingCovelong Beach
a popular destination for a day outing.
Nettukuppam
Who does not love the beaches, when it comes to beach there
is like an open invitation for all.
While you are planning your trip to Tamil
Nadu then mark it on your bucket list to visit this
one beach which is a hit
among the people. Nettukuppam is the perfect spot for you where you
can spend
some time close to nature. For the photography enthusiast this is like a double
treat
for you where you can click some memorable pictures.
This broken bridge which is popularly known by the local is
situated at the northern most
tip of Chennai. It is said that during the high
tide the water rises to a great height where
you will surely get drenched in
the sea water.
Distance: The distance from Chennai to the Nettukuppam beach is 24
km.
Location: The beach is
located at the northern most tip of the city is the
Thalankuppam Pier where the beach is located.
Attraction: This is one of
the most famous beach in Chennai which is visited
by a huge number of
people all round the year. One can see a heavy crowds during
the weekends and the festival seasons. For the photography
buff this is the
ultimate place where you can create some of your
masterpiece photographs
with the waves and the sea.
Fort St. George
A delight for history buffs, this fort constructed during
the British Rule, encloses historic
monuments of St. Mary’s church and St.
George museum. The museum houses artefacts
from that era including paintings,
coins, silverware, arms, porcelain and documents.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm (except Friday)
Entry Fee: INR 100 for foreign tourists and INR 5 for
Indian visitors (only the museum)
Photography: Allowed
San Thome Church
An important religious spot for the Christian community,
the sparkling white structure of
San Thome stands on the tomb of St Thomas.
This structure, which is a reminder of the
colonial past of the city, has
stained glass windows and a statue of St Thomas in a sitting
posture. A museum,
a library and a shop selling prayer material are found within the church
premises too.
Timings: 6 am to 8 pm
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
Sri Parthasarathy Temple
One of the historical places to visit in Chennai is the
temple said to be the oldest in
this city. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, one can
see its splendid coloured gopuram apart
from the other shrines that stand
within the temple grounds.
Timings: 4 am to 11:30 pm
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
Kapaleeshwar Temple
Apart from being a religious spot, what draws crowds to
this temple is its unique
architecture. The detailed Gopuram of this structure
is 37 metres high and is a fine
example of Dravidian style of construction. The
temple, home to the deities Shiva and
Karpagambal, even holds a festival in the
months of March and April.
Timings: 5:30 am to 12 pm, 5-9 pm
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
Vellankani Shrine
Just off the Elliot’s Beach stands the AnnaiVailankanni
Shrine which is much revered among
both Christians and non-Christians. The
pristine white structure of the church stands
overlooking the Bay of Bengal and
is visited by thousands of solace-seekers each day.
One can attend the mass
conducted here in both Tamil and English.
Timings: 5 am to 9 pm
Entry Fee: None
Photography: Allowed
Thousand Lights Mosque
Another
place to see in Chennai for its architectural magnificence is this mosque which
holds a special place in the Shia community. A total of 1000 oil lamps light up
the hall of
the mosque, which is how it got its name. Its multi-domes and twin
minarets enclose
the main hallwhere men
offer their prayers. There is a separate hall for the women.
Timings:
5:30 am to 9 pm
Entry
Fee: None
Photography:
Not allowed
Connemara Public Library
Constructed
in late 19th century, Connemara library is a treasure house of centuries-old
publications. With a collection of over 600,000 books, it is one of Asia’s
largest libraries.
Be it avid readers or scholars doing research work, one
could easily get lost in this
enchanting world of books as they immerse
themselves in their favourite activity.
Timings:
9 am to 7:30 pm
Entry
Fee: None
Photography:
Allowed
Mylapore
If
you have been long planning for a vacation in Chennai than this is the time
when
you should explore all the exotic destination. For some when it comes to
exploring
Channai it is always about the weather. But we cannot miss to visit
some of the best
place in Chennai. Mylapore in Channai is one such place which
is a must visit for you.
Mylapore is the central and the cultural hub of
Channai. Known as the oldest residential
area this place is historically known
as Vedapuri. Located just a few kilometres to the
south of the city Mylapore is
now one of the most visited places in Chhannai.
Distance:
7.9 km
Location:
Mylapore is located south of the British built city Chennai.
Best
time to visit: October to March
Attraction:
Mylapore is mainly the centre hub of Chennai and here you will find a lot
of
religious places and temples. Don’t miss a chance to visit some of the
well-known
temples here like Adi Kesava Perumal
Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple,
San
Thome Basilica etc.
Madras High Court
While
you are in Chennai this is another place which is a must visit for you. For
those
of you who has some interest in learning about some judicial discussion
and about
different courts this is one place you should never miss while you
are in Chennai. Madras
High court is one of the highest court in India. The
court exercise original jurisdiction
over the whole city. In total there are 74
judges in the court which helps in the proper
running of the jurisdiction.
While you are at the court get amazed by the majestic
architecture of the
court. The decorated ceiling and the stained glasses are in itself
a
masterpiece here.
Distance:
2.9 km from Chennai
Location:
The court is located at N Fort Rd, Parrys, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Open
time: 10 AM- 5:45 PM
Attraction:
This is one of the major court in Chennai and the highest court in India
which
exercise the original jurisdiction in Chennai. And it is one of the
oldest
court in Chennai.
Vivekanandar House
Make
your Chennai visit more special as you visit this another best places to
visit
in Chennai. Vivekanandar House is one place which is a must visit for you.
This
house id one of the important landmark in Chennai which is associated with
Sri
Ramakrishna Math since 1897. Vivekanandar House is the place where the
great
Swami Vivekananda stayed for 9 days after his return from the west. This places
is visited by thousands of visitors every year. Nowadays this historic place
houses
a permanent exhibition on Indian Culture and Swami Vivekananda’s life.
Distance:
5.6 km from Chennai
Location:
Vivekanandar House is located at Kamaraj Salai(Marina beach road),
Neelam Basha
Dargapuram, Near Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Open
time: 10:00 AM- 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Attraction:
This is one of the major attraction in Chennai as it houses a permanent
exhibition on culture and Swami Vivekananda’s life. Each year thousands of visitors
visit this place to learn about the life and culture which has been popularised
by
Swami Vievekananda.
Royapuram
Fishing Harbour
On
your Chennai visit there is one more interesting place which is a must visit
for you.
Well there is no doubt in that fishing is one of the leisure
activities which everybody
loves to do. How about a visit to the one of the
busiest fish harbour where you will
find people busy and even bustling in the
dark. This amazing harbour can
accommodate about 575 fishing boats.
For
the photography lovers you can click some of the amazing pictures of the
fisherman
piling up their fish and then the fisherman who are shifting their
fish from the canoes.
The best thing about this place are the people who shouts
at the top of their voice
trying to be the best bidder.
Distance:
6 km.
Location:
The harbour is located at north of the Chennai Port and is under the
administrative control of the Chennai Port Trust.
Attraction:
The harbour is very famous among the people and people from all over
the world
comes to visit this harbour to enjoy the fish market and the witness the
collection of fish done by the fisherman. The breakwater inside the harbour
leads
up to 300 m into the sea.
Besant
While
you are planning your visit to Chennai then don’t miss a chance to visit this
another best places to visit in Chennai which will surely make your vacation
special.
Located on the East Coast Bay of Bengal and bounded by Thiruvanmiyur
to the
South lies this amazing place Besant. Named after the famous personality
Annie Besant
this place is best known for its serene and tranquil setting which
attracts visitors from
all over the world.
Distance:
The distance from Chennai to Besant is 13.5 km
Location:
Besant is located on the east coast of Bay of Bengal.
Attraction:
the main attraction of this place is the amazing Elliot beach which was names
after the Edward Elliot, Governor of Madras. For those of you who loved to
visit religious
places this is a double treat for them where they can visit the
Annai Velankanni Church
and the Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore which is
very famous among the people.
Places to Visit with Family & Kids
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Located
35 km from the city centre, this zoological park is one of the places to visit
in Chennai with kids. The expansive grounds of the zoo are home to 1500 species
of wild beings, some of which are even endangered. An aviary, a lion safari, a
deer
safari and an elephant safari form the popular sections of the zoo. There
is a separate
section for nocturnal animals, an aquarium and a butterfly house
too.
Timings:
9 am to 5 pm (except Tuesdays)
Entry
Fee: INR 30 for adults and INR 10 for children between 5-12 years
Photography:
Allowed, INR 25 for camera and INR150 for a handycam.
Semmozhi Poonga
overing
an area of 20 acres, the Semmozhi Poonga Park is a botanical garden.
Overseen by
the horticultural department, it is an ideal place to visit in Chennai
with
family. Apart from the exotic and rare flora grown, there are also some
medicinal
herbs in the green houses of the park.
Visitors
can relax on the park grounds which also contain a water and rock garden, a
butterfly garden, a fern garden, a sunken garden and many theme gardens.INR
15
for people over 10 years of age.
Photography:
Allowed
Crocodile Bank
Started
in an effort to preserve and protect this reptile species, the Crocodile Bank
even houses alligators, snakes, sea turtles and water birds. In all there are
2500 creatures
within the premises of the Bank and one can spot crocs as well
as ghariyals sunning
themselves on the edge of the water body during the day.
There is also a shop where
one can purchase books and memorabilia related to
these reptiles.
Timings:
8:30 am to 5:30 pm (except Monday)
Entry
Fee: INR 35 for adults, INR10 for children below 10
Photography:
Allowed, INR 40 camera and INR 100 for video camera
MGM Dizzee World
This
amusement park, located on the East coast road, is a wholesome entertaining
spot for young and old alike. With several thrilling rides and an amphi-theatre
for performances, guests to Dizzee World would surely enjoy a day spent here.
The water
park on the premises has a wave pool apart from many other rides and
slides.
Timings:
9:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm on weekends and holidays
Entry
Fee: INR 799 for adults (with food), INR 577 for kids (food included),
INR 550
for adults, INR 450 for kids
Photography:
Allowed
Dakshina Chitra
This
is one of the places to visit in Chennai with kids where they will be
introduced to the South Indian culture of the past. Literally translating to
‘a
picture of the south’,DakshinaChitra is a small village has been recreated
using replicas of traditional South Indian houses dating back to the 19th and
20th centuries.The
visitors get a peek into the lifestyle and customs of different
communities of
South India and also viewartefacts made by the local artisans.
Another treat is
one can taste a vast array of the traditional South Indian cuisine.
Timings:
10 am to 6 pm (except Tuesday)
Entry
Fee: INR 100 for adults INR 30 for children between 5-12 and INR 250
for foreign visitors
Photography:
Allowed
Cholamandal Artist Village
This
artists’ commune is a platform for the resident painters and sculptors to
showcase
their creations to the visiting guests. Located on the fringes of
Chennai, in the
village of Injambakkam, Cholamandal has two galleries, an
open-air theatre, a book
store and a craft shop. For those interested in art
and craft, this destination with a
serene ambience will be an ideal outing.
Timings:
9 am to 6:30 pm
Entry
Fee: INR 20 for adults and INR 5 for children
Photography:
Allowed
Guindy National Park and Snake Park
The
only national park situated in the middle a city, Guindy has many birds,
animals
and reptiles as its residents. On visiting this place one can see
blackbucks,
spotted deer, jackals, tortoise and the likes. The snake park is
home to cobras
and pythons, while the birds found here include partridge,
quail, fly catcher and
buzzards. This is one of the few places to visit in
Chennai with family where
every member will enjoy the experience thoroughly.
Timings:
9 am to 5:30 pm
Entry
Fee: INR 20 for adults, INR 5 for
children
Photography:
Allowed, INR 20 for camera and INR 100 for handycam.
Birla Planetarium
Situated
close to the Anna University in Chennai, Birla Planetarium is an
important part
of Periyar Science and Technology Museum. There are regular
audio-visual
programs on astronomy conducted here apart from exhibits that
include Solar
System, Cycle of Stars, Sky and Seasons, Comets and Man on the
Moon. Science
Park, Traffic Park and Science on Wheelsare the highlights of
Science Centre
which are of special interest for young visitors.
Timings:
10 am to 5:45 pm
Entry
Fee: INR 40 for adults, INR 25 for children
Places
to Visit near Chennai (within 100 Kms)
Muttukadu
A
backwater area of the Bay of Bengal, Muttukadu is one of the tourist places
near Chennai where one can get to indulge in water sports. With its extensive
facilities, that include a restaurant, and a large number of boats, it can host
visitors throughout the year.
Distance:
31 km
Location:
Eastern coast, South of Chennai
Best
time to visit: November to March
Attractions:
The Boat house in Muttukadu is where all the action is. Apart from
this,
the beach at Muttukadu draws a sizeable crowd during trips to this area.
Get a
glimpse of various species of birds at the backwaters during migratory
season.
Activities:
Rowing, water skiing, speed boat riding, wind surfing and paddle
boating
are possible in Muttukadu.
Type of destination: Family and kid friendly
Mahabalipuram
Famed
for its ancient mountains, Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram,
is one of
the places to visit near Chennai. Placed around 60 km south from the
city of
Chennai, it was once a busy seaport during the dynasty of the Pallavas.
Distance:
52 km
Location:
Eastern coast, South of Chennai
Best
time to visit: November to March
Attractions:
The iconic Shore Temple, among the oldest temples of South India,
is
carved out of a large block of granite. A short distance from this place of
worship
is ‘Descent of the Ganges’ or‘Arjuna'sPenance’.Among the world's
biggest bas-reliefs,
it depicts the story of the descent of the River Ganges
from Heaven to Earth.
‘PanchaRathas’ or the five chariots are again carved out
of a single rock
and are dedicated to the Pandavas.
Activities:
Explore and observe the fine sculpture of the various monuments
standing in Mahabalipuram. The drive from Chennai to Mahabalipuram along
the
seashore is quite an experience too. The beach at this tourist place near
Chennai is also ideal for spending a day just lounging on the sand and
relaxing.
Type
of destination: Family and kid friendly, historic, beach and pilgrimage
Sadras
The
coastal town of Sadras was once a Dutch fortress which was taken over
by the
British in later years. It is currently in ruins but a few structures
within
can still be viewed.
Distance:
71 km
Location:
Eastern coast, South of Mahabalipuram
Best
time to visit: October to March
Attractions:
The
glorious Sadras Fort was constructed by the Dutch as a post for exporting
goods.
It has a vast compound which contains a large granary, stables and
structures
used to mount elephants.
Activities:
On
a day trip to Sadras, one can enjoy a picnic on its beach after touring the
fort.
Type
of destination:
Family
and kid friendly, historic and beach
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Kanchipuram
This
bird sanctuary is inundated with thousands of birds of varied species
during
the migratory season. The lake within the sanctuary is the all important
source
of water for these creatures, around which they build their nests and thrive.
Distance:
78 km
Location:
Close to Palar River, south of Chennai
Best
time to Visit: November to February
Attractions:
Birds
of diverse origins are what you can see at this place to visit near Chennai.
While some birds like cormorants, egrets, moorhens and terns are found at
other
places in India, others like snake bird, ibis, stork, heron and spoonbill
come
all the way from Europe to make Vedanthangal their home for a few months.
Activities:
Bird
watching and capturing the experience with your cameras is the major a
ctivity
to be carried on here.
Type
of destination: Trekking, family & kid friendly
Tiruttani
This
small town is known for the temple dedicated to Murugan that stands on
top of a
hillock here. One can reach the temple by climbing up the 365 steps that take
you to it. A few religious festivals are celebrated here during which many
devotees visit the temple.
Distance:
90 km
Location:
West of Chennai
Best
time to visit: October to March
Attractions:
This
pilgrimage centre has a number of temples located here apart from the famed
one
dedicated to Murugan. Some of these are Shivan temple, BajanKovil,
VinayagarKovil and Eshwaran temple.
Type
of destination:
Pilgrimage,
family and kid friendly
Pulicat Lake & Bird Sanctuary
Formed
by the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal, Pulicat is the second largest
lagoon in
India that has brackish water. And the bird sanctuary stands on a
piece of land
in the middle of this lake.
Distance:
98 km
Location:
Eastern coast, North of Chennai
Best
time to visit: October to March
Attractions:
The
spectacular sights of thousands of pink Flamingoes flocked together
can be
viewed only at this place to visit near Chennai. Besides, you can
spot
pelicans, herons, kingfishers, storks and many more at the sanctuary.
There are
quite a few fishing villages on the lake’s edge which one can
visit if
interested.
Activities:
Boating
in the lake during which one can see birds splashing about in the water.
Type
of destination: Trekking, family and kid friendly Whether
travelling
with a family or on your own; spiritually inclined or a history
buff, nature
lover or photography enthusiast – every kind of traveller to
Chennai has something
of their interest here. The best season to visit Chennai
and its neighbouring regions
is winters when it is relatively pleasant and one
can make the most of the trip.
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