15 Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Top places to visit in Chennai

This is one of the iconic places in Chennai and your trip to Chennai is incomplete without a visit to Marina Beach. The enthralling sunrises here is no less than the spectacular sunsets. This is a perfect destination for any group and a fantastic escape from Chennai's intense temperatures. When going to this beach, make sure to have a little time on your hand because this is the longest beach in India.

This famous hill-station near Chennai will give you relief from Chennai’s hot and humid climate. Nagalapuram Waterfalls is the most preferred weekend trip among the places to see near Chennai for most people. Whether you love trekking or are a nature lover, this place will be a delight for you.

The door to this museum will take you on a trip to the cultural richness of India. You can find an exceptional collection of ancient and modern South Indian bronzes and artefacts here. The Amaravati marble houses and the marble sculptors related to Gautama Buddha’s life stand out as the best attraction of this museum, making it a worthy choice among the best places to visit in Chennai.

The tranquil and divine ambience from this abode of the goddess Lakshmi is beyond words. This temple is meant to worship the eight forms of the goddess of wealth. The best part of one of the significant places to visit in Chennai is we can hear the ocean waves’ echoes in the temple complex. This place will create a sense of peace and spirituality. Is there a better way to relax?

There was a belief in ancient times that nearly a thousand lights were necessary to light-up this multi-domed mosque’s hall. This is why it is named the Thousand Lights Mosque and it lights up the entire Royapettah area. Your face will definitely light up while you are around the glowing mosque and that’s why it is one of the famous places in Chennai.

Kanchipuram is one of the best places to visit near Chennai. This crowning jewel of Tamil Nadu is the second holiest and ‘golden city of temples’ in India. Your visit to Kanchipuram will be enriched with blessings and tranquillity. The architecturally rich and splendidly beautiful temples are a delight to the spiritual souls. What’s more? With various beautiful bird sanctuaries and gardens, Kanchipuram is an excellent way to rejuvenate.

Valluvar Kottam is an incredibly designed chariot with respect to the most famous Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar. He was a great scholar and hailed as a saint. You should visit the place at either sunrise or sunset to get the best experience of the true beauty and elegance of Valluvar Kottam.

Directly translating to ‘picture of the south’, DakshinaChitra is a collective museum of eighteen houses. What will a visit to DakshinaChitra be like? Well, it will introduce you to the lifestyle, architecture, craft, and culture of the famous South-Indian states Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana. You will have a fun time and get to learn lots about South-Indian states. It can’t get better than that!

To experience the true culture of Chennai, you must pay a visit to Mylapore. It is the cultural hub of Chennai. It is a magnificent land of vibrant and rich culture with a history of over fifteen hundred years. While witnessing the years-old history, you can binge eat the most delicious south Indian food. While you are there, you can go to the marvellous temples. Mylapore, a must visit tourist places in Chennai, has many choices for shopping and entertainment, too.

Also known as Besant Nagar Beach, Elliot’s beach is one of the cleanest beaches in India. The Ashtalakshmi Temple we talked about earlier, is located to the south of this beach. There is an incredible Schmidt Memorial on the beach to remember the Dutch sailor Karl Schmidt. Stop by this beach and witness breathtaking visuals and a serene vibe.

Not too far away from Elliot’s beach, you will come across Velankanni Church. Wondering what makes this church a must-visit? Well, the answer is a harmonious blend of Gothic, Portuguese and Christian Pilgrimage influence. These white structures with tall towers complement the beautiful Bay of Bengal behind it perfectly. Also known as the Annai Vailankanni Shrine, this church entirely changes the whole surroundings’ ambience and fills it up with peace.

The unique addition to this city’s architectural aura is the Guindy national park and snake park. It is home to various species of mammals, reptiles, trees, birds, amphibians and the likes. This park is located in the heart of the city and has an intriguing snake park with cobras, pythons, and various other snake species. Looking for a place to get the hustle-bustle of the city out of your head? Guindy National Park is your calling.

At the Royapuram Fishing Harbor, you can find various bidders or fishermen shouting to sell the best deals in this splendid photographic location. Imagine enjoying the spectacular visuals of the Royapuram fishing harbour while shopping in the famous fish markets there! This fishing harbour can accommodate more than 570 boats and is located towards the northern side of Chennai port. This is definitely a key attraction for all the fish-lovers.

Birla planetarium near Anna university is the most budget-friendly way to spend time with the moon and the stars. Audio-visual astronomy programs, exhibitions on the cycle of stars, solar system, comets, moon, and various celestial objects are some stunning things to do here. It will be a big hit, especially with the children. Some things that require a special mention here are the Science on Wheels, Science park, and Traffic park.

Last but not least, the last place to visit on your trip to Chennai must be the Golden Beach. This beach is famous for the vast expanding golden sands along the shores of stunning blue waters. Belonging to the VGP Universal kingdom, it is among the cleanest beaches of Chennai. With the 2000 millennium tower, statue man, aqua kingdom, and sand kingdom, this beach is the perfect family destination. Enjoy the spectacular golden sands at sunset with your loved ones. Talk about pure bliss!.

Chennai clearly has a lot to offer. When you are planning your trip to Chennai, make sure to go for a few days and not for a day or two, so that you can visit all the must visit places and eat all the idli, sambar, dosa and other South Indian delicacies. And if you can’t wait anymore, book your flight to Chennai today!