Top Tourist Places in Chennai

Chennai! More than just a place on the map, it’s a feeling, a vibe, a heartbeat. There’s a saying that resonates in the heart of every Chennaite, ‘Vandharai Vazhavaikum Chennai’. More than just a phrase, it’s a testament to the city’s welcoming spirit. This saying, translating to ‘Chennai gives life to those who seek shelter in it’, reflects the city’s embracing nature.

This city isn’t merely about the buildings and roads; it’s about the spirit of its people, their resilience, and their unwavering love for their home. Every street, every neighborhood, every monument in Chennai has a tale to tell - a tale of a glorious past and a promising future.

But Chennai isn’t just a history book come to life. It’s a city alive with energy, buzzing with activity, and bursting with culture. It’s a city that invites you to become a part of its story, to immerse yourself in its rhythm, and to experience its soul.

So come, journey through Chennai. Explore its history, soak in its culture, and let the city’s charm captivate you. Because Chennai isn’t just any city, it’s an experience. An experience that will leave you with memories to cherish and stories to tell.

Marina Beach

Beaches are an inseparable part of life for the Chennaiites. The city is home to numerous beaches, each celebrated and cherished for its beauty. Among them, Marina Beach holds a special place. It’s not only the longest beach in Chennai, but also the second-largest urban beach in the world. Stretching 6.0 kilometers from Fort St. George to Foreshore Estate, Marina Beach is renowned for its pristine beauty, festive atmosphere, and diverse ecosystems. This vast expanse of golden sand serves as a window to the Bay of Bengal, offering views of the stunning blue-green sea that surrounds it.

Timing : Open 24 hours

Established in : 1884

Total length : 13 km (8.1 mi)

Length of promenade : 6 km (3.7 mi)

Landmarks : Lighthouse, Anna Memorial, M.G.R. and Amma Memorial, Napier Bridge

Vivekananda House

Chennai's Vivekanandar Illam, formerly called Ice House, is a historic structure. It was built by Frederic Tudor in 1842. When Indian Saint Swami Vivekananda visited Chennai in 1897, he lodged in the structure, which was eventually given his name. It is currently kept up by Ramakrishna Math and has a display about Vivekananda's life.

Location : Triplicane

Address : VIVEKANANDA HOUSE, Kamaraj Salai, Marina Beach Road, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005

Established in : 1842

Phone Number : 044 28446188

Timing : 10 am to 12:30pm, 3 to 7:15pm

Website : www.vivekanandahouse.org

Entry Fees : Adult for 20 Rs and Kids for 10 Rs

Guindy National Park

The city's small but well-known Guindy National Park is one of its natural wonders. It is a fantastic home for a variety of fauna and covers an area of 2.70 square kilometres, together with the tropical dry evergreen forests of the Coromandel Coast. The park, which is well protected by the state government, is ranked as India's eighth-smallest national park. The fun National Children's Park, which draws in the younger crowd, is located next to the National Park. Snake Park is another draw of the National Park.

Location : Guindy

Address : Rangeguindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600025

Established in : 1978

Phone Number : 044 29505150

Timing : 9am to 5:30pm

Website : www.guindypark.com

Entry Fees : Adult for 15 Rs and Kids for 5 Rs

Edward Elliot's Beach

Edward Elliot's Beach, sometimes referred to as Elliot's Beach or the Bessie, is a natural urban beach that is situated in the Besant Nagar neighbourhood. Elliot's Beach was primarily reserved for white people during the colonial era. The beach and its Kaj Schmidt Memorial are now well-known attractions in Chennai, where thousands of people visit each day.

Location : Besant Nagar

Timing : Open 24 hours

Established in : 1976

Landmarks : Kaj Schmidt Memorial, The Ashtalakshmi temple, Annai Velankanni Shrine

DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum

One of India's living history museums is the Dakshinachitra Museum, which is situated in Chennai. It contains magnificent examples of South Indian architecture, crafts, performing arts, and lifestyles. The museum's vision and mission are to increase public awareness of South Indian cultures by enhancing their appeal to visitors. It is a project of the Madras Craft Foundation, a non-profit organisation that began operations in December 1996. One million photographs and 4,220 artefacts are kept in the heritage museum. You will gain a thorough understanding of South Indian tradition by visiting here.

Location : Muthukadu

Address : DakshinaChitra Museum, East Coast Road, Muttukadu, Kanchipuram District Pin : 603 112

Established in : 1996

Phone Number : 9841020149

Email Id : dakmcf@gmail.com

Timing : 10am to 6pm (Tuesday Closed)

Website : www.dakshinachitra.net

Entry Fees : Adult for 120 Rs and Student for 50 Rs

B.M. Birla Planetarium

Chennai is home to the sizable B. M. Birla Planetarium. It is the fifth B. M. Birla planetarium in the nation and is situated in Kotturpuram on the campus of the Periyar Science and Technology Centre, which has eight galleries with more than 500 exhibits each, including galleries for physical science, energy, life science, innovation, transport, international dolls and children, and materials science. It is regarded as India's most advanced planetarium and offers a virtual tour of the night sky. It was constructed in 1988 in honour of the famous industrialist and visionary of India, B. M. Birla.

Location : Kotturpuram

Address : Gandhi Mandapam Rd, Duraisamy Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600025

Established in : 1988

Phone Number : 044 24410025

Timing : 10 am to 5:45 pm

Website : www.tnstc.gov.in

Entry Fees : Adult for 30 Rs and Children for 15 Rs

Thousand Lights Shia Mosque

The mosque in Anna Salai called Thousand Lights has many domes. A famous place of prayer and Azadari for Shia Muslims in the city, it is one of the biggest mosques in the nation. In 1810, Arcot Nawab Umdat ul-Umara erected the mosque. It was built using mediaeval design principles. The mosque now stands where an assembly hall once stood. It was customary to illuminate the assembly hall with a thousand oil lights. As a result, this custom gives the mosques its name.

Location : Royapettah

Address : Royapettah, Peter's Rd, Peters Colony, Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600086

Established in : 1810

Phone Number : 044 28518195

VGP Marine Kingdom

The largest walk-through aquarium in India is called VGP Marine Kingdom, and it can be found in Chennai right next to the VGP Universal Kingdom Theme & Water Park. This aquarium, which covers an area of about 7,500 square metres and has more than 200 species from five aquatic zones, showcases a variety of marine life including freshwater ecosystems from rainforests, gorges, mangroves, coastal areas, and deep ocean environments. The first of its kind in India, the 70-meter acrylic tunnel houses freshwater and marine animals, including sharks and rays, from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Indian Ocean. The park is also a conservation area because it is home to some of the rarest and almost extinct aquatic species.

Location : Injambakkam

Address : VGP Marine Kingdom, East Coast Road, Injambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600115

Established in : 2013

Phone Number : 8939932222

Timing : 7:30 am to 9:30 pm

Website : www.vgpmarinekingdom.in

Entry Fees : Adult for 745 Rs and Children for 645 Rs

Valluvar Kottam

A memorial to the traditional Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar is called Valluvar Kottam. Largest Tamil cultural hub in the city. At the junction of the Village Road and the High Road Kodambakkam in the Nungambakkam is Valluvar Kottam. During the 1970s, the then-chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, dreamed of and carried out the building of the Valluvar Kottam. The Kural Manimandapam, where all 1,330 couplets from all 133 chapters of the Kural literature are inscribed on the bas-relief, is part of the monument, along with a decorative arch, an auditorium with a capacity of about 3,500 people, and an auditorium.

Location : Nungambakkam

Address : Valluvar Kottam High Rd, Tirumurthy Nagar, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034

Established in : 1976

Timing : 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fees : Adult for 3 Rs and Children for 2 Rs

Madras War Cemetery

About 5 kilometres from the airport and 1 km from St. Thomas Mount, the Madras War Cemetery is situated on Mount-Poonamallee Road at Nandambakkam. Public access to the cemetery is available. The graves of 856 Commonwealth service members who lost their lives in World War II are located in the 2.75-acre cemetery. It was started in 1952 by the Imperial War Graves Commission, now known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), to honour the citizens of the Commonwealth nations who lost their lives while serving in the military.

Location : Nandambakkam

Address : Mount Poonamalle High Road, Nandambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032

Established in : 1952

Timing : 10:30 am to 5:30 pm

Government Museum

The Government Museum, often known as the Madras Museum, is a human history and culture museum situated in the Egmore neighbourhood's Government Museum Complex. It was founded in 1851, making it India's second-oldest museum after the one in Kolkata. It has extensive collections of numismatic and archaeological artefacts. Its collection of Roman artefacts is the largest outside of Europe. One of the most striking of these is the enormous Museum Theatre. On the grounds of the museum is housed the National Art Gallery. It was constructed in Indo-Saracenic architecture and contains priceless European and Asian artworks by well-known artists, including Raja Ravi Varma. This museum boasts one of Asia's largest collections of bronze idols, 500 of which date back to 1000 BCE.

Location : Egmore

Address : Government Maternity Hospital, Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008

Established in : 1851

Phone Number : 044 28193238

Timing : 9:30 am to 5 pm (Closed on Friday)

Website : www.govtmuseumchennai.org

Entry Fees : Adult for 15 Rs and Children for 10 Rs

Muttukadu Boat House

Rowing, windsurfing, water skiing, and speedboat riding are all available at Muttukadu Boat House, a water sports facility located on the East Coast Road in Muttukadu. 36 km away from the city centre, it is a backwater region of the Bay of Bengal. Rowboats, speedboats, pedal boats, and fast aqua scooters are all available at the boat house, which opened in 1984. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) owns and runs it.

Location : Muthukadu

Address : SH 49, Muthukadu, Tamil Nadu 603103

Timing : 9 am to 6 pm

Nettukuppam Beach

The northernmost point of Chennai is Nettukuppam (Broken Bridge) which features a beach that has not yet been spoiled by invasive tourists. Here, the salty creek of Ennore forms an estuary with the ocean. Given that it is still off the beaten tourist track, the setting is ideal for a relaxed vacation. There are no shouting street vendors or tourists crowding the beach here. Although there are typically only a few groups of people there, it draws a larger population during the holidays or during festivals. There is a vantage point from where you may see Chennai's skyline and consider the vast historical and geographical diversity of the city.

Location : Nettukuppam

Address : Nettukuppam (Broken Bridge) Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600057

Timing : 9:30 am to 6 pm

MGR Film City

The MGR Film City, the centre of Chennai's thriving Tamil film industry, is a singular thrill. MGR Film City is a well-known tourist destination that was founded in 1994. It is located in Taramani, Adyar, and is named after the late M. G. Ramachandran, a well-known actor and longtime chief minister of Tamil Nadu. In Chennai, there is a complex of movie studios called MGR Film City, which draws both tourists and filmmakers. Many sets of manufactured scenery, including forests, waterfalls, markets, etc., are constructed here to be used as backdrops for filming.

Location : Tharamani

Address : Kazhikundram, Tharamani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600113

Established in : 1994

Timing : 8 AM to 8 PM

Entry Fees : 15 Rs

Sri Parthasarathy Temple

The Parthasarathy Temple, a Krishna-centered Hindu Vaishnavite temple from the eighth century, is situated in Triplicane. The temple is listed as one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu and is extolled in the Divya Prabandha, the early mediaeval Tamil literature canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE. In reference to Krishna's position as Arjuna's charioteer in the epic Mahabharata, the name "Parthasarathy '' means "the charioteer of Arjuna" in Sanskrit.

Location : Triplicane

Address : Car St, Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005

Timing : 6am to 12 pm, 4 to 9 pm

Website : www.parthasarathy.hrce.tn.gov.in

Special Poojas : Thirumanjana kudam (morning), Thirukkappu (Mid-day) Nithya Anusanthanam (Evening) and Arthajamam (late Night)

Built in : 8th century

Built by : Pallavas

Nearby Temples : Sri Thiruvetteeswarar Temple / Ellaiamman Temple Smv Kovil / Hayagriva Temple / Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple / Panduranga Swamy Temple / Theerthapaleeswarar Temple / Sri Krishna Mandiram / Ahobila Mutt

Festival Seasons : Panguni Serthi, Pallava Utsavam, Ramanujar Utsavam, Vaikunda Ekadashi, Every Friday Sri Vedavalli Thayar Purappadu

MGM

One of India's biggest and oldest amusement parks is MGM Dizzee World. East Coast Road is where it is situated. The park has roughly 47 dry rides, a water world with 2 water parks for kids and adults, and it also presents unique seasonal entertainment to beat the heat. The delight of the tourists is taken into consideration during the design and engineering of every ride at MGM Dizzee World. Extreme adrenaline rides are available, but there are also delightful rides. The park offers activities for people of all ages. The park is filled with a tonne of family-friendly activities and kiddie rides that are dispersed over the entire area.

Location : Muthukadu

Address : Muthukadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600112

Established in : 1993

Timing : 10:30 am to 6 pm

Phone Number : 80 6979 5555

Website : www.mgmdizzeeworld.com

Entry Fees : Adult for 699 Rs and Children for 549 Rs

COVELONG BEACH

Located on the coast of Coromandel near the village Covelong, Covelong Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches around Chennai. Set amidst palm trees and sparkling silver sand, Covelong Beach has a captivating environment making it ideal for excursion and picnic spots. An important tourist spot in Chennai, the beach offers a plethora of water activities to its visitors swimming and windsurfing being the most popular ones. Walk through the sands, rest under the palm trees or enjoy the calmness during the sunset, the experiences that this beach offers are unmatched. Offering various water activities like surfing, jet skiing, boating, the beach is packed with thousands of visitors every day.

Location : Covelong Beach

Address : Covelong, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603112, India

Timing : Open 24 hours

FORT ST. GEORGE

One of the live examples of British history in India, Fort St. George, is one of the official buildings of the British Empire in Chennai, and the first English fortress in India. Founded in 1644 at the coastal city of Madras, the place serves as a museum today. The gigantic monument and the architecture are sure to make you appreciate the British artistry. The place is open for tourists. You can visit to witness artifacts, paintings, coins, silverware, arms, documents, and much more.

Location : Parrys

Address : Rajaji Rd, near Legislature and Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600009

Established in : 1639

Timing : 9 am to 5 pm

ARIGNAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK

For animal lovers, this place is beyond missing. It is home to more than 500 rare species, which are mostly endangered. Pay a visit to the zoo and be a part of the various safaris offered, such as Lion Safari and the Elephant Safari. Not just home to the endangered species, it also boasts of a rich variety of flora and fauna of the region. Situated at a distance of 32 kms from Chennai city, the zoological park is a great weekend spot to visit with your little ones. Also, witness the aquarium, crocodile house, butterfly house, and amphibian house, which the place has to offer.

Location : Vandalur

Address : Grand Southern Trunk Rd, Vandalur, Tamil Nadu 600048

Established in : 1985

Timing : 9 am to 5 pm

Entry Fees : Adult-200 Rs, Children -50 Rs

Website : www.aazp.in

ROYAPURAM FISHING HARBOR

One of the best tourist attractions in Chennai for all the travelers who are crazy about clicking amazing pictures to the place they travel to is the Royapuram fishing harbor. Known as the Kasimedu fishing harbor or the Chennai fishing harbor, this spot attracts a lot of tourists as it is major fishing grounds in Chennai. If you want to capture an eminent part of the lives of locals in Chennai then you ought to visit this harbor. You can spot a lot of fishermen catching fishes and a lot of boats. You will also find locals roaming around the market and purchasing fishes. As soon as the sun sets, the Chennai fishing harbor looks mesmerizingly beautiful and you should be present there to experience bliss.

Location : Royapuram

Address : Pudumanaikuppam, Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600013

Timing : 7 am–9 pm

BREEZY BEACH

Hidden away in Valmiki Nagar area of Chennai, this aptly named beach is the perfect getaway from the bustling city life of the metropolis. Located around 9 kilometers from the city center, the place offers a peaceful ambiance. The beach is famous for the most stunning sunrises and delicious breakfast served at the nearby restaurants and cafes. Being among the popular tourist places in Chennai, people often end up here to take a break from the daily routine. On your trip down to the breezy beach, you can try street snacks including sundals and idlis, and enjoy shopping at the nearby Thiruvanmiyur market.

CONNEMARA LIBRARY

One of the most premier landmarks in the city, the Connemara Library inaugurated in the year 1896, is a treasure trove of literature. It is one of the four National Depository Libraries in India receiving a copy of every book, newspaper, and periodical published in the country.A haven for book lovers, the hundred-year-old library contains a rich collection of books, braille manuscripts, journals, and magazines. Highly sought after by researchers, the building is located in the Egmore area of Chennai. The library is well-kept and you can spend a day amid the fountain of knowledge here as it is among the famous tourist places in Chennai.

Location : Egmore

Address : Museum Compound, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008

Phone Number : 044 28193751

Email Id : lbrncplchn.dopl@tn.gov.in

Website : www.connemarapubliclibrary.org

Timing : 8 AM to 8 PM

Landscape Area : 43 Acres

MADRAS CROCODILE BANK TRUST

A rich crocodile breeding center, the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust is more than just another zoo. You can witness this ferocious yet calm and beautiful reptile here in a healthy habitat. A great place for kids to learn more about nature and wildlife, the place is home to more than 17 species of crocs, some of which have been listed critically endangered by the IUCN.The initiative is the brainchild of the famous wildlife activist and herpetologist, Romulus ‘Rom’ Whitaker to conserve the fading species of crocodiles in the subcontinent. The Crocodile Bank in Chennai remains open for 6 days in a week for visitors and is definitely worth a visit.

Location : Mahabalipuram

Address : Post Bag No 4, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104

Established in : 1976

Timing : 9 am to 5 pm (Closed on Monday)

Website : www.madrascrocodilebank.org

Entry Fees : Adult for 100 Rs and Children for 50 Rs

SANTHOME CHURCH

The sparkling white structure of Santhome Church that stands on the tomb of Saint Thomas is one of its kind. The place is quite popular among locals and lures travelers wandering in the city with its exclusive infrastructure and serene ambiance. This beautiful masterpiece reminds of the colonial past and is one of the most interesting places to visit in Chennai.

Location : Santhome

Address : 38, Santhome High Rd, Dummingkuppam, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004

Timing : 6 am to 9 pm

Establishes in : 1962

Denomination : RC

KAPALEESHWAR TEMPLE

Another popular temple in Chennai with unique architecture, Kapaaleshwar Temple exhibits the Dravidian style of construction. The height of the temple is nearly 37 meters. The temple remains lively in the months of March and April. There is a huge tank filled with water at the place which is believed to have religious importance.

Location : Mylapore

Address : 234, Ramakrishna Mutt Rd, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004

Timing : 5am to 12:30pm, 4 to 8pm

Website : www.mylaikapaleeswarar.hrce.tn.gov.in

Special Poojas : Kala Santhi (morning), Uchchikala (Mid-day) Sayamkala (Evening) and Ardhajama (late Night)

Built in : 7th Century CE

Built by : Pallavas

Nearby Temples : Arulmigu Mundakakanni Amman Temple / Sri Adikesava Perumal Peyalwar Temple / Shiva Temple of Thiruvannamalai Kunrakkudi / Karaneeshwarar Kovil / Srinivasa Perumal Temple / Sai Baba Temple / Apparswamy Temple / Arulmigu Virupaksheeswarar Temple / Kolavizhi amman Temple

Festival Seasons : Panguni Arubathimooval (March to April)