Discover the best of Chennai

Start with Marina Beach, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, Fort St George and the Government Museum. Add the galleries of Cholamandal Artists Village and a day trip to Mahabalipuram, and you have covered the city’s highlights.

November to February is the most comfortable, with cooler and drier weather. March to June gets very hot and humid, and the main rains arrive with the northeast monsoon around October and November.

Filter coffee, crisp dosas, soft idli and the banana leaf meals of the old Mylapore establishments. For non vegetarian food, look for Chettinad dishes and the city’s biryani, and do not skip a snack of bajji or sundal by the beach. See our roundup of the best restaurants in Chennai for where to eat.

Two to three days covers the city itself, the temples, beaches, museums and a good meal or two. Our 3 day Chennai itinerary maps it out, and you can add a day or two more for Mahabalipuram or Pondicherry.

Marina Beach is the famous one and among the longest urban beaches in the world. Besant Nagar, also called Elliot’s Beach, is calmer and better for cafes, while Covelong down the East Coast Road is the spot for surfing and quieter sand.

Mahabalipuram for the shore temples, Pondicherry for the French quarter, Kanchipuram for silk and temples, and Tirupati for the famous hill shrine. For the hills, Yelagiri and Yercaud are the closest weekend escapes.

The metro is quick and cheap on the main routes, and app based cabs and autos cover the rest. Traffic can be heavy, so plan temple and beach visits for early morning or late afternoon.