Guide details
Best time to visit
November to February
How to get there
Central Chennai, easily reached by metro and auto
Highlights
Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Fort St. George and the Government Museum
Good for
First-time visitors to the city
Price range
Most sights are free or inexpensive
Chennai is a city that reveals itself slowly, through its temples, its beaches, its museums and its markets. Whether you have a single day or a long weekend, here are the places to visit that show off the very best of the city.
Marina Beach
Start where the city meets the sea. Marina Beach is one of the longest urban beaches in the world, and a morning or evening stroll along it is a Chennai rite of passage. Watch the fishermen, try some hot sundal and soak up the sea air.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore
The colourful gopuram of the Kapaleeshwarar Temple towers over Mylapore, the oldest and most atmospheric part of the city. The surrounding streets, full of flower stalls and tiffin shops, are a joy to wander, especially in the early evening.
Fort St. George and San Thome
History buffs should head to Fort St. George, the first English fortress in India, which still houses a museum and government offices. Nearby, the gleaming white San Thome Basilica is built over the tomb of an apostle and worth a quiet visit.
Museums and green spaces
The Government Museum in Egmore, with its world-class bronze gallery, is one of the finest in India. For a breath of fresh air, Guindy National Park and the Semmozhi Poonga botanical garden bring nature into the heart of the city, while Valluvar Kottam and the Birla Planetarium are local favourites.
If you only have one day
Short on time? Do Marina Beach and Mylapore in the morning, the Government Museum or Fort St. George around midday, and finish with an evening at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar. Squeeze in a great meal using our guide to where to eat in Chennai, and you will have seen the best of the city in a day.
Just outside the city
If you can spare more time, the rock temples of Mahabalipuram are a short drive south and absolutely worth it. To get your bearings first, our guide to Chennai’s neighbourhoods is a handy companion.
From ancient temples to sandy shores, Chennai packs a lot in. Take it at your own pace, and let the city surprise you.
The places, on the map
Find the city’s essential sights and plan your route.