Things to do in Chennai

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Chennai featuring a city
Ganesha Ratha which includes art
Edward Elliot\'s Beach featuring a city and a sunset
Shore Temple
Elliot\'s Beach featuring a beach and a playground
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Most popular activities in Chennai

Tours & day trips

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Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...

Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...

Activity duration is 2 days
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥121,522 per adult*
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History & culture

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Private Day Tour The Taj Mahal Experience from Chennai

Private Day Tour The Taj Mahal Experience from Chennai

Activity duration is 14 hours
Free cancellation available
The previous price was ￥29,205 and current price is ￥23,364 per adult*
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 10 activities
Mahabalipuram: Private Guided tour from Chennai with lunch

Mahabalipuram: Private Guided tour from Chennai with lunch

Activity duration is 7 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥23,701 per adult*
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Classes & workshops

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Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai

Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥7,653 per adult*
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Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 4 activities
Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...

Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...

Activity duration is 2 days
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥121,522 per adult*
Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...Opens in new tab

What to do in Chennai

Discover the most popular places to visit in Chennai

Marina Beach showing general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Marina Beach

Relaxed walks, pretty sunrises, elaborate entertainment, traditional Indian street food and historical landmarks make this one of Chennai’s liveliest beaches.

Marina Beach
Pondy bazar the quintessential place to shop for anything and everything in Chennai! Clothes, housewares, cosmetic jewellery, shoes, toys, vegetables, fruits, restaurants, flowers...well, just about anything! This was beautiful jewellery sold by a roadside hawker!!!!

Pondy Bazaar

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Pondy Bazaar during your stay in Chennai. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this vibrant area.

Pondy Bazaar
Kapaleeswarar Temple which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and a temple or place of worship

Kapaleeswarar Temple

Marvel at the Dravidian architecture of this centuries-old temple, spot intricately carved figurines, watch devotees pray and experience a lively Hindu festival.

Kapaleeswarar Temple
Mamallapuram Beach featuring a sandy beach as well as an individual femail

Mamallapuram Beach

Enjoy the atmosphere of Mahabalipuram's central beach, which is alive with historic temples, stone carving stalls and a thriving backpacker scene.

Mamallapuram Beach
street art patchwork after sticking over and over. time rules #OnTheRoad

Anna Salai

Learn about the local history of Chennai when you spend time at Anna Salai. Wander the marina in this culturally rich area.

Anna Salai
Shore Temple showing a temple or place of worship and heritage architecture

Shore Temple

Witness fine Pallavan architecture and ornate shrines to Hindu gods at this gorgeous seaside temple, which is at its most beautiful at sunset.

Shore Temple

SRM University - Kattankulathur Campus

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of SRM University - Kattankulathur Campus, during your trip to Potheri. Make some time to visit the monuments while you're in the area.

SRM University - Kattankulathur Campus

Chennai Trade Centre

Learn about the events happening at Chennai Trade Centre during your trip to Chennai. While you're here, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Chennai Trade Centre

ECR Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at ECR Beach during your travels in Chennai? Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

ECR Beach

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Chennai

Colorful glass bangles and pretty henna. Bangle shops that sell colorful bangles to match the colors in your sarees!!! #riotofcolors #colorful

T Nagar

4/5(45 area reviews)

T Nagar is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Pondy Bazaar and Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam while you're in town.

T Nagar
Valluvar Kottam - Monument to remember Thiruvalluvar

Nungambakkam

3.5/5(26 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the cafes and monuments in Nungambakkam. You might want to make time for a stop at Valluvar Kottam or SDAT Tennis Stadium.

Nungambakkam
Chennai featuring animals

Mahabalipuram Beach

Mahabalipuram Beach is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Mamallapuram Beach and Pancha Pandava Rathas.

Mahabalipuram Beach
Armenian Church featuring a city and street scenes

Central Chennai

4/5(61 area reviews)

The churches and monuments are just a few things visitors like about Central Chennai. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Raja Muthiah Hall are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Washermanpet Metro Station or Mannadi Metro Station to get around the larger area.

Central Chennai
Chennai which includes religious aspects

Guindy

4/5(42 area reviews)

An important commercial hub, Guindy boasts landmarks like Guindy National Park and Snake Park. Well-connected by road, train, and metro, it's just 10 km from the airport.

Guindy
Kala Nikethan is a store that sells beautiful salwars and designer sarees. I love love this black one with colorful brocade and a colorful dupatta. And I love pink too! #colormecrazy #colorsplash #colorful

Anna Nagar

3/5(4 area reviews)

Enjoy morning strolls at Anna Nagar Tower Park, explore sights like Anna Arch and Chinthamani, and indulge in diverse dining options on 2nd Avenue. With multiple metro stations, getting around is a breeze.

Anna Nagar

Popular day trips from Chennai

Chennai

Mahabalipuram

Photo by Mike Belson

Sriperumbudur

Tiger Cave showing heritage elements

Chengalpattu

Frequently asked questions

Is Chennai worth visiting?
Chennai offers a unique mix of attractions, culture and local charm. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or local cuisine, there are many things to enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Chennai?
Once you've checked off top attractions like Neelankarai Beach and VGP Universal Kingdom, spend the rest of your day experiencing the food and retail options in Chennai.
What is the top tourist attraction in Chennai?
Neelankarai Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Chennai and deserves a place on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Chennai?
You can easily visit leading sights like Guindy National Park, Chennai Snake Park and Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centres with a three-day escape to Chennai. On average, many travelers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Sholinganallur.
Is Chennai a walkable city?
That comes down to what you plan to see and do in Chennai. Several top sights, such as Vadapalani Murugan Temple and St. Thomas Mount National Shrine, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Chennai's neighborhoods, Guindy is 5 kilometers away from downtown, while Pazavanthangal is 3 kilometers away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Chennai with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with young explorers or playful teenagers, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Chennai with kids.

What to do in Chennai for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there are lots of things to do in Chennai for adults including Anna Salai and Mayajaal Entertainment.
Are there free things to do in Chennai?
One of the best ways to discover free things to do in Chennai is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighborhoods, parks and other hotspots you can experience without taking your wallet out. Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centres is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.