Chennai

Travel Guide

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
Temples and colonial monuments, food and festivals combine to showcase the best of South India’s artistic and religious heritage.

Colonial-era relics, temples and a rich food and arts scene welcome visitors to Chennai. The city was established as a British trading post in 1639. Now Chennai is India’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the southeastern Tamil Nadu state. Chennai’s people are welcoming. A variety of attractions presents the chance to experience the best of Tamil culture.

Chennai’s historic heart is George Town, a medley of narrow streets and bazaars lined with traditional silk and spice shops. Admire the architecture of the red-sandstone High Court and take a tour of the 18th-century Armenian Church, one of the oldest churches in India. Learn about Chennai’s history at the museum of Fort St. George, India’s first British-built fortress. 

Take a rickshaw to the Government Museum, set in a complex of British-era buildings. Check out the ancient bronze sculptures and a curious skeleton and taxidermy display. Spot work by notable Indian artists, such as Raja Ravi Varma, at the National Art Gallery.

Wander through the vibrant streets of Triplicane, where you’ll find the impressive eighth-century Parthasarathy Temple. Enjoy a dawn or sunset stroll along Marina Beach. It’s a hive of activity, from cricket matches and kite flying to fortune tellers and street food vendors. 

Don’t miss the Portuguese-influenced Mylapore neighborhood. Marvel at the white-washed San Thome Church, built on the tomb of the apostle St. Thomas. See a typical example of Dravidian architecture, characterized by pyramid-shaped buildings, at the Kapaleeswarar Temple.

Chennai thrives in showcasing its Tamil culture through music and dance, most notably during the Margazhi Festival in December and January. See a vast collection of everyday art at the Rukmini Devi Museum. Sample the city’s delectable Tamil cuisine. Try dishes such as spicy chettinad pepper chicken and local vegetarian specialties.

Chennai is the busy transportation hub of South India, and is well served by trains, buses and international flights. The city is notoriously hot and stuffy after a few days of sightseeing activity many visitors travel to nearby beach resorts and hill stations.

Where to stay 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
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
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
ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai

ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai

5 out of 5
# 63 Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is ¥22,651 per night from Aug 30 to Aug 31
¥22,651
¥26,728 total
Aug 30 - Aug 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (742 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2025

ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
THE MADRAS GRAND

THE MADRAS GRAND

3 out of 5
NO 1 - CHINNA STREET, EGMORE, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Government Museum are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (46 reviews)
"Really good place to stay. Breakfast was excellent. Stay very helpful and friendly. Area surrounding is okay"

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

THE MADRAS GRAND
Pullman Chennai Anna Salai - Premium Brand By Accor

Pullman Chennai Anna Salai - Premium Brand By Accor

4.5 out of 5
Anna Salai, Teynampet, 636, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is ¥11,837 per night from Aug 30 to Aug 31
¥11,837
¥13,257 total
Aug 30 - Aug 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
Pullman Chennai Anna Salai - Premium Brand By Accor
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Somerset Greenways Chennai

Somerset Greenways Chennai

4.5 out of 5
No. 94 Sathyadev Avenue, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Theosophical Society ...
Somerset Greenways Chennai
ROCKFORT STAY INN

ROCKFORT STAY INN

4.5 out of 5
Hiranandani Parks Oragadam, Chengalpattu, TN
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Chengalpattu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Vallakottai Murugan Temple and ...
ROCKFORT STAY INN
Eben Residency

Eben Residency

2 out of 5
KONATHI VILLAGE MAIN Rd, Chengalpattu, TN
Stay at this apartment in Chengalpattu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attraction Arignar Anna Zoological Park is located ...
Eben Residency
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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