Top 10 Places to Visit in Chennai

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu is the oldest modern city of India. It has been the cultural and political capital of South India for a long time. Known for its various ancient temples, mosques, churches, forts, beaches, silk sarees, and lip-smacking cuisine Chennai is often referred to as the “Gateway to South India”. 

Being one of the four major metropolises in the country, it has a lot of historical influence relating to the British and the French. It offers visitors an insight into the olden Indian way of life. Chennai has long been the gatekeeper of South Indian art and culture, attracting visitors from all over the world. 

It is an important city in the Indian landscape not only its historical and cultural importance but also due to its convenient geographical location. It acts as the perfect landing spot from where all major South Indian states and cities can be explored. 

Mentioned below are the best places to visit in Chennai that you should not miss on your next visit to the city.

1. Marina Beach 

The longest natural beach in India and the second longest in the world, spanning across 13 kilometers of the city, Marina Beach is the heartbeat of Chennai. The beach is lined with white sand acting as the host to a bunch of souvenir shops and food stalls serving mouthwatering seafood and other Chennai specialties. 

The best time to visit the beach is either during the sunrise or sunset. The view of the sun at dusk and dawn is one to remember. Take a stroll along the shore, explore the old lighthouse on the south end of the beach, build castles, and spend a day at one of the best places to visit in Chennai. 

 2. Ashtalakshmi Temple

You can’t visit Chennai and not explore its magnificent temples. A lot of the temples in Chennai have been around for centuries with classic Dravidian architecture and intricate craftsmanship. 

Located on the Besant Beach shore, Ashtalakshmi temple is dedicated to Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and knowledge. With carved pillars and intricately designed roofs, the temple is the perfect representation of the rich cultural heritage of Chennai. 

An interesting snippet that separates this temple from others is that it is located on the shore, letting the visitors enjoy the magnificent views of the sea. It is also designed in a way that the sound of the crashing waves echo within the temple complex adding a calming effect to the whole experience.

3. Connemara Public Library

Inspired by the old British style of architecture, the Connemara Library was built in 1896 as a remarkable landmark in the city of Chennai. The library contains ornate wooden carvings and stained glass panels making it visually appealing. 

Libraries are usually storehouses of books but this enormous library has in its collection every book you could think of. It has also gone through modernization in recent years adding video rooms, study centers, and so on. 

Connemara Library is open to all. You can spend a few peaceful hours admiring the architecture, scrolling through books, and soaking in the grandiosity of the monument.

4. Guindy National Park

Chennai is known for its beautiful ancient temples and alluring long seashore. But the city of Chennai has a well-kept secret, a small but lush national park. Guindy National Park is a rare site because it is one of only a few located within the city limits.  

Home to numerous kinds of trees, 150 species of birds, and over 15 species of mammals including black buck, jackals, and deer, Guindy National Park is an important place to visit in Chennai. Visit the park with family and friends and create some everlasting memories. 

5. Dakshina Chitra

The name is Dakishna Chitra directly translates to “Image of the South”. It is a living history museum formed by combining 15 recreated old-style South Indian houses. Consisting of over 4000 artifacts and 10 lakh images, it depicts the rich culture and history of all the South Indian states. Dakshina Chitra has numerous exhibitions like an old Tamil house with ancient utensils, a depiction of a fisherman’s life, and other culturally relevant exhibitions. 

It is an amazing insight into the past of not only Tamil Nadu but all the neighboring states. Dakshin Chitra must be on your list of best places to visit in Chennai. 

6. Madras War Memorial

War memorial or war martyr cemetery isn’t something that comes to mind when you think of tourist attractions but the Madras War Memorial is an exception. It is a beautifully carved-out monument built with pristine white marble. 

Established as a joint effort of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Government of India in 1952, the war memorial is an homage to the fallen heroes of the Second World War. Although its past is rooted in blood and violence, the lush lawn and calm surroundings of the memorial provide a great relief to the visitors. 

The memorial has over 1000 tombstones carved with names, dates of passing, and ages of the soldiers. It is important to note that the cemetery is a symbolic gesture of respect for the fallen heroes. No actual remains of the soldiers are buried at the war memorial. 

7. Mylapore

One of the oldest residential neighborhoods, preceding even Chennai or Madras, Mylapore is best known as the birthplace of the legendary Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar. It is an enchanting old neighborhood in Southern Chennai that has gone through modernization over the years yet manages to keep its cultural identity alive. 

Mylapore has a combination of ancient temples, churches, and mosques that sing tales of the glorious past. Whether it is Kapaleeswarar Temple, Ramakrishnan Math, San Thomas Basilica, or Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, they all add to the cultural identity of this glorious neighborhood. 

You can spend a day walking through Mylapore, soak in the divinity of the temples, indulge in some mouthwatering lunch at the legendary Karpagambal Mess, shop at Mylapore Tank, and end the day with Crunchy Bajjis At Jannal Kadai, a remarkable shop that operates out of a home window.

8. Thousand Lights Mosque

Nestled in the Royapettah neighborhood of Chennai, the Thousand Lights Mosque is a special monument built in 1810 by Arcot Nawab Umdat ul-Umara. The mosque gets its name from the legend that it needed a thousand oil lamps to light up the prayer halls back in the day. 

The mosque is built in the typical medieval Islamic style of architecture with multiple huge domes and a tall minaret. The mosque also has huge prayer halls with tall ceilings and rich Islamic architectural influence.  

The Thousand Lights Mosque looks downright magical when completely lit up making it one of the most visited tourist destinations in Chennai.

9. Edward Elliot's Beach

Located towards the southern tip of Marina Beach, Edward Elliot’s Beach is named after the Superintendent of Police and Chief Magistrate of Chennai Presidency during colonial India. It is also popularly known as Besant Nagar Beach. 

It is one of the cleanest beaches in the city known for its pristine waters and glimmering sand. One of the most visited beaches in Chennai, by both tourists and natives, it has a great collection of eateries offering mouthwatering cuisines. The area around the beach also has some iconic ancient monuments like Velankanni Church believed to be built in honor of the Lady of Health also known as Madonna of Velankanni. 

It is a beautiful spot to observe the sun at dusk and dawn. You must visit this beach if you are looking for a tropical Chennai getaway but do not want to deal with the crowd you will encounter at Marina Beach. 

10. MGR Film City

MGR Film City is a considerably modern structure named after and built in honor of legendary Tamil actor and former Chief Minister of the state, MG Ramachandran. It was built in the year 1994 and it is spread across 70 acres of land. 

The film city has numerous replicas of temples, churches, mosques, urban areas, villages, and cities. It also has indoor as well as outdoor shooting locations. One of the most loved monuments in Chennai for any cinema buff, the MGR Film City opens its doors to visitors every day between 8 AM and 8 PM. 

The film city is not a popular destination just among movie buffs, it is also enjoyed by regular everyday tourists who may not be aware of MG Ramachandran’s stardom as it is a significant center of arts and culture. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best places to visit in Chennai?

Chennai has loads of great places to offer. You can visit Marina Beach, Asthalakshmi Temple, and Mylapore. If you are staying for long then there are many more places you can explore. 

2. What are the best places to visit in Chennai with friends at night?

Chennai as a city has a young soul and there are multiple popular destinations open all night. Depending upon your preferences, you can take a night stroll at Edward Elliot’s Beach or explore the clubs in the city. But if late-night street food is your jam then you must check out Burma Bazar.  

3. Which are the important temples to visit in Chennai?

For a great outing with friends and family, you can explore legendary temples in the city including some must-visit spots like Kapaleeswarar Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, and Parthasarathy Temple. 

4. How is the public transport in Chennai?

Chennai has some of the best-connected public transit networks in the city. The city offers dependable MTC bus rides, Metro trains, and Chennai Suburban Trains. 

5. What is the best time to visit Chennai?

Chennai is known for its scorching hot summers where temperatures reach well above 40°C making it really uncomfortable to explore. Hence the best time to visit the city is between September to February. It has pleasantly cold mornings and evenings combined with moderately warm days making it the perfect weather to explore the city. 

6. What are some of the places to visit in Chennai for family?

Chennai has a lot of great family-friendly places. It has a collection of ancient temples and churches that can be explored with the family. You can spend a day at any of the beaches, relaxing, sunbathing, and making great memories with your family.