Overview
About Chennai
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, stretches along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal and is one of the great gateways to South India. It is a big, busy metropolis, yet it holds on to its traditions more firmly than most Indian cities. Mornings still begin with the scent of jasmine in women's hair, the sound of temple bells in Mylapore and tumblers of strong filter coffee at neighbourhood tiffin rooms.
The city grew around Fort St George, the first major English fortress in India, and the old Madras of the East India Company left behind Indo-Saracenic public buildings, churches and broad arterial roads. Much older are the temple towns that the city absorbed, such as Mylapore and Triplicane, where Dravidian gopurams rise above crowded lanes of flower sellers and brass shops.
Chennai is also the cultural heart of Tamil music and dance. The December Music Season fills sabhas across the city with Carnatic concerts and Bharatanatyam recitals, and institutions like Kalakshetra keep classical arts alive throughout the year. Add the long sweep of Marina Beach, a thriving food scene and easy access to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, and the city makes a rewarding base for a few days.
- Marina Beach
- Dravidian temples
- Carnatic music
- Filter coffee
- Colonial architecture
- South Indian food
Sightseeing
Best Places to Visit in Chennai
Beaches
Marina Beach
One of the longest urban beaches in the world, running for several kilometres along the city's eastern edge. Evenings here mean kite flyers, snack stalls and families out for a stroll, though the surf is too strong for swimming.
Elliot's Beach
A cleaner and quieter beach in Besant Nagar, popular with locals for walks and sunrise. The small Karl Schmidt Memorial and the nearby Ashtalakshmi Temple sit close by.
Temples & Churches
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
The soaring, sculpture-covered gopuram of this Shiva temple dominates Mylapore. The temple tank and the surrounding streets are at their liveliest during festivals.
Parthasarathy Temple
An ancient Vishnu temple in Triplicane dedicated to Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna, and one of the oldest shrines in the city.
San Thome Basilica
A white neo-Gothic basilica near the shore in Mylapore, built over the tomb traditionally associated with St Thomas the Apostle.
Colonial Heritage
Fort St George
The East India Company's first fortress in India now houses the Tamil Nadu legislature and a museum of colonial-era weapons, coins and portraits. St Mary's Church inside is the oldest Anglican church east of Suez.
Government Museum, Egmore
One of India's oldest museums, set in red Indo-Saracenic buildings, with a celebrated collection of Chola bronzes, Amaravati sculptures and natural history galleries.
Kalakshetra Foundation
A leafy arts campus in Thiruvanmiyur devoted to Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music and traditional crafts. Visitors can sometimes watch performances or browse the weaving centre.
Nearby Excursions
Mahabalipuram
About 55 km south along the East Coast Road, this UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas and the giant open-air relief known as Arjuna's Penance.
Kanchipuram
An ancient temple town about 75 km away, home to the Ekambareswarar and Kailasanathar temples and famous across India for its silk sarees.
DakshinaChitra
A heritage village on the East Coast Road with relocated traditional homes from across South India, craft demonstrations and folk performances.
Experiences
Top Things to Do in Chennai
- 1
Attend a Carnatic concert
During the December Music Season, sabhas across Mylapore, T Nagar and Alwarpet host hundreds of concerts and dance recitals, many of them open to all.
- 2
Walk around Mylapore
Start at Kapaleeshwarar Temple, then wander the streets around the tank for flower markets, brass and bronze shops and old-style tiffin rooms.
- 3
Drive the East Coast Road
The coastal highway towards Mahabalipuram passes fishing villages, beaches, crocodile and craft parks, and makes an easy day out from the city.
- 4
Go on a tiffin trail
Sample idli, vada, pongal and crisp dosas at the city's much-loved vegetarian eateries, finishing with frothy filter coffee poured from a height.
- 5
Shop for silk in T Nagar
The streets around Ranganathan Street and Pondy Bazaar are crammed with sari emporiums, jewellery stores and street stalls.
- 6
Catch the sunrise on the beach
Early mornings at Marina or Elliot's Beach are cooler and calmer, with fishermen bringing in their catch and joggers out on the promenade.
Weather
Best Time to Visit Chennai
The best time to visit Chennai is December to February. Here is what each season is like.
Summer
March to June
28°C to 40°C
Long, hot and humid days, with May usually the hottest month. Plan sightseeing for early mornings and evenings and rest indoors in the afternoon.
Monsoon
July to November
25°C to 35°C
Chennai gets only light showers from the southwest monsoon; its heaviest rain comes with the northeast monsoon from October to November, when waterlogging can disrupt travel.
Winter
December to February
20°C to 30°C
The most comfortable time of year, with lower humidity, pleasant evenings on the beach and the Music Season and Pongal festival adding to the atmosphere.
Getting there
How to Reach Chennai
By Air
Chennai International Airport at Meenambakkam, in the south-west of the city, is one of the busiest in the country, with direct domestic flights from all major cities and many international routes. Metro trains, suburban trains, prepaid taxis and app cabs connect it to the city centre.
By Rail
Chennai Central is the main terminus for trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Kerala, while Chennai Egmore handles most trains heading south into Tamil Nadu. Suburban trains and the Chennai Metro make getting around the city straightforward.
By Road
Good highways connect Chennai with Bengaluru (about 350 km), Puducherry (about 150 km via the East Coast Road) and Tiruchirappalli. Government and private buses leave from the large Koyambedu and Kilambakkam bus terminals, and auto-rickshaws and app cabs are easy to find within the city.
Taste of the city
Famous Food of Chennai
Idli, vada and sambar
Soft steamed rice cakes and crisp lentil doughnuts served with sambar and coconut chutney, the classic Chennai breakfast.
Filter coffee
Strong decoction mixed with boiled milk and sugar, served in a steel tumbler and davara.
Chettinad chicken
A fiery, peppery curry from the Chettinad region, rich with roasted spices and fresh coconut.
South Indian meals
A full spread of rice, sambar, rasam, kootu, poriyal, curd and payasam, often served on a banana leaf.
Sundal
Tempered chickpeas or lentils with coconut and mango, sold in paper cones on Marina Beach.
Atho
A Burmese-style noodle salad sold at street stalls in north Chennai, a legacy of families who returned from Burma.
What to Buy in Chennai
- Kanchipuram silk sarees in T Nagar and Mylapore
- Bronze and brass idols
- Carnatic music instruments and recordings
- Filter coffee powder and South Indian spices
Travel Tips for Chennai
- Avoid swimming at Marina Beach; the currents are strong and lifeguards are few.
- Remove footwear and dress conservatively at temples, and note that some shrines restrict entry to the inner sanctum.
- Use the Metro or suburban trains to beat peak-hour traffic on main roads.
- Book stays early if you are visiting during the December Music Season or Pongal.
FAQs
Chennai Travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Chennai?
December to February is the best time to visit Chennai, when the weather is milder and the Music Season is in full swing. Summers are very hot and the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain in October and November.
How many days are enough for Chennai?
Three to four days are enough to see the main temples, beaches and museums in the city and take a day trip to Mahabalipuram or Kanchipuram.
What is Chennai famous for?
Chennai is famous for Marina Beach, Dravidian temples such as Kapaleeshwarar, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam, filter coffee, South Indian food and its colonial-era landmarks.
Can you swim at Marina Beach?
Swimming is not recommended at Marina Beach because of strong currents and undertow. It is best enjoyed for evening walks, snacks and the sea breeze.
What are the best day trips from Chennai?
Mahabalipuram, with its UNESCO-listed shore monuments, and the temple and silk town of Kanchipuram are the most popular day trips. Puducherry is also within reach for an overnight stay.
Is Chennai good for vegetarian travellers?
Yes. Chennai has a strong vegetarian food culture, with countless tiffin rooms and meals restaurants serving dosas, idlis and banana-leaf thalis.
