Top Places to Visit in Chennai - The South Indian Metropolis

From the mystic to the metropolitan, Chennai has intrigued many travellers throughout the years. Be it the fascinating culture and teachings passed down from generation to generation or the modern landscape aligning perfectly with the majestic temples, golden coastlines and bustling marketplaces, Chennai is a city of great history and significance.

The city is also known as the Detroit of India thanks to its thriving economy and major industrial hubs and promises so much to the tourists travelling for the first or the umpteenth time. From the high rises and hi-tech IT parks to various scenic spots and stunning beach views, there is a lot to explore and places to visit in Chennai.

Best Places to Visit in Chennai

Here is a list of things to do in Chennai that will keep you occupied in this metropolitan city.

• Marina Beach
• Kapaleeshwarar Temple
• San Thome Cathedral
• Government Museum
• Vivekananda House
• Elliot’s Beach
• Ashtalaxmi Temple
• Dakshinachitra
• Chennai Snake Park

Marina Beach

Marina is a natural urban beach that runs along the Bay of Bengal and is one of the most famous tourist places in Chennai. It is one of the longest beaches in the world, second only to the Praia do Cassino in Brazil and is famous for its magnificent sunrise and sunset views from the crispy yellow sand which is perfect for a leisurely promenade. By the evening, the beach becomes the best place to go to in Chennai. With numerous stalls lining the driveway, selling wares and beach food, Marina becomes a hub of activity. The beach also has an aquarium showcasing different aquatic species, exhibits and live feeding shows.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeshwarar Temple or Kabaliwarar Temple is a famous Shiv temple built in the 7th century during the Pallava dynasty and is one of the top places to visit in Chennai. The temple is famous as a spiritual spot and appreciated for its exquisite Dravidian architecture, featuring an entrance tower or a Gopuram with intricate carvings of ancient gods and goddesses. The inner sanctum houses Lord Shiv and Goddess Shakti in the form of Kapaleeswar and Karpagambal. The temple also has, what is believed to be the oldest tree in Chennai - the sacred Punnai tree adding to the beauty of the temple space. The best time to visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple is during the Maha Shivratri and in the Panguni Peruvizha. The 9-day festival is when the temple comes to its full glory and the spirituality of the temple is its full bloom.

San Thome Cathedral

San Thome Cathedral is among the famous tourist places to visit in Chennai and tells a unique history of Colonial India. This Roman Catholic Cathedral and the resting place of the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. It was first built in 1523 and rebuilt again in 1896 by the British in a neo-Gothic style. The Basilica with its white texture and tall spires never fails to attract tourist attention. The interior is well lit with chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, rows of wooden pews and stained glass panes. The cathedral has an underground chapel as well as a museum housing artefacts from the time of St Thomas.

Government Museum

The Madras Museum is an elaborate display of centuries-old history, archaeological finds and a wide collection of currencies and antiquities. The museum was initially set up in the College of Fort St. George in 1851 but shifted three years later to a Pantheon complex where it is currently located. The Pantheon was a popular meeting place for the elite in the 1850s and was utilised for banquets and balls but presented a perfect place to expand the museum. At present, it is the most popular tourist spot to visit in Chennai and has several buildings that are home to the largest collection of Chola and South Indian Bronze sculptures, Amravati sculptures, an ethnology collection, armoury and weapons from the Thanjavur kingdom, stone inscriptions, Dowleshwaram gold coins, Chengam copper coins, art galleries with paintings dating back to the 16th century, crystal reliquaries from Bhattiprolu stupa and so much more.

Vivekananda House

Vivekananda House is a heritage museum located near Marina Beach and is one of the best places to visit in Chennai, India which shows glimpses into the life of the famous Hindu Monk. The museum holds a technologically smart exhibit called “Experience Vivekananda” which showcases the life of Swami Vivekananda through Virtual and Augmented Reality. The AR exhibit is quite popular as it gives visitors a chance to interact with Swami Vivekananda in a natural language format. The experience is not to be missed. The museum also displays a photo exhibition, a 3D reproduction of Vivekananda's celebrated 1893 Chicago World's Parliament of Religions speech and a meditation room on the second floor where you can feel the peace and positive vibes.

Elliot’s Beach

Also known as the Besant Nagar Beach or Bessie, Elliot’s Beach is one of the iconic Bollywood beaches in South India. Less crowded than the Marina, Elliot’s Beach is a popular hangout spot to visit in Chennai. Its clean waters and the stretch of golden sand are the perfect spot for tourists seeking a small respite from the other crowded spots. Take a leisurely stroll along the shore with the waves lapping at your feet. A Karl Schmidt Memorial stands in the middle of the beach and gives it distinctive recognition. By the early evening, you will find several food stalls scattered around the beach selling finger snacks, tasty beach staple food and bhajji platters seasoned with fresh chutney.

Ashtalaxmi Temple

Ashtalaxmi temple is a famous tourist place to go visit in Chennai. Located on the southernmost point of Elliot’s Beach and is the only temple dedicated to the Indian Goddess Mahalakshmi on Tamil Nadu’s east coast. The grand architecture of the temple with its colourful sculptures complements the golden sand of the beach. The temple was built as a worshipping place for the eight avatars or Ashta avatars of the Goddess including wealth, success, prosperity, knowledge, courage, bravery, food, and offspring. The complex has a blend of ancient Dravidian and contemporary architecture and is designed in the shape of AUM or OM, the first Vedic mantra. The continuous sound of the waves echoing inside the temple complex adds to the feeling of euphoria one experiences inside.

Dakshinachitra

Dakshinachitra is a living history museum and one of the best places to see in Chennai. Built inside the lush, emerald groves of Muttukadu, Dakshinachitra is an abode of South Indian art, architecture, and tradition. The museum exhibits replicas of traditional South Indian houses with towering Gopurams, intricate carvings, khamb-wooden pillars, sloping tiled roofs and a courtyard with raised verandah. The museum is a treat for the senses. It displays a wide variety of art pieces, from delicate hand-woven Kancheepuram silk to fisherman clothing, intricate wood carvings of Thanjavur, basic utensils and pieces passed down through generations. The museum also consults regular tours and educational programmes, classical dances and musical concerts. Dakshinachitra is a popular tourist place to visit in Chennai.

Chennai Snake Park

Located in Guindy National Park Campus, this snake park is India’s first reptile park and is a must-visit tourist place in Chennai. Home to a wide range of adders, pythons, vipers, cobras, Indian rock python, common krait, Russell's viper, saw-scaled viper, Indian rat snake, red sand boa, common sand boa, dog-faced water snakes, common cat snake and other reptiles including water monitor, Bengal monitor, Indian black turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, Indian star tortoise, spotted rock gecko and South Asian chamaeleon; the park was established by the American naturalised Indian herpetologist Romulus Whitaker in 1972. Today, the park maintains an exhibit of snakes bred in captivity and other reptiles and amphibians. The organisational board also support the protection and conservation of endangered snakes and reptilian species.

Chennai, known for its architectural marvels and exotic neighbourhoods is a perfect holiday destination. From its stunning scenes and buildings painted a soft salmon pink to places depicting history like Madra War Memorial, Connemara Public Library, Chepauk Palace, Senate House, PWD office, Presidency College and Madras University. The temples, churches, mosques and the warmth of the locals, add a significant touch to the trip.

A trip to this cultural capital of the South is a multisensory overload and one that should not be missed. Book your Chennai tour packages and experience a one-of-a-kind getaway surrounded by Veena World hospitality.