India is a country that’s rich in cultural diversity and has an amazing heritage. You should make your trip to India as memorable as possible by visiting its beautiful monuments, historic sites, and breathtaking beaches. You can do all of this and more in just one week! Being the country that it is, I think it’s a shame there aren’t more travel forums where people can share their experiences of the wonderful places here. Anyway, I hope you can find my top ten places to visit in Chennai useful for your plans in this wonderful city. It will help you avoid hitting the same tourist sites over and over again and also allows you to discover some new places along the way.
There are so many places to visit in Chennai. However, which can be listed out depending on the tourist point of view. There are many sightseeing places in and around Chennai city. The most famous ones among them are Beach, Beach Road, Marina Beach, VGP – Velachery Golf Course, Villivakkam Beach, (West) Vandalur Beach and Children’s Park, Rockfort Fort and Chepauk Palace. Moreover, these are some of the best tourist places in Chennai.
If you’re planning to visit Chennai, then these are the places that you must check out.
1. Marina Beach
Marina beach is a promenade located in the southern part of Chennai, India, spreading over 1600 meters of sandy shore line that joins with the Bay of Bengal. Spread out over four kilometers long, this beach has a sufficient stretch of sand that can hold up to thousands and thousands of travelers, tourists and locals alike. This beautiful seafront spanning several kilometers, is a site not to be missed while in Chennai.
- Timings: 24 Hours All Days
- Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
- Time Required: 01:00 Hours
2. Government Museum Chennai
If you’re looking for a good way to get out of the city and into nature, the Government Museum is a great option. A visit to this place will enhance your knowledge about Indian culture, values and lifestyle. As a relatively new museum, the government has worked hard to introduce the museum to people around India. However, many people in Chennai have not yet heard of it.
- Timings: 09:30 AM to 05:00 PM
- Ticket Price: 15 INR per Person
- Time Required: 01:00 Hours
3. Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station
Central Railway Station is named after Dr. M.G. Ramachandran, a native of Tamil Nadu who was an Indian politician and film actor. Upon his election in the 1957 state assembly elections, he became the youngest ever chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu at the age of 23, serving two consecutive terms (1957–67 and 1967–77).
- Timings: All Day 24 Hours
- Ticket Price: 10 INR per Person
- Time Required: 01:00 Hrs
4. Fort St. George Museum
The Fort St. George Museum is a small but interesting museum in Chennai, India. The exhibits are not just limited to paintings of Mughal and British rulers. You can also see many antique weapons, rare coins, pottery ware and sculptures of Hindu Gods as well as contributions rendered by Raja Ravi Varma.
- Timings: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
- Ticket Price: 5 INR for Indians and 100 INR for foreign nationals
- Time Required: 02:00 Hours
5. San Thome Cathedral Basilica
I would recommend that you visit the San Thome Basilica, the Madras Christian College (popularly known as Loyola College), and Pachaiyappa’s Home. It’s one of the most beautiful churches in all of South India, and it is a breath-taking cathedral to behold. This is also one of the most important places of worship in all of Chennai, and it has very many historical associations with the city and its people.
- Timings: All Days 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM
- Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
- Time Required: 00:30 Hours
6. Guindy National Park
When considering places to see outdoors, Guindy National Park probably isn’t the first one that comes to mind for most people. But it is one of the best places to visit in Chennai. This is because the park is home to an impressive range of flora and fauna, and it has an extremely well-preserved look that few other parks manage to achieve. It also offers some of the best trekking in Tamil Nadu, thanks to a multitude of different trails.
- Timings: 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM
- Ticket Price: 5 INR per person
- Time Required: 02:00 Hours
7. Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple Tiruvallikeni
The Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple Tiruvallikeni is the second of three zonal headquarters of Travancore Devaswom Board. The main shrine of the temple is at Bhadrakali Ashta Vedi, near the zoo. The shrine is a complex praise for Vaikuntha Vishnu, where he presides over seven shrines and nine dynasties. Semmozhi Poonga.
- Timings: 05:30 AM to 09:00 PM
- Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
- Time Required: 01:00 Hours
8. Queensland Amusement Park
One of the best places to visit in Chennai is the top Disneyland Theme Park in India – Queensland Amusement Park. It has a variety of rides and attractions that appeal to different age groups. Many people think that amusement parks are only for children, but that’s no longer the case. In fact, some of these parks have special themes or attractions designed for adults and older children as well.
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 06:30 PM
- Ticket Price: 450 INR per Person
- Time Required: 03:00 Hours
9. Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple
It is a Hindu temple located in the eastern part of Chennai (Madras). It is dedicated to Ashtala or Ashtaleshwara, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Though Lord Muruga has many names, Shri Ashtala is the longest among all and chanted during the likes of Maha Shivaratri and Vijayadashami. The main deity is called Aishwarya Nandini and the idol is surrounded with other forms of Lord Muruga.
- Timings: 05:30 AM to 09:00 PM
- Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
- Time Required: 01:00 Hours
Choosing the best place to visit in Chennai is a matter of deciding how much time you have to spend exploring and which place you want to visit most. If you are looking for someplace that gives you a great view, as well as a museum, then the Madras High Court might be your ideal choice. The Chepauk Palace can teach you about life during Colonial times and the Government Museum is one of the largest museums in India. For nature lovers who want beautiful gardens and parks, or for people who love art and culture, there are enough options to keep everyone happy.
FAQs
Question: What are the top attractions to visit in Chennai?
Answer: Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Guindy National Park are some of the top attractions in Chennai.
Question: How can I commute within Chennai?
Answer: One can commute in Chennai using cabs, buses, an extensive suburban rail system, and taxis. You can walk around the city if you want to explore it. The city also has Ola and Uber services.
Question: How can I commute within Chennai?
Answer: Chennai can be your spot for outdoor activities. You can enjoy activities like kite flying, pony rides, and beach volleyball
