Explore Chennai
Places to Visit in Chennai
Top attractions and must-see spots in Chennai
Beaches
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Cultural
3Cholamandal Artists' Village
India's largest artists' commune, with working studios, galleries, and sculpture gardens near the coast.
DakshinaChitra
A cultural heritage village showcasing South Indian art, crafts, and traditional homes along the scenic ECR.
Higginbotham’s
India’s oldest bookstore, a charming literary landmark filled with vintage vibes and endless shelves.
Landmarks
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Must VisitGovernment Museum
One of India’s oldest museums, featuring impressive art, archaeology, and bronze collections.
Chepauk Palace
An elegant 18th-century Indo-Saracenic palace that once housed the Nawab of Arcot, rich in history and architecture.
Fort St George
The first British fort in India, marking the spot where Madras began, now home to a museum and government offices.
Madras War Cemetry
A peaceful memorial honoring soldiers of World War II, known for its neat lawns and solemn beauty.
MGR and Anna Memorial
Adjoining memorials on Marina Beach for former Tamil Nadu chief ministers Annadurai, MGR, and Jayalalithaa.
San Thome Basilica
A basilica in Mylapore believed to stand over the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle, one of only three such churches in the world.
Valluvar Kottam
A large monument in Nungambakkam honouring the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, shaped like a temple chariot.
Vivekananda House
Historic seaside landmark where Swami Vivekananda stayed, now a museum on his life and teachings.
National Parks
1
Scenic Spots
4
Chetpet Eco Park
A scenic lake with boating and walking tracks, ideal for a calm evening outing.
Puzhal Aeri
A quiet lakeside escape known for serene sunrise views and peaceful drives.
Semmozhi Poonga
A beautifully maintained botanical garden with ponds, exotic plants, and shaded paths.
Theosophical Society
A peaceful campus in Adyar with gardens, a huge banyan tree, and buildings from several faiths side by side.
Science
1
Shopping
6
Express Avenue
Premium shopping mall in Chennai's Royapettah neighbourhood with retail, dining and entertainment options.
Phoenix Marketcity
Large shopping and entertainment complex in Chennai with retail brands, a multiplex and food court.
Pondy Bazaar
Iconic shopping street in Chennai's T Nagar, one of India's busiest retail corridors for textiles and jewellery.
Sowcarpet Market
Bustling old-market lanes filled with bridal shops, imitation jewelry, and tasty North Indian snacks.
Spencer Plaza
One of Chennai's oldest and largest malls in Anna Salai, a landmark retail destination since 1864.
T. Nagar
Chennai’s busiest shopping hub for sarees, jewelry, and street bargains . A lively slice of local life.
Temple
12
Must VisitKapaleeswarar Temple
A 7th-century Dravidian temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Mylapore, Chennai, famed for its towering gopuram and the annual Arubathimoovar festival.
Must VisitParthasarathy Temple
One of the 108 Divya Desams in Chennai's Triplicane, dedicated to Lord Krishna as a charioteer and dating back to the 8th-century Pallava dynasty.
Adeeswar Temple Polal
Ancient Jain temple in Palitana known for its intricate marble carvings and hilltop setting.
Ashtalakshmi Temple
A coastal temple in Chennai dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi, set beside the waves of Elliot's Beach.
Kalikambal Temple
Ancient Tamil Nadu-style temple in Chennai's Sowcarpet dedicated to goddess Kalikambal, a key landmark of North Chennai.
Kandaswami Temple
Prominent Murugan temple in Chennai's Mylapore, known for its towering gopuram and Thaipusam celebrations.
Madhya Kailash Temple Adyar
Ancient Shiva temple in Chennai's Adyar with a towering gopuram, one of the oldest temples in the city.
Mangadu Kamakshi Amman Temple
Ancient Kamakshi Amman temple in Mangadu near Chennai, a major pilgrimage site with significant Navaratri celebrations.
Marundheeswarar Temple
Ancient Shiva temple in Chennai's Thiruvanmiyur with a striking gopuram and important place in Thevaram hymns.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Mylapore
Sai Baba temple in Chennai's Mylapore neighbourhood, a popular devotional site drawing daily worshippers.
Thiruvudai Amman Temple Melur
Village goddess temple near Madurai dedicated to Thiruvudai Amman, known for its annual festival and rural pilgrimage tradition.
Vadapalani Murugan Temple
A prominent Murugan temple in Chennai known for its grand Rajagopuram and status as a major venue for religious ceremonies and marriages.