Chennai

Temple gopurams, filter coffee, silk markets and the long sweep of Marina Beach

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Chennai is the coastal capital of Tamil Nadu and one of India’s great old port cities, built around the Marina, one of the longest urban beaches in the world, and the temple town of Mylapore at its heart. It runs on ritual and routine: sunrise walks along the promenade, filter coffee and tiffin at breakfast, silk shopping in T. Nagar, and Carnatic music spilling out of December’s music season. Our local picks run from century-old tiffin rooms and Chettinad kitchens to the Chola-era bronzes at the Government Museum and a day trip out to the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram. More hand-picked recommendations are on the way – filter by category and budget below.

Chennai at a glance

Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
Best time to visit: December to February
Highlights: Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple and Fort St George
Where to stay: Mylapore or Nungambakkam, close to temples and restaurants
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: auto-rickshaws, ride-hailing apps and the Chennai Metro

Where to stay in Chennai

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10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street is an old-fashioned English pub with a distinctly local twist, tucked inside the Kences Inn on North Boag Road. It runs global bar food alongside local dishes, a long…

★ 4.1

Amethyst

Amethyst began when Kiran Rao converted an old granary warehouse on Whites Road into a heritage-bungalow boutique, flower shop and cafe. The upstairs boutique carries an eclectic, personally curated mix of Indian…

★ 4.4

Best of Chennai: Guided Half-Day City Tour

This four-hour private tour with hotel pickup covers Kapaleeshwarar Temple, the flower stalls of Mylapore Market, Santhome Basilica, a drive past Marina Beach and Fort St George in one guided loop. Entry…

★ 4.8

Blend

Blend is the stylish bar inside Taj Club House on Club House Road, known locally as one of the busier lounge bars in the area for after-work drinks. It sits alongside the…

★ 4

Chennai Lighthouse

Chennai Lighthouse stands directly on Marina Beach and is one of the few lighthouses in India built inside a city rather than on a remote headland. A lift takes visitors up for…

★ 4.5

Chennai: Authentic Local Street Eats Guided Walking Tour

This four-hour walking tour takes in eight to ten tastings around one of Chennai’s old food quarters, from tiffin-stall idlis and pongal to sundal, vadai and Sowcarpet-style street snacks, with a filter…

Chennai: Traditional Indian Art, Craft and Cooking Tour

This hands-on indoor experience takes place in a local home, where a host teaches kolam rice-flour designs, flower garland making, saree draping and a short cooking session making vadas and filter coffee.…

★ 5

DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum

DakshinaChitra is a living-history museum on the East Coast Road built around relocated and reconstructed traditional houses from across South India, complete with resident craftspeople demonstrating weaving, pottery and other trades. It…

★ 4.5

Elliot’s Beach

Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar is Marina’s smaller, calmer cousin, known locally as Bessie Beach, with a shorter shoreline, the Karl Schmidt Memorial and a promenade that fills with joggers and families…

Fort St George Museum

Fort St George was built by the British East India Company in 1644 and is the first British fortress in India, still housing Tamil Nadu’s Legislative Assembly and Secretariat today. The museum…

★ 4.3

Government Museum Chennai

The Government Museum in Egmore dates to 1851, making it one of the oldest museums in India, spread across several connected buildings including the domed National Art Gallery. Its bronze gallery holding…

★ 4.3

ITC Grand Chola

Opened in 2012 and modelled on Chola-dynasty temple architecture, the Grand Chola is one of Chennai’s largest luxury hotels, with hand-carved stonework produced by traditional Tamil Nadu carvers throughout its public spaces.…

★ 4.7

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a working Shiva temple in the heart of Mylapore, rebuilt by the Vijayanagar kings in the 16th century after the original coastal shrine was destroyed by Portuguese colonizers. Its…

★ 4.8

Mahabalipuram: Private Guided Tour from Chennai

This seven-hour private day trip runs from Chennai to the UNESCO-listed rock-cut monuments of Mahabalipuram: the Pancha Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butterball and the 8th-century Shore Temple on the coast. It is…

★ 4.7

Marina Beach

Marina Beach runs for roughly 13 kilometres along Chennai’s coast, making it one of the longest urban beaches in the world, with a wide promenade lined by statues, food stalls and kite-flyers…

★ 4.3

Murugan Idli Shop

Murugan Idli Shop grew out of a home kitchen in Madurai whose idlis became locally famous, before the first standalone shop opened there in 1991 and later branches spread across Chennai, including…

★ 4.1

Nalli Silk Sarees

Nalli is the name most linked to Chennai’s silk saree trade, founded in 1928 and still built around Kanjeevaram silk sourced from weaving towns across Tamil Nadu. This T. Nagar flagship spans…

★ 4.3

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Chennai travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Chennai?

Three to four days covers the temples of Mylapore, Fort St George and the Government Museum, plus a day trip out to Mahabalipuram.

Where is the best area to stay in Chennai?

Mylapore and Nungambakkam keep you close to temples, restaurants and shopping while staying away from the busiest traffic corridors.

What are the best things to do in Chennai?

Browse the local picks above, from Marina Beach and Kapaleeshwarar Temple to the Chola bronzes at the Government Museum and a day trip to Mahabalipuram.

What is the best time to visit Chennai?

December to February is coolest and driest, and coincides with the city’s Margazhi music and dance season; the pre-monsoon months from April to June are hot and best avoided. Please check current travel advice before planning a trip.