Chennai

Travel Guide

Chennai showing a city
Ganesha Ratha showing art
Chennai
Chennai
Elliot\'s Beach which includes a playground and a sandy beach
Temples and colonial monuments, food and festivals combine to showcase the best of South India’s artistic and religious heritage.

Colonial-era relics, temples and a rich food and arts scene welcome visitors to Chennai. The city was established as a British trading post in 1639. Now Chennai is India’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the southeastern Tamil Nadu state. Chennai’s people are welcoming. A variety of attractions presents the chance to experience the best of Tamil culture.

Chennai’s historic heart is George Town, a medley of narrow streets and bazaars lined with traditional silk and spice shops. Admire the architecture of the red-sandstone High Court and take a tour of the 18th-century Armenian Church, one of the oldest churches in India. Learn about Chennai’s history at the museum of Fort St. George, India’s first British-built fortress. 

Take a rickshaw to the Government Museum, set in a complex of British-era buildings. Check out the ancient bronze sculptures and a curious skeleton and taxidermy display. Spot work by notable Indian artists, such as Raja Ravi Varma, at the National Art Gallery.

Wander through the vibrant streets of Triplicane, where you’ll find the impressive eighth-century Parthasarathy Temple. Enjoy a dawn or sunset stroll along Marina Beach. It’s a hive of activity, from cricket matches and kite flying to fortune tellers and street food vendors. 

Don’t miss the Portuguese-influenced Mylapore neighborhood. Marvel at the white-washed San Thome Church, built on the tomb of the apostle St. Thomas. See a typical example of Dravidian architecture, characterized by pyramid-shaped buildings, at the Kapaleeswarar Temple.

Chennai thrives in showcasing its Tamil culture through music and dance, most notably during the Margazhi Festival in December and January. See a vast collection of everyday art at the Rukmini Devi Museum. Sample the city’s delectable Tamil cuisine. Try dishes such as spicy chettinad pepper chicken and local vegetarian specialties.

Chennai is the busy transportation hub of South India, and is well served by trains, buses and international flights. The city is notoriously hot and stuffy after a few days of sightseeing activity many visitors travel to nearby beach resorts and hill stations.

Where to stay in Chennai

Colorful glass bangles and pretty henna. Bangle shops that sell colorful bangles to match the colors in your sarees!!! 
#riotofcolors 
#colorful

T Nagar

4/5(16 area reviews)

T Nagar is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Pondy Bazaar and Thirumalai Thirupathi Devasthanam while you're in town.

T Nagar
Valluvar Kottam - Monument to remember Thiruvalluvar

Nungambakkam

3/5(3 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the cafes and monuments in Nungambakkam. You might want to make time for a stop at Valluvar Kottam or SDAT Tennis Stadium.

Nungambakkam
Armenian Church featuring a city and street scenes

Central Chennai

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

The churches and monuments are just a few things visitors like about Central Chennai. Fort St. George and Spencer's Plaza Shopping Mall are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Washermanpet Metro Station or Mannadi Metro Station to get around the larger area.

Central Chennai
Chennai which includes religious aspects

Guindy

3.5/5(9 area reviews)

An important commercial hub, Guindy boasts landmarks like Guindy National Park and Snake Park. Well-connected by road, train, and metro, it's just 10 km from the airport.

Guindy
Kapaleeswarar Temple showing a temple or place of worship and heritage architecture

Mylapore Tiruvallikk

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

Unique features of Mylapore Tiruvallikk include the spas and coffeehouses. Make a stop by Edward Elliot's Beach or Kapaleeswarar Temple while you're exploring the area.

Mylapore Tiruvallikk
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Adyar

While visiting Adyar, you might make a stop by sights like Theosophical Society Headquarters and Children's Park.

Adyar
The Leela Palace Chennai
The Leela Palace Chennai
5 out of 5
175 Sathya Dev Avenue Extn, MRC Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is CA $194 per night from May 1 to May 2
CA $194
CA $229 total
includes taxes & fees
May 1 - May 2
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (740 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on Apr. 23, 2025

The Leela Palace Chennai
ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
5 out of 5
# 63 Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is CA $170 per night from May 4 to May 5
CA $170
CA $201 total
includes taxes & fees
May 4 - May 5
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (694 reviews)
"From arrival to departure, the service from ITC Grand was on-point. The food at their buffets were excellent. The multiple pools, gyms, spas, and other amenities were great. If you visit, you should definitely visit the Spa at ITC Chola Porch. One suggestion would be additional cuisine options in ..."

Reviewed on Apr. 13, 2025

ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai
Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai
5 out of 5
531 GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is CA $146 per night from May 2 to May 3
CA $146
CA $172 total
includes taxes & fees
May 2 - May 3
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (664 reviews)
"amazing welcome from staff. immaculate room - super convenient to airport"

Reviewed on Apr. 24, 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Somerset Greenways Chennai
Somerset Greenways Chennai
4.5 out of 5
No. 94 Sathyadev Avenue, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Marina Beach and M.Rm.Rm. Cultural ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (181 reviews)
"Excellent staff, great work ethic."

Reviewed on Mar. 31, 2025

Somerset Greenways Chennai
Sishya Service Apartment - Chennai OMR
Sishya Service Apartment - Chennai OMR
3 out of 5
No.14 B, Alagappa Nagar, 2nd Cross St, Chennai, TN
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions ECR Beach and Cholamandal Artists' Village ...
Sishya Service Apartment - Chennai OMR
Vibha by Sri Lakshmi Homes
Vibha by Sri Lakshmi Homes
2.5 out of 5
Rajeswari Street,Nelson Manickam Road, 9/6, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Stay at this aparthotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Ampa Skywalk Mall are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"This is a brand new apartment block conveniently located at close proximity to many amenities in Chennai. We stayed here just over two weeks and thoroughly enjoyed it. The proprietor Sampath is very helpful and communicated with us on WhatsApp well in advance to identify our needs. Reception staff ..."

Reviewed on Feb. 18, 2025

Vibha by Sri Lakshmi Homes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Chennai

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
18
4 - Good 53%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 24%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Cultural treasures, fabulous food, educated population, easy to get around, sunrise on the Bay of Bengal

4/5 - Good

Robert

In Chennai primarily for some medical treatment which was very successful. Chennai is a vibrant, busy, and thriving city which is a great gateway to all of southern India. Must sees IMHO are the Goverment Museum and Kapaleeshwarar Hindu Temple.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Bonita ciudad y sus templos que son diferentes a los del norte del Pais

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

This city has improved a lot since my last visit about 15 years ago.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Need to implement many services to keep Chennai clean.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Interesting city, well worth a visit.

Cities near Chennai