Top 16 Places to Visit in Chennai | Trace The Rich Heritage and History of Chennai
Chennai, the culturally rich capital of Tamil Nadu, is a place steeped deep in cultural history, traditions, and work of arts. It has natural attractions like beaches on one hand and architectural marvels inspired by British colonial architecture on the other. With so many places to visit in Chennai, the tourists have many choices and options to explore the city leisurely. The sky-touching spires of huge temples evoke a sense of spirituality and devotion. People are engaged in various cultural pursuits and live a unique way of life. Here, let us check out some of the best tourist places in Chennai worth exploring and adding to your bucket list.
List of Top 16 Tourist Places to Visit in Chennai
- Marina Beach
- Government Museum
- Nagalapuram Waterfalls
- Thousand Lights Mosque
- Ashtalaxmi Temple
- Valluvar Kottam
- Kanchipuram
- Mylapore
- DakshinaChitra
- Velankanni Church
- Elliot's Beach
- Guindy National Park
- Birla Planetarium
- Golden Beach
- Royapuram Fishing Harbor
- Madras War Memorial
Although Chennai is fast capturing popularity as an IT Hub, it has preserved its culture and traditions, bringing an amalgamation of modern culture and traditional aesthetics. We have curated a list of the 15 best places to visit in Chennai to make your trip more enjoyable and exciting.
1. Marina Beach
It is the second-largest urban beach globally, and your trip to the city is incomplete without visiting this lovely beach. Catch the lovely sunrises and sunsets that will enthral and enchant you with their hues of colours spread across the shimmering water. When it becomes too much to handle the intense temperature of the city, visit the beach and enjoy the light breeze caressing your face and making you feel better.
- Location. Chennai along the Bay of Bengal
- Best time to visit. November to February
- Fees. None
- Timings. All Day Long
2. Government Museum
The museum and the artefacts displayed there is the best way to know more about the cultural past and richness of the place. The Government Museum in Chennai has an exceptionally diverse, rich, and comprehensive collection of modern and ancient South Indian sculptures. The best attractions of the museum, attracting thousands of visitors every year, are the artefacts by the marble sculptors and Amravati marble houses associated with the life of Gautam Buddha. If you are a history buff, you will surely revel in the sheer brilliance of these artefacts.
- Location. Egmore, Chennai
- Best time to visit. November to February
- Fees. INR 15 (Adult); INR 10 (Child)*
- Timings. 9:30 am to 5 pm (Friday closed)*
3. Nagalapuram Waterfalls
Nature enthusiasts love staying connected to the marvels and beauty of nature. A visit to Nagalapuram Waterfallswill brings you much-desired relief from Chennai's hot and sultry weather. Here, you can enjoy watching water plummeting from a high vantage point, and trekking in the wilderness will surely delight you to the core.
- Location. Arai
- Best time to visit. January to February
- Fees. INR 20 (Adult)*
- Timings. 8 am to 3 pm*
4. Thousand Lights Mosque
In ancient times, people believed that it was necessary to light up a thousand lights to bathe the mosque's hall with light. As such, this mosque came to be known as Thousand Lights Mosque. The entire Royapettah area comes alive when lighted up, basking the area in the warm and comfortable glow of lights. The glowing mosque is a beautiful sight, which is why it is one of the best and most-visited tourist places in Chennai.
- Location. Royapettah, Peter’s Colony, Chennai
- Best time to visit. September to March
- Fees. No entry fee
- Timings. 5:30 am to 9 pm*
5. Ashtalaxmi Temple
Chennai is a uniquely spiritual place, and the presence of ancient places of worship adds to its amazing ambience. The Ashtalaxmi Temple, devoted to the Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is known for its divine and tranquil ambience. The temple is close to the sea, and one can hear the waves crashing close to the temple, echoing in its complex. It helps the devotees feel relaxed and meditate.
- Location. Kalakshetra Colony, Basant Nagar, Chennai
- Best time to visit. September to February
- Fees. No Fee
- Timings. 6:30 am to 12 noon; 4 pm to 8 pm*
Also Read: Top 10 Places To Visit In Tamil Nadu To Add To Your South India Wishlist
6. Valluvar Kottam
Chennai is the land of the famous Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar. He is worshipped as a saint and known for his scholarly pursuits. Valluvar Kottam is a beautifully designed chariot that was built to pay respects to the great poet. Planning a visit to this place during sunrise or sunset will help you experience the sheer beauty and brilliance of this attraction.
- Location. Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai
- Best time to visit. November to February
- Fees. INR 3 (Adult); INR 2 (Child)*
- Timings. 8:30 am to 5:30 pm*
7. Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is another attraction that lures thousands of visitors every year. It is one of the best places to visit near Chennai. It is the Golden City of Temples in India. The visit to the holy city of Kanchipuram will help you experience a sense of peace, calm, and tranquillity. These temples are beautiful and fine examples of the architectural prowess of erstwhile craftsmen. It is gently enveloped by beautifully landscaped gardens and bird sanctuaries, further adding to its beauty.
- Location. Tondaimandalam region, Chennai
- Best Time to Visit. October to February
- Fee. No Fee
- Timings. All Through the Day
8. Mylapore
Another place that truly depicts the rich culture of Chennai is Mylapore. It is considered the cultural hub of Chennai. The vibrant culture of this magnificent land enjoys a rich pas of more than 1500 years. Amazing temples, divine deities, and architecturally superior structures add to the magnificence of this place. While visiting Mylapore, make it a point to enjoy the lip-smacking South Indian food.