Chennai

Travel Guide

Chennai which includes a city
Ganesha Ratha showing art
Chennai
Chennai
Elliot\'s Beach showing a beach and a playground
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

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T Nagar

4/5(17 area reviews)

Travellers come to T Nagar for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Pondy Bazaar and Sringeri Saradha Peetam Temple while you're in town.

T Nagar
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Nungambakkam

4.5/5(15 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 showing a city and street scenes

Central Chennai

4/5(57 area reviews)

The churches and monuments are just a few things visitors like about Central Chennai. Madras High Court and Fort St. George 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
Kapaleeswarar Temple featuring a temple or place of worship and heritage architecture

Mylapore Tiruvallikk

4/5(13 area reviews)

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

Mylapore Tiruvallikk
Chennai featuring religious aspects

Guindy

4/5(24 area reviews)

Unique features of Guindy include the shopping and spas. Make a stop by Guindy Race Course or Phoenix Market City while you're exploring the area.

Guindy
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Sholinganallur

Visitors to Sholinganallur enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, AKDR Golf Village is worth a stop.

Sholinganallur
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 €146 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
€146
includes taxes & fees
11 Apr - 12 Apr
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! (720 reviews)
"Absolutely amazing !! Had a pleasant stay at the Leela Palace. Stunning hotel with exceptional service and great staff. The breakfast buffet was excellent. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 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 €149 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
€149
includes taxes & fees
4 Apr - 5 Apr
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! (688 reviews)
"Everything was good"

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2025

ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
Le Royal Meridien Chennai
Le Royal Meridien Chennai
4.5 out of 5
No.1 GST Road, St.Thomas Mount, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is €85 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
€85
includes taxes & fees
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room service ...
7/10 Good! (302 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2025

Le Royal Meridien 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! (180 reviews)
"Great property"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

Somerset Greenways Chennai
Spacious bedrooms PG House in wonderful Chennai with AC, fitness room, WiFi
Spacious bedrooms PG House in wonderful Chennai with AC, fitness room, WiFi
Chennai
Stay at this apartment in Chennai. Enjoy a fitness center and air conditioning. Popular attractions VGP Universal Kingdom and Phoenix Market City are located ...
Spacious bedrooms PG House in wonderful Chennai with AC, fitness room, WiFi
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 18 Feb 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

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
47
5 - Excellent 30%
4 - Good
72
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
31
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
8
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

All the places we remember had changed

4/5 - Good

SG

Better roads and infrastructure than Bangalore!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

visit the vivekananda temple and the theosophical society

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Grt

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Traffic tests your patience Weather is hot even in November

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

506 room is dusty