Things to do in Chennai

Activities, attractions and tours

Chennai which includes a city
Chennai which includes a city
Ganesha Ratha which includes art
Edward Elliot\'s Beach featuring a city and a sunset
Shore Temple
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Most popular experiences in Chennai

Tours & day trips

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4-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur

4-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur

Activity duration is 4 days
Free cancellation available
Price is P 38,842 per adult*
4-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Delhi, Agra, and JaipurOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

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Chennai: Private Day Tour with Transportation and Tickets

Chennai: Private Day Tour with Transportation and Tickets

Activity duration is 6 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 18 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is P 8,067 per adult*
Chennai: Private Day Tour with Transportation and TicketsOpens in new tab

Classes & workshops

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Private South Indian Tamil Cooking Class in Chennai with Srividya

Private South Indian Tamil Cooking Class in Chennai with Srividya

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 8 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is P 2,929 per adult*
Private South Indian Tamil Cooking Class in Chennai with SrividyaOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

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2-Night Private Taj Mahal and Agra Tour from Cruise Port

2-Night Private Taj Mahal and Agra Tour from Cruise Port

Activity duration is 3 days
10.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is P 72,177 per adult*
2-Night Private Taj Mahal and Agra Tour from Cruise PortOpens in new tab

Air, helicopter & balloon tours

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Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...

Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...

Activity duration is 2 days
8.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is P 46,516 per adult*
Private 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra with Both Side Commercial Flig...Opens in new tab

What to do in Chennai

Popular places to visit

Marina Beach which includes general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Marina Beach

Relaxed walks, pretty sunrises, elaborate entertainment, traditional Indian street food and historical landmarks make this one of Chennai’s liveliest beaches.

Marina Beach
Aerial Photography Drone photography of Chennai and the suburbs in Tamil Nadu India; River bed landscape images of villages; Beach aerial view

ECR Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at ECR Beach during your travels in Chennai? Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

ECR Beach
Beach Shore waves

Neelankarai Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Neelankarai Beach during your trip to Chennai?

Neelankarai Beach
flower market in pondicherry

Pondy Bazaar

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Pondy Bazaar during your stay in Chennai. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this vibrant area.

Pondy Bazaar
Kapaleeswarar Temple which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and a temple or place of worship

Kapaleeswarar Temple

Marvel at the Dravidian architecture of this centuries-old temple, spot intricately carved figurines, watch devotees pray and experience a lively Hindu festival.

Kapaleeswarar Temple
Mamallapuram Beach which includes a sandy beach as well as an individual femail

Mamallapuram Beach

Enjoy the atmosphere of Mahabalipuram's central beach, which is alive with historic temples, stone carving stalls and a thriving backpacker scene.

Mamallapuram Beach
street art patchwork after sticking over and over. time rules #OnTheRoad

Anna Salai

Learn about the local history of Chennai when you spend time at Anna Salai. Wander the marina in this culturally rich area.

Anna Salai
Elliot\'s Beach featuring a sandy beach as well as a couple

Edward Elliot's Beach

Enjoy relaxed walks on a golden-sand beach, watch a picturesque sunrise, sample traditional Chennai beach food and visit architecturally impressive landmarks.

Edward Elliot's Beach

SRM University - Kattankulathur Campus

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of SRM University - Kattankulathur Campus, during your trip to Potheri. Make some time to visit the monuments while you're in the area.

SRM University - Kattankulathur Campus

Areas of Chennai

Chennai, South India - October 27, 2018: Interior of Ashtalakshmi Temple against dramatic sunset. Indian devotee worship or doing prayer inside a hindu temple

T Nagar

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
St Theresa Cathedral

Nungambakkam

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
Chennai featuring religious elements

Guindy

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
Armenian Church showing a city and street scenes

Central Chennai

The churches and monuments are just a few things visitors like about Central Chennai. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Madras High Court 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
Built in the 7th century during reign of Pallava dynasty, Shore Temple is a majestic sight that will leave you in complete awe

Mahabalipuram Beach

Mahabalipuram Beach is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Mamallapuram Beach and Pancha Pandava Rathas.

Mahabalipuram Beach
Anna Nagar Tower Park, officially known as Dr Visvesvaraya Tower Park, is an urban park in the suburb of Anna Nagar, Chennai. It hosts a 133 ft

Anna Nagar

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Anna Nagar and surrounding area, you can visit Ampa Skywalk Mall and Vadapalani Murugan Temple.

Anna Nagar
Chennai

Mahabalipuram

Frequently asked questions

Is Chennai worth visiting?
Chennai offers a unique mix of attractions, culture and local charm. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or local cuisine, there are many things to enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Chennai?
Once you've checked off top attractions like Neelankarai Beach and VGP Universal Kingdom, spend the rest of your day experiencing the food and retail options in Chennai.
What is the top tourist attraction in Chennai?
Neelankarai Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Chennai and deserves a place on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Chennai?
You can easily visit leading sights like Guindy National Park, Chennai Snake Park and Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centres with a three-day escape to Chennai. On average, many travelers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Sholinganallur.
Is Chennai a walkable city?
That comes down to what you plan to see and do in Chennai. Several top sights, such as Vadapalani Murugan Temple and St. Thomas Mount National Shrine, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Chennai's neighborhoods, Guindy is 5 kilometers away from downtown, while Pazavanthangal is 3 kilometers away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Chennai with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with young explorers or playful teenagers, an itinerary filled with cool activities sets the tone for a great escape. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Chennai with kids.

What to do in Chennai for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor explorer, there are lots of things to do in Chennai for adults including Anna Salai and Mayajaal Entertainment.
Are there free things to do in Chennai?
One of the best ways to discover free things to do in Chennai is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighborhoods, parks and other hotspots you can experience without taking your wallet out. Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centres is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.