Chennai Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Ganesha Ratha which includes art
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 neighbourhood. 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

Taj Coromandel
Taj Coromandel
5 out of 5
37 Mahatma Gandi Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
The price is ₹8,200 per night from 29 Sep to 30 Sep
₹8,200
per night
29 Sep - 30 Sep
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Consulate General of the United ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (255 reviews)
"We loved the Taj Coromandel. The staff were so amazingly friendly and this was consistent with every single person we met there. The bedrooms are absolutely lovely. We would definitely come back to this hotel and were very sorry when we had to leave. It's also very convenient for lots of lovely restaurants. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Sep 2023

Taj Coromandel
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 ₹12,500 per night from 29 Sep to 30 Sep
₹12,500
per night
29 Sep - 30 Sep
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Devi Cineplex are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (515 reviews)
"Great service and enjoyed our stay"

Reviewed on 24 Sep 2023

ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
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 ₹10,800 per night from 30 Sep to 1 Oct
₹10,800
per night
30 Sep - 1 Oct
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Theosophical Society Headquarters ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (500 reviews)
"Amazing place The room tarifff is low compared to USA but the food is expensive and charging similar to USA"

Reviewed on 22 Sep 2023

The Leela Palace 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.
Olive Serviced Apartments
Olive Serviced Apartments
2 out of 5
No. 36, Anna Nedun Salai, Facite Road, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Chennai. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions World Trade Center Chennai and International ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"I booked a room at Olive Serviced Apartments because I thought the name of the place meant I was booking an apartment, but it turns out I booked a hotel room. Really, this is not a problem; rather, the name is a little confusing. The price is very reasonable, and the area is decent. The hotel has ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2023

Olive Serviced Apartments
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 Theosophical Society ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (161 reviews)
"I liked the Hotel very much. Excellent."

Reviewed on 1 May 2023

Somerset Greenways Chennai
The Lotus - Apartment Hotel, Burkit Road
The Lotus - Apartment Hotel, Burkit Road
2.5 out of 5
Burkit Road – No:15, Burkit Road, T.Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Chennai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Thirumalai Thirupathi ...
6.8/10 (13 reviews)
Did not live up to expectation.
"Unpleasant. Did not get what I booked."

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2018

The Lotus - Apartment Hotel, Burkit Road
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

Reviews of Chennai

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
47
" "5 - Excellent 29.746835443037973%
4 - Good
72
" "4 - Good 45.56962025316456%
3 - Okay
31
" "3 - Okay 19.620253164556964%
2 - Disappointing
8
" "2 - Disappointing 5.063291139240507%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
25 Jan 2020

All the places we remember had changed

4/5 - Good

SG
8 Jan 2020

Better roads and infrastructure than Bangalore!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
17 Dec 2019

visit the vivekananda temple and the theosophical society

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Dec 2019

Grt

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
12 Nov 2019

Traffic tests your patience Weather is hot even in November

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Oct 2019

506 room is dusty

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