Chennai

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Destination Theme
Cultural & Heritage Centers, Museums & Historical Places, Cities & Urban Areas, Culinary Centers, Beaches,
Best Suited For
Families with kids and tourists interested in history and culture.
Recommended Duration
Two to three days.

Quick Info

Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu. Belonging to South India, the city is one of the most prominent business, cultural and academic hubs in the country. It attracts many foreign tourists every year. The city is home to art galleries, museums, amusement parks, temples, shopping malls and wildlife parks. The Marina Beach in Chennai is one of the most significant tourist attractions in South India. The city has a hot and humid climate.

Rankings & Ratings

A city offering something for all kinds of tourists.

Editor's Rankings

#5 in 33 Destinations in & around Kerala

Editor's Review

The city of Chennai has sightseeing and activity options that are suitable for all kinds of travellers. The architecture of the buildings in Chennai is especially beautiful, attracting many foreign tourists. Kids would enjoy the amusement parks, zoos and beaches of Chennai. People interested in history, art and culture have much to see in the city.

PROS

  • Ideal for all kinds of travellers.
  • Many amusement parks and zoos.
  • Lots of interesting things for history and art lovers.
  • Amazing breakfast delicacies.

CONS

  • Weather is hot and humid most times.
  • The city is quite crowded.
  • Rains can get quite heavy during monsoon.
  • Months between April and June are extremely hot.

Itinerary Tips

  • The best time to visit Chennai is between the months of November and February.
  • Carry light-coloured cotton clothes since the weather in Chennai is usually hot and humid.
  • Families with kids will surely enjoy visiting amusement parks and zoos in Chennai.
  • History and Art buffs can enjoy visiting the National Art Gallery and Government Museum.
  • You can watch classical dance shows at the cultural centres in Chennai.
  • Make sure to try each and every breakfast delicacy in Chennai.
  • There are many huge shopping malls in Chennai.
  • Do not miss visiting the exquisite Marina Beach.

Detailed Info

Chennai, previously known as Madras, is the fifth largest metropolitan city in India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu is a prominent centre for business, culture and academics. It is one of the most visited cities by foreign travelers. In 2015, 'Lonely Planet' listed Chennai among the top 10 cities to visit in the world. Since more than one-third of India's automobile industry is based in Chennai, it is popularly called 'The Detroit of India'.

Located on the Eastern Coastal Plains with an average altitude of 6.7 m, the city of Chennai has a tropical wet and dry climate. There are three rivers and many lakes all around the city. The temples, art galleries, statues and buildings of Chennai showcase grand architecture. Buildings like Madras High Court, Southern Railways Headquarters, Government Museum and Ripon Building display a unique Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

The National Art Gallery, Government Museum and Fort Museum are major tourist attractions in Chennai. Tourists can enjoy watching classical dance shows at the cultural centres in the city. Marina Beach in Chennai is a world-famous tourist attraction featuring scenic beauty and bustling activity. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Arignar Anna Zoological Park and Guindy National Park are the popular wildlife parks in Chennai. Express Avenue, Citi Centre, Forum Vijaya Mall, Abirami mega mall, Ampa Skywalk and Phoenix Market City are some of the significant shopping malls in Chennai. The city also has beautiful amusement parks like Queens Land, Wonderla and MGM Dizzee World.

Altitude

The city is at an average altitude of 6.7 metres(21.9 ft) above sea level.

Weather

The city has a hot and humid climate during most months of the year. The hottest months are May and June. From mid-October to mid-December, the city experiences rainfall.

Best Time to Visit?

During the winter season that lasts from November to February.

How to Get There?

By Air

Chennai has an airport of its own called Chennai International Airport, 14 kilometres from the main city area. The airport is connected to major cities in India and abroad. You can hire a taxi or book a cab from the airport to reach your hotel.

By Train

Chennai has four major railway stations, Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Chennai Beach and Tambaram. The Chennai Central station is the biggest one. It is well-connected to all the major cities in India and some smaller towns as well. You can take an auto or hire a taxi to reach your hotel.

By Road

Luxury buses are also easily available to Chennai from many cities across the country. Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is the major bus station in Bangalore. All buses arriving from other cities have their major stop here. NH 4, NH 5, NH 45 and NH 205 are highways that connect Chennai to other major cities.

Local Cuisines

Breakfast delicacies like Idly, Dosa, Vada with Sambar and Puttu is extremely popular in Chennai. Kothu Parotta and Chicken Chettinad are famous non-vegetarian dishes. Among sweets, Mysore Pak and Payasam are quite popular.