Places to Visit in Chennai
Top 10 Attraction Places In Chennai
Nestled on the Coromandel Coast in the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Previously known as Madras, it is one of the best cities in South India. It is flocked by Indian as well as foreign tourists all around the year. The first thing that comes to our mind when we think about Chennai is its hot climate and picturesque beaches. It is surely a must-visit destination in India due to its beautiful attractions and friendly locals. It is perfect getaway destinations for all sorts of travelers like nature lovers, beach bums, thrill-seekers, and pilgrims.
The weather of Chennai is generally warm throughout the year. Also, it is one of the safest and pocket-friendly travel destinations in India. It is the perfect place for every type of vacationers like couple, solo, female, family and groups. There are many panoramic tourist spots in Chennai that you should definitely see. To help you in planning your travel itinerary, we have come up with the list of top 10 attractions in Chennai.
1. Marina Beach
Extending for a length of 12 km, Marina Beach is the second largest urban beach in the world. With silver sand and blue water, it allures plethora of tourists throughout the year. It is easily accessible by train, buses, two-wheelers, and cars. It is crowded with folks in the early morning hours as well as evenings. The must-try activities in Marina beach are walking, sunbathing, windsurfing, fishing, beach volleyball, and kite flying. Don ‘ t forget to taste fresh seafood from the beach food stalls.
Timings: Always
2. Arignaranna Zoological Park
The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is one of the largest zoos in Asia. It was named after the famous Tamil politician, Arignar Anna. It is one of the famous tourist places in Chennai and also one of the best zoos in India. It is located on 1490 acres of land and houses more than 170 species of animals. It has a library which holds a good number of wildlife-related books. Do visit Safari Park, Deer Safari Park, Elephant Safari, Reptile Section, Library, and Aquarium in the park.
Timings: 09:00 AM-06:00 PM (Tuesday Closed)
3. San Thome Basilica
Santhome Basilica is a famous Roman Catholic Church in Chennai. It was constructed over the tomb of St. Thomas, the Father of Indian Christianity in the Neo-Gothic architecture style. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in Chennai. The dimensions of the church are 155 feet high, 112 feet long and 33 feet wide. The main attractions in the church are Tomb Chapel and Museum cum Theatre.
Timings: 06:00 AM-09:00 PM
4. Parthasarathy Temple
Parthasarathy Temple was constructed by the Pallava Kings in the 8th century. It is one of the oldest temples in India built in the Dravidian architecture style. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is famous for the beautiful carvings on the temple walls. The must-see attractions in the temple are the colored Gopuram and idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama and Lord Ranganathan.
Timings: 06:00 AM-09:00 PM
5. Guindy National Park
Guindy National Park is the 8th smallest National Park in India and stretches over an area of 27.6 sq km. It plays a crucial role in preserving endangered flora and fauna. It charms more than 700,000 tourists every year. It houses more than 350 species of flora and fauna. Do visit the famous Children's Park, Snake Park and memorials for leaders like K.Kamaraj, Mahatma Gandhi, and C. Rajagopalachari.
Timings: 09:00 AM-06:00 PM (Tuesday Closed)
6. Government Museum
Located in Egmore, the Government Museum is a museum of human history and culture. Established in 1851, it is the second oldest museum in India. It is one of the top tourist spots in Chennai. It has collections of bronze artifacts and bronze statues of Ram, Sita, Natarajan, Lakshmanan, and Hanuman. It also houses rare marble sculptures from the second century.
Timings: 09:30 AM-05:00 PM (Friday Closed)
7. Kapaleeshwarar Temple
It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The form of Shiva ‘ s wife Parvati worshipped at this temple is called Karpagambal. It stands majestically with a height of 40 meters and depicts the Dravidian style of architecture. It has many picturesque sculptures and the main among them is the bronze idols of the Nayanmars.
Timings: 5:30 AM — 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM — 9:00 PM (Monday Closed)
8. Anna Centenary Library
Situated at Kotturpuram, the Anna Centenary Library (ACL) is the largest library in Asia. It was named after one of the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, C. N. Annadurai. It is visited by more than 20,000 readers every year. It is constructed on 8 acres of land and has a total of 9 floors Other than this, it also has an auditorium, amphitheater, and conference halls. You can spend your valuable time by reading your favorite novels.
Timings: 08:00 AM-09:00 PM
9. Birla Planetarium
Set at Kotturpuram in the Periyar Science and Technology Centre Campus, B. M. The Birla Planetarium is one of the most modern and largest planetaria in India. It was constructed in 1988 to honor B. M. Birla, one of the great visionary and industrialist of India. The Planetarium conducts audiovisual programs on different astronomical themes. Don ‘ t forget to watch the sky shows organized here.
Timings: 10:00 AM-05:45 PM (Daily) and 12:00 AM-12:00 AM (Public Holidays)
10 Mahabalipuram
Famous for its ancient monuments, Mahabalipuram is one of the most sought out tourist spots near Chennai. It is also known as Mamallapuram and is set at 58 km south of the Chennai city. It is the best tourist spot for history geeks, beach lovers, spiritual travelers, and is also family and kid-friendly. The main attractions in Mahabalipuram are Pancha Rathas, Arjuna ‘ s Penance, Shore Temple, Krishna ‘ s Butter Ball, and Tiger Caves.
Timings: Any Time
Chennai Trivia
Ideal Time to Visit: November to February is the ideal time to travel to Chennai and enjoy its beautiful attractions.
Where to Stay: Experience a cozy and relaxed stay at the best budget hotels in Chennai.
If you are planning a weekend getaway, plan an awesome trip to the Cultural Hub of India-Chennai.
