Have you ever thought of visiting the capital city of Tamil Naidu, Chennai?? If you are considering it then think no further. Known as the IT hub of India the city has a lot to offer to its tourists and it’s an absolute treat for nature lovers.
Chennai is steeped deep in cultural history, arts and traditions. With so many places to visit there, the tourists are left with many options to explore at leisure. While there are natural attractions like beaches at one end, it has architectural marvels and huge temples that is sure to invoke a sense of spirituality and devotion.
The city of Chennai has been rated as the safest city in India and was also listed among the top 10 cities to travel to India. If you are planning a trip from Dubai to Chennai you should know that there are several flights operating on a weekly basis that even offer space for sleeping.
You can visit Chennai during any time of the year, as the weather is generally pleasurable throughout but summers should be avoided as the temperature tends to rise.
Read on then to know about the 15 best places to visit whenever you are in Chennai to prep up your mood and make your trip even better.
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Marina Beach:
Marina beach is the longest beach in India and one of the most crowded too. It stretches from Fort St. George to Foreshore Estate and the shoreline is covered with shops selling trinkets and mementos.
The beach has some enthralling sunrises and sunsets to offer which are sure to leave you mesmerized.
Valluvar Kottam:
Valluvar Kottam is an intricately designed chariot built in the honor of the famous Tamil poet and Saint ‘Thiruvalluvar’. If you are a literature enthusiast you must have surely read about this great Tamil scholar.
It is located near the Nungambakkam Lake area and its magnificence is best experienced early in the morning or at the time of sunset.
Nagalapuram waterfalls:
Whether you are looking for a weekend retreat or just want to go for a trekking trip, this place is sure to delight you. This Famous hill station near Chennai is a boon for nature lovers and is sure to give you respite from Chennai’s hot and humid climate.
Thousand Lights Mosque:
It was so believed in ancient times that the mosque required 1000 lights to light up its hallway and it was the reason the mosque got named ‘Thousand lights mosque’. The multi-domed structure consisting of two minarets towering at a height of about 64 feet exhibits a spectacular show of the medieval architectural style.
Government Museum:
The doors of this museum lead you to a tour of the cultural past and the richness of the place. If you are a lover of artifacts, you are sure to love this place as this place holds an exceptional collection of ancient and modern south Indian bronzes. The Amaravathi Gallery houses marble sculptures dating back to the 2nd century which depicts the life of Gautam Buddha.
Guindy National Park:
If you are visiting Chennai with your family and kids, then this place is a sure stop for you. The place is home to 150 species of birds, 1 species of mammal, amphibians, and reptiles, and around 300 kinds of plants and trees.
Ashtalakshmi Temple:
The temple is meant for worshiping the eight forms of the goddess of wealth and abundance ‘Goddess Lakshmi’. Located in Besant Nagar the temple is relatively new and was constructed in the late 20th century.
Birla Planetarium:
The planetarium is an integral part of the Periyar Science and Technology Museum. It is a pretty good place for astronomy lovers as there are numerous audio-visual programs held here on astronomy along with exhibitions on man on the moon, the solar system, etc.
Dakshinachitra:
Dakshinachitra is a collective museum of eighteen houses and is a living history museum in Chennai. It introduces you to the architecture, culture, and lifestyle of some of the four south-Indian states Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Naidu through more than 400 artifacts.
Mylapore:
Mylapore is known as the cultural hub of Chennai and boasts a history dating back as far as 1500 years. While there you can visit its marvelous temples and binge on some of the most delicious south-Indian dishes at the same time.
Kanchipuram:
Kanchipuram is known as the Golden city of Temples in India and is another tourist attraction that lures thousands of visitors every year.
St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica:
It is also known as ‘Santhome Cathedral’ and is a major pilgrimage site for Christians. The Basilica is said to be the resting place of St Thomas, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. It was built in 72 AD by Portuguese explorers in the neo-gothic style.
Royapuram Fishing Harbor:
Located on the northern side of Chennai port, the fishing harbor can accommodate more than 570 boats at a time. It is an absolute treat for fish lovers to watch as the fisherman brings about freshly caught fish and shouts to sell it at the best deals at this splendid photographic location.
Elliot’s Beach:
This beautiful beach was named after ‘Edward Elliot’ who was the chief Magistrate of Madras during the British Era. Also known as the Besant Nagar beach it is one of the cleanest seafronts in India. As compared to Marine beach this one is calmer and less crowded.
MGR Film City:
If you are a south-Indian movie Buff this place is a must-visit for you. Spread across 75 acres, the place can transport you to a dream world where you never know you might catch a glimpse of some famous Tamil actors too.
After going through the article, I am sure you can virtualize what all Chennai has to offer. So next time you are in the city remember to at least stay for a few days and enjoy all the places listed above and eat some south –Indian delicacies too!
