Beaches, temples, corporates, street food — Chennai has a rhythm of its own. If you’re travelling to the city, there are plenty of places worth adding to your itinerary. This blog explores Chennai’s historic sites, serene beaches, vibrant street-shopping spots, and the best areas to book hotels in Chennai for a comfortable, memorable stay.
Historical sites to visit in Chennai
1. Government Museum
It is the second-oldest museum in India, featuring historic bronze sculptures and Roman antiques. The collection of bronze idols mainly includes 1000-year-old South-Indian idols. Watching these is definitely a treat for your eyes.
2. Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum
It is a heritage village and living museum in Chennai that showcases the art and culture of four south Indian states. It is spread across 10 acres with 18 traditional homes in it. You can walk through these homes and explore the traditions of South India.
3. Kapaleeshwarar Temple
This 7th-century-old, marvellous temple features a Dravidian-style architecture. The temple has rich connections with ancient mythology. The 120-foot eastern ‘gopuram’ [gateway tower] adds to the charm of the temple. It is truly a must-visit place if you are travelling to Chennai.
Beach beauty
1. Marina Beach
Being one of the longest beaches in the world, Marina offers a pleasant atmosphere with many people, eateries selling delicious street food, and the cool breeze from the sea. You can visit there to unload your stress.
2. Edward Elliot’s Beach
Located in Besant Nagar, Edward Elliot’s Beach is ideal for families, offering a calm and serene atmosphere. You can consider visiting here during the morning or evening hours to enjoy the most. Don’t miss tasting the street food like roasted corn, chickpea salad [locally called ‘sundal’], bajjis, and many others.
3. Blue Flag Beach, Kovalam, Chennai
This is a must-visit beach in Chennai. This beach was awarded the International Blue Flag certification, making it a safe and well-maintained spot for families and couples.
The beach offers a wide range of water sports like surfing, kayaking, and snorkelling. It is to be noted that Kovalam [or Covelong] in Chennai is considered India’s first surfing village. Beyond that, you can enjoy swimming in the designated area after considering the necessary guidance and precautions.
Best places for street shopping
- Pondy Bazaar: It is one of the most prominent bazaars in Chennai. You can buy textiles, footwear, accessories, and so on.
- Ranganathan Street: People visit here to buy textiles at affordable rates.
- Ritchie Street: It is renowned for being India’s second-largest electronics market. You can find a wide range of electronics and tech gadgets at competitive prices.
But it is advisable to remain cautious about reviewing the product quality and authenticity before purchasing, because the products sold include some grey market items. - Triplicane market: You can find many vendors selling fresh items like vegetables and flowers. Further, the place features many eateries and textile shops.
- Phoenix Marketcity Mall: Visit here to shop from high-end brands, enjoy dining and entertainment. Entertainment includes movie theatres, games, and a kids’ play area.
Where to stay in Chennai?
There are various hotels in Chennai, near prime locations like T Nagar, Egmore, ECR, Besant Nagar, and many other places. You can also find the best hotels in Chennai near locations like Mylapore. Since there are many temples surrounding Mylapore, people on a spiritual tour can consider visiting them.
If you are looking for slightly premium but reasonably priced accommodations, then 3 star hotels in Chennai would be your ideal choice. However, Chennai offers the best hotels in all budgets to accommodate varied traveller types. Be it budget hotels, premium hotels, or luxury hotels in Chennai, travellers will be spoilt for choice. Hence, finding stays in Chennai can never get difficult.
Conclusion
Now that you have seen various places to visit in Chennai. Chennai depicts a nice blend of culture, leisure, and corporate culture. With various religious sites, parks, and beaches, Chennai is truly a must-visit destination.
When you book hotels in Chennai, always remember to book near landmarks and transportation hubs. This gives you ease while travelling to these locations, by saving more on unnecessary travel.
