About Chennai
Chennai metropolitan area or Greater Chennai is the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in India and the 35th most populous in the world. It consists of the core city of Chennai, which is coterminous with the Chennai district, and its suburbs in Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur and Ranipet districts.
Places to visit in Chennai
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Marina Beach
Beach · 2 mi from centreOne of the longest urban beaches in the world, stretching along the city's eastern shore. Visit in the early morning or evening for the local atmosphere, but avoid swimming because of strong currents.
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Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Religious · 3 mi from centreA major Hindu temple to Shiva in Mylapore, with a colorful gopuram covered in sculptures. Visit in the evening to see rituals, and remove your shoes before entering.
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Mahabalipuram
Historic · 33 mi from centreA group of seventh and eighth-century Pallava temples and rock carvings on the coast south of Chennai. Plan a day trip, and start early to see the Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance before the heat.
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Fort St. George
HistoricThe first English fortress in India, built by the East India Company in 1644 and still used by the state government. Visit the museum inside and St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican church in India.
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San Thome Basilica
Religious · 4 mi from centreA white neo-Gothic basilica built over the traditional tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. Visit the small museum and tomb chapel, and combine it with nearby Kapaleeshwarar Temple.
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Government Museum
Museum · 1 mi from centreOne of the oldest museums in India, with a remarkable collection of South Indian bronze sculptures. Allow at least two hours to explore the different buildings in the campus.
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Elliot's Beach
Beach · 6 mi from centreA quieter beach in Besant Nagar, popular with locals for evening walks and street food. Visit the nearby Ashtalakshmi Temple, and enjoy snacks from the stalls along the promenade.
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DakshinaChitra
MuseumA living history museum with traditional houses, crafts and performing arts from South India. It lies on the road to Mahabalipuram, so stop on the way for a couple of hours.
Things to do in Chennai by type
15 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 5 experiences Chennai City - Private Tour -
Art & culture 5 experiences Excursion to the Golden Temple of Sripuram in Vellore - Private Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Excursion to Dakshin Chitra - Private Tour
- Over 6 hours 1
- Private 14
- Small group 1
Top experiences in Chennai
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 15 available.
Temple Tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram (100 Kms) - Private Tour
From $92 per adult
Excursion to Tirupati - Private Tour
From $148 per adult
The Museum Tour - Half day Private Tour
From $63 per adult
Chennai City - Private Tour
From $78 per adult
Half Day Chennai City - Private Tour
From $59 per adult
Temple Tour to Mahabalipuram (45 Kms) - Private Tour
From $109 per adult
Pondy Bazaar - Private Walking Tour
From $56 per adult
Excursion to Vandaloor Zoo- Private Tour
From $79 per adult
Excursion to Pondicherry - Private Tour
From $148 per adult
Excursion to the Golden Temple of Sripuram in Vellore - Private Tour
From $147 per adult
Visit to Kalakshetra Foundation - Private Tour
From $63 per adult
Mylapore Private Walking Tour
From $56 per adult
Where to stay in Chennai
Popular hotels in Chennai, out of 423 properties you can book.
Mercure Chennai Sriperumbudur
From $109 per night
Hablis Chennai Hotel
From $123 per night
Pullman Chennai Anna Salai
From $101 per night
Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road
From $98 per night
The Leela Palace Chennai
From $296 per night
Taj Coromandel - Chennai
From $119 per night
Greenpark Chennai
From $105 per night
Hyatt Regency Chennai
From $161 per night
Novotel Chennai Sipcot
From $48 per night
Residency Towers
From $121 per night
Courtyard Chennai
From $148 per night
Raintree St. Mary
From $127 per night
Best time to visit Chennai
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Chennai is January, when average daytime highs are around 83°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Chennai weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 83° 75° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 85° 76° 98%
- Fri 23 Oct 86° 76° 87%
- Sat 24 Oct 87° 75° 49%
- Sun 25 Oct 86° 77° 29%
- Mon 26 Oct 87° 75° 27%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)1 US dollar ≈ ₹95.1
- Languages
- Hindi, English
- Calling code
- +91
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/KolkataUTC+5:30
- Capital
- New Delhi
Getting to Chennai
These are the airports closest to central Chennai. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- MAA Chennai International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Chennai travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Chennai is January, when average daytime highs are around 83°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Chennai?
June is usually the warmest month in Chennai, with average highs of 97°F (36°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 74°F (24°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 331 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Chennai?
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from the centre of Chennai.
What currency is used in Chennai?
Chennai uses the Indian rupee (INR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₹95.1.
What time zone is Chennai in?
Chennai uses the Asia/Kolkata time zone (currently UTC+5:30). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
What are the best places to visit in Chennai?
Top sights in Chennai include Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mahabalipuram and Fort St. George. One of the longest urban beaches in the world, stretching along the city's eastern shore. Visit in the early morning or evening for the local atmosphere, but avoid swimming because of strong currents.
What are the top things to do in Chennai?
Popular experiences you can book in Chennai include Temple Tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram (100 Kms) - Private Tour, Excursion to Tirupati - Private Tour and The Museum Tour - Half day Private Tour. Destina Holidays offers 15 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Chennai?
The most popular types of experiences in Chennai are city tours (5), art & culture (5), day trips & excursions (3) and tickets & attraction passes (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Chennai?
Popular areas for hotels in Chennai include Chennai (Madras). Well-reviewed options include Mercure Chennai Sriperumbudur and Hablis Chennai Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Chennai?
Destina Holidays currently lists 423 properties in and around Chennai, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
