Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is a bustling city with a rich cultural heritage. From the iconic Marina Beach to historic landmarks like the Kapaleeswarar Temple and Fort St. George, there’s something for everyone. Explore the vibrant food scene, indulge in shopping, and experience the unique charm of Chennai.
Tourist Places to visit in Chennai – Part 1
1. Swami Vivekananda’s House
Vivekananda House, also known as The Ice House, is a shrine and pilgrimage center for Swami Vivekananda’s admirers and followers. In 1900, Swami Vivekananda stayed for six weeks in this house. The two-story home, which was built in 1877 or earlier, is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture with its distinctive sunburst and saddleback roof patterns. Devotees can walk through the kitchen where he prepared his simple dishes, the room where he spoke, and the garden where he often played with the children. This historic house is a permanent exhibition about Indian Culture and Swami Vivekananda’s life as well as it will give a positive vibe.
Timing: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:15 pm (Monday closed)
Address: Kamaraj Salai(Marina beach road), Neelam Basha Durgapuram, Near Triplicane, Chennai
Nearer Attractions: Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Indian Museum
2. Royapuram Fishing Harbour
The Royapuram fishing harbour is one of the top tourist attractions in Chennai for all travelers who are crazy about taking amazing images of the places they visit. This site, known as the Kasimedu fishing harbour, attracts a lot of tourists because it is a popular fishing spot in Chennai. If you want to get a glimpse into the lives of Chennai locals, you should make a visit to this harbour. A huge number of fishermen and boats may be seen catching fish. Locals can also be seen roaming the market and purchasing seafood. The Chennai fishing harbour is mesmerizingly beautiful as the sun sets, and you should be there to experience it completely.
Timing: There is no fixed time, you can go as early as 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM in the early hours to view the first catch of the day. Around 4:00 a.m., the market area starts to buzz with the excitement of the day.
Address: Tondiarpet, Chennai
Nearer Attractions: Marina Beach, Breezy Beach, Kolli Hills, Elliot’s Beach, VGP Golden Beach
3. Thousand Lights Mosque
The Royapettah area of Chennai is literally brightened by its multi-domed mosque, which is a famous place of worship for local Muslims. It is believed that roughly 1000 lights were necessary to light up the mosque’s hall in the past, which is why it is known as the Thousand Lights Mosque. This location, of course, looks extremely stunning when lit up, and is hence one of the most popular sites to visit in Chennai at night. This mosque shows the excellence of ancient architectural style with two minarets towering to a height of about 64 feet.
Timing: 5:30 am to 8:30 pm
Address: Royapettah, Peters Road, Peters Colony, Chennai
Nearer Attractions: Government Museum, Marina Beach, Semmozhi Poonga
4. Fort st.George
Fort St. George, one of the oldest buildings of the British Empire in Chennai and the first English fortress in India, is a perfect demonstration of British history in India. The place, which was founded in 1644 in the coastal city of Madras, currently serves as a museum. The gigantic monument and architecture will obviously make you respect British artistry. Tourists are welcome to visit. You can see antiquities, paintings, coins, silverware, arms, documents, and much more throughout your trip.
Timing: St. George Museum: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Friday) and St. Mary’s Church: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday – Saturday)
Address: Rajaji Rd, near Legislature and Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600009
Nearer Attractions: Marina Beach, Government Museum, Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple Tiruvallikeni
5. Valluvar Kottam
Those of you who prefer literature are likely to have heard or read about Thiruvalluvar, a well-known Tamil poet, and saint. Thiruvalluvar is recognized as one of the greatest Tamil scholars. Valluvar Kottam is a beautiful chariot built in his honor. Valluvar Kottam’s splendor is best viewed early in the morning or as the sunsets. Are you unclear about how to get here? It is located at the crossroads of Kodambakkam High Road and Village Road; taxis and buses are available from all around the city.
Timing: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Address: Nungambakkam Lake Area Main Road, Chennai
Nearer Attractions: Government Museum, Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappa Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple
6. Birla Planetarium
One of the most cost-effective options to spend time with the moon and stars is to visit the Birla planetarium nearby Anna University. There are audio-visual astronomy programs, exhibitions on the cycle of stars, the solar system, comets, the moon, and other celestial objects to see here. It will be a massive hit, particularly with the children. Science on Wheels, Industrial Park, and Traffic Park are three attractions that deserve special mention.
Timing: 10:00 am to 5: 45 pm
Address: Gandhi Mandapam Road, Duraisamy Nagar, Kotturpuram
Nearer Attractions: The Anna Centenary Library, Guindy Snake Park, Foodies Day out
7. Dakshina Chitra
DakshinaChitra is a small village that has been recreated using replicas of traditional South Indian buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The exhibition features a diverse collection of living beliefs in Indian art, folk performing arts, craft, and architecture, with a focus on South Indian traditions. The museum shows everything from a normal Tamil house to basic equipment, a fisherman’s life to different fabrics. Classical dances and musical concerts are held on a regular basis to attract tourists. If you’re looking for family-friendly places to visit in Chennai, this is the place to go because your kids will learn a lot about South India.
Timing: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Address: SH 49, Muttukadu, 25 km south of Chennai
Nearer Attractions: Muttukadu lake, VGP Snow Kingdom, Shiridi Sai Baba Temple
8. Mylapore
Mylapore is a must-visit who is interested in knowing about Chennai’s culture. It is a wonderful land with a vibrant and rich culture and a history extending over 1500 years. You may eat junk, the most amazing south Indian food while watching years of history. You can see the amazing temples while you’re there. Mylapore, another must tourist attraction in Chennai, covers a diverse range of shopping and entertainment activities.
Timing: 6:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M and 4:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M
Address: Mylapore is located south of the British-built city Chennai.
Nearer Attractions: Ramakrishna Temple, Shirdi Saibaba Temple, San Thome Church