Chennai

DESTINATIONS india chennai

Chennai

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai has a history involving Indian, Portuguese, and Dutch settlements before becoming a significant British trading port in the 17th century. As time progressed, Chennai has grown significantly. It is now India’s fourth-largest city by population and serves as the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. From historical landmarks and temples to modern amenities and lively markets, this bustling and colourful Indian city is bound to have something on offer for everyone.

The City

Chennai, or the ’Gateway to South India’ as it is also called, is a city with a rich colonial past famous for its cultural events, music, literature, dance and cuisine as well as for being the home of India’s second-largest film industry, known as Kollywood. While Chennai is primarily a commercial city with automobile, technology and healthcare industries and, therefore, has fewer famous tourist attractions than many other Indian cities, it still has plenty of delightful offers for visitors. For those with an interest in history, a visit to Fort St George – built in the 1640s by the British – is a must. Apart from the British heritage, the site also showcases the rich history of southern India throughout the centuries in the museum located on the fort’s grounds. Chennai is also home to some 75 temples, churches and mosques well worth a visit, particularly the beautiful and richly-ornamented Kapaleeswarar Temple. The city’s beach, the Marina, is one of the longest stretches of sandy beaches in the world and something visitors cannot miss. Chennai also hosts colourful street markets alongside luxurious shopping malls with wood and stone carvings, mats, textiles and silk being some of the most sought-after items on offer.

Do & See Dining Cafés Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Start your exploration in Chennai at the majestic Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a Dravidian architectural gem adorned with sculptures and ancient rituals. Nearby, the Government Museum boasts an impressive collection of South Indian bronzes and artefacts. For a mix of history and tranquillity, visit the Santhome Basilica, situated over the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle. End your journey at the Chennai Rail Museum, a hidden treasure displaying the evolution of Indian railways through charming vintage locomotives and memorabilia.

Fort St George Museum

The Fort St. George Museum is home to military memorabilia from the British colonial period. The museum showcases a variety of artefacts related to the British East India Company, the British Raj, and the military history of that era. The collection includes uniforms, weapons, and other items from the British colonial period and offers …

Santhome Cathedral Basilica

Originally established in 1523, the San Thome Cathedral was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style in 1896. The church is believed to be built over the shrine that holds the remains of Saint Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. St Thomas is said to have come to India in the 1st century …

Government Museum & National Art Gallery

The Government Museum in Chennai houses an extensive archaeological collection that includes artefacts from South Indian dynasties dating from the 6th century to the British colonial period. The museum also features Indian art and sculpture, bronzes, anthropological exhibits, and a children's section. The National Art Gallery, which is one of the oldest art galleries in …

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one of Chennai's oldest, with its origins dating back to the 8th century. The temple is renowned for its intricately detailed gopuram, or entrance tower, which stands about 37 metres …

Marina Beach

Marina Beach is one of the longest urban beaches in the world, stretching about 13 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal, boasting a lively atmosphere with numerous vendors selling food, refreshments, and souvenirs. The beach is also home to the Marina Lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. Nearby, you can …

St Thomas Mount

The hill on which St Thomas Mount is perched has about 160 steps leading to the top, where the Church of Our Lady of Expectations is located. The church, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, is situated at the summit and is a notable pilgrimage site. The tradition holds that St Thomas …

Fort Saint George

Built by the British East India Company in 1640, Fort Saint George is a historic landmark in Chennai which houses the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu. The fort is a key site showcasing Chennai's colonial history. The fort complex includes The Fort Museum, which displays artefacts related to Chennai's colonial past and a library, which …

AVM Studios

Chennai is a major centre for the Tamil-language film industry, known as Kollywood. AVM Productions is one of the prominent film studios in Chennai, contributing significantly to Kollywood's success. Visitors to film studios like AVM can tour the film sets and may have the chance to see filming in …

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology

The Madras Crocodile Bank, located about 40 kilometres south of Chennai, is known for its conservation efforts and educational programs related to crocodiles and various types of reptiles. It houses a large collection of crocodiles, alligators, and other reptiles, and serves as a valuable resource for herpetology research and public …

Dining

South Indian cuisine, often reflecting Dravidian traditions, features an array of mainly vegetarian dishes typically eaten with steamed rice. Tamil cuisine, known for its bold use of spices, aims to balance all six tastes—sweet, sour, bitter, salty, astringent, and pungent—in a meal. A traditional Thali sometimes served on a banana leaf, is a feast of diverse flavours and textures, so observing local dining etiquette can be insightful. In Chennai, the term 'hotel' frequently denotes a restaurant, and signage will usually indicate whether meat is served. While upscale hotels often house excellent restaurants with lavish lunch buffets, the street stalls offer an equally rich culinary experience. Be sure to explore different times of day, as some dishes are exclusive to breakfast or night-time dining.

Murugan Idli Shop (T. Nagar)

This is another chain of restaurants, with three different locations in Chennai. Famous for its idly – an Indian savoury cake, similar to semolina, served with coconut and sambar – and its dosa, a crepe, usually filled with potato curry, made from rice and lentils. This place serves some of the best South Indian …

Barbeque Nation

The restaurant is primarily known for its barbecue, but vegetarians will surely not find themselves at a loss either. Their unique live grill concept allows you to barbecue your own skewers of succulent meats, paneer, and fresh vegetables right at your table, plus a sumptuous buffet spread that includes appetisers, main courses, and …

Ponnusamy Hotel

The obvious choice for food from India’s Chettinad region, this restaurant is definitely one of the best in Chennai. It offers a great selection of meat and strictly vegetarian dishes, with its seafood specialties being a popular …

Bayleaf

Since 1997, Bayleaf has been a cherished gem in Chennai’s culinary scene, celebrated for its authentic Bengali and North Indian cuisine. Specialising in traditional dishes such as Bengali fish curry and North Indian kebabs, the restaurant combines time-honoured recipes with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Bayleaf’s carefully curated menu also features a selection of unique …

Cream Centre

Renowned for its eclectic and inventive menu of vegetarian fare, Cream Centre masterfully blends traditional Indian flavours with global influences, offering a tantalising array of dishes that range from pasta and pizza to chaat and curries. The modern yet warm interior creates a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for both casual meals and special occasions. Notably, …

Pan Asian

Pan Asian offers an upscale dining experience and is a perfect venue to go for a special occasion. Request to be seated by the open kitchen and observe the culinary masters in …

Dakshin

The restaurant enjoys a spotless reputation and serves superb South Indian food. The owners have invested as much thought into the restaurant's interior as into the constantly updated …

Cafés

A number of different coffee chains have established themselves in the centre of Chennai, where one usually finds coffee, tea, sandwiches and a variety of biscuits and desserts on offer. Most of the cafés open at 10 am and close at 10 pm. Each mole, or area of the city, has a number of cafés as well.

Wild Gardencafe

If you're craving a tranquil escape from Chennai's hustle and bustle, head to this charming haven often dubbed the city's 'Quiet Corner'. This arty haveli-style café, with its lush green garden and inviting indoor and outdoor seating, provides the perfect retreat. Enjoy mouth-watering desserts, sandwiches, toasts, and fresh salads while soaking in the serene …

Writer's Cafe Gopalapuram

Writer's Cafe is located in a beautiful setting surrounded by many books to browse. The experienced barristas serve excellent hot and iced coffees, teas and light lunches as well as cakes. The perfect place to refresh and …

Tryst Cafe

Tryst Cafe is known for being one of the best cafes in Chennai. Its outdoor seating is lined along the seashore and offers a peaceful and calm setting to unwind. They serve delicious freshly baked French bread and dishes inspired by Continental, Mexican and Italian …

Chamiers Café

Cozy up in this luxurious cafe and enjoy a unique blend of coffee or their fresh fruit juice of the day. Chamires also serves a selection of fantastic dishes. Their menu includes pasta, salads and bruschetta platters. This is a great place to spend some time by yourself or with your friends and …

Bars & Nightlife

Chennai’s nightlife scene has been expanding in recent years, but still, due to regulation, most of the bars and nightclubs are found in the top-end hotels. Some mid-range hotels also offer a drinking room where Indian beverages can be bought and consumed. Most of the bars in Chennai close at midnight.

Pasha

Residing in the elegant Park hotel, Pasha is one of Chennai’s busier dance clubs. The venue’s bright lights, divan-styled seating areas, candles, pillows and colored veils gives it a mystic feel. Popular with the local party crowd, the music is usually a mix of pop, R&B and …

The Leather Bar

If you fancy a quieter, more relaxing and intimate evening, the Leather Bar at the Park hotel is the perfect place, with 20 seats and snacks and drinks on offer. There is also an outdoor terrace where you can sip a tasty martini while enjoying the …

10 Downing Street

English-style pub that serves food in a welcoming atmosphere. This place is a popular venue for late-night hangouts in the city and a great place where you can …

Shopping

Shopping in Chennai is easy and fun and, like in any other big city in India, one can find anything from traditional handicraft to the latest digital products. Tourists mostly buy palm leaf mats, bronze and brass castings, jewellery, stone carvings from the nearby town of Mamallapuram, ready-made or tailored clothes, and last, but not least, the famous silks from Kanchipuram. Contemporary artworks or genuine antiquities as well as different musical instruments are also items strongly sought after. There are several shopping areas, all of them located in the Egmore, Nungamabakkam or T-Nagar districts. The most popular are Theagaraya Nagar, known as T-Nagar, and Anna Salai. Georgetown, which grew around the fort, is another interesting shopping area. In the mazelike streets one can find shops specialized in selling only one type of merchandise such as fireworks in Badrian Street and paperworks in Anderson Street. Even without the shopping, a walk here is recommended to get a feel for the Indian culture and life. The best shopping malls in the city are Chennai Citi Centre and Spencer Plaza.