Chennai: A Blend of Tradition, Culture and Modernism. 10 Best Places to Visit in Chennai to Experience It in All It's Glory

Formerly called Madras, Chennai is considered to be the gateway to South India. It is one of the fastest growing cities in India and is one of the top IT hubs in India. It also has a prolific art world and the local culture is an attraction on its own. Apart from that, it is also one of the main destinations for medical tourism. Though Chennai prides itself as a modern metropolitan city, traditions and cultures are intertwined so that one doesn’t get lost in the current contemporary world. The diverse population makes for the orthodox nature and the modernity to thrive together. All forms of traditional music and dance can flourish here.

The modern music also grows through the nightclub scene of the city. If you are looking to view Chennai in its traditional beauty, the music season which is from mid-December to mid-January is your perfect time. Sarees and lungis/veshti are the most prominent attire of the people of Chennai. Though with the introduction of western culture made it go obsolete, it can still be seen during festivities and weddings. This shows how the city has held on to its culture and tradition, along with moving on with the times.

With its rich culture and art scene, Chennai also boasts of some really beautiful beaches, parks, and religious places of worship that are rich in culture. Not to mention one of the largest libraries in Asia. Chennai enjoys its fair share of tourists most of them for their love of culture. We bring to you the top 10 must-see places in Chennai where you can experience all that the city has to offer you.

Chennai has a very diverse nature and that shows in its religious sites situated all over the city. From the thousand lights mosque to the Cathedral and temples, Chennai has a lot to offer you if you are looking for varied religious places.

Sparkling white structure along the Marina beach is one of the prime pilgrimage centres for Christians in Chennai. Not just Christians, but it attracts tourists and people from various religions. It is also one of the five Basilica in Tamilnadu. It also houses the remains of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and was constructed in memory of him. The main attractions are the tomb of Saint Thomas and the museum of antiquities. Visitors can see the remains of the Saint in the museum and also the magnificent past of the Church. You also can attend any of the masses or rosary sessions in the church. San Thome Church is a locality within Mylapore which being a busy area is well connected via bus and train routes to other parts of the city. After your visit to church, you can also take a stroll on the Santhome beach that is just a short walk away.

There is no entry fee and the timings are from 6 am to 9 pm.

Kapaleeswarar temple stands as a testimony to the architectural brilliance of the Tamil culture, particularly the Pallavas. It is one the important religious centre for the Hindus and is a shrine dedicated to Shiva. The main deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Kapaleeswarar and Goddess Parvati in the form of Karpagambal. The temple has a wealth of history and is a thing of legends. The temple was first built back in the 7th century by the Pallavas but was destroyed by the Portuguese explorers.

The Vijayanagar kings rebuilt the temple from the ruins and is a combination of Dravidian and Vijaynagari styles which is a rare thing. The best time to visit the temple is mid-March to mid-April when all the 63 Nayanars are paid respect during the Brahmotsav festival. The Brahmotsav festival is quite revered and is something that you should not miss. Kapaleeswarar Temple is located in the heart of Mylapore which being one of the prime areas of Chennai is well connected.

If there is one thing Chennai is known for, then it is the beaches. There’s not one but many dotted along its coastline.

Marina beach is a 13 km stretch of natural beach along the Bay of Bengal. The beach is famous for its sunrises and the beautiful waves crashing on the shore. Though the beach is the second largest beach stretch in the world, it is also one of the most crowded beaches in the country. The sandy shore filled with white sand dotted by sellers, merry-go-rounds is a sight to behold. The beach is also home to some famous sculptures like The Victory of Labour, Mahatma Gandhi statue and many scholars along the likes of Kambar, Thiruvalluvar, Robert Caldwell, Avvaiyar to name a few.

There also quite a number of quality restaurants and bistros both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. The best time to visit Marina beach is November to February when the climate is relatively mild compared to summer when it is blazing hot. However, the mornings and evenings are perfect times to visit the beach and enjoy a walk. Marina beach is situated in Triplicane which enjoys good connectivity via trains and even buses.

Elliot’s beach is the end point of Marina beach. It is relatively less crowded than the Marina beach making it ideal for enjoying long walks in solitude. The beach was named after Edward Elliot who was the Governor of Chennai during the British times. Though it is available for all now, it was the beach for the white people in the colonial times. The tranquil nature of the beach makes it famous among youngsters and families alike. The famous Karl Schmidt memorial is situated on the beach which was built in 1930, recognizing the young man who died when saving the life of an English girl.

The other prominent attractions are the Annai Velankanni Church and Ashtalakshmi temple which is located along the beach. Elliot's beach has something to offer for everyone. Restaurants to pubs and bars are located in the vicinity making nightlife more colourful. The best time to visit the beach is from November to February when the climate is relatively pleasant. Elliot's beach is located in Besant Nagar, hence otherwise called as Besant Nagar beach.

Museums, zoos and libraries are a must for every city and Chennai has them in abundance. It truly is a city to be in if you are a bookworm.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park aka Vandalur Zoo is the one-stop picnic location for kids and adults alike. If you are a nature lover and would love to know more about the flora and fauna of the region, Vandalur zoo is your shot. It is the largest zoo in south-east Asia sprawling over a massive 1260 acres. Zoological Park is a haven for nature lovers and is home to a variety of animals along the likes of the lion, Himalayan brown bear, tiger, elephant, barking deer, and more. They also have a reptile house where you can see viper, king cobra, python, blackbuck, chimpanzees and much more. You can also find endangered species like Muscovy duck, monitor lizard, white tiger, Bengal tiger, lemur and more. Apart from this, children can also enjoy elephant rides and education centre. The main attractions include Butterfly house, Aviary, Reptile House, Amphibian House, Primate House, Crocodile Enclosure, aquarium and World of nocturnal animals. They also offer safaris if you would like a closer look at the animals.

The Zoo is open from 9 am to 5 pm and on all days except on Tuesdays. There is an entry fee for adults and children and also a camera fee. Bus facilities are available for the park and the nearest railway station is just 1 km away from the park.

Connemara Public Library which was established in 1896, is one of the four national depositories in the country. These national depositories receive a copy of all the books published in the country. The library is a haven of all books, periodicals, newspapers and magazines published in the country. Since it is at least a century old, you can find books and publications printed since then. You can also find rare books like Accounts of the trade in India by Lockyer, a German copy of 'Antony and Cleopatra', The Bible published in 1608 and more.

If you are looking for a quiet time surrounded by books, Connemara public library is the place for you. The library is open on all days except on national holidays and festival holidays. However, if you want to borrow books, you need to be a resident of Chennai. The library is located on Pantheon Road, Egmore which is just 3 kilometres from Chennai Central. Its location makes it well connected by trains, buses and also private means of transport.

Dakshinachitra Museum is the project of an NGO, Madras Craft Foundation. It is a living history museum which features architecture, craft, arts and lifestyles of South India. The museum is created in such a way that it is enjoyable and interactive for the viewers. If you are someone who would love to view the culture of South Indians and how they lived, this is the place to be. The museum directors have created a small village where the houses are authentic and from different regions. These houses have been dismantled and put back together by experts. The houses represent the lifestyles of people from Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

They also host programmes by experts in the field of necklace making, weaving, dying, puppets and more. Not only that they also host classical dance performances like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and more. They do charge an entry fee which differs for Indians and overseas visitors. However, if you are a student you get a discount as well. It is situated in Muttukadu which is 25 kilometres to the south of Chennai. Though busses ply, you cannot find any train service to the same. The best option is to use private transport or rental cars.

Dakshinachitra Museum is open on all days except Tuesdays.

There is no city without a bazaar or a shopping centre catering to people in all walks of life.

Chennai has an ideal spot for shopaholics. T-Nagar has two prime shopping areas: Ranganathan street and Pondy Bazaar. You can find everything from electronics to sarees and gold here on the streets. Then there is the Usman road which is lined with jewellery stores on both sides. Pondy Bazaar is the main attraction where you can buy just about anything. Even though all big brands have their stores, the street vendors attract big crowds. Be it shoes or electronics or toys or even gadgets, you can shop to your heart’s desire.

The same is the case with Ranganathan street which is deemed to be one of the most crowded streets in the city. Street vendors take the spotlight along with a few other shops like Saravana Stores where you can shop to your limit. Both these attractions are well connected via bus and train routes. Due to its busy nature, traffic jams are a common sight. There is also a lack of parking space, hence it is advised that you use rental cars or public transport.

Life in the city can become quite monotonous and difficult if there is no greenery and space to breathe in the fresh air. Even with Chennai being quite a crowded and busy city has enough parks, small and big.

Semmozhi Poonga is the first botanical garden in Chennai. It boasts 500 unique species of plants including medicinal plants and rare flora. It is one of the prime tourist spots in the city, attracting overseas visitors and also people of Chennai. The park is sectioned into 8 with each section having its own theme. It also has a minimal entry fee making it accessible to everyone. It is located in Teynampet which has good bus connectivity but little train access. Due to the availability of good parking space, it is suggested that you use rental cars or private vehicles.

The park is open on all days from 10 am to 7:30 pm except Tuesdays.

Chennai has always welcomed artists, performing artists or otherwise. Every artist is welcomed with open arms and given a stage to shine.

Cholamandalam artists’ village was founded by KCS Paniker, a brilliant artist and visionary in 1966. It is a gallery of sorts which is spread over 10 acres. Brilliant works of art by various artists can be found here. It is also a commune which is created and maintained by the artists themselves. It is located in Palavakkam which is in the outskirts of the city. It is advised to use private transport or rental cars for travelling.

It is open on all days from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Chennai is a metropolitan city and you wouldn’t find difficult to find a hotel of your liking be it 5 stars or budget. There are websites like Goibibo and TripAdvisor where you can find rooms with amazing deals. To make it easy for you we put together a list of hotels that top the rating in each category.

The Leela Palace and Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort & Spa top the chart in the 5-star rating category. Each has their own specialities and are well coveted. So make sure you book well in advance to get a room matching your preference. Leela Palace is inland but closer to the sea. But if you are looking for a beachfront hotel with all resort facilities, then Taj Fisherman’s Cove is your option. Another option is ‘The Park” situated smack in the mid of the city and has good connectivity to all tourist attractions. All these hotels also have in-house restaurants with gourmet meals both Indian and continental.

Savera hotel and MGM beach resort are your best bet in this category. Savera hotel is the first hotel with a star rating in Chennai and hence carries quite a bit of history and clout. MGM a well-known name in Chennai also has a beach resort. If you are looking for tranquil times listening to the waves crashing the shores and coconut trees swaying to the wind, look no further. Savera is situated in the historic Mylapore and is close quite a few attractions we listed above.

If you are travelling on a budget we have covered you too. Budget hotels are quite prevalent in the city making you spoilt for choice. However, if we have to suggest something it would be the Ibis chain of hotels. Comfortable, easy on your pocket and quality makes it a choice for many. And then you have the OYO Rooms too. You can find them everywhere, but we suggest you to use a credible travel website like Trip Advisor to pick the best and the safest.

Chennai has its own issues with traffic and road travel usually takes time to get through. To make up for it the public transport i.e, busses and trains are very well developed. They form the most important mode of transportation for the public. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the culture and the lifestyle of the people, public transport is your best option.

MTC buses plying all over the city are the cheapest means of transport. It connects where ever the trains do not reach. The fare is also very cheap. It provides standard service, express service and the deluxe service. You can get the bus route information on their website.

Rental car service is quite popular in the city with many people choosing it over public means of transport. Global car service provider Uber has a big network with thousands of cars plying all over the city. Then there is the Indian counterpart Ola which also provides an excellent service for the people. If you are confident to ride in the city roads (though we don't suggest you do that) you could rent your car from zoom car.

If you are looking for a unique riding experience, we suggest you try auto. Not only is it a novel experience, but most drivers are also ready to help you and do know enough English to get by. But make sure you choose an auto with a meter else you are sure to be fleeced.

If all these sound too complicated for you, choose a travel information portal like Holiday IQ to plan your trip. Holiday IQ provides Chennai Tour packages be it heritage or religious or beach or even rural. If you can extend your holidays you can also club the Chennai trip with nearby locations like Pondicherry or Mahabalipuram or even Tirupati and make it a wholesome experience to remember by.