Things to do in Chennai

Revel around the Marina Beach, Take a walk through Thalankuppam Pier, Stroll around Elliot’s Beach, Enjoy Nature Photography at Ubbalamadugu Falls, Fun rides in MGM Dizee World, Visit Mahabalipuram, Heritage tour to Royapuram Fishing Harbour, Enjoy Water sports in Muttukadu and many more.  

Being a great part of history, you do not have to think about What to do in Chennai. It was a significant place in the British era and gained a lot of attention which in turn left a lot of historical monuments in the city like forts, temples, churches, mosques and more. Besides this, the city is edging the Bay of Bengal so one can expect a lot of serene beaches in the area where you can indulge in different water sports and have a walk.

After visiting distinct places there are a lot of amazing activities in Chennai which can give you amazing experiences like camping on the edge of one of the calm beaches and lighting a bonfire at night. Moreover, you can engage in treks to various waterfalls. And then you can buy some souvenirs from the local market and try some traditional food to make your Chennai Trip memorable.

Here are some of the best things to do in Chennai:

1. Revel around the Marina Beach

One of the famous coastlines of Chennai, Marina Beach is best known for its breath taking view and serene surroundings. Nested within the city premises, the placid beauty of the beachfront, the rolling waves and the picturesque surroundings attract almost everyone visiting this kaleidoscopic city! With a coastline of around 13km, Marina Beach has bagged the title of being the second largest beach in the world; well, this makes it a must visit places in Chennai.

Being one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, this place is calling people to discover it in its raw form. Be it the azure waters, soft sands and the openness of the ocean, Marina Beach is sure to keep you enchanted with its alluring charm and appeal. Enjoy your vacation at this spellbinding seashore along with your family and friends; you will surely cherish these moments for a lifetime!

Check out the best beach resorts in Chennai, that makes a perfect place to stay by the shores.

2. Take a Walk through Thalankuppam Pier

Thalankuppan, a small fishing hamlet located in the northern part of Chennai, is another mind soothing destination that will leave you with a therapeutic experience! A quaint and silent destination near the metropolis, this is the village where the Thalankuppam River meets the sea. An ideal place for the peace and silence lovers, the pier in this region is one of the must to visit locations.

Extremely popular with the South Indian Film Industry, a walk along this pier is one of the best things to do in Chennai. Visit this spot during the morning or evening and you can witness the golden rays of the sun paying hide and seek with the sparkling waves. Take a walk through the Thalankuppam Pier, feel the tranquillity that exists here and curate some of the memorable moments of your holiday.

Also, find out hill stations near Chennai

3. Stroll Around Elliot’s Beach

Named after Edward Elliot, the then Governor of Madras; Elliot’s Beach is another exciting beach destination in Chennai. Not far from the city premises this stunning beach marks the end of Marina Beach and is located in the Besant Nagar. Also known as the ‘Bessie’ or ‘Besant Nagar Beach’, it is one of the most popular destinations among the locals.

Owing to the Pictorial beauty, calm and tranquil surroundings, easy accessibility and the lesser amount of crowd within this sandy retreat, it is also gaining popularity among the tourists who prefers to avoid the rush and stay away from the crowd. A walk along the long stretches of Eliot’s Beach will not only pamper your sense, but will also take you to the ‘Schmidt Memorial’ that serves as a major landmark to the city.

Where to stay: Best Resorts in Chennai for a soothing stay

4. Enjoy Nature Photography at Ubbalamadugu Falls

Set out the water baby in you and explore this exquisite tourist spot in Chennai with a visit to the Ubbalamadugu Falls. Around 35km from the metropolis, this stunning cascade flows graciously in the forests of Siddulaiah Kona and truly makes for a must to experience site.

In addition to the opulent beauty and appeal of the waterfall, it also serves as a sacred place among the Hindus; devotees visit this cascade during ‘Maha Shivratri’ and offer puja. Visit this falls, witness the magical beauty it creates as the splashing water hits the base; unravel the best of the nature’s bountiful beauty while being a shutterbug and capturing some of the best clicks of your life!

Love trekking? Choose from the best places for trekking near Chennai.

5. Fun Rides in MGM Dizee World

For those of you that love amusement parks and water sports, MGM Dizee World is the place to be in Chennai. With some of the most entertaining rides and water slides, a fun-filled day in this amusement park is also among the best things to do in Chennai with your kids. It is a destination that keeps the visitors engaged throughout the day.

Water World of this park is something that every visitor of MGM Dizee World looks forward to explore in Chennai. If you are looking for some fun and exciting things on your way to Chennai, you now know where to go!

6. Visit Mahabalipuram

The modern state of Mahabalipuram; a weekend getaway near Chennai, was established in the year 1827 and has a pre-history from the time of Pallavas. The town is an historical venture which attracts maximum number of tourists flocking Chennai, and keeps them engaged with its ancient architecture. With several temples and monuments in the town, this place gained much popularity among the visitors; it is a hub for the history, culture, architecture and archaeology enthusiasts.

On your visit to this historic town, you can visit many of the ancient temples that has deities like Lord Krishna and other Gods and Goddesses; temple caves dedicated other deities can also be visited within the town. Among the other major attractions in Mahabalipuram, there are enchanting Pancha Rathas, Krishna's Butter Ball, Mahabalipuram Beach and several others. Owing to its opulent beauty and religious importance, the range of temples and other historical monuments in Mahabalipuram has now been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Heritage Tour to Royapuram Fishing Harbour

Being a coastline, Chennai has enough and more destinations for a sea food lover. One of them, Royapuram Fishing Harbour is the place where one can experience the exhilarating and buzzing life of a fish market and nearby harbour. It is one such places in Chennai, where you can have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals and their fishing cultures.

An absolute delight for the fish lovers, it is best visited at dusk when the entire harbour gets lighted up with the majestic sea reflecting them back! A visit to this quaint and bustling fishing village is one of the best things to do in Chennai and get introduced with some of the heritage and cultures of the city.

8. Enjoy Water sports in Muttukadu

Adorned with lush greenery and wonderful landscapes, Muttukadu is a small town that is famous for its serene beauty and enchanting back waters. The place is also known for some of the exciting water activities that keeps the adventure junkies enthral during their Chennai tour! Amidst the extremely elegant and historical traditions of this metropolis, here is a chance for you to let yourself loose and dive into the water adventure sports at Muttukadu.

Some of the activities that you can enjoy at this destination are kayaking, boating, canoeing and surfing. The most popular among all the activities that are organized here is windsurfing regatta, which is generally scheduled during the month of February.

Don't miss any of the amazing adventure sports to take in Chennai if you are looking for some thrill.

9. Witness the Lords in Jagannath Temple

Dedicated to the divine trinity of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, Jagannath Temple in Chennai is another attraction for the devotees of these deities. The wonderfully carved temple is astonishingly stunning and engages all its tourists in its intimate splendour. Built according to the Kalinga architecture, the temple is a mirror that reflects great art and architectural designs of ancient times. Granites and white marbles that decorate the temple make the stone carvings look much prettier and splendid.

It also has separate shrines that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Bimala which can be visited by the tourists. The annual festival of this magnificent temple is something all devotees and tourists look forward to attend as it showcases the Rathayatra; one of the most prominent rituals of the festival.

Click Here to Book Now: Rome Nightlife

10. Visit San Thome Cathedral

Built during the Portuguese rule in Chennai, what was earlier called Madras, San Thome Cathedral is one of the most popular shrines in Tamil Nadu. Built in the neo-gothic style, this church is beautifully decorated with amazing architecture that will leave every traveller spell bound.

Believed to be built on the grave of St Thomas, it was recently declared as a ‘National Shrine’ by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India. A major religious centre for the catholic, it has also become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Chennai.

You Can Also Book: Florence Cathedral Tickets