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Best Tourist Places Near Chennai Within 500 kms

Popularly knowns as the ancient city of Kanchi, this holy pilgrimage site is home to many temples constructed in the 8th century. That is why, Kanchipuram is considered as one of the most spiritual and holy places to visit near Chennai within 500 kms.

Followers of the Hindu religion often come here to visit the Kailasanathar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Architecture enthusiasts also frequent Kanchi to witness the intricate sandstone sculptures and beautiful statues at the Ulagalanda Perumal Temple and the Ekambareswarar Temple. Additionally, for bird-watching enthusiasts, the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary offers a chance to witness the stunning migratory birds that visit here from all over the world.

Distance from Chennai: 76.3 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

Considered as one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the country, Tirupati is one of the unmissable tourist Places near Chennai within 500 kms. The Venkateshwara temple is visited by thousands of Hindu devotees every year and you can hear the chant of the mantra everywhere in the vicinity of the temple.

The 8-feet tall statue of Lord Venkateshwara, the mad rush of pilgrims, and the spiritual atmosphere will make you feel as if you have stepped into a different world. You can also check out the Silathoranam rock formations at Tirumala hills, and visit other temples like ISKCON, the Parashurameshvara Temple, Sri Kalahasti temple and Sri Govindarajaswami Temple.

Distance from Chennai: 135.5 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

Vellore is another one of the most popular Tourist Places near Chennai within 500 kms. Because of its ornate sculptures and lovely museums, the city has gained quite a bit of popularity as a tourist destination lately. A history buff will find it exhilarating to explore the 16th century fort with its rich history and imposing design, and architects and art lovers can get a glimpse of the fine details like the granite walls and the surrounding moat of the fort. 

There is also a Jalakandeswarar temple inside the fort grounds, featuring many intricate sculptures. Near the fort, you can visit the Government museum which has a variety of exhibits displaying natural history relics. And finally, you can also check out the Mandapam memorial house near the Palar river to get a glimpse of the tombs of influential Tamil leaders. 

Distance from Chennai: 137.2 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

The city of Chittoor offers you a chance to explore the natural beauty of its hills along with its historical buildings steeped in culture and heritage – all at the same place.  When it comes to Places to visit near chennai within 500 kms, this place features an unparalleled blend of religious and architectural elements. Visit the famous Horsley Hills, have fun splashing water in the Kailasakona falls, and check out the renowned Tirumala temple. 

The rolling green hills, cascading milky-white waterfalls, and mango orchards that are spread out as far as the eye can see – Chittoor has a myriad of destinations worth exploring. You can also shop in the famous markets of this city for a variety of souvenirs, gold jewelry and handmade décor items.

Distance from Chennai: 159.3 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

Considered as a unique blend of the ancient and modern, the city of Trichy offers a mix of heaving bazaars and beautiful temples for you to explore. It is dotted with a wide variety of monuments and destinations, which is why it is one of the most unmissable tourist Places near chennai within 500 kms.

Check out the illustrious Ranganathaswamy Temple stretched over an area of 2.5 square km, or visit the Kallanai Dam with its lush greenery and beautiful picnic spots. Frequent the crowded bazaars filled with colourful paraphernalia, or simply admire the historical buildings of the city - Trichy offers a sacred and serene environment where you can relax and observe the rich culture of this ancient Chola capital.

Distance from Chennai: 330 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

Holding a historically important place in the heritage of the country as a significant part of the Chola dynasty, Thanjavur is mostly famous for its 11th century temples and palaces. Still, it is one of the most popular Tourist Places near Chennai within 500 kms because of the majestic Brihadeeswarar temple, the unmissable Thanjavur Maratha Palace, and world-renowned, centuries old library called Saraswathi Mahal.

You will find a variety of Tamil historical artefacts in the city, such as manuscripts from the golden ages, paintings and artwork, bronze statues etc. you can also visit the Tamil University Museum is you want to have a look at the coins, musical instruments and fold artifacts displayed here.

Distance from Chennai: 346.4 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

Lepakshi is one of the charming little tourist places near Chennai within 500 Km filled with historical and religious places to traverse. The chief attraction here is the Veerabhadra Temple dedicated to the Lord Veerabhadra that attracts devotees from all over South India.

It is a great example of exquisite craftsmanship whose walls depict different scenes from mythologies like Ramayana and Mahabharata. Another attraction in the village is the huge monolithic idol of Nandi Bull and paintings around it. Besides being a holy hub, Lepakshi is also a treasure trove of fascinating range of traditional crafts and art forms. Colourful items like Kalamkari paintings, Banjara Embroidery, Kondapalli toys and Bidicraft with silver contours are among the best things to buy.

Distance from Chennai: 398.9 Km

Best time to Visit: Between October to March

A busy industrial area and an agriculture hub in Andhra Pradesh, Guntur is home to several temples, caves, and forts that you can explore. A lot of history buffs come here to indulge in history by visiting Amravati Mahachaitya which is a ruin of Buddhist monument made in the second century BC. Undavalli Caves also display a fine rock-cut Indian architecture constructed in the 4th century AD.

Adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers can also visit Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Ethipothala Falls, Uppalapadu Nature Conservation. Guntur is one of the places near Chennai within 500 Km, which is also famous for the Red Chilli Biryani, its massive chilli market yard in all of Asia, and is the world’s biggest chilli exporter. 

Distance from Chennai: 414.6 Km

Best time to Visit: Between October to March

Amravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh is well known for the magnificent Amareswara temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. The Temple was constructed in the 2nd century BCE and was once the capital city of the Satavahanas and Pallavas.

That is why the city is a hotspot for architecture and history buffs. Amravati offers a unique amalgamation of modern and traditional with its stupas, monasteries and planned modern infrastructure. With its rich history dating back to the Mauryan empire, and holistic integrated development in store, this futuristic city is the ultimate destination for tourism for the nearby areas. 

Distance from Chennai: 448.5 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February

The vibrant city of Madurai is considered as one of the most beautiful Tourist Places near Chennai within 500 kms because of the untouched natural beauty and magnificent temples located here. The skyline of Madurai is dominated by 14 dramatic gopurams or gateway towers of the majestic Meenakshi Amman Temple, which is dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Vishnu.

The temple borrows architectural elements from Dravidian-style and is a major pilgrimage site in the region. You can also visit the colourful bazaars of the city to get a feel of its electricity, and check out the various festivals held at the temple during various times of the year.

Distance from Chennai: 462.5 km

Best Time to Visit: Between October and February