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ennai, known as the “Gateway to South India,” is known for its food and culture. It’s where you can find ancient temples standing next to shopping malls. The list is long if you are looking for things to do in Chennai. The city has classical dance performances, colourful festivals, and street markets. For those who enjoy art, music, or local cuisine, Chennai never disappoints. Whether a visitor or a resident, Chennai invites you to discover its many layers and hidden gems.
10 Best Things To Do In Chennai
Some of the top things to do in Chennai allows tourists to make the best of their trip. These mainly include:
1. Visit Marina Beach
Photo: Abinayasekar357 / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best things to do in Chennai is visit Marina Beach. Known as one of the longest urban beaches in the world, it offers a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sea breeze. The golden sands stretch for miles. It is a great place to take a walk, play beach cricket, or simply sit and watch the waves. The beach is also dotted with small stalls where you can try local snacks like roasted peanuts and crispy bajji. Whether you want some quiet time or a lively vibe, Marina Beach has majority of the best things to see in Chennai.
Entry Fee: Free
Location: Marina Beach Road, Chennai (Madras) 600005 India
2. Worship At Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one of the most famous and beautiful temples nestled in the lively Mylapore area. It is a big and colorful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most important gods in Hinduism. The temple is super old, built hundreds of years ago. The temple has a giant, tall tower at the entrance called a gopuram. It’s decorated with many colorful sculptures that tell stories from Hindu mythology. If you’re looking for things to see in Chennai, don’t miss Kapaleeshwarar Temple!
Entry Fees: Free
Location: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600004, India
3. Pray At Parthasarathy Temple
Photo: Destination8infinity / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best things to do in Chennai is to visit the Parthasarathy Temple. This is a beautiful and historic temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple is not only a spiritual haven but also a fantastic place to learn about Tamil culture and architecture. It was built during the 8th century, making it one of the oldest temples in the city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is worshiped here in his form as Parthasarathy, the charioteer of Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata.
Entry Fees: Free
Location: Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005, India
4. Try Delicious Food At George Town
Photo: Rodrigo.Argenton / Wikimedia Commons
George Town is a wonderful part of Chennai. It is full of history and culture. Many people come here to see its old buildings, markets, and delicious food. If you are looking for fun, there are many things to do in Chennai that you can enjoy in George Town. You can find colorful clothes, beautiful jewellery, and tasty snacks. When you think about what to do in Chennai, trying the local food is a must! George Town offers delicious street food. You can find stalls selling hot idlis, crispy dosas, and spicy sambar. There are also many sweet shops where you can enjoy treats like jalebis and gulab jamun.
Entry Fees: Free
Location: George Town Market, 9, S.N. Chetty Street, George Town
5. Enjoy Rich Musical Culture – Margazhi Music Season
Photo: Sam Howzit / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Chennai is a vibrant city full of culture and creativity! One of the most exciting things about Chennai is its rich arts scene, especially in classical music and dance. If you love music and dancing, you are in for a treat! Every year, Chennai hosts the Margazhi Music Season. It is a month-long festival that celebrates the beautiful sounds of Carnatic music. It also shows Bharatanatyam dance. On the list of what to do in Chennai, Kalakshetra and the Music Academy are at the top.
Entry Fees: ₹50 to ₹500
Location: The Music Academy, T Nagar and Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet
6. Explore Famous Temples Of Mahabalipuram
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Mahabalipuram is a cool town that’s only an hour away from Chennai. It is well-known for its old temples and amazing rock sculptures. If you want to see fun things in Chennai, Mahabalipuram is a great place to visit. One of the coolest things about Mahabalipuram is its interesting history. This town was built by the Pallava kings more than 1,000 years ago. The most famous spot is the Shore Temple, near the sea. If you are looking for things to see in Chennai, Mahabalipuram is a perfect place to explore.
Entry Fees: ₹40 for Indian citizens and ₹600 for foreign tourists to enter Shore Temple
Location: Chengalpattu district, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
7. Pray At Rock Cut Temple – Pancha Rathas
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Pancha Rathas is a cool group of rock-cut temples in Mahabalipuram. It means the Five Chariots. These amazing temples were made more than 1,000 years ago by the Pallava kings. It is an example of old Indian architecture. If you want to find the best things to do in Chennai, you should visit the Pancha Rathas. Each of the five temples is built to look like a chariot.
Entry Fees: ₹40 for Indian citizens and ₹600 for foreign tourists
Location: 58, W Raja St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104
8. Taste South Indian Cuisine
Photo: Jack Baghel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Chennai is a city known for its delicious food, especially South Indian cuisine. If you are looking for fun things to do in Chennai, trying out the local dishes is a must! South Indian food is famous for its flavours and healthy ingredients. From crispy dosas to fluffy idlis, there is something for everyone to enjoy. In Chennai, you can find many places to enjoy South Indian cuisine. Some popular restaurants include Saravana Bhavan, Murugan Idli Shop, and Buhari Restaurant.
Cost: ₹100 to ₹500 per person for a typical meal
9. Buy Traditional Handicrafts
Photo: Sanketh Rao / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If you are looking for fun things to do in Chennai, exploring the colourful markets is the best thing. There are many shops for handicrafts in Chennai and you can find unique items here. These things show the talent of local artisans. One of the best places to shop for handicrafts in Chennai is the famous Chennai Handicrafts Museum. This museum has a variety of handmade items. It includes pottery, textiles, wooden carvings, and jewellery. You can see artisans at work, creating beautiful pieces right in front of you. It’s a great place to learn about the traditional crafts of Tamil Nadu.
Cost: The prices for handicrafts vary
Location: Chennai Handicrafts Museum, T. Nagar, and Pondy Bazaar
10. Shop At T. Nagar
Photo: Ganeshk / Wikimedia Commons
T. Nagar, which stands for Thyagaraya Nagar, is one of the coolest places to shop in Chennai. It is always busy and full of life. When you go to T. Nagar, you will see lots of shops with colourful clothes. Here you get pretty silk sarees and shiny jewellery. The streets are crowded with people chatting and looking for great deals. One of the best parts of T. Nagar is Pondy Bazaar. Here you can find trendy clothes and fun accessories at good prices. There are also yummy street foods like crispy snacks and sweet treats. It is one of the most fun things to do in Chennai.
Cost: The cost varies as per the item
Location: Southern part of the Chennai district, west of Anna Salai (Mount Road)
With so much beauty, Chennai is a must-visit place. Whoever visits this place, falls in love with it. The food and culture is rich and loved by everyone. From beautiful temples to delicious food, everything is excellent. In case you are wondering about what to do in Chennai then there are many things to do in Chennai and the best one are mentioned here. Plan a trip to Chennai with TripXL and indulge in the culture of this perfect place.
Cover Photo: Kishan Rahul Jose / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
