Tamil Nadu's bustling capital sits on the Coromandel Coast with the world's second-longest urban beach (Marina Beach, 13km). The city blends Dravidian temple culture (Kapaleeshwarar Temple), colonial architecture (Fort St. George), and a vibrant Carnatic music scene.
What a day here looks like
The things most people actually do in Chennai, by time of day.
Morning
- Marina Beach sunrise walk (world's 2nd longest)2h · easy
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple & Mylapore heritage walk2h 30m · easy
- Mahabalipuram shore temple day trip (60km)4h · moderate
- Filter coffee & idli breakfast trail1h · easy
Afternoon
- Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church (1680)1h 30m · easy
- Government Museum (South India's oldest)2h · easy
- Santhome Basilica (St. Thomas tomb)1h · easy
About 14h of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.
A plan from our planner, day by day
Generated by the same planner you'd use — not a sample someone wrote once.
- 1🎭 Cultural Day4.5h out
- Filter coffee & idli breakfast trail · morning, 1h
- Government Museum (South India's oldest) · afternoon, 2h
- Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church (1680) · afternoon, 1.5h
A city best understood slowly — arrive, find the old market, and let the pace of things sink in.
- 2🏛️ Heritage Day7h out
- Mahabalipuram shore temple day trip (60km) · morning, 4h
- Marina Beach sunrise walk (world's 2nd longest) · morning, 2h
- Santhome Basilica (St. Thomas tomb) · afternoon, 1h
Final day in Chennai — these sites are clustered to minimise backtracking — history in a logical sequence.
Swap places, change the pace, set your own dates.
Plan my Chennai tripMust-see highlights
Marina Beach sunrise walk (13km)
Kapaleeshwarar Temple gopuram
Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church (1680)
Government Museum (South India's oldest)
Santhome Basilica (St. Thomas tomb)
Mahabalipuram day trip (60km)
Murugan Idli Shop filter coffee & idli
Carnatic music sabha concert (Dec season)
Theosophical Society banyan tree
Elliot's Beach & Ashtalakshmi Temple
Mylapore heritage temple walk
Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Film City
DakshinaChitra living heritage museum (40km)
Loading 13 more places…
On the map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Chennai Central in town · Chennai International Airport 15 km
Nearest transport
Stay options
Best time to visit
November – February
How to get here
Delhi → Chennai
flight · 2.5h
₹5,000
approx.
Mumbai → Chennai
flight · 2h
₹4,000
approx.
Bengaluru → Chennai
train · 5h
₹350
approx.
Nearby attractions
Chennai questions, answered
What is the best time to visit Chennai?
The best months are January, February, March. November – February July scores lowest on weather and conditions.
How many days do you need in Chennai?
Most people spend 2 days in Chennai. There are around 7 main things to do, totalling roughly 14 hours of activity.
How do you get to Chennai?
The nearest railway station is Chennai Central (in town) and the nearest airport is Chennai International Airport (15 km). The cheapest common route is Bengaluru → Chennai by train, about ₹350 per person one way.
How much does a trip to Chennai cost?
Stays start around ₹1,300 per night, with food about ₹500 per person per day.
If you like Chennai
Closest matches across all of India, by character rather than by map.
