Best Places to Visit in Chennai: A Guide Worth Exploring!

Chennai is not just one of the four metropolitans of India; rather, it is home to the second-largest beach in India and is also a culturally thriving city in the South. It has grown a lot since the past era, with businesses and IT companies making their home in the town. On top of everything, Chennai has a deeply engraved history, way before the British era. So, if you want to satiate that inquisitive traveler inside you, it will be one of the best cities to start with.

But things are easier said than done, especially since Chennai has numerous places that you can explore to know more about its culture, heritage, history, lineage, and so on. If not chosen carefully, you may end up missing some of the best places in Chennai that could transport you to another time altogether. Therefore, to help you out, we have prepared a list of the top sites you should include in your Chennai tour itinerary to have a lifelong and unforgettable experience.

Located at an approximate distance of 40 Km from the city's center, Covelong Beach is one of the best places to visit in Chennai. From walking along the silvery-shine sandy coastline to enjoying the breeze ruffling your hair and clothes, the beach here offers an exquisite experience to all visitors. Apart from having a vibrant social vibe, the place is said to have a deep connection with the pages of history. It was originally used as a port till the French occupied the beach in 1746. The port was, however, destroyed during a war with the British in 1752, and now you can explore a few remains of the same. Covelong Beach is indeed one of the best places to have some fun in the water, like surfing, snorkeling, jet rides, and many more. Enjoy the fresh coconut water or tasty mocktails served at the local shack stores along the coastline, or dig into the mouthwatering dishes at one of the diners.

If you are up for some adventures, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park is certainly one of the Chennai famous places you should explore. Here, you will find more than 81 enclosures housing 171 different species, including 475 mammals, 1754 birds, and 415 reptiles throughout. It was constructed in 1855, and hence often known as the first public zoo in India. While you are here at the zoological park, get ready for a safari to explore the lions and other larger mammals in their natural habitats. Also, here you can find the famous Nilgiri deer, which can only be found in Mudumalai in the entire southern India. Explore the sanctuaries that have been specifically constructed to imitate the natural habitats of various avian species, including the Point Calimere Aviary representing the bird sanctuary on the Coromandel Coast. Furthermore, you will find a butterfly house, a serpentarium having 41 pythons and four cobras, a Crocodile enclosure with 220 reptiles from the family, a primate house, and an aquarium with 31 fresh-water fishes.

Visiting Chennai and not exploring Marina Beach is not accepted by any means. Being the second largest beach in the world, it is one of the key places to see in Chennai. It runs along a length of 12 Km, covering both crowded and isolated parts of the eastern coastline of India. Whether you choose to visit the beach in the morning or after sundown, there are tons of things to do here. For instance, take a stroll during sunset and feel the breeze flowing over the sandy beach to relax your mind to the fullest. Also, you can take part in different watersports, including jet skiing, surfing, and so on. Pony rides are quite popular here at Marina Beach. After sundown, you can see the wide open beach area converted into a fairground, with numerous rides and shops selling handicrafts, artwork, souvenirs, and many other such things.

Out of all the best places in Chennai that you can visit during the trip, Ashtalakshmi Temple may top the list. It is located in close proximity to Basant Beach and is dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi in the Hindu religion. The deity is known to be the goddess of wealth and wisdom and is widely worshiped throughout Chennai. The temple complex is known to produce continuous echoes of sea waves crashing against the shore, thereby creating a tranquil ambiance. Talking about the temple's architecture, you can see the uncanny resemblance with temples in Madurai, especially the roof, as it has numerous statues and wall carvings of Hindu deities and mythical beings.

Another outstanding place that you should explore here in Chennai is the Ripon Building. Built in 1913, the building is named after Indian viceroy Lord Ripon and has served as an important office structure during the British Raj. It features Roman architecture, with the exterior walls painted in vibrant white color and a clock tower standing tall at the center of the roof. It is now converted into a museum, showcasing several artifacts and paintings from the British era and personal belongings of the then Indian Governor General, Lord Ripon.

We have presented a Chennai tourist places list to ensure you can explore the best spots that the city has to offer. From the second largest beach to the first public zoo, this metropolitan is certainly the home to some of the iconic tourist spots in the entire country. So, plan your itinerary accordingly and do not forget to book your room early at the Bloom Hub | Guindy. The rooms here are not only the epitome of comfort but they will make your stay hassle-free.