Chennai Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Chennai tours and things to do in the cultural capital of South India: stroll the long sands of Marina Beach, admire the colourful Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, explore colonial Fort St George and San Thome Cathedral, day-trip to the UNESCO shore temples of Mahabalipuram and the silk-weaving temple town of Kanchipuram, and savour authentic South Indian cuisine. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
rating
Explore Chennai by interest
Whatever brings you to Chennai — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Chennai
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Kapaleeshwarar
Mylapore temple.
Mahabalipuram
Shore temples.
Marina Beach
Long urban beach.
Fort St George
Colonial fort.
Kanchipuram
Silk & temples.
Pondicherry
French quarter.
San Thome
Historic basilica.
South Indian Food
Dosa & coffee.
Chennai heritage & temples
- 1Mylapore
- 2Mahabalipuram
- 3Kanchipuram
- 4San Thome
1.5 hr awayMahabalipuram
Shore temples.
2 hr awayKanchipuram
Silk & temples.
3 hr awayPondicherry
French quarter.
City awayMylapore
Temple district.
City awayMarina Beach
Bay of Bengal.
City awaySan Thome
Historic basilica.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Chennai visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Warm and pleasant — the best time to visit.
Summer (Mar–Jun)
Very hot and humid — sightsee early or late.
Monsoon (Oct–Dec)
The northeast monsoon brings heavy rain.
Post-monsoon
Fresh and green after the rains.
For culture
December brings the famous Margazhi music season.
Best overall
November to February is ideal.
One day
The city temples and Marina Beach.
Two days
Add a Mahabalipuram day trip.
Three days
Add Kanchipuram or Pondicherry.
For history
Mahabalipuram and Fort St George.
For food
A South Indian food tour.
With kids
Marina Beach and Mahabalipuram.
Taxis & autos
App taxis and auto-rickshaws are the easiest way around.
Tours & drivers
Guided tours and hired cars are best for day trips.
Metro
Chennai’s metro links parts of the city quickly.
On foot
Mylapore and heritage areas are walkable in parts.
Where to stay
Stay in the city centre, Mylapore or near the coast.
Rupee
India uses the rupee; carry cash for markets and temples.
Book day trips
Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram tours sell out — reserve ahead.
Temple dress code
Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples.
Beat the heat
Sightsee early or late; midday is very hot.
Try filter coffee
Don’t miss dosas, idlis and South Indian filter coffee.
Music season
Visit in December for the Margazhi classical arts festival.
Cool season
Visit November to February for the best weather.
Mahabalipuram
Day trips sell out — book ahead.
Kanchipuram
Temple-and-silk tours fill up — reserve early.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry trips book out — reserve ahead.
Food tours
Popular food tours have limited spots — book early.
City tours
Guided city tours fill up in season — reserve ahead.
Winter & festivals
The cool season and music season are busiest — book everything ahead.
City tour
Around €20–45 for a Chennai city tour.
Mahabalipuram
About €40–70 for a Mahabalipuram day trip.
Kanchipuram
Roughly €45–75 for a Kanchipuram day trip.
Pondicherry
Around €60–100 for a Pondicherry day trip.
Food tour
About €25–50 for a South Indian food tour.
How to save
Join group tours and combine the city with Mahabalipuram.
Chennai through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Ideal weather.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot.
- Best for
- Green & lush.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
- Best for
- Margazhi arts.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cultural.