Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the capital city of the Southern Indian state Tamil Nadu. The city is known for its ancient temples, natural wonders, thriving arts, and culinary traditions. The city has a rich history that dates back around a thousand years. Over the centuries, Chennai stood tall, being at the center of South Indian dynasties. The city attracts tourists from all over the world who wish to take a peek at the ancient history of India. This year, Chennai will also host several games of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, making it the perfect time to visit the city. Let’s look at 11 of the top tourist attractions in Chennai and things to consider before going there.

Top 11 Must-Visit Places in Chennai 

Marina Beach 

While Chennai is mostly a heritage tourism city, it also offers a relaxing retreat at the heart of the city in Marina Beach. Being a southern city on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, the 3.7 km-long Marina Beach is easily accessible by bus and taxi from the city center. It will cost about 100 to 200 INR (BDT 132 to 264.60, at 1 INR = 1.32 BDT) based on bargaining ability (make sure to bargain about everything while in Chennai!).

Take a walk along the sea to experience the gentle breeze on a hot summer day. There are vendors all over the beach selling different items — from foods to trinkets to even massage on the go. Make sure to explore the lighthouse on the southern end of the beach for a fabulous view of the sunset.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple 

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is located in Mylapore of Chennai. Getting to Mylapore is quite easy on either an auto-rickshaw or a public bus.

The temple also has some of the most extravagant rituals performed daily. There is a beautiful pond adjacent to the main temple where one can sit back and relax. Hop into one of the vegetarian restaurants nearby the temple to try some dosa, idli, or vada pav and wash it all down with Chennai’s famous filter coffee.

Fort St. George 

Another attraction at the center of Chennai is the Fort St. George situated in Rajaji Salai Road. Depending on the location, it’s possible to either take an auto-rickshaw or walk to the fort.

Fort St. George was one of several British bases in Southern India. Today, it houses the colonial history of Chennai. The museum in the inner premise has a vast collection of colonial-era relics, uniforms, paintings, and documents. The fort complex also houses the St. Mary’s Church which is the oldest Anglican Church in all of India. The entry fee to the fort is 300 INR  (BDT 396.91 at 1 INR = 1.32 BDT) for foreign tourists. The fort remains open from 9 am to 5 pm.

A minute’s walk from the fort will take the visitors to a line of diners at the end of the Rajaji Salai Road. Unlike the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, there are continental and Chinese non-veg options for a hearty gourmet meal.

Make sure to couple Fort St. George with either the temple or the Marina Beach in the itinerary as it is very close to both Mylapore and the beach.

Government Museum 

The Government Museum is also known as Madras Museum by the locals. This iconic state museum is located in the Egmore area of Greater Chennai.

There are several ways to get to the Government Museum, including by taxi or public bus. The entry fee to the museum is 250 INR  (BDT 330.76 at 1 INR= 1.32 BDT) for foreigners.

The museum houses some of the most comprehensive archeological relics on the anthropology of the South Indian people. Some of the art and artifact collection in the museum dates back a thousand years to the great Chola dynasty. There are several separate galleries including the Bronze Gallery, Numismatic Gallery, and the Children’s Museum.

Elliot’s Beach (Basant Nagar Beach) 

If Marina Beach feels too crowded and noisy to relax, then there is a perfect alternative. Head over to Elliot’s Beach in Basant Nagar which is on the other end of the city.

Unlike Marina Beach, there may not be a huge influx of tourists here. There is a long line of Casuarina trees along the inner side of the beach. The beach promenade is also perfectly designed to take a stroll and take in the gentle breeze from the bay.

Elliot’s Beach has a lot of seafood restaurants and stalls. Prepare to be blown away by the Chennai style of seafood which is unlike anywhere in the world.

San Thome Basilica 

Another attraction in the Mylapore area is the San Thome Basilica. The basilica is made in a Neo-Gothic style which gives it a unique look compared to any other basilica in the region. It’s been erected over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Oddly enough, the San Thome Basilica looks like a miniature version of the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Inside the basilica is a beautiful tapestry of stained glass and a calming ambiance all around. Being a church, there is no entry fee to the San Thome Basilica. There is also no restriction on interfaith entry. But the authority requests that the tourists maintain the holiness of the place.

Vivekananda House (Ice House)

Vivekananda House, which was formerly known as Ice House is located in the Triplicane area of Chennai. The place got its name “Ice House” as it was once used to store ice brought from the USA. This was back in 1842 when the place was built.

There is no separate entry fee for foreigners. The standard entry fee is 10 INR. Currently, Vivekananda House serves as a museum of exhibitions on the life of Swami Vivekananda and the heritage of the region. The exquisite architecture of the place is almost like a peek into the glorious past of the region even under British rule. The house remains open from 10 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 7:15 pm with weekly closure on Mondays.

The Triplicane area is also known for some of the best local snacks like bajji and bonda. So do try them out.

MGR Film City 

If one thing Tamil Nadu is famous for other than its rich history and culture, then it has to be the Tamil film industry. The unique storytelling and direction have been an inspiration for many remakes nationally and internationally.

So if movies are something that interests you, then consider visiting MGR Film City in Taramani. Getting to the film city is also easy by bus or taxi. The place is named after one of the pioneers of Tamil cinema and a long-term chief minister of the state, MG Ramachandran.

The film city is spread over 70 acres and has beautiful gardens and premade artificial sets. The entry fee to the film city is about 25 INR. Feeling like shooting something there? The film city has that covered as it is possible to book a private studio in the film city for 2000 INR  (appx. BDT 2646 at 1 INR = 1.32 BDT) for the whole day.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park 

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is situated in Vandalur on the outskirts of Chennai. It is about 32 km away from the central city in a beautiful natural location.

The zoological park has over 500 rare species of animals, most of which are endangered. It is the largest zoo in southern India and visitors from all over the region come here for the jungle safari.

The Zoological Park is remarkable in the sense that it is also one of the largest conservation centers in India. One can learn about the endangered species and get to know more about the animals indigenous to the region.

The cost of entry for a foreigner in the zoo is about 500 INR  (BDT 661.51 at 1 INR = 1.32 BDT) and it operates from 9 am to 6 pm and remains closed on Tuesdays. Since the zoo is on the outskirts of the city, a roundtrip may cost well over 1000 INR  (BDT 1320 at 1 INR = 1.32 BDT). So it’s better to explore the public buses as they are more economical options.

Guindy National Park

Guindy National Park is another ecological park to explore in the greater Chennai area. The park is situated in Rangeguindy, some 2 hours drive away from the center of Chennai.

The national park is one of many conservation sites across the state. It is home to 130 species of birds and over 14 species of mammals including deer, blackbucks, jackals, snakes, and more. The place is a haven for bird watchers and photographers. Sit tight with the binocular or the camera lenses as a rare species of bird might show up any time.

Guindy National Park is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind in nature. The park operates from 9 am to 5:30 pm. The entry fee to the park is about 20 INR  (BDT 26.4 at 1 INR = 1.32 BDT).

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium 

The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium is situated a couple of hundred meters away from the Marina Beach. Founded in 1912, the stadium is the second oldest in India and will host 5 games of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 including the home country’s first match against Australia on October 8.

The stadium was formerly known as Madras Stadium. But the name was changed to honor M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar, former president of BCCI and TNCA. Bangladesh will also have one of their matches against New Zealand on October 14 in this stadium.

Final Words 

So far, we have described some of the most popular tourist spots in Chennai. Words will fail to describe the natural beauty of Chennai and its rich cultural history. The region being at the center of ancient trade and commerce in India flourished in the early days of the sub-continent. There has been some decline during the Mughal and subsequent British rule but the city to this day carries the heritage of the bygone days.