The 10 things to do in Chennai

Would you like to visit the beautiful South India and discover its traditional cuisine? So here are the best things to do or visit in Chennai!

Known as Madras, Chennai is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. The city was founded in 1639 when the British East India Company chose Madraspattinam, a small fishing village, to settle in the region. Madras gradually becomes a major port and is even an important issue of Franco-English rivalry for the domination of India in the 18th century. Today it is one of the largest cities in the country, the majority of which are Tamil. Chennai is known as the cradle of traditional South Indian cuisine and your discovery of the city will necessarily go through the tasting of delicious local dishes! In addition to its culinary heritage, the former Madras is home to historic jewels of the colonial era, as well as the second largest beach in the world!

So what do you do in Chennai during your stay? To help you experience an unforgettable journey, discover the 10 most important things to visit in Chennai, the culinary capital of South India!

1. Fort Saint-Georges

Built in 1653 by the English Society of Eastern India, Fort Saint-Georges once housed the garrison to defend the city of Madras. Today, it welcomes the administrative services of the government of the state of Tamil Nadu. What will most appeal to you in this wonderful complex is the Fort Museum, which brings together objects from the colonial era and portraits of the governors of the fort. You can also admire the oldest Anglican church in India: Holy Church built in the 17th century.

2. La Marina Beach or Besant Nagar Beach

So what about Chennai? To relax, enjoy the sun or admire its rising, Marine Beach is the perfect place! It is the second longest urban beach in the world, about 13 kilometers long on the Coromandel Coast. The second, also known as Elliot’s Beach , is very popular among the youth of Chennai as it houses many restaurants, cafes or bars where to relax!

3. Saint-Thomas Basilica

If you come to visit Chennai, you should absolutely go to the St. Thomas Basilica : this superb neo-Gothic church, built in 1893 to replace the original small Portuguese church, faces the sea. But above all, it welcomes in a crypt under the main altar the presumed tomb of the Apostle Saint Thomas. Indeed, according to an ancient but archaeologically unproven tradition, he would have come to India in 52 after Jesus Christ to convert the local Jewish communities and would have found death in the ancient kingdom of Mylapore.

4. Mont Saint-Thomas

This hill is the presumed place of martyrdom and death of the Apostle St. Thomas. It has thus become an important pilgrimage site of Indian Christians. At the top is a small church built in 1523 by the Portuguese as well as a cross of Saint-Thomas, carved in black stone and dating from the 6th or 7th century!

5. Traditional local cuisine

Visiting Chennai without tasting all delicious local dishes is simply impossible! In addition, local cuisine is generally very cheap and qualitative. You can taste delicious dosas, typical crêpes based on lentil flours, rice or chick peas, usually accompanied by sauces, curry or sambhar: a typical stew based on lentils, chili peppers and other spices!

6. Guindy Park

This is Nature park is one of the only ones in the heart of a city! The visit will allow you to discover the local fauna and flora, as the park is home to a large population of birds and mammals, such as cervicapree antelopes, axis deer or scals. The Snake Park , for him, welcomes cobras, pythons and other reptiles!

7. A show of Bharata natyam

If you have planned to visit Chennai, then you must absolutely discover his famous music and classical dance: carnastic music and the Bharata natyam. The famous Kalakshetra Foundation frequently hosts dance shows and you should check out the upcoming events!

8. Government Museum

Are you still wondering what to do in Chennai? So don’t hesitate to discover the Government Museum. This building, a sublime testimony of the architecture of the Kerala style, houses a beautiful collection of artifacts and objects of the Tamoul history.

9. The Temples of Parthasarathy and Kapaleeshwarar

Are there still emblematic monuments to visit in Chennai? Of course! The temple of Kapaleeshwarar is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva, it is a few steps from the Basilica of St.Thomas and is a perfect example of the dravidian architectural style. The Temple of Parthasarathy , for him, is one of the oldest temples in the city! You will certainly be seized by the magnificence of its colourful Gopura – massive and carefully decorated entries.

10. See also in Chennai and the surrounding area

If you are still wondering what to do in Chennai, here are more attractions to visit and activities to enjoy in and around the city:

• Walking around in the bouillon Burma Bazaar : one of the oldest and chaotic markets in the region, and a great place to taste delicious local street-food or buy typical products! • Admire the Armenian church , testimony of the presence of this community centuries ago. • Visit the Arignar Anna Zoological Park : This beautiful zoo is home to more than 170 species of birds, mammals and reptiles, some of which are in danger!

How to go to Chennai?

To visit Chennai, three options are available to you: the plane, the train or the bus.

• The plane

From France you will find regular flights to Chennai. However, if Air France and Jet Airways offer direct flights, all are not: you will need to have at least a dozen hours of flight to reach Chennai Airport with sometimes a stopover. If prices vary according to your starting period, do not hesitate to take you in advance, including by consulting our partner’s website Ulysses which selects whatever your departure dates, flights at the best prices.

• The train or the bus

It is also possible to reach Chennai from another Indian destination. The train or bus are then excellent ways to visit it at a low price. You can consult the Virail website, train travel comparisons worldwide to find out more. By bus, the journey will certainly be longer, but should cost you less than the train.

Where to stay in Chennai?

If you want to visit Chennai, you should know that there are plenty of housing options. There are many areas to stay in Chennai . We especially recommend the neighborhoods of George Town, Park Town and Mylapore. In terms of rates, Chennai enjoys a wide range of affordable prices: from home accommodation to the apartment Airbnb or at the hotel (the cheapest are to be found on this Compare hotels ), the possibilities are numerous and can be suitable for all types of travellers.