Explore the history, heritage, culture, and traditions of Chennai with our Chennai Darshan Packages. It is the 4th largest city in India that never fails to impress and entertain its visitors - all thanks to its age-old monuments, British colonial architecture, pilgrimage sites, natural beauty, stunning beaches, and flavourful dishes.
The moment you step into this city, you’ll be greeted with the warm hospitality the people of Chennai are known for. Their love for art knows no boundaries. One can enjoy its architectural marvels on one side and explore the natural attractions on the other side. Festivals like Pongal and the Chennai Music Season are celebrated with great enthusiasm by locals over there and you can choose to be a part of them if you want to have a great time on your visit.
Don’t worry as this city has a lot more to unveil to its tourists. Below we have mentioned the top 5 tourist places to visit in Chennai for people of all age groups. Make sure to keep them handy the next time you plan a holiday to the cultural capital of South India. These are as follows:
1. Marina Beach
The second longest beach in the world, Marina Beach offers a relaxing getaway to everyone looking for a mix of sun, sea, and sand on their Chennai tour. It is a popular natural urban beach that draws the attention of thousands of locals as well as tourists from different parts of the country and abroad in large numbers every year due to its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere.
Here you can stroll around its beautiful shoreline, unwind under the parasols, or take part in various recreational activities like jet skiing, snorkeling, and swimming. The sunrise and sunset are a sight to behold. Also, don’t forget to relish the flavors of delicious local cuisine served at the numerous food stalls, fine-dining eateries, and cafes at the beach.
2. Ashtalakshmi Temple
Lying a few km away from Besant Beach is the Ashtalakshmi Temple which serves as an abode to the Goddess Lakshmi. Constructed in the year 1976, the Ashtalakshmi Temple is a traditional Hindu temple that is dedicated to the 8 different forms of the presiding deity in eight separate shrines and each has its own form of Goddess Lakshmi. These include Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santan Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi and Dhanalakshmi.
Try planning your visit to the Ashtalakshmi Temple during the annual Navaratri celebrations as it is celebrated by people with great zest and endeavor. It falls in October every year and is attended by a huge influx of devotees from all across the nation. Please note that the temple is easily accessible by public transport and remains open to its visitors every day from morning to evening.
3. Government Museum
Take some time out for the Government Museum to dig deep into the rich past and cultural heritage of India. It is amongst the best sightseeing places in Chennai that house an impressive collection of art and artifacts and is a not-to-miss attraction for anyone interested in stepping back in time.
The Government Museum has several galleries representing the different aspects of art and culture with a natural history section, a children’s museum, and a museum theatre that can accommodate up to 600 people at once.
One can also find a library within the museum where you can read books, manuscripts, and rare documents related to the bygone era. Please note that the museum is open every day except Fridays and visitors are advised to set aside several hours to explore its vast collection.
4. MGR Film City
Ideal for Kollywood movie lovers, the MGR Film City provides the best of the recreational world to people seeking to fill their day with boundless fun and entertainment. It is a famous film studio complex that has state-of-the-art facilities for film and television production including sound stages, outdoor shooting locations, editing suites, and a post-production facility.
One can also see the replica of villages and urban areas with landscaped gardens, majestic waterfalls, lush green forests, and vibrant marketplaces transporting you to a dreamy world where you feel everything extraordinary.
For your entertainment, the MGR Film City also organizes various cultural programs like dance performances, music concerts, etc., to keep you occupied all the time. If lucky, you might also spot a Tamil actor shooting for his upcoming movie.
5. Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Don’t miss including the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in your itinerary list of Chennai Darshan packages if you wish to stay close to the wildlife creatures.
Situated 32 km away from the city center, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park or Vandalur Zoo provides shelter to a wide variety of animal species including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the popular animals at the zoo include tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, and many more. The park also has a separate section for nocturnal animals and a butterfly house.
Apart from animal exhibits, there are several other attractions for families with children such as a safari park, a lake, a museum, and a children's park. The safari park allows visitors to see animals in their natural habitat, while the lake offers boating facilities. The museum provides information about the park's history and the animal species found in the region.
Book an all-inclusive Chennai tour package with us to ensure a peaceful travel experience. We at Chennai Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, strive to offer the best of our services to our diverse clientele so that you can enjoy your time without any worries. From reserving the accommodation of your choice to curating a list of things to do in Chennai to arranging the pickup and drop services, and everything else, our team takes care of all the things on your behalf. All you need to do is to just pack your bags and get set go! Please fill out the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
How to Reach Chennai?
Getting to Chennai is a bit easy. Fly to Chennai International Airport to experience hassle-free traveling. The Chennai Airport is well-connected to the metro cities in India as well as abroad. Outside the airport, take a private taxi from Ola/Uber or from the list of top car rental companies in Chennai to commute within the city in your comfort.
Next, catch a train to Chennai Central Railway Station to enjoy a smooth and comfortable railway journey to Chennai. It receives trains from across India on an everyday basis. In case you’re traveling from a place within Tamil Nadu, you can enjoy the service of railways to Chennai Egmore Railway Station as well.
Last but not the least, Chennai has a good network of highways and expressways that further connects the city to other popular tourist destinations like Pondicherry, Coimbatore, Tirupati, and Tirunelveli through private and government-owned buses. The facility of luxury coaches is also available for your ease!
