Explore Chennai in 3 Days!

  1. Day 1: Temples and History
    Starting location: Chennai International Airport
    • Kapaleeshwarar Temple (1 hour)

      Kapaleeshwarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a must-visit attraction in Chennai. This ancient temple's architecture is breathtaking, and it is the perfect place to learn about local customs and traditions.

    • Fort St. George (2 hours)

      Fort St. George was built by the British in 1639 and is the first English fortress in India. Visit the museum to learn about the colonial past, including the history of the East India Company and its impact on India.

    • Gandhi Museum (1 hour)

      The Gandhi Museum is a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi's life and his nonviolent resistance movement. It has a library with more than 20,000 books and a photo gallery of his life.

    Total time: 10 hours
    Total distance: 25 km
  2. Day 2: Beaches and Shopping
    Starting location: Gandhi Museum
    • Marina Beach (2 hours)

      The Marina Beach is the longest natural beach in India. Take your morning walk or enjoy the seafood while sitting in front of the Bay of Bengal.

    • Parthasarathy Temple (1 hour)

      Parthasarathy Temple is one of the oldest temples and the most beautiful ones. The intricate architecture of the temple is mesmerizing.

    • Express Avenue Mall (2 hours)

      You can shop till you drop at the extravagant mall with many national and international brands.

    • Santhome Basilica Cathedral (1 hour)

      The church was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and houses St. Thomas’s tomb.

    Total time: 9 hours
    Total distance: 10 km
  3. Day 3: Museums and Nature
    Starting location: Santhome Basilica Cathedral
    • Government Museum (2 hours)

      The Government Museum or the Egmore Museum is one of the best museums in Chennai with an enormous collection of Roman artifacts, prehistoric findings, artwork, and rare coins.

    • Guindy National Park (2 hours)

      The Guindy National Park is located in the middle of Chennai, making it a unique example of a well-preserved national park with many species of birds, butterflies, snakes, and mammals. Take a nature walk in the park.

    • Cholamandal Artists' Village (2 hours)

      The Cholamandal Artists' Village is an ideal spot for art lovers. It is home to many artists who live and work in the village. You can witness their artwork and buy their creations in the art gallery.

    Total time: 7 hours
    Total distance: 15 km

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kapaleeshwarar Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Fort St. George (2 hours, INR 100 per person)
  • Gandhi Museum (1 hour, INR 15 per person)
  • Marina Beach (2 hours, free)
  • Parthasarathy Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Express Avenue Mall (2 hours, prices vary)
  • Santhome Basilica Cathedral (1 hour, free)
  • Government Museum (2 hours, INR 50 per person)
  • Guindy National Park (2 hours, INR 20 per person)
  • Cholamandal Artists' Village (2 hours, free entry)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 185 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit the beautiful Mahabalipuram or the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary. However, if you only have two days, consider skipping Parthasarathy Temple and the beaches and quickly visit Ashtalakshmi Temple and Birla Planetarium. For the foodies, must-try dishes in Chennai include dosa, idli with sambar, and filter coffee.

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