Explore The Rich Beauty of Chennai in 5 Days

1. Day 1: Visit the Iconic Marina Beach
   Located 6 km (13 min) from the city center

   Start your day with a visit to the world's second-longest urban beach - Marina Beach where you can enjoy the serene beauty of the beach, have a delicious breakfast and witness glorious sunrise.Explore the nearby historic buildings like the Senate House and University of Madras which adds to the colonial charm of the city.

2. Day 2: Get the Cultural Experience
   Located 8 km (20 min) from Marina Beach

   Visit Kapaleeswarar Temple to witness the glorious Dravidian style architecture of the temple and the temple festival. After that, head to the Govt. Museum that exhibits a rich collection of sculptures, artifacts, and paintings from the Chola and Gupta dynasty. End your day with an evening show at the Kalakshetra Foundation, an institution for dance and music that preserves and promotes traditional Indian art forms.

3. Day 3: Explore Mahabalipuram and Kancheepuram
   Located 58 km (1 hr 20 min) from Chennai

   Take a day trip to Mahabalipuram to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, and Arjuna’s Penance. Continue your trip to Kancheepuram, the "City of Thousand Temples," to marvel at the exquisite architecture of the ancient Hindu temples especially Kailasanathar Temple, the Kanchi Kudil, and the Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple.

4. Day 4: Discover Chennai's Colonial Legacy
   Located 7 km (15 min) from Marina Beach

   Begin your day with a visit to Fort St. George, the first English fortress in India that houses the St. Mary’s Church, the Fort Museum, and the Wellesley House. Next, head to the Government House, also known as the Raj Bhavan, which was formerly the residence of the British Governor and designed in the Indo-Saracenic style. End your day with a visit to the Santhome Cathedral Basilica, a beautiful church built in the Gothic style.

5. Day 5: Shopping and Street Food Experience
   Located 2 km (5 min) from Marina Beach

   Indulge yourself in the street foods of Chennai like idli, dosa, vada, sambar, chutney at the famous Saravana Bhavan. After that, head to the bustling marketplaces of T. Nagar and Pondy Bazaar to shop for silk sarees, handicrafts, and jewelry at affordable prices. End your trip with an evening visit to Chennai's iconic Gateway - Fort St George to enjoy beautiful scenic views with the sea breeze.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Marina Beach (2-3 hours, Free)
• Kapaleeswarar Temple (1-2 hours, Free)
• Govt. Museum (2-3 hours, INR 50 for Indian citizens and INR 250 for foreign nationals)
• Kalakshetra Foundation (2-3 hours, INR 200 for adults)
• Mahabalipuram (5-6 hours, approximately INR 1000 by taxi)
• Kancheepuram (5-6 hours, approximately INR 1000 by taxi)
• Fort St George (2-3 hours, INR 5 for Indian citizens and INR 100 for foreign nationals)
• Government House (1-2 hours, Free)
• Santhome Cathedral Basilica (1-2 hours, Free)
• Saravana Bhavan (1-2 hours, INR 200 per person approx.)

Total Estimated Cost: INR 2500 per person (excluding accommodation and transportation expenses).

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit other famous tourist attractions in Chennai like the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, the Guindy National Park, and the Vandalur Zoo. If you have less time, you can skip visiting Kancheepuram. Remember to carry a good sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day!