Start your Chennai trip with a visit to Marina Beach, the longest beach in India stretching over 13 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal. Take a morning stroll along the sandy beach and enjoy the view of the sunrise. You can also try some street food such as sundal, murukku, and vada pav from the food vendors. Visit the lighthouse and watch the sunset from the top. The beach is open 24/7, but swimming is not recommended due to strong currents.
Visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has an impressive architecture in the Dravidian style, featuring a gopuram (monumental tower) and a mandapam (hall). Take a walk around the temple tank and watch the colorful rituals performed by the devotees. The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Avoid visiting during the weekends when it can be crowded.
Take a day trip to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site located south of Chennai. The town features a group of ancient monuments and temples built by the Pallava dynasty. Visit the Shore Temple, a stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and watch the waves of the Bay of Bengal crashing against the rocks. See the Five Rathas, monolithic structures resembling chariots, and the Arjuna's Penance, a huge relief sculpture carved on a boulder. The site is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and there is an entrance fee for foreigners.