Fort St. George is one of the most iconic landmarks of Chennai that served as the first English Fortress in India. You can start your morning with the main attraction of this fort, the 'Museum' which houses various artifacts and historical exhibits. Afternoon, you can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens of the fort and explore the ancient St. Mary's Church. You can finish your day by indulging in some street food in the local markets in the vicinity.
Marina Beach is one of the longest beaches in the world and a perfect place to spend a relaxing day. You can start your day by enjoying the sunrise and take a refreshing morning walk on the beach. You can visit the various local markets and street vendors who sell tasty snacks and souvenirs. In the afternoon, you can visit the Vivekananda House, which was the home of Swami Vivekananda, and now a museum. You can end your day by taking a horse ride on the beach and watching the sunset.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one of the most popular temples in Chennai dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can start your day by attending the morning Aarti and taking a guided tour to understand the history and significance of this temple. In the afternoon, you can visit the San Thome Church, which is one of the three churches in the world that is built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus. You can finish your day by exploring the local markets in the vicinity and enjoy some local delicacies.
Government Museum is one of the oldest museums in India, and it has an extensive collection of art, archaeology, and natural history. You can start your day by visiting the Bronze Gallery, which has the largest collection of South Indian Bronzes in the world. In the afternoon, you can visit the National Art Gallery, which has a vast collection of Indian paintings, sculptures, and handicrafts. You can finish your day by exploring the Egmore market which houses various shops selling clothes, accessories, and souvenirs.
Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect place to end your trip to Chennai. You can start your day by visiting the Shore Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in South India. You can then visit the Pancha Rathas, which are a set of five monolithic temples carved out of a single rock. In the afternoon, you can visit the famous 'Krishna's Butterball' which is a giant granite boulder balanced on a slope. You can end your day by watching the sunset from the Mahabalipuram beach.
If you have an extra day, you can visit the Guindy National Park which is home to various animals and birds. You can also take a side trip to the Kanchipuram which is known for its silk sarees and ancient temples. To maximize your fun, you can explore the local markets and street vendors, try out local delicacies like the 'Sambhar Rice' and indulge in some shopping for souvenirs and silk sarees.