A 4-Day Itinerary for Exploring Sholinganallur, India

  • Day 1: Admire the Art and Culture of Chennai
    25 minutes (10.8 km) from Sholinganallur

    Start your journey by exploring the cultural hub of Chennai, including the Government Museum and Art Gallery, the Kapaleeshwar Temple, and the San Thome Church. Enjoy the vibrant colors, architecture, and history of this city with a rich past.

  • Day 2: Get Close to Nature and Wildlife
    2 hours (40.8 km) from Chennai

    Take a trip to the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, where you can see crocodiles, sea turtles, and many species of reptiles. Afterwards, head to the Guindy National Park and Children's Park, a beautiful oasis in the city, to relax and unwind.

  • Day 3: Explore the Ancient History of Mahabalipuram
    1 hour 10 minutes (40.1 km) from Sholinganallur

    Travel to the ancient port city of Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can see the famous Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas, and other rock-cut temples and sculptures. Marvel at the intricate carvings and architectural wonders of this historical site.

  • Day 4: Relax on the Beach and Catch the Sunset
    20 minutes (8.7 km) from Sholinganallur

    Your last day can be spent soaking up the sun, enjoying the sea breeze and watching the beautiful sunset at the Covelong or the VGP Beach. You can also visit the VGP Universal Kingdom or the ISKCON temple to end your trip on a high note.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Government Museum and Art Gallery (2 hours, free)
  • Kapaleeshwar Temple (1 hour, free)
  • San Thome Church (30 minutes, free)
  • Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology (2-3 hours, INR 40 per person)
  • Guindy National Park and Children's Park (2 hours, INR 5 per person)
  • Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas and other monuments in Mahabalipuram (4 hours, INR 500 per person)
  • Covelong Beach or VGP Beach (2 hours, free)
  • VGP Universal Kingdom (4 hours, INR 750 per person)
  • ISKCON temple (1 hour, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs - INR 1295 per person (excluding transport and food)

Transportation

You can travel around the city by using taxis or popular ride-hailing services like Uber, Ola, or Rapido. Expect to pay around INR 150 per hour for hiring a taxi. You can also use the bus services provided by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation. Bus fares start at INR 5 per journey, but make sure to have exact change.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival (during the months of December-January), or take a day trip to the beautiful Pondicherry. If you have less time, you can skip some of the locations or shorten the duration of your visits. It is recommended to pre-book your tickets for popular attractions to avoid waiting in long queues.

Airports

The closest airport to Sholinganallur is Chennai International Airport (MAA), which is situated around 20 km away from the city center. It is well-connected to many major cities in India as well as international destinations.

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