While Chennai may not be known for world famous places unlike some other big cities, it is undoubtedly known for its temples. As the capital of Tamil Nadu (formerly known as Madras), this town is one of the largest cultural, economic and educational centres in South India. Therefore, if you are planning a trip very soon to Chennai, there will be no dearth of things to watch out for. So, as you book a ticket to Airport in Chennai, we will guide you through what to see on a day in Chennai.

Fort Saint George

If you are a history buff, then this construction is a must visit in Chennai. Built during the British rule, it houses the historical monuments of the St. George’s museum and the St. Mary’s Church. The artefacts inside the museum include items like coins, documents, paintings, porcelain, arms, and silverware. These belong to the British era.

Marina Beach

Marina beach is India’s largest beach that ranges from Fort St. George to Besant Nagar. Do not miss the spectacular sunrise that makes the beach look heavenly in association with the palm trees along the shores. There’s a lot to more to watch along the marina beach with an aquarium, an old lighthouse, a park, and a swimming pool. Then, of course, you have the food stalls, pony rides, beach games, and more for added fun.

Kapaleeshwar Temple

What attracts people to this temple it’s intricate work on the Gopuram that is 37meters tall and the Dravidian style design. This unique architecture is known to worship Lord Shiva and Karpagambal and also organises a festival in March and April. You can either take a cab from the Airport in Chennai or get a bus for your visit as per your budget and comfort.

Mylapore

Mylapore is the oldest residential area and has been long since known as Vedapuri. It is located in central Chennai and is known as the cultural centre. Mylapore is situated at the south of the city and attracts maximum tourists.

Markets and Bazaars

You can head to the fascinating cluster of markets in the jammed lanes of George Town (once known as Black Town) making way to the stalls across the streets. These bazaars include fresh stocks of flowers, veggies, and spices.

Cholamandal Artists’ Village

This village houses India’s largest artist community and is known as Cholamandal Artists’ Village that was set up in 1966 in the Injambakkam village. What’s interesting about it is that the artistes are self-dependent and do not receive any kind of financial help. They have bought their own land and have constructed all facilities on their own like houses, theatre, workshops, studios, galleries, and more. They are known to have brought the modern art to South India with the Madras Movement of Art.

The Turtle Walk

The coasts of Chennai are the breeding ground for the Olive Ridley turtle that’s facing extinction. You can witness a huge number of such turtles in December to April, as this is the time they come to the shore to lay eggs. This is their nesting season. While some of the hatchlings survive that successfully make their way to the sea, most of them die. SSCTN (Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network) is working on increasing their chances of being alive by taking the eggs to the hatchery.

Kalakshetra Arts Academy

Chennai is known for its rich culture, and so this academy is one of the best places you can visit. This academy is specially created with the aim to preserve and teach different forms of Indian Art. The focus is majorly on Bharatanatyam, visual arts, history, textile design, Carnatic vocal music, instrumental music, traditional crafts and philosophy.

Vivekananda House (Vivekananda Illam)

Maintained by the Shri Ramakrishna Math and dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, this Victorian style house is a perfect destination for the tourists interested in history and culture. This 150-year-old home puts up all such things related to him that shows his life and Indian culture. You can also take a look at Swami’s meditation room where he was put up after he returned from the west in 1897 (February).

While these are the notable places in Chennai you should visit on your next trip, there is a lot more to explore in this cultural city. So, book a cab straight from the Airport in Chennai and visit these places for a memorable experience.