The top places to visit in Chennai

For the first-time visitor, there’s no dearth of places to visit in Chennai, the southernmost metro in India. The Tamil capital dazzles a visitor with its range of experiences: be it sampling spicy Tamil fare, a walk on its picturesque beaches, a visit to the intricately-carved temples or an excursion to the city’s quiet wildlife havens. Here are the top things to do in Chennai.

Fort St. George
The site of the first fortress built in India by the English East India Company in 1640, Fort St. George is dotted with numerous heritage buildings. It is now the headquarters of the Tamil Nadu government, while the surrounding area, known as Georgetown, has numerous wholesale markets such as Burma Bazaar.

Mylapore
Once a Pallava port, the neighbourhood of Mylapore is most famous for the Kapaleeshwar Temple dedicated to Shiva.

The Royal Enfield factory
A treat for biking enthusiasts, the Royal Enfield Factory in Chennai conducts factory tours where visitors can witness the making of Royal Enfield Bullet 350 among other classic models.

Guindy National Park
Designated as a protected area in Tamil Nadu, the Guindy National Park sprawls across 2.70 sq km, and is one of the few national parks located within the city limits.

Madras Crocodile Bank
A reptile zoo and a herpetology research station, the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust is home to 14 species of crocodiles, 10 species of turtles and a variety of snakes (including anacondas) and birds.

Marina Beach
Sprawling over a distance of 13km, Marina Beach is the longest natural city beach in India and the second longest in the world after Miami.

Government Museum
Housed in a complex of British-era buildings known as the Pantheon, Chennai’s Government Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts from the 6th century onwards.

Dakshinachitra
Located close to Cholamandala Artists’ Village, this cultural centre exhibits arts and crafts from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.