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Beyond the wedding

Explore Chennai

Make your trip a holiday — Chennai is a city of temples, beaches, silk and spectacular food.

Our city

Chennai's finest

Whether you're arriving a day early or staying on after the celebrations, Chennai has plenty to offer. Here are our favourite spots — explore at your own pace.

The sea

Beaches

Chennai is a city on the sea — long, sweeping beaches are never far away.

Marina Beach Chennai

Marina Beach

The world's second-longest urban beach — a 13 km stretch of golden sand. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most magical light. Street food stalls line the promenade.

Elliot's Beach Chennai

Elliot's Beach (Besant Nagar)

The quieter, cleaner sibling of Marina — a favourite among locals for evening walks. Surrounded by cafés, restaurants and the charming Besant Nagar neighbourhood.

Covelong Beach surfing Chennai

Covelong (Kovalam) Beach

A short drive south of Chennai — known for surfing, fresh seafood and a relaxed village atmosphere. A perfect half-day escape if you have time to spare.

Spirituality & heritage

Temples & history

Chennai's temples are masterpieces of Dravidian architecture — towering gopurams, ancient rituals and a profound sense of peace.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore

One of Chennai's oldest and most magnificent temples. The colourful gopuram is a landmark — visit in the early morning for the most serene experience.

Parthasarathy Temple Chennai

Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane

One of the oldest Vishnu temples in Chennai, dating back to the 8th century. A beautiful example of Dravidian temple architecture in the heart of the city.

Fort St George Chennai

Fort St. George & Museum

Built in 1644 by the British East India Company — Chennai's first English fortress. The museum inside houses fascinating colonial-era artefacts and portraits.

Shopping & food

Silk, spice & street food

Chennai is a paradise for shopping and eating — from heritage silk weavers to legendary filter coffee.

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T. Nagar — Shopping Capital

The shopping heartbeat of Chennai. Ranganathan Street is famous for textiles, jewellery and everything in between. Visit Nalli Silks or Pothys for world-renowned Kanjivaram silk sarees.

Filter Coffee & Tiffin

A trip to Chennai is incomplete without a steel tumbler of frothy filter coffee and an idli-vada-sambar breakfast. Head to Saravana Bhavan or Murugan Idli Shop for the full experience.

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Mylapore — Heritage Lane

The cultural soul of old Chennai — narrow lanes lined with flower sellers, bronze shops, silk stores and century-old restaurants. Perfect for a slow morning stroll.

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Besant Nagar & Adyar

Trendy cafés, independent bookstores and excellent restaurants near the beach. Ideal for a relaxed evening out — great cocktails and modern Indian cuisine at multiple spots.

Day trip

Mahabalipuram

Just 60 km south of Chennai, Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — ancient Pallava rock carvings, the Shore Temple and beautiful beaches. A perfect day trip if you have a free day.

Shore Temple Mahabalipuram

Shore Temple

A 7th-century granite temple built right on the Bay of Bengal — one of the oldest structural stone temples in South India. Stunning at sunrise.

Five Rathas Mahabalipuram

Five Rathas

Five monolithic rock-cut temples carved from single boulders in the 7th century — each named after a Pandava from the Mahabharata. A remarkable feat of ancient engineering.

Mahabalipuram beach

The Beach

After the monuments, relax on Mahabalipuram Beach — quieter than Marina, with fresh seafood restaurants right on the shore. The perfect end to a day of exploring.

Making a holiday of it?

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