Chennai · Tamil Nadu, India
Chennai Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Chennai tours and things to do in the cultural capital of South India: stroll the long sands of Marina Beach, admire the colourful Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, explore colonial Fort St George and San Thome Cathedral, day-trip to the UNESCO shore temples of Mahabalipuram and the silk-weaving temple town of Kanchipuram, and savour authentic South Indian cuisine. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
320 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Chennai
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Chennai
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Chennai by interest
Whatever brings you to Chennai — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Chennai
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Kapaleeshwarar
Mylapore temple.
30 toursView tours
Mahabalipuram
Shore temples.
50+ toursView tours
Marina Beach
Long urban beach.
40 toursView tours
Fort St George
Colonial fort.
40 toursView tours
Kanchipuram
Silk & temples.
30 toursView tours
Pondicherry
French quarter.
30 toursView tours
San Thome
Historic basilica.
20 toursView tours
South Indian Food
Dosa & coffee.
30 toursView tours
Heritage & temples
Chennai heritage & temples
- 1Mylapore
- 2Mahabalipuram
- 3Kanchipuram
- 4San Thome
1.5 hr awayMahabalipuram
Shore temples.
from €40View trips
2 hr awayKanchipuram
Silk & temples.
from €45View trips
3 hr awayPondicherry
French quarter.
from €60View trips
City awayMylapore
Temple district.
from €25View trips
City awayMarina Beach
Bay of Bengal.
from €20View trips
City awaySan Thome
Historic basilica.
from €25View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Chennai visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Warm and pleasant — the best time to visit.
Summer (Mar–Jun)
Very hot and humid — sightsee early or late.
Monsoon (Oct–Dec)
The northeast monsoon brings heavy rain.
Post-monsoon
Fresh and green after the rains.
For culture
December brings the famous Margazhi music season.
Best overall
November to February is ideal.
One day
The city temples and Marina Beach.
Two days
Add a Mahabalipuram day trip.
Three days
Add Kanchipuram or Pondicherry.
For history
Mahabalipuram and Fort St George.
For food
A South Indian food tour.
With kids
Marina Beach and Mahabalipuram.
Taxis & autos
App taxis and auto-rickshaws are the easiest way around.
Tours & drivers
Guided tours and hired cars are best for day trips.
Metro
Chennai’s metro links parts of the city quickly.
On foot
Mylapore and heritage areas are walkable in parts.
Where to stay
Stay in the city centre, Mylapore or near the coast.
Rupee
India uses the rupee; carry cash for markets and temples.
Book day trips
Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram tours sell out — reserve ahead.
Temple dress code
Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples.
Beat the heat
Sightsee early or late; midday is very hot.
Try filter coffee
Don’t miss dosas, idlis and South Indian filter coffee.
Music season
Visit in December for the Margazhi classical arts festival.
Cool season
Visit November to February for the best weather.
Mahabalipuram
Day trips sell out — book ahead.
Kanchipuram
Temple-and-silk tours fill up — reserve early.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry trips book out — reserve ahead.
Food tours
Popular food tours have limited spots — book early.
City tours
Guided city tours fill up in season — reserve ahead.
Winter & festivals
The cool season and music season are busiest — book everything ahead.
City tour
Around €20–45 for a Chennai city tour.
Mahabalipuram
About €40–70 for a Mahabalipuram day trip.
Kanchipuram
Roughly €45–75 for a Kanchipuram day trip.
Pondicherry
Around €60–100 for a Pondicherry day trip.
Food tour
About €25–50 for a South Indian food tour.
How to save
Join group tours and combine the city with Mahabalipuram.
When to visit
Chennai through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Ideal weather.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Summer (Mar–Jun)
Mar–Jun
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot.
Monsoon (Oct–Dec)
Oct–Dec
- Best for
- Green & lush.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
Music season
December
- Best for
- Margazhi arts.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cultural.
People also ask
Chennai travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Chennai?
The highest-rated experiences are a city tour with Marina Beach and Fort St George, a temple tour, and day trips to Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Pondicherry.
What should I book in advance in Chennai?
Reserve Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Pondicherry day trips ahead, especially in the cool high season.
How many days do I need in Chennai?
One day covers the city, two add a Mahabalipuram trip, and three let you also see Kanchipuram or Pondicherry.
Is Chennai worth visiting?
Yes — Chennai is the cultural heart of South India, rich in temples, colonial history, classical arts and cuisine, and a gateway to Mahabalipuram.
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
November to February offers the most pleasant, cooler weather for sightseeing.
Can you visit Mahabalipuram from Chennai?
Yes — the UNESCO shore temples are about 1.5 hours away and a popular day trip.
Is Chennai good for families?
Yes — Marina Beach, Mahabalipuram’s carvings and great food make it a good family destination.
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