Chennai tour in car with guide-winner of traveller's choice award
Description
Chennai city tour is an unforgettable cultural immersion in the company of an English speaking guide. It is a proud winner of the Traveller's Choice award for 2025, by TripAdvisor out of 8 million listings. The organising company is approved by the Ministry of Tourism. An audio guide is available on request in French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin & other languages. Visit the ancient town of Mylapore which used to trade pepper and fine cloth with Rome for gold. Experience mesmerizing rituals in the 7th century temples of Kapaleeswar. Learn the science behind the rituals and role of temple in modern Indian society. We visit San Thome Basilica to see the relics of St Thomas, who came here 2000 years ago. Ramakrishna Math, a monastic organisation, and Fort Saint George provide a vivid history of how the East India Company came as traders and became the rulers of India. Saibaba temple, Vivenakanada House and Marina beach add up to the unforgettable experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We head towards Mylapore an ancient residential neighborhood of Chennai whose history goes back to Roman times when it used to trade pepper and fine cloth with Rome for Gold! We visit the magnificent Kapaleeshwar temple. Built in the 7th century this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in Dravidian style architecture it has a towering “Gopuram”. Guests can expect a mesmerizing experience of rituals and serenity inside the temple. Our cultural evangelist will demystify the happenings in the temple!
We visit a unique monastic organization called Ramakrishna Math, dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna the 19th century saint. Guests will get to see the universal temple, the shrine, a beautiful Mantapam, a multimedia museum and an enchanting library.
This is a temple dedicated to Sai Baba, the great mystic who united Hindus and Muslims and preached about universal love and brotherhood. The temple is built with white marble and has a lamp which has been lit for more than a 100 years
We visit the famous San Thome Basilica, the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore. We can see relics of St Thomas here. It is one of only three churches in the world that has been constructed on the tomb of an apostle. The other two are St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.
Fort St George is the first English Fortress built in 1644 by the East India Company. We will visit St Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church of India. Our cultural evangelist will take you to a quaint museum rich with relics of the colonial times and retell the story of how the East Indian company morphed from a trading company into the ruler of India!
We will explore the memorial for Swami Vivekananda who was a great philosopher. His speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in September 1893 made him famous as an orator by divine right and as a messenger of Indian wisdom to the western world. On Mondays it is closed.
Walk on the Marina Beach, sip in the festivity and learn the legacy of the City through its statues. Get to know why a Bull Fight is close to the heart of Chennaites at Jalikattu memorial. Climb an old Light House for an incredible perspective of Chennai! Note the light house is closed in Mondays.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is conservative, covering knees and shoulders
Reviews(292)
In all my travels this is definitely the best city tour I have taken Our guide Mr Kannan was excellent - he explained everything in such an interesting way that you’d not get bored Thank you Mr Kannan
Kannan was very knowledgeable and I learned so much from him.
I had a wonderful experience on the Chennai city tour with 5 Senses, and I highly recommend them to anyone visiting the city. The entire itinerary was thoughtfully planned, allowing us to see Chennai’s major landmarks at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed. What impressed me most was their flexibility and excellent customer service. I had expressed an interest in visiting the Madras High Court, which was not part of the original itinerary, and they kindly accommodated my request. It was a much-appreciated addition that made the tour even more memorable. They also paired us with an excellent guide and a safe, professional driver, making the day smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. A special thank you to our guide, Kannan, who was outstanding. He is incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights into the history, architecture, and significance of the temples we visited, as well as the beautiful Santhome Basilica. His explanations brought each site to life and made the experience far more meaningful. Kannan was also very patient, attentive, and always happy to answer our questions. During our delicious vegetarian lunch, he took the time to explain each dish, how it is traditionally eaten, and the best way to enjoy the meal. It was a thoughtful touch that gave us a deeper appreciation of South Indian cuisine and culture. Overall, this was an excellent tour. Thank you to 5 Senses for the well-organised itinerary and exceptional service, and to Kannan for making the day so informative, engaging, and enjoyable. I would not hesitate to recommend 5 Senses and especially Kannan to anyone looking for an authentic and memorable Chennai experience.
Visited kapileswari temple, jain temple, saint thomas church, high courry, n marina beach. Guide mr kannan was an excellent guide who was knowledgeable about the places, related history ,and able to answer our queries in a understandable way. Enjoyed the tour.
Our guide, Kannan, took us to several fascinating places in Chennai, including temples, a church and the High Court. He was a true gentleman—highly knowledgeable, patient and courteous. His explanations were clear and informative, which made the tour both enjoyable and educational. We had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend Kannan and this tour company.
I had a fantastic experience on this half-day city tour of Chennai. It was excellent value for money and very well organised, with a clear itinerary and smooth execution from start to finish. The places we visited were fascinating, and the explanations provided throughout the tour gave great insight into Chennai’s history, culture, and heritage. Every stop felt worthwhile and enriched the overall experience. A special thank you to our tour guide, Hareesh, who was truly outstanding. His knowledge, attention to detail, and engaging storytelling made the tour both informative and enjoyable. He was also incredibly patient, flexible, and happy to answer questions, ensuring everyone had a great experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chennai and looking for an insightful introduction to the city.
Very interesting and an incredibly friendly and knowledgeable guide who proudly presented his city. We experienced many exciting and interesting places, and got a good introduction to the local culture and tradition.
Hareesh was very nice and the tour was perfectly designed. They also ask you what you want to do in case there are other things you want to see. The car was air conditioned and came with multiple waters. I highly recommend even if you are solo.
This tour was perfect. Well structured, informative and interesting. My guide - Jainath was well informed and brought in lots of interesting trivia. We toured two temples, a museum and marina beach for a half day tour. Great value for money.
Kannan was very knowledgeable about Chennai! I really enjoyed the visit to The Tomb of St. Thomas on the tour!
