Private Custom Tour: Chennai Sightseeing with Guide

Marina Beach happens to be India’s longest and world’s second longest beach. It is primarily sandy and is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. The 13 km long Marina Beach forms the city’s east coast, from Fort St. George to Mamallapuram and is one of the longest beaches in the world. Numerous statues of famous personalities adorn the roadside along the beach.

The site is also called the birthplace of the city. It was established in 1639 along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The fort museum inside is decorated with cannons of Tipu Sultan and displays many interesting artefacts. Today the fort houses the Legislative Assembly with the tallest flag pole at 150 m and is known as the Secretariat Building.

One of city’s landmarks, located to the south of Marina Beach, the Santhome Cathedral has seen several renovations with the foundation stone being laid in July 1523 for the first time. The present structure was constructed in 1896 in accordance to the Gothic style of architecture. A statue of Virgin Mary, imported from Portugal is also housed here.

The renowned Fort St. George, the St. Mary’s Church is often dubbed as Westminster Abbey of the East. The first anglican church in Asia and is presently preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. A unique feature of its design is a bomb-proof roof, so as to cause cannon-balls to ricochet. Timings: 9 am-5 pm