Overview
Take a trip to Chennai on your India Vacation
Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the capital city of Tamil Nadu State and is the largest city in southern India. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is the gateway to South India on India tours and features India’s second-largest port.
Although the site of earlier settlements, Chennai has a history which began in colonial times. Once a fishing village, Chennai has since grown into a cosmopolitan city featuring India’s second-largest port. Known as the ‘Detroit of India’, Chennai has a huge automobile manufacturing industry and boasts of being India’s second largest exporter of information technology.
With clay underlying the city, Chennai features many sandy areas along the coast, and is home to Marina Beach, the second largest urban beach in the world, running 6 km (3.7 miles) along the shore, all to be enjoyed on trips to India.
Various temples and monuments can be visited in the nearby seaside village of Mahabalipuram, as well as various granite sculptures.
Inland, the pilgrimage city of Kanchipuram, known as a temple city, is considered one of the Hindu’s holiest cities in India and is also famous for its hand-woven silk saris.
Pondicherry, located further down the coast, was once a French colonial town. Now officially known as Puducherry, the town is considered the ‘French Riviera of the East for its many beaches, making it a popular tourist destination for Indian travel. The visionary town of Auroville is just 6 km from Pondicherry and can be visited on the way back to Chennai.
A bustling metropolis with classical and colonial-styled buildings, Chennai is steeped in Tamil tradition and features flourishing art, music, and dance culture. There is a lot to enjoy on a trip to India, including Chennai’s South Indian cuisine, in what is considered one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.
Various temples and monuments can be visited in the nearby seaside village of Mahabalipuram, as well as various granite sculptures.
Inland, the pilgrimage city of Kanchipuram, known as a temple city, is considered one of the Hindu’s holiest cities in India and is also famous for its hand-woven silk saris.
Pondicherry, located further down the coast, was once a French colonial town. Now officially known as Puducherry, the town is considered the ‘French Riviera of the East for its many beaches, making it a popular tourist destination for Indian travel. The visionary town of Auroville is just 6 km from Pondicherry and can be visited on the way back to Chennai.
A bustling metropolis with classical and colonial-styled buildings, Chennai is steeped in Tamil tradition and features flourishing art, music, and dance culture. There is a lot to enjoy on a trip to India, including Chennai’s South Indian cuisine, in what is considered one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.
At a Glance
Languages
Hindi, EnglishCurrency
Indian Rupee (INR)What do the experts say?
What I love most about visiting India is how alive everything feels. The colours, the food, the people. Every place has its own vibe and story. One moment you’re in a quiet temple, the next you’re in a bustling street market. It’s chaotic in the best way
My favourite drinks are aam panna, a traditional Indian summer drink made from raw mangoes, known for its refreshing taste and cooling properties, and mango lassi, the iconic Indian yogurt drink
Coconut oil lamps in Kapaleeswarar temple
Sunset in Chennai - a perfect destination to be...
Silhouette of fishing boats at sunset
Murugan Temple
Santhome Bascillica
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to India
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your wayExclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
