Chennai travel guide

A practical 3-day shape

• Mylapore and the coast

  Temple district and Marina evening

  Visit active religious areas respectfully, pause through the heat, and reach the seafront later in the day.

• History and food

  Museum, architecture and regional cooking

  Choose one major cultural stop and build meals around nearby neighbourhoods to limit cross-city travel.

• A focused regional day

  Mahabalipuram or a slower city circuit

  Start early for a day trip and confirm heat, transport, and site access; otherwise stay local and explore more deeply.

Where to base yourself

Mylapore

Strong local character, temples, food, and access to the southern centre.

Alwarpet or Teynampet

A practical central base for dining and cross-city travel.

Before you go

Plan for heat

Use early mornings, shaded breaks, and regular hydration.

Allow traffic time

Keep daily stops in the same part of the city.

Dress respectfully

Follow access and clothing expectations at religious sites.

Verify guidance

Check current entry, health, monsoon, and official travel advice.

Travel stories

A regional collection of 5 published planning guides. Choose the question that matches your trip.

• DakshinaChitra with children: book the workshop or plan the museum visit

  The Muttukadu museum, its activities and its city office are different things. Choose the right address and a realistic family day on the ECR.

• Cholamandal Artists’ Village: plan a gallery visit, not an unannounced studio tour

  See the contemporary-art collection with realistic expectations about private studios, photography and meeting artists.

• Mamallapuram in half a day: Shore Temple and Five Rathas without the full checklist

  Give two contrasting monuments time, account for the transfer between them, and keep the Chennai journey outside the sightseeing window.

• Madras Crocodile Bank: build a daytime visit around the current keeper programme

  Check the day’s talks at the entrance, keep the visit within current opening hours, and do not assume a night programme is included.

• Vandalur Zoo: an entry ticket does not reserve a battery vehicle

  Battery vehicles operate first come, first served. Choose a manageable walking plan before relying on one for the entire visit.