Read this Chennai travel guide to discover the local gems, weekend getaways and shopping places.
Chennai is so much more than meets the eye; it defines diversity. The city has it all, from the dramatic monsoons to the blazing summer, the gentle touch of the love season, busy malls to serene beaches, and mountain tops to hidden lakes. There is nothing you can’t do and nothing you can’t find here. Chennai isn’t just a city; it’s the experience you didn’t know you’d been waiting for all your life.
If you’ve ever wondered how to spend 3 days in Chennai, let this guide be your answer. You are at the right place. Whether you are someone who loves exploring temples, hunting for street food, especially Idly Sambar, or taking spontaneous weekend trips, Chennai has something for you. Let us explore one gem at a time with the Chennai travel itinerary.
The Soul of Chennai – Local Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
Besant Nagar Beach – Classic Beachy Experience
If Marina Beach is the heart of Chennai, Besant Nagar Beach, or what they like to call it, Bessie, is its soul. It’s a space where people come to think, laugh, heal, and just be. Once you step into the grainy soft sand with its chill, you will feel the breeze. The waves crashing, sometimes loud and sometimes calm, but always welcome. And on full moon nights, it’s almost magical, the glow reflecting on the sea.
The beach is lined with lots of vibrant food stalls with varieties that open up in the evenings; you can snack on Molaga bajjis, roasted corn, roasted peanuts wrapped in newspapers, cotton candy that melts, and seafood like fish, prawns, and squid. If you are craving seafood, you will spot vendors selling fresh grilled prawns and fish with a coastal marinade everywhere. On the other side of the beach, you will find a mini carnival – a giant wheel. There are also small dragon trains, rotating cups, and boat swinging rides, giving the beach an old-school charm. What makes Bessie special is its ability to offer both chaos and calm.
Mylapore – Where the Tradition Lives
Mylapore is not just a locality; it’s a story that blends centuries of heritage with everyday life. From Carnatic music to filter coffee and ancient temples to busy markets, Mylapore is where Chennai’s past and present meet.
The Kapaleeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, a 7th-century Dravidian-style temple, is not just a religious landmark; it is a cultural hub. During the Panguni festival, you will see chariots, music, lights, and crowds moving like a river through the streets. The air is filled with the scent of camphor and jasmine. You step outside the temple, you will find flower shops, brassware shops, puja item stalls, and fragrant eateries.
Mylapore is the centre of Chennai’s cultural calendar, especially during December to January. The Music Season transforms the area into a celebration of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. Sabhas (auditoriums) like Narada Gana Sabha and Music Academy host concerts that echo the soul of South India.
No visit to Mylapore is complete without a steaming tumbler of filter coffee and a crispy dosa or soft pongal from a good old South Indian mess. With filter coffee, as the sun sets and the temple lights glow gently, the air cools, and the streets quiet down. The old-world charm will make you forget the city’s rush.
Dakshina Chitra
Dakshina Chitra is located on Chennai’s East Coast Road (ECR) and is an open-air museum. You can walk through the traditional homes of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Watch artisans create woven baskets and pottery, and you can also join them. There is a small café that serves comforting South Indian snacks, and the whole place feels calm, green, and welcoming, like New Delhi’s India Gate vibes. It is a perfect place for a slow day out with your family to make you feel connected to tradition.
Shopping in Chennai
Theagaraya Nagar – T. Nagar (Queen of All Markets)
This place is a shopping heaven for all kinds of clothes, jewellery, accessories, shoes, footwear and everything else. It is always buzzing with people and colours. Do not miss shops such as Pothys, RMKV, and Nalli for silk sarees and lehengas, and Pondy Bazaar for street fashion, accessories, and budget shopping.
Cotton Street (Pantheon Road) – Budget-Friendly Fashion
This is a perfect place for getting clothes stitched and rolls of fabric in all colours and prints. Located on Pantheon Road, in Egmore, Cotton Street is a stretch of tiny shops lined with rolls of vibrant and colourful fabrics.
Sowcarpet – North Indian Vibes
Sowcarpet is Chennai’s slice of Delhi-meets-Rajasthan. If you love shopping, bargaining, and finding those Instagram-worthy jhumkas, dupattas, or lehengas on a budget, then this is your spot.
Weekend Getaways – Just a Few Hours Away
Here is a list of the best weekend getaways near Chennai that will leave you refreshed and recharged.
- Mahabalipuram (1.5 hours) – Ideal for a one-day trip, with stone temples, cave carvings, and beachside vibes, and definitely the seafood by the shore.
- Pondicherry (3.5 hours) – French colony, bicycle rides, and a day in Auroville and must-try White Town cafés.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary – An ideal one-day trip for watching hundreds of migratory birds during the season from November to February, so pack a picnic and let the birds do the rest
Whether you are craving a city life, calmness or chaos, Chennai is the mix of the old and the new, the spirituality and the fun, and the traditions and the trends. Take time to discover the corners and colours of Chennai and let Chennai surprise you like it always does.
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