Book Flights to Chennai

Amazing beaches and buildings

Chennai has an incredible coastline – visit charming towns overlooking the Bay of Bengal and explore the soft white sand of Marina Beach. Just take note that the strong currents mean you can’t swim here. Relax at Elliot’s Beach into the evening and enjoy the local nightlife when the sun goes down.

There are some beautiful examples of Indian architecture to admire in Chennai. The High Court, built in the Indo-Saracenic style, was completed in 1892. The all-white Ripon Building, meanwhile, has a neoclassical design and today houses the Chennai Municipal Corporation.

Intricate temples

See the colourful carvings of Kapaleeshwarar Temple, where rainbow-coloured gopuram – or entrance towers – pay homage to Lord Shiva. March and April are the best months to visit Chennai’s most impressive attraction, as the annual Brahmotsavam festival brings the streets of Mylapore to life.

Visit Santhome Cathedral to see Portuguese architecture beneath the Indian sun or glimpse the waterside delights of Vadapalani Andavar Temple. The UNESCO-listed shoreline at Mahabalipuram is home to an incredible complex of stone buildings dating back more than a thousand years.

Delicious local cuisine

Chennai is home to many unique southern Indian flavours, packed with vibrant spices.

Visit the restaurants, markets and street food vendors of Chennai and try mouth-watering sundal on the sands of Marina Beach. The chickpeas are tossed with coconut, mustard seeds and mango for a tangy flavour.

If you love seafood, don’t skip the opportunity to try the freshest daily catches. The city’s most famous fish dish is anchovies, deep-fried in a spicy masala sauce.