Best Places to Visit in Chennai with friends

Places to visit in Chennai are like its beaches – fun, happening and beautiful. The city is known for its many temples, museums and of course, its food culture. The heat might be a little too much if you’re just settling in, but on the list of the best places to visit in Chennai are plenty of cool beaches to make up for it.

Speaking of settling in, if you’re new in the city, you should get a place that makes you comfortable. An accommodation that allows you to settle down while providing you homely meals, laundry, housekeeping and all daily amenities. Sounds too good to be true? Well, at Stanza living residences, you’ll find everything we said and more. Basically, we make sure your transition to the city is smooth. And you can go straight into chalking off the names on our list of the best places to visit in Chennai.

Best Places to Visit in Chennai

The 25 best places to visit in Chennai with friends:

• Marina Beach, Mylapore
• Valluvar Kottam, Nungambakkam
• Thousand Lights Mosque, Peters Colony
• Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar
• Dakshinachitra, Muttukad
• Ashtalakshmi Temple, Besant Nagar
• Government Museum, Egmore
• Mylapore, Mylapore
• Guindy National Park, Rangeguindy
• Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane
• Kapaleeshwar Temple, Mylapore
• Connemara Public Library, Egmore
• Royapuram Fishing Harbour, Royapuram
• Semmozhi Poonga, Teynampet
• Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur
• MGR Film City, Tharamani
• Breezy Beach, Valmiki Nagar
• Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur
• VGP Golden Beach, Injambakkam
• Vivekananda House, Triplicane
• Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Mylapore
• Madras War Cemetery, Nungambakkam
• Fort St George, Nungambakkam
• BM Birla Planetarium Kotturpuram
• Ripon Building Periyamet

Why look for anything but the best? Check our best PGs in Chennai!

Marina Beach, Mylapore

The Marina Beach in Chennai is the longest beach in India. If you’re tired of the scorching heat of Chennai, a day out to the beach might be a good idea. Sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous, and the seafood is delicious. Moreover, you and your roommates can spend a good 5-6 hours playing beach volleyball, building sand castles and shopping for trinkets.

Valluvar Kottam, Nungambakkam

Vallavar Kottam is a chariot built in the honour of the great Tamil poet and scholar, Thiruvalluvar.

The architecture is intricate and elegant. During sunsets, the place looks beautiful and creates an atmosphere to sit and chat with your friends. It’s one of the best places to visit in Chennai at night.

Thousand Lights Mosque, Peters Colony

The Thousand Lights Mosque is a beautiful place to visit for some peace and quiet. It was built in 1810 and it is said that about 1000 lights were required to light up the hall. The medieval architectural marvel should increase your ‘chennai experience’ a ‘thousand fold’.

Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar

Looking for couple-friendly beaches? Where you’re not stared at by random uncles? Elliot’s beach is definitely one of the best places to visit in Chennai for couples. We suggest you take a couple of yoga mats, and sunbathe your stress away. Also, an evening stroll by the beach could be a good time to seek a deeper connection with your partner!

Dakshinachitra, Muttukad

If it’s your first time staying south, this museum should be on your bucket list. The Dakshinachitra (‘picture of the south’) museum has 18 traditional south indian houses that narrate the culture of the 4 states- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh/Telangana. Located 25kms away from the city, it’s one of the places to visit in Chennai in 1 day. So make sure, your plans to visit with friends don’t go ‘south’!

Ashtalakshmi Temple, Besant Nagar

If you’re anywhere near Besant beach, visit the Ashtalakshmi temple. Dedicated to Hindu Goddess Lakhsmi, the place has a serene vibe that ‘ll help you relax. Moreover, you can hear a faint echo of the ocean brushing against the shore. We love that, don’t we?

Government Museum, Egmore

One of the popular indoor places to visit in Chennai, the museum has artifacts dating back to the 2nd century. Also, the Amaravathi gallery inside the museum depicts the life of Gautam Buddha with intricate marble sculptures. If you’re an old soul, this is the place to be!

Mylapore, Mylapore

Chennai is vibrant and colorful. So if there’s one place you can soak in the culture of Chennai, it’s Mylapore. There are historic temples, authentic south Indian eateries, and lovely beaches to visit with your flatmates. And did we tell you- the cultural hub is 1500 years old?

Guindy National Park, Rangeguindy

Tired of beaches already? Maybe you need some green? (we mean greenery, as in trees and forests, okay?) Head out for a short trip to the Guindy National park that houses over 150 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, and reptiles. It’s a good place to unwind after a hectic week!

Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane

Not every temple in Chennai will leave you spellbound. But the Sri Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane will do for sure. The temple complex features two intricately carved domes that are designed to marvel at. It’s one of the best places to visit in Chennai evening.

Kapaleeshwar Temple, Mylapore

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is a Dravidian and Vijayanagara architectural gem. It was rebuilt after Portuguese explorers demolished the original temple. We suggest you get into your traditional attire and head there for those slo-mo reels. (you know what we’re talking about, don’t you?)

Connemara Public Library, Egmore

Not every state library makes it to these kinds of lists. But you’ll be amazed by the Connemara Public library that houses almost every literary work published in India. The library is one of the four depository libraries of the country. There have been multiple cases of book lovers not wanting to leave this place!

Royapuram Fishing Harbour, Royapuram

Why is a fishing market in the list? Because, watching fisherman auctioning their catch to restaurant owners is a thrilling sight. It gets chaotic in the morning and the backwaters are totally click-worthy!

Semmozhi Poonga, Teynampet

Semmozhi Poonga would instantly become a regular chill spot for you and your flatmates. The botanical garden is a scenic stretch of landscape that will give any park a run for its money. So maybe it’s time for a picnic?

Marundeeswarar Temple, Thiruvanmiyur

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the God of medicine. It is believed to have been built in the 11th century and stands tall to this day. Also, the temple is designed with Dravidian architecture. And it is said that the prasad (temple food) given to devotees here, can cure health issues. (But maybe, eating healthy and working out might help more?)

MGR Film City, Tharamani

Have you always been fascinated by south Indian action movies? Or should we say, ‘superhero’ movies? The MGR Film City is where the magic happens! You can see replicas of popular monuments or catch a glimpse of famous Tamil actors when you’re here. Clearly, one of the best places to visit in Chennai with friends.

Breezy Beach, Valmiki Nagar

Love beaches but hate the crowds? You should make your way to the Breezy beach in Chennai. It is a clean and fairly isolated beach with fewer people. You can bask in the gorgeous sunset all by yourself with a drink or two.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur

Spread over 1260 acres, the zoological park is also known as Vandalur zoo. But it’s surely more than just a zoo as it houses over 138 species. The park is home to lions, tigers, himalayan brown bears and Indian caveat cats.

VGP Golden Beach, Injambakkam

Looking for a more adventurous beach in Chennai? Head to the VGP Golden Beach! It features loads of adventure activities such as boating, surfing, paragliding and more. This is one short trip with your flatmates you won’t regret.

Vivekananda House, Triplicane

You might be too young to start a global change. But you can learn a thing or two from the revered monk. The Vivekananda house documents and celebrates the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Moreover, the double storey Victorian mansion is a soothing place to be when you just need some alone time.

Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Mylapore

The neo-gothic architecture of this cathedral is a sight for sore eyes. It was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, which houses the tomb of Saint Thomas. Although it’s a place of worship, something about this place attracts a lot of couples every day.

Madras War Cemetery, Nungambakkam

In honour of the 1000 people who sacrificed their lives in the Great War, the war cemetery is a tranquil place to visit and pay your respects to the martyrs.

Fort St George, Nungambakkam

Fort St. George is a regular in every list of places to visit in Chennai. The great fort was the first garrison settlement of the British in the country. When you’re there, make sure to visit the Clive house and St. Mary’s Church. We promise you’ll feel a sense of peace after!

BM Birla Planetarium, Kotturpuram

Ask your partner out for a stargazing experience in this planetarium. You’ll be amazed with its virtual tours and cosmic shows. Moreover, it features eight state-of-the-art galleries dedicated to various sciences.

Ripon Building, Periyamet

The Ripon Building is the seat of the Greater Chennai Corporation. It features neoclassical architecture and a Westminster chiming clock that makes for a good ‘European experience.

Visit this place when you’re in Periyamet and grab a snack from a nearby eatery!

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