At a glance

Etched in the world’s memory as Madras, the city has come a long way since the colonial days of the British Empire. The charm and grace of what was once the spice capital of India still remains. Renamed Chennai, the romantic city is known for its historical tales and interesting collection of British colonial architecture. With its booming IT industry,
Chennai is a brimming with things to see, do and try. Chennai ‘s main tourist attraction is perhaps the beautiful Marina Beach, Breezy Beach and Elliot’s Beach where one can relax and watch the world go by.
The city of Chennai also offers many temples, churches, museums and age-old buildings that will keep you intrigued. Places like the St. Thomas cathedral, Fort St. George, Sri Ramakrishna Temple, the Senate House and Kapaleeswarar Temple are among the tourist favourites, known for their unique architecture style or significance.
Colourful festivals are also held around the year to celebrate major events and fun affairs such as the Dance Festival and Pongal which are held in January and the summer festival which is marked by fruits and flowers. All these events and festivals make excellent opportunities to savour India’s rich culture.
Chennai is a famous fabric capital and is known for its beautiful and delicate silk and cottons used for traditional Indian wear. The beautiful Kancheepuram hand woven silk sarees are famous for their pretty temple borders and rich zari (gold thread) pallavas. The designs are bright and the motifs are exquisite and definitely a must-buy.
For the souvenir-hunting tourists, handcrafted souvenirs are available in silver, copper, bronze and wood, and available in various stores. Another item that will catch your eye are the beautiful jewellery that can be found in abundance here. You’ll find gold and precious stones which are locally designed and crafted.
If you’re here for the first time don’t worry about getting around the city as there are plenty of options available for you. Although, you have to be vary of the traffic and congestion and it usually takes time to get around the city. It is advisable to plan your journey accordingly, allowing sufficient time to get to your destination. Busses, trains and auto-rickshaws are easily available around the city but bargaining is encouraged.