Chennai Itinerary 1 Day

A Day in Chennai - Perfect 24 Hours Guide

Chennai is the capital city of Tamilnadu, one of the culturally and historically rich state of India. Chennai was formerly known as Madras and is a getaway to soak in the cultural atmosphere of South India. Chennai is the sixth largest city of India and is known for its beautiful beaches and carved temples. Even if you plan to spend 1 day in Chennai, you will come across many temples, museums, churches, and forts that will tell you a lot about the city’s history and life. This 1-day Chennai itinerary will help you explore some of the best places in the city within a short period.

Is one day enough for Chennai?

Wondering whether one day is enough or not, to explore Chennai? Certainly not; but here's how you can make the most of it. There are various places to visit in Chennai in one day, Though Chennai is the place to be, suggesting attractions for 24 hours in Chennai could be a tough choice as there are many places that you can visit. You might get a glimpse of Chennai, but for a local slice, you, of course, need a lot more time. On this trip, we suggest you cover only 4-5 popular attractions of Chennai, spending time walking around and discovering the history, culture, and people.

How much money do you need for 1 day in Chennai?

The average daily price for traveling in Chennai is USD 24. The average price of food for one day is USD 4.61. The average price of a hotel for a couple is USD 36.

How to spend 1 day in Chennai?

Morning

No morning can be more soothing and calm that the one at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple o0f Chennai. This Shiva temple which was mainly established in the 7th century showcases intricate Dravidian architecture. After walking for 15 minutes on foot, you will reach St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica. This will be a great change for you after Kapaleeshwarar as this church reflects the Portuguese style of architecture. You can also visit the Lighthouse that is located on the Marina Beach of Chennai and offers a spectacular view of the city and the ocean.

Afternoon

Enjoy the mouthwatering seafood of Chennai at the Marina Beach and take a 5 minutes’ drive to Vivekanandar Illam. Also known as the Ice House or Castle Kernan, this building has been a witness to the Ramakrishna movement in South India and exhibits a huge collection of things related to Swami Vivekananda’s life. Keep this place in the bucket list of 24 hours in Chennai. It’s time to visit another beautiful temple of Chennai called Sri Thulasinga Perumal Temple. This 8th-century temple dedicated to Krishna is known for its beautiful stone carvings. Your next stop can be the Government Museum of Chennai. During the tour of this museum, you will see many facets of Indian sculptures and other art forms.

Evening

After exploring the huge art collection in the Government Museum, you can head to St Andrew's Church. The iconic structure of this neoclassical church is something you will surely admire. A short drive will take you to the Fort St. George. At evening, you would also like to enjoy a retail therapy in Chennai. The Pondy Bazaar Shops, Spencer Plaza, Phoenix Marketcity, and Express Avenue are some of the best places for shopping. While shopping, gorge on the world-famous south Indian varieties like Pongal, Idli, and Dosa. Get back to the Marina Beach to capture the breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal at night.

In addition to all the things mentioned above, you would also like to attend one of the traditional performing arts events while in Chennai.