Create meetup in Chennaichevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Chennai Guides
Typical Souvenirs from Chennai (2026)
alenafath
First Time in Chennai: Complete Guide 2026
romi
Chennai Nightlife Guide (2026)
juliafreyer
Best Day Trips from Chennai (2026)
aloisiadecker
Chennai Airport to City Center (2026)
jenny
Chennai Hidden Gems (2026)
zita
Chennai on a Budget: Tips 2026
sybil
Where to Stay in Chennai (2026)
veronicagoepfert
3 Days in Chennai: Itinerary 2026
mareile
Things to Do in Chennai (2026)
reginestegemann
bar_chart Trends in Chennai
3 Days in Chennai: Itinerary 2026
Chennai is spread out, so group attractions by neighborhood to avoid wasting time in traffic. This itinerary clusters South Chennai (Day 1), Central Chennai (Day 2), and Nortβ¦ πΊοΈ Planning Your Days
Chennai is spread out, so group attractions by neighborhood to avoid wasting time in traffic. This itinerary clusters South Chennai (Day 1), Central Chennai (Day 2), and North Chennai (Day 3). Budget 30-45 minutes travel between clusters by auto-rickshaw or app-based cab.
βοΈ Day 1: South Chennai
Start at 8am with a visit to the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore (free entry, open 6am-12pm and 4pm-9pm). Walk to the nearby San Thome Basilica (open 6am-8pm) by 10am. Have lunch at Murugan Idli Shop (77, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore) for around Rs 150 per person.
π Day 1 Afternoon
Head to Marina Beach around 2pm for a stroll and visit the lighthouse (entry Rs 20, open 10am-5pm). Then explore the Government Museum in Egmore (entry Rs 15, open 9am-5pm, closed Fridays). End the day with dinner at Annalakshmi (18, C P Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet) for a vegetarian thali around Rs 400.
ποΈ Day 2: Central Chennai
Begin at 9am at Fort St. George (entry Rs 10, open 9am-5pm, closed Fridays) and its museum. Walk to the High Court building (exterior only) and then to the Madras High Court Museum (free, 10am-4pm weekdays). Have lunch at the iconic Saravana Bhavan (Poonamallee High Road) for Rs 200.
π Day 2 Evening
Visit the Valluvar Kottam monument (free, open 8am-8pm) around 4pm. Then head to the Kalakshetra Foundation (Thiruvanmiyur) for a cultural performance if available (check schedule, tickets Rs 200-500). Dinner at The Marina (39, Gandhi Mandapam Road) for seafood, around Rs 800 per person.
βͺ Day 3: North Chennai
Start at 8am at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni (free, open 6am-8pm). Then visit the Armenian Church (2, Armenian Street, George Town, open 9am-12pm). Have lunch at the famous Kalyana Bhavan (Ranganathan Street) for Rs 150.
ποΈ Day 3 Afternoon
Explore the George Town markets (Prakasam Salai, open 10am-8pm) for textiles and jewelry. Then visit the Ripon Building (exterior) and the Chennai Central Railway Station architecture. End your trip with a sunset at the Marina Beach or a visit to the Vivekananda House (free, 10am-7pm).
π Getting Around
Use app-based cabs like Uber or Ola for longer trips (Rs 150-300 per ride). Auto-rickshaws are cheaper for short distances but always negotiate or use the meter. The Chennai Metro (lines from Chennai Central to Airport) is efficient for avoiding traffic, with fares from Rs 10 to Rs 60.
honestly surprised nobody mentioned the heat factor yet. march/april in chennai is brutal, like 35+ celsius with humidity that hits you the second you step out. plan your temple visits for early morning and carry a small towel, the kapaleeshwarar temple marble floor gets scorching by 10am. also, if you're doing day 3 in north chennai, most of those george town lanes have no shade, so bring a cap and water bottle.
one thing i'd swap is the vivekananda house for the ice house on marina beach road, same building actually but the museum inside has a cool exhibit on the building's history as an actual ice storage facility from the 1800s. the ice was shipped all the way from boston, which is wild to think about. entry is free and it's way less crowded than the main vivekananda spot.
also, for food, the kalyana bhavan on ranganathan street is fine but their original branch in triplicane is better, it's near the big mosque and they do this amazing rava dosa that's crispy as hell. you'll see a queue outside around 11am, that's how you know it's good.
this is a really well put together itinerary, props for grouping by area. i'd swap day 2 evening around a bit though - valluvar kottam is cool but it's literally just a giant stone chariot and some poetry panels, you can see it in 15 mins. instead, head to santhome beach around 4pm for a quick look at the fishermen pulling in their boats, then walk to the basilica if you missed it day 1, it's right there. the light hits the stained glass beautifully in the late afternoon.
for north chennai day 3, if you're into old buildings, add a quick stop at the bharat insurance building on mount road. it's this gorgeous art deco thing from the 1930s, looks like a ship. also, the george town market tip is right - it's mostly wholesale, but the parry's corner area has these tiny lanes with amazing old shop signage that's great for photos. grab a filter coffee at sri krishna sweets near the high court while you're there, their mysore pak is the best in the city.
one last thing - the chennai central railway station is beautiful but the main hall gets really loud and chaotic. go up to the first floor waiting area if you can, it's quieter and you get a better view of the victorian gothic ceiling work without the crowd noise.
just got back from chennai last month and honestly this itinerary is solid. one thing i'd add is that the government museum in egmore is huge, like you'll need at least 2 hours to see the bronze gallery alone, so maybe skip the lighthouse if you're short on time. also, for day 3 the armenian church is tiny but the caretaker there is super friendly and will tell you stories about the old armenian trading families if you ask.
a few practical bits: the murugan idli shop gets crowded by 12:30 so go a bit early. and for the metro, the line from airport to central is great but the stations near kapaleeshwarar and marina beach are a bit of a walk, so factor that in. also, if you're into photography the ripon building looks amazing in late afternoon light, but it's closed to the public so you can only shoot from outside.
one thing i wish i'd known is that the kalakshetra performances are seasonal and often sell out online, so check their website a few days before. their annual festival in december is the best time but march might have something too. also, the marina beach at sunset is beautiful but it gets really crowded with families and vendors, so if you want a quieter spot try the stretch near the lighthouse instead of the main promenade.
Typical Souvenirs from Chennai (2026)
A Kanchipuram silk saree is the quintessential Tamil Nadu souvenir, handwoven with pure silk and zari threads. Visit Nalli Silks on Mount Road or Pothys in T. Nagar for⦠𧡠Kanchipuram Silk Sarees
A Kanchipuram silk saree is the quintessential Tamil Nadu souvenir, handwoven with pure silk and zari threads. Visit Nalli Silks on Mount Road or Pothys in T. Nagar for authentic pieces ranging from βΉ5,000 to over βΉ1,00,000. These sarees have been woven for centuries and are traditionally worn at weddings and festivals.
πͺ Brass Lamps and Idols
Traditional brass lamps (kuthu vilakku) and Hindu deity idols are crafted by artisans in the Mylapore area. Head to the Mylapore Tank area or the shops near Kapaleeshwarar Temple for prices starting at βΉ500 for small lamps. These items reflect Chennai's deep-rooted temple culture and are often used in daily worship.
π¨ Tanjore Paintings
Tanjore paintings are classical South Indian artworks with gold foil and gemstone embellishments. Find them at the Government Museum Art Gallery on Pantheon Road or at specialty stores like Victoria Technical Institute on Mount Road. Prices range from βΉ2,000 for small pieces to βΉ50,000 for larger works, and they depict gods, goddesses, or floral motifs.
π§Ί Chettinad Cotton Sarees
Chettinad cotton sarees are lightweight, handwoven cottons with vibrant checks and stripes. Visit Co-Optex showrooms across the city or the Weaver's Service Centre in T. Nagar for prices between βΉ800 and βΉ3,000. These sarees are a staple in Tamil households and are perfect for Chennai's humid climate.
πͺ΅ Wood Carvings and Dolls
Intricately carved wooden items, including the famous Thanjavur dancing dolls (Thanjavur bommai), are available at the Cholamandal Artists' Village near Injambakkam. Small dolls start at βΉ300, while larger carvings can cost up to βΉ10,000. These crafts showcase the region's rich tradition of temple woodwork.
π Spices and Curry Powders
Chennai's spice markets offer fresh, aromatic blends like sambar powder, rasam powder, and curry leaves. Shop at the Kothawal Chavadi market or the Mylapore spice shops for packets starting at βΉ50. These spices are the backbone of Tamil cuisine and make for a flavorful, practical souvenir.
πΏ Temple Jewelry Replicas
Replica temple jewelry, such as diamond-set jhumkas and maang tikkas, are sold in T. Nagar's jewelry lanes like Usman Road. Prices range from βΉ500 for simple pieces to βΉ5,000 for elaborate sets. These designs mimic the jewelry worn by temple deities and are popular for festive wear.
π Tamil Literature and Art Books
Pick up English translations of Tamil classics or coffee-table books on Chennai's history at Higginbotham's on Mount Road or the bookstalls at the Chennai Book Fair (held in January). Prices range from βΉ200 to βΉ2,000. These books offer a deeper understanding of the region's literary and cultural heritage.
Nice list. I'd add that the brass lamp shops near Kapaleeshwarar Temple are worth a visit even if you're not buying, just to watch them work. A small kuthu vilakku for daily use will set you back around βΉ800 to βΉ1,200 these days, not βΉ500 like the guide says, but the quality is better.
For spices, skip Kothawal Chavadi if you're not used to the chaos. The shops on Ranganathan Street in T. Nagar are easier to navigate and the owners will explain what each blend is for. I always grab a bag of fresh curry leaves there for βΉ20.
One thing missing is the leather goods from the Anna Nagar area. The shops near the Anna Nagar Tower Park sell good quality Kolhapuri chappals and sandals for around βΉ400 to βΉ1,000. They're comfortable for Chennai's heat and last for years.
The guide mentions Higginbotham's for books, which is a solid choice, but the real gem for Tamil literature is the stalls inside the Moore Market complex near Chennai Central. They have second-hand English translations of classic Tamil novels for as low as βΉ50, and the sellers are usually retired professors who can recommend a good starting point. I picked up a worn copy of Kalki's "Ponniyin Selvan" there for βΉ80 and it's still one of my favorite reads.
On the brass lamps front, the guide's price of βΉ500 is optimistic for anything decent. The smaller ones at the Mylapore shops are closer to βΉ800 now, but the patina on a well-used lamp from a shop that's been open for forty years is worth the extra money. The one I bought five years ago still looks great on my puja shelf.
kanchipuram silk is the big ticket item but if ur budget is tight the chettinad cotton sarees from co-optex are actually super underrated. i bought one for βΉ1200 last year and it drapes beautifully, plus it breathes way better than the silk in this heat. the t. nagar showroom has a bigger selection than the one on mount road, but both are fine.
for the wood carvings, cholamandal artists village is a good shout but it's a bit out of the way. if ur near the city center the shops on r.k. mutt road in mylapore have similar stuff and the prices are about the same. i picked up a small ganesh carving there for βΉ500 last diwali and it's still holding up fine.
temple jewelry on usman road is a bit of a gamble tbh. some stalls charge βΉ3,000 for stuff that looks identical to what the next guy sells for βΉ1,500. the trick is to go mid-afternoon when it's less crowded and haggle a little, they expect it. i got a decent pair of jhumkas for βΉ800 that way.