Once called Madras, Chennai rose around Fort St. George in 1639 and today anchors South India with classical Carnatic music halls, grand Dravidian temples, and a coastline trimmed by the world’s longest natural urban beach. It’s a place where history speaks in granite and lime, and daily life begins with the perfume of fresh jasmine and filter coffee.

Expect a tapestry of experiences: sunrise darshans in Mylapore, Indo-Gothic spires in San Thome, the bustle of George Town’s wholesale lanes, and stone-poetry at UNESCO-listed Mahabalipuram. Food tells its own story—fluffy idlis, peppery Chettinad gravies, seafood straight from the Bay of Bengal, and tasting menus that reimagine Tamil classics.

Practical notes: Chennai is warm year-round; the Northeast Monsoon brings rains October–December. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), remove footwear where required, and carry small cash though UPI/digital payments are widely accepted. The Chennai Metro, app cabs, and prepaid taxis simplify getting around.

Chennai

Lean into Chennai’s rhythm: a filter coffee at dawn, a temple bell at sunrise, the hum of markets by noon, and a soft sea breeze by evening. From bronze-age craftsmanship to Bharatanatyam footwork, the city brims with living traditions.

• Top sights: Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Basilica, Fort St. George Museum, Government Museum (Egmore), Elliot’s Beach, Theosophical Society, Kalakshetra Foundation.
• Local flavors: Idli–vada–dosa breakfasts, Chettinad spice trails, buttery halwa from Triplicane, and sustainably sourced seafood grills.
• Fun fact: Chennai’s Marina stretches roughly 13 km; early evenings fill with cricket games, kite fliers, and beach snacks like sundal and murukku.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Leela Palace Chennai (bayfront grandeur, top-tier dining): Check rates
• Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa (seaside retreat on ECR; perfect for a beachy day-trip base): Check rates
• Taj Club House (central, contemporary rooms, easy for city touring): Check rates
• Treebo Trend Nestlay Casa (good-value comfort near transport): Check rates
• Browse more hotels on Hotels.com: Chennai stays | Apartment-style stays on VRBO: Find a VRBO

Getting there and around: Fly into Chennai International Airport (MAA). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic flights from Bengaluru/Hyderabad are ~1–1.5 hours (often $30–$90). Fast trains (e.g., from Bengaluru) take ~5–6 hours; check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains. In town, use the Metro, autos, or app cabs; traffic is heaviest 6–10 am and 5–9 pm.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips, and Marina Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a leisurely coffee at Amethyst’s Wild Garden Café—set in a leafy bungalow with antique tables and great carrot cake. Stroll the nearby Royapettah lanes to glimpse colonial-era facades.

Evening: Head to Marina Beach for golden-hour people-watching. Try beachside sundal (spiced chickpeas) and murukku from hawkers. For dinner, pick between Mylai Karpagambal Mess (vegetarian classics like ghee roast dosa and tamarind kozhambu) or Ponnusamy Hotel (Chettinad pepper chicken, mutton chukka, and parotta). Cap it with small-batch ice cream at Amadora in Nungambakkam.

Day 2: The Essentials of Chennai (Guided Full-Day)

Let a local expert connect the dots on history, faith, and neighborhoods with this award-winning city overview—hotel pickup, curated stops, and a traditional lunch included.

Total Chennai city tour in Private car with guide & lunch by Wonder tours

Typical highlights include Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Mylapore), San Thome Basilica, and a heritage district. Expect 7–8 hours. After drop-off, consider dinner at Dakshin (Crowne Plaza) for a refined South Indian thali with live veena most nights, or book Avartana (ITC Grand Chola) for multi-course modern Tamil menus—reserve ahead.

Day 3: Temples, Museums, and a Street-Food Night

Morning: Arrive early at Kapaleeshwarar Temple for serene darshan before the crowds; admire intricate gopuram carvings. Grab frothy degree filter coffee at Kumbakonam Degree Coffee and a plate of ghee pongal or crisp vadas at Rayar’s Mess (tiny, beloved, go early).

Afternoon: Explore the Government Museum in Egmore—Chola bronzes, Amaravati sculptures, and natural history. For lunch, choose Wild Garden at Amethyst (quiches, salads, and South Indian specials) or Writer’s Café (soups, pastas, and a social enterprise story).

Evening: Dive into North-Indian-Tamil street eats on the Sowcarpet trail—chaat, lassi, and jalebi in a lively bazaar setting.

Sowcarpet Street Food Walking Tour in Chennai with guide

Post-walk, if you still have room, swing by Buhari (Mount Road)—home of the original Chicken 65—or sip a nightcap at Bay 146 (The Savera) with live music on select evenings.

Day 4: UNESCO Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

Trace the Pallavas’ 7th-century genius on the ECR: bas-relief at Arjuna’s Penance, monolithic Pancha Rathas, and the Shore Temple framed by surf. It’s a full day; depart ~7:30–8:00 am (drive ~1.5 hours each way).

UNESCO Listed 7th CE Mahabalipuram Trip with Heritage Storyteller

For lunch, popular coastal joints include Moonrakers (pepper crab, prawn curry) or Fisherman’s Fare. Back in Chennai, keep it oceanfront with dinner at Bay View (Taj Fisherman’s Cove) if you’re staying south, or The Marina (College Road) for sustainably sourced fish fry and prawn masala.

Day 5: Green Mornings, Silk Shopping, and a Breezy Beach Night

Morning: Wander the Theosophical Society’s leafy grounds (check weekday hours) to see the legendary banyan and riverine birdlife. Alternatively, tour Kalakshetra Foundation’s craft ateliers and dance heritage when tours are available. Coffee and a croissant at Chamiers Café in RA Puram.

Afternoon: Go saree/souvenir hunting in T. Nagar: Nalli Silks for Kanchipuram weaves, RMKV and Pothys for a spectrum of designs, and boutiques for ready-to-wear. Lunch at Ratna Cafe (idli bathed in their iconic sambar) or Mathsya (vegetarian South Indian thali).

Evening: Sunset promenade at Elliot’s Beach (Besant Nagar). Dine at Kipling Café (charming courtyards; Asian and Indian grills) or Eden (classic vegetarian with paneer sizzlers and baked pastas). Ice cream at Amelie’s or a quiet drink at Q Bar, the Hilton’s rooftop lounge.

Day 6: Old Madras Stories, Forts, and Performing Arts

Morning: Walk the lanes where the city began—mint streets, spice godowns, and trading houses—on a storytelling-rich heritage walk through George Town.

Georgetown heritage walking tour in Chennai about the founding of Chennai

Afternoon: Visit Fort St. George and its museum (note: museum typically closed on Fridays; hours can vary). Step into the serene Armenian Church nearby if open. Lunch at Triplicane’s messes (Buhari for biryani; Nair Mess for Kerala-style meals).

Evening: Catch a Bharatanatyam or Carnatic recital—The Music Academy (Dec–Jan season) and smaller sabhas host year-round programs; check schedules. Dine at Chipstead (Taj Coromandel) for cocktails and small plates, or Ponnusamy if you crave a second round of Chettinad spice.

Day 7: Art, Brunch, and Farewell

Morning: If your flight allows, head down the ECR to Cholamandal Artists’ Village to browse galleries of modern Indian art and sculptors’ studios. Alternatively, take a bird-filled stroll at the Pallikaranai Marsh fringes (prime hours 6–9 am).

Afternoon: Brunch at Madras Pavilion (ITC Grand Chola) for an elegant buffet that spotlights Tamil and pan-Indian favorites. Squeeze in last-minute souvenirs—brass lamps, temple jewelry-inspired trinkets, and filter-coffee powder—before your transfer to the airport.

Evening: Departure day. If time remains, linger at The Brew Room’s garden tables for one final South Indian filter coffee; toast to seven days of beaches, temples, and the warm cadence of Chennai life.

Optional add-ons and practical tips

• Pondicherry day trip: If you’re keen on a Franco-Tamil seaside vibe, pencil an extra day for the French Quarter, Auroville, and café-hopping (3–3.5 hours each way).
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered; remove footwear and leather items where posted; photography rules vary—ask first.
• Weather & health: Hydrate, carry a light scarf/hat, and use reef-safe sunscreen. During monsoon (Oct–Dec), plan indoor museum/café interludes.

Quick food and coffee shortlist (for easy reference)

• Breakfast classics: Rayar’s Mess (Mylapore), Mylai Karpagambal Mess, Sangeetha Veg, Ratna Cafe.
• Seafood & grills: The Marina (College Road), Bay View (Taj Fisherman’s Cove), Kipling Café (ECR).
• South Indian fine dining: Dakshin (Crowne Plaza), Avartana (ITC Grand Chola; reservations essential).
• Cafés & sweets: Amethyst – Wild Garden Café, Writer’s Café, Chamiers, Amadora Gourmet Ice Cream.
• Bars & lounges: Q Bar (Hilton), Bay 146 (The Savera), Chipstead (Taj Coromandel).

At-a-glance tours used in this itinerary

• Total Chennai city tour in Private car with guide & lunch by Wonder tours
• Sowcarpet Street Food Walking Tour in Chennai with guide
• UNESCO Listed 7th CE Mahabalipuram Trip with Heritage Storyteller
• Georgetown heritage walking tour in Chennai

Airport and intercity logistics: For flights in/out of MAA, compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For Indian train journeys to/from Chennai, check Trip.com Trains. Local taxis/app cabs are plentiful; request AC in warmer months.

Summary: In a week, you’ll read Chennai like a layered epic—temples and trade, bronzes and beaches, spice and song. Between Mahabalipuram’s stone symphony and the city’s filter-coffee heartbeat, this itinerary balances headline sights with local rituals, markets, and meals you’ll remember long after wheels-up.