Being the capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai lures many individuals as tourists or as part of its large workforce. The massive popular claim is that Chennai is one of the best cities in India.Although Chennai is famous for IIT, this city in Tamil Nadu is also renowned for its passion for music.But, there’s much more than you think.From its diverse culture and traditions, lively festivals, delicate delicacies, to its typical Chennai Tamil, this city doesn’t fail to captivate the locals and the outsiders living here.

Chennai may not have a Marine Drive, a Red Fort, or a Victoria Memorial, but it is India’s oldest contemporary city. There are numerous temples, forts, mosques, churches, palaces, and natural attractions in Chennai. It is one of the 4 metropolises of India and is renowned for its beaches, monuments, Carnatic music, fabrics, classical dances, and food. It’s an ancient city recognized for its trade, culture, and architecture.

For many tourists, a holiday to Chennai means savoring mouth-watering Chettinad gastronomy, taking a dip in the waters of Marina Beach, shopping for Kanchipuram silk sarees, gold jewelry, and going about discovering the heritage structures in the city. Make sure to book your stay in one of the best budget-friendly hotels in Chennai and get ready for a trip through the city. Undoubtedly, there are many reasons to visit this city; yet, there are some parts that could remain out of reach for an average tourist.

Marina Beach, Elliot’s Beach, Dakshinachitra, Valluvar Kottam, Thousand Lights Mosque, Marundeeswarar Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Guindy National Park, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Government Museum, Mylapore, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Semmozhi Poonga, MGR Film City, Breezy Beach, Connemara Public Library, Royapuram Fishing Harbour, Vivekananda House, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, VGP Golden Beach, Madras War Cemetery, and Fort St. George are the best tourist attractions of Chennai.

Apart from the beach, you can visit explore Casa de Retiros which is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier and has delightful views of the sea and creek. Our Lady of Piety Church, Chapora and Aguada forts, and Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is also located close to Baga Beach.

Chennai International airport is only 7 kilometers away from the city. It has 2 terminals. Most domestic and international airlines have direct flights to Anna International Airport in Chennai. Domestic airlines function daily at the Kamaraj Domestic terminal (which is situated near the international terminal, around 150 meters away from each other.)

Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal (CMBT) is one of Asia's biggest bus stations. About seven state-owned businesses run buses to and from numerous destinations within South India. They connect cities like Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tirupati, Pondicherry, and others. You can select from semi-deluxe, deluxe, and sleeper buses while taking a path to any of the neighboring cities.

Chennai has three main railway stations, i.e. Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, and Tambaram, which serve the residential areas of Chennai. Many superfast trains run daily and are well-connected to metropolises like Delhi, Cochin, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Kolkata, and other Indian cities. Some of the famous trains are Chennai Central, Chennai Mail, Guwahati Express, GT Express, and Andaman Express.

The best time to visit Chennai is from January to March. These months avoid heat and rain, and temperatures drift between 21°C and 34°C. Since Chennai is not a major tourist destination, airfares and room taxes are reasonable throughout the year, except on main holidays like Christmas, Diwali, and New Year’s.

What started as a bunch of villages along the Coromandel Coast is not just one of India's main cities, but also a lively culinary destination. If you believe that Chennai's gastronomy doesn't stretch beyond idli-dosa, be ready to be surprised. From delicious Korean cuisine, sushi and to a Russian restaurant, Chennai's food scene has gone truly global.

Here is a list of the best local foods in Chennai that will satiate your inner foodie.

Eden, Seena Bhai 1977 Dosa Centre, Dindugal Thalappakkatti, Southern Spice, Nair Mess, Moonrakers, Benjarong, Sangeetha, Murugan Idli Shop, Anandam - Hotel Maris, Mathsya, Thambi Vilas, Vrindavan Restaurant, Ratna Café, Adyar Ananda Bhavan, The National Lodge, Welcome Hotel, Rayar's Mess, Mylai Karpagambal Mess, Saravana Bhavan, and Buhari are the famous restaurants that you can try in Chennai.

Mermaid Resorts & Banquets, Orchid Resorts, MGM Beach Resort, Mango Nest Nature Resort, Green Meadow Resort, Green Coconut Resort, are a few of the popular resorts for travelers staying in Chennai.

ITC Grand Chola, IBIS Chennai, Vivanta Chennai, Novotel, Holiday Inn are a few of the famous hotels in Chennai.

Zingle Stay, Crossway Parklane, Hotel Southern Comfort, Madrasi Airport, Deluxe Hotel, Mahalya Residency, Saibala Inn, Hotel Sai Krish Grand are a few hotels close to the Chennai International Airport.

The Green Coconut Resort, Universal Inn, Casa In, Zam Zam Guest House, and Just Guest House are a few budget-friendly hotels in Chennai.

With Akbar Travels, you can easily find your perfect hotel in Chennai and compare prices from different websites. Just select where you wish to go with your preferred travel dates, and let our hotel search engine match accommodation prices for you. From budget hostels to luxury suites, Akbar Travels makes it easy to book the best hotels in Chennai online. You can search for a large diversity of rooms and locations across India, like Munnar and Goa, to popular cities and holiday destinations abroad!

The Chennai hotels on the Akbar Travels site cater to travelers with all kinds of budgets. You can find 5-star, 4-star, or even budget hotels in Chennai by browsing the website. However, if you want to get the best discounts on your hotel booking in Chennai, then make your bookings in advance. The hotels are swarming with people in the peak season. Therefore, to avoid displeasure, you must book hotels in Chennai a few weeks before your visit.