Formally known as Madras, this 400 sq.km conglomerate of urban villages will sneak and find a way to your heart with its charm and people, but if all you have is 24 hours, there are a lot of things you can do.

Visit the beautiful temples around Mylapore 

Take a tour around one of the oldest neighbourhoods and cultural hubs of Chennai, and witness the splendid architecture of the 100 year old Kapaleeshwar temple. You can also see how people have decorated their homes with traditional Kolam colours and designs. The area has some of the best breakfast houses famous for the traditional south indian breakfast such as the Mami kadai and Karpagambal mess.

Explore Fort St. George and the Santhome church 

Fort St. George, located on the banks of Bay of Bengal was built by the British East India Company. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. It is an architectural marvel, which was evolved to be the origin of modern Indian Army. Worth watching on your trip to Chennai!

The Santhome Church in Chennai is a sacred place, especially for Catholic Christians. This was first a small settlement of the Portuguese who arrived in the Mylapore shores. A walk down the area gives the hint of what the Portuguese era would have been like in the 1600s.

Shop in T. Nagar  

Theyagraya Nagar is one of the main shopping hubs of Chennai. With more than hundreds of shops selling a variety of clothes and jewellery,  the ultimate destination to witness the best of retail therapy in Chennai. You can indulge in street shopping here and buy everything from  traditional silk sarees from Kanchipuram to elegant footwear, leather bags, music accessories.

Enjoy the sunset at Marina beach 

The Marina beach is the longest in the country and the second longest in the world. It is a magical place to catch the sunset, enjoy the calmness of the beach and the hustle around it. The beach has some of the best street food vendors who can whip up a plate of bajjis and sundals (Marina beach delicacies) in no time.

Soak in the cultural shows in the Chennai Sabhas

Attend a music concert at Narada Gana Sabha or the Music Academy, the city’s centre for traditional Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic music. It features the city’s best artists and is one of the best ways to be a part of culture of Chennai,