Top 10 Tourist Places in Chennai You Must Visit by Road – Book Your Car Today

If you are all set to book your tickets for your next holiday destination, Chennai has to top your bucket list! Apart from being India's leading metropolis of the South, there are multiple places to visit near Chennai for every travel freak and nature lover. Chennai is also one of the must visit places in South India

If you're a tourist, there is an endless list of places to visit in Chennai that you need to check out today. A perfect amalgamation of beaches, waterfalls, rivers, temples, varied cultures and traditions, lip-smacking food, and much more! Tamil, the language here, is the oldest language that originated about 2000 years ago. In addition, the city houses some of the best weekend getaways and holiday destinations that you cannot miss! 

Why Do You Need to Hire a Car to Travel to Chennai? – Top Factors You Cannot Ignore

Are you still contemplating whether you need to hire a car while traveling to the popular tourist places in Chennai or not? If yes, give this section a read. The following section highlights the top reasons that make renting a car one of the best choices for many travelers.

• Flexibility

You can rent a car for a duration based on your preference - hourly, daily, weekly, etc. This method is cost-effective and also saves you from the hassle of waiting for public transport or any other method.

• Freedom to choose

You can choose the car you want. You can opt for a luxury or an economical car, as per your preference, which is a great thing. If you are traveling with your family, you can also opt for a bigger car.

• No hassles

Hiring a car for your Chennai trip becomes hassle-free as you do not have to worry about the car's maintenance, insurance, or pollution checks. The company takes care of all these parameters giving you ample time to spend with your loved ones and enjoy the trip.

Top 10 Tourist Places in Chennai – Have You Visited Them Yet?

Here we present the most accurate list of the best places to visit in Chennai!

Best Destinations for a One Day Trip in Chennai

      1.Pulicat Lake

Pulicat Lake is located on the Coromandel coast and is India's second-largest saltwater lake. It is an excellent option if you're looking for the best one-day outing places in Chennai. The place gives mesmerizing views of sunset and sunrise, and you can spot many birds, including storks, flamingos, and kingfishers, making it one of the best places to visit in Chennai and a favorite spot of bird watchers. You can also relish some great coastal meals at the food joints here. So visit this place today and experience it yourself.

Distance from Chennai: 53 km

Top attractions: Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, Sriharikota, Dutch Cemetery, Irukkam Island, Our Lady of Glory Shrine, Pulicat Light House

      2.Mahabalipuram

A perfect weekend getaway for Hindu devotees is Mahabalipuram. It is one of the best places to see in Chennai. Here you can feast your eyes on the beauty of the rock-carved temples built in the Dravidian style of architecture. This historic temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can also enjoy the famous Mahabalipuram beach and various beach activities.

Distance from Chennai: 58 km

Top attractions: Pancha Rathas, Shore TempleKrishna’s Butter Ball, Madras Crocodile Bank, Mahabalipuram beach

Tourist places near Chennai within 50 Kms

      1.Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Catch the amazing wildlife and lush green forests in full glory at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park if you want a fun one-day trip in Chennai. The place boasts of a mammoth variety of organisms housing over 138 species. It is a popular family picnic spot and an excellent destination for a one-day trip from Chennai. You can enjoy a variety of safari rides like the elephant safari, deer safari, lion safari, and gaur safari and learn about the beauty of jungle life.

Distance from Chennai: 37 km

Top attractions:  Jungle safaris, Children’s Park, Education Center, Reptile House

      2.Elliot’s Beach 

Basant Nagar Beach, or Elliot’s Beach, is the endpoint of the famous Marina Beach. It is a popular beach and one of the places to visit in Chennai. Labeled as the cleanest beach in Chennai, Elliot’s Beach is the end point of the shoreline of the famous Marina Beach. You can sunbathe, relax, enjoy long walks across its coast or relish tasty food at the many restaurant joints or food shacks here.

Distance from Chennai:10 km

Top attractions: Velankanni Church, Ashtalakshmi Temple

Tourist places near Chennai within 100 Km

      1.Nagalapuram

Nagalapuram is a tranquil land behind the dense forests of Andhra Pradesh. It is also known as Nagala Hills and houses the picturesque Nagalapuram Falls. It is counted as one of the most amazing tourist spots in Chennai. This group of 3 waterfalls gives a panoramic view and is an excellent location for trekking. Lush green forests and myriad forms of animals, birds, and fishes perfectly define this place. You can enjoy a homely lunch at the nearby village and experience the local life here.

Distance from Chennai: 74 km

Top attractions: TP Kota Waterfalls, Horsley Hills, Ubbalamadugu Falls, Whisper Winds View Point, Kailasakona Waterfalls, Gurramkonda Fort, Kalyani Dam, Gidigi Waterfall

      2.Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is also known as the "Golden city of thousand temples." Housing a plethora of temples, Kanchipuram should be your weekend retreat if you are yearning for a traditional retreat to feast your eyes on. You can also spot a lot of birds nearby and enjoy the local food here, making it one of the most traditional tourist attractions in Chennai.

Distance from Chennai: 74 km

Top attractions: Kamakshi Amman, Devarajaswami Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Kumarakottam Temple, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

      3.Tada Falls

Tada Falls, or Ubbalamadugu Falls, is a marvelous waterfall close to the Tricity and the Oneness Temple in the Chittoor district. The fall cascades from over 100 meters, giving a stunning view as it clashes with the rocks on its way. It's one of the best places to visit around Chennai. The nearby forest area offers excellent trekking and hiking locations where you can enjoy a wide range of forest activities such as jungle safari and bird watching.

Distance from Chennai: 95 km

Top attractions:  Siddulaiah Kona Forest, Nagalapuram Waterfalls, Ayiramkam Lingam Temple

Tourist places near Chennai within 200 Kms

      1.Pondicherry

If you are a beach lover, Pondicherry is an excellent location within 200 km of Chennai. A place reminiscent of European culture, Pondicherry was once a French colony. You can witness a perfect amalgamation of the traditional south Indian and French cultures here. Pondicherry is considered as one of the most beautiful places in South India. Many temples and flower markets are scattered across the city, which houses popular French cafes and eateries. You can bask in the beauty of the scenic beaches and enjoy some relaxation therapies at the Ayurvedic centers. It is one of the magnificent holiday spots near Chennai.

Distance from Chennai: 151 km

Top attractions: Paradise Beach, Rock Beach, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Seaside Promenade, Sri Aurobindo Ashram

      2.Talakona Waterfalls

Immerse in the beauty of the mesmerizing Talakona Waterfalls situated amidst dense forests and blessed with exotic flora and fauna. One among the many places around Chennai, the Talakona Waterfalls cascades from over 270 feet. The locals here believe that the water from the fall contains healing properties and can cure various diseases. You can enjoy trekking here or enjoy a jungle safari for some weekend thrill.

Distance from Chennai: 185 km

Top attractions: Natural Arch, Horsley Hills, Nerabailu Village

      3.Nellore

Situated on the Penna river bank, Nellore is a lovely city rich in agriculture and houses beautiful temples across the city. The city produces an abundant supply of rice, sugar cane, and several other crops. In addition, there are many prawn and shrimp farms here. The population here is mainly rural and dependent on agriculture, but of late, there has also been a sharp rise in the number of educational institutions and businesses here. 

Distance from Chennai: 174 km

Top attractions: Patu Ru, Ranganatha Temple, Mypadu beach, Barah Saheed Dargah, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

How Can IndusGo Save You from the Hassles of Renting a Car?

If you're looking for places to visit in and around Chennai, hire a self-rental car from a trusted provider like IndusGo and make the best of your trip. Being India's most trusted car rental company, IndusGo offers flexible options for car renting, making your trip absolutely hassle-free.

You can avail yourself of facilities like zero down payment, quality service at affordable rates, free maintenance and service, free insurance, and much more. In addition, you can hire cars on a weekly, daily, or hourly basis with no additional or hidden costs involved.

Do let us know in the comment section about your Chennai trip and your experience with a self-driven car!