Located along the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is steeped in cultural history and ancient works of art. Book a One Day Chennai Sightseeing Tour by private cab to witness modernity and tradition coexist.
The bustling city is one of the biggest educational and economic centers in India. It is aptly nicknamed the ‘automobile city of India’ and the ‘Detroit of India.
Chennai is perfect for all types of travelers, whether couples or families. You can enjoy refreshing beach retreats, explore the ancient architecture, offer respect at the many revered shrines, and gorge on lip-smacking delicacies.
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Bala Tours
Call: +91 63831 07596
Tour Price
| Vehicle Type | Vehicle Price |
|---|---|
| Dzire / Etios (Sedan) | INR 2699/- |
| Ertiga / Xylo (SUV) | INR 3499/- |
| Toyota Innova (SUV) | INR 3799/- |
| Innova Crysta (SUV) | INR 4099/- |
| Tempo/ Force Traveller | INR 4399/- |
Inclusions
- Pick-up & drop from your Hotel / Home in Chennai
- Round-trip transportation in private air-conditioned car
- Parking Charges
- Toll-gate Charges
Exclusions
- Tamil, English-speaking guide
- Entry ticket fee for tourist attractions
- Breakfast / lunch / dinner
A Glimpse of Chennai City Sightseeing Tour
The One Day Chennai City Tour starts early in the morning with a pick-up from your accommodation. The first stop is the Kapaleeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple’s magnificent architecture and intricate carvings will leave you mesmerized. Next, head to Ashtalakshmi Temple, a Hindu temple that stands as a symbol of prosperity and wealth.
After visiting the temples, take a short break for breakfast at Vivekanandar House, where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his visit to Chennai. Stroll through the house, which now serves as a museum, and learn about his life and teachings.
Next on the list is Valluvar Kottam, an iconic monument dedicated to the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar. Admire the 133-foot tall stone structure and the intricate inscriptions from his renowned literary work, Thirukkural.
Afterward, we will head to Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. You can relax on the sandy shore, take a dip in the sea, and indulge in some lip-smacking street food.
The next stop on our Chennai city tour itinerary is MGR Square and ANNA Square, named after the former chief ministers of Tamil Nadu. These squares are popular landmarks and serve as a reminder of their contribution to the state.
As the sun begins to set, we will head to the iconic LightHouse for a breathtaking view of the Chennai skyline. You can enjoy panoramic views from the top and capture memorable pictures. We will head to the Children’s Park and Snake Park for some relaxation. These are perfect spots for families with children.
At the end of the day, we will visit Birla Planetarium, one of the most modern planetariums in India. It is a great place to learn about astronomy and witness fascinating shows projected on a hemispherical dome. We will then drive you back to your accommodation in Chennai.
Places to visit with One Day Chennai Sightseeing Tour by Car
1. Kapaleeswarar Temple
The first tourist attraction to visit on our Chennai local sightseeing tour by private taxi is Kapaleeswarar Temple. Constructed in the 6th-7th century, Kapaleeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple with self-manifested Shiva Lingam. It is also known as Vedapuri and Sukrapuri. The temple has a 37-m-high Gopuram, and its towers are adorned with mythological figures. Parvathi appears in the form of Karpagambal in the shrine.
- Must See / Things to Do: Witness the beautiful architecture, attend the evening aarti, and explore the intricate carvings on the walls.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
2. Ashtalakshmi Temple
Next place on our Chennai city tour is Ashtalakshmi Temple. Dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth and Knowledge, Ashtalakshmi Temple comprises eight forms of the deity in different sanctums at four levels. Adilakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Dhanyalakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vijayalakshmi, Vidyalakshmi, and Dhanalakshmi are the presiding deities.
The temple is also known for its annual festivals like Navaratri and Adilakshmi Pooja. Its architecture is influenced by the Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Uthiramerur. It is built in the shape of Om, which is the 1st Vedic Mantra.
- Must See / Things to Do: Admire the beautiful idols and architecture of the temple.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
3. Vivekananda House
Earlier known as Ice House or Castle Kernan, Vivekananda House is a historical building. In 1900, Swami Vivekananda stayed here for six weeks. It is a two-story house built in Victorian architecture, with distinctive designs of saddleback and sunburst roofs. Today, it is a museum upholding Swamiji’s life and mission through picture galleries, AR and VR. It also has a meditation hall and a bookstore with books on philosophy and spirituality.
- Must See / Things to Do: Explore the museum and attend meditation sessions.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week except Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:15 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 50 per person for adults
4. Valluvar Kottam
Commemorating the renowned classical poet and saint Thiruvalluvar, Valluvar Kottam is a temple chariot-like monument. It is a 39-m-high memorial with a life-size statue of the poet well-known for his work “Thirukkural.” Its innovative layouts and intricate designs are worth visiting on this full day Chennai city sightseeing trip. The book leaves-shaped granite columns have 1330 verses of Thirukkural inscribed on them. It is also a venue for exhibitions for handloom and handicrafts and cultural events.
- Must See / Things to Do: Admire the intricate carvings on the chariot and capture the grandeur of the statue in pictures.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 3 per person for adults
5. Marina Beach
One of the longest urban beaches in the world, Marina Beach is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. This is one place not to miss on your Chennai sightseeing tour by car. The beach stretches for 13 km and offers stunning views of the Bay of Bengal. The widest stretch of the beach is 437 m.
It is one of the city’s most photographed beaches. Its white sandy shore appears stunning. Witness the enticing sunrise and sunset. It is dotted with merry-go-rounds and small souvenir shops. You can enjoy horseback rides and an aquarium.
- Must See / Things to Do: Take a leisurely walk on the beach, try local street food, and enjoy the scenery.
- Timings: Open 24 hours and all days of the week
- Entry Fee: Free
6. MGR Square
The structure was built in memory of M.G. Ramachandran, a popular Tamil actor and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The square has a memorial structure with his statue and showcases scenes from his movies. You can admire the picturesque setting of the Marina Beach. It is surrounded by open areas of grass, a beautiful fountain, and pathways. There is a museum on its northern side.
- Must See / Things to Do: Learn about the life and achievements of M.G. Ramachandran.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week except Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
7. Anna Square
The ancestral house of Dr. C.N. Annadurai, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the founder of DMK, has been converted into a memorial. The square has a memorial structure with his statue and also hosts cultural events. The Anna arch at the entrance represents the ‘Rising Sun,’ a symbol of Anna’s political party.
- Must See / Things to Do: Admire the memorial structure and spend time in the well-maintained park.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week
- Entry Fee: Free
8. LightHouse
Next on our sightseeing tour is the 11-story-high cylindrical concrete Lighthouse located near Marina Beach. It is one of the oldest in the country and is attached to a 3-story harbor-control building. The lighthouse is also one of the country’s tallest, with a 45.72 meters height and a 57-meter-high light source. It is the only lighthouse in India within city limits, which has a range of 28 nautical miles.
- Must See / Things to Do: Get a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal and Chennai city from the viewing gallery on the 9th floor.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week except Monday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 10 per person for adults
9. Guindy National Park / Children’s Park
Children’s Park is also called the Guindy National Park. It is India’s 8th smallest national park that shelters varied species of fauna and tropical dry evergreen forests of the Coromandel Coast. It features Snake Park and Children’s Park. You can enjoy spotting blackbucks, jackals, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, small Indian civets, spotted deer, common Mongoose, and Grey Partridge. The Tyrannosaurus statue at the entrance is a key attraction. It is a must visit attraction for children on this city tour by cab.
- Must See / Things to Do: Spend time wildlife spotting and enjoying the natural setting.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week except Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 20 per person for adults and INR 5 per child
10. Snake Park
Snake Park is a part of the Guindy National Park. It is a home to exotic species of reptiles. Spot reptiles such as Pythons, Fan-throated Lizards, Cobras, Kraits, Indian Monitor Lizards, Star Tortoise, Adders, giant Turtles, Chameleons, and Vipers. Also, observe Green Iguana, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Common Sand Boa, Olive Keelback, Gharial, Rock Lizard, and Common Cat Snake. There is an exciting museum displaying various reptile specimens.
- Must See / Things to Do: Take a guided tour to spot different species of reptiles.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week from 09:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 20 per person for adults and INR 5 per child
11. Birla Planetarium
Located inside the Periyar Science and Technology Museum, Birla Planetarium is an educational and entertaining place for all ages. It is a popular place for school trips and stargazing. You can explore over 500 exhibits in multiple galleries. See various astronomical objects in the universe in the Sky Theatre with a hemispherical dome of composed aluminum. Enjoy 3D audio-visual shows on astronomical themes like meteor showers, stellar cycles, and sky and seasons.
- Must See / Things to Do: Attend a 3D show to learn about astronomy and space.
- Timings: Open on all days of the week from 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 30 per person for adults
Things to Do on Chennai Local Sightseeing Tour by Taxi
Chennai offers a perfect blend of history, culture, tradition and modernity. With its stunning beaches, ancient temples, bustling markets, and delicious food, there is no shortage of things to do on your sightseeing tour in Chennai.
What to Shop during your Chennai City Sightseeing Tour by Cab?
You can delve into a shopping spree in Chennai, from local goods to branded and luxurious items. Purchase stunning silk sarees, trendy kurtas, accessories, and imitation and gold jewelry. There is an amazing collection of Bengal Cotton, Kanchi Cotton, Kora Cotton, and Kanchipuram sarees.
You can purchase marvelous Tanjore paintings with gold-embossed depictions of deities and mythological tales as souvenirs on your city tour. Elegant bronze idols and figurines are also famous purchases. Get traditional handicrafts, furniture, home décor, and second-hand books at affordable rates.
What to Eat during your One Day Chennai Sightseeing Tour by Car?
Savor lip-smacking street food such as Idli, Chaat, Atho Man, Sundal, Muttai Curry, Kozhi Roast, Boli, Podi Dosai, Murukku, Bhel Puri, Vada, Kothu Parotta, Pani Puri, Kulfi, and Bhajji. Idiyappam, Podi Idli, Uthappam, Puttu, Kuzhi Paniyaram, Kozhukattai, and Jigarthanda are some other tasty treats.
You must try Rose Milk and Thaiyyir Sadam. Try Biriyani, Nethili Fry or Fried Fish, Chicken 65, Liver Roast, Mulligatawny Soup, and Mutton Kola Urundai. Filter coffee is guaranteed to uplift your spirits on this Chennai city sightseeing tour for sure. The plush restaurants serve delectable multi-cuisine food in a comfortable setting.
Conclusion
Chennai is a city that offers a diverse range of experiences and activities for travelers. Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or food, this vibrant city has something for everyone.
Book a Chennai City Sightseeing Tour by Car for a safe, hassle-free, budget-friendly experience. From visiting ancient temples and exploring bustling markets to trying out delicious street food and shopping for traditional handicrafts, you can enjoy it with your family, friends, or even alone.