Best Weekend Getaways From Chennai
Chennai has enough options for fun to get you through the week, but weekends are another matter altogether. And if it’s true that any city’s measure can be found in the quality of weekend getaways it offers, then Chennai surely doesn’t disappoint. Be it the azure beaches of Pondicherry or the magnificent monuments of Mahabalipuram, getting out of the urban jungles of Chennai can be quite an adventure. To give you some inspiration, here is a list of the best destinations for some weekend fun around Chennai.
1. Pondicherry
Natural Feature
2. Kancheepuram
Kancheepuram is famous throughout India for its chief export – silk sarees. With a tradition and history that predates Chennai by centuries, this temple town is the perfect getaway for anyone who’s interested in Tamil Nadu’s ancient culture. A walk through Kancheepuram’s old silk-weaver towns gives the impression that time has stood still here for centuries, at least when it comes to its craftsmen and their traditions. Kancheepuram was the ancient capital city of Tamil Nadu’s Pallava kings and is also still home to some of the greatest architectural marvels to come out of the state.
3. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
More than 40,000 birds, including some rare species, make Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary their home every year during the migratory season. And since prehistoric times, Vedanthangal Lake has attracted species from such far-fetched corners of the world as Australia, Siberia and Burma, making it a paradise for birders. While the best time to visit the sanctuary is during the migratory season between November and March, the lake and its pristine surroundings are a treat to visit at any time of the year.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vedathangal, Madurantakam, Tamil Nadu 603314, India, +91 44 2220 0335
4. Mahabalipuram
While most people know Mahabalipuram as a cultural and architectural destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s much more to this beach town than just its temples. While surfing is a popular recreational activity among those visiting Mahabalipuram, those staying the weekend could also pick up basic skills in sculpture-making through a number of local providers. So it goes without saying that any holiday to Chennai is incomplete without a trip to Mahabalipuram.
5. Tharangambadi (Tranquebar)
This old fort and its surrounding villages were ones home to Danish colonists and still retain their Scandinavian charm. Located about 272km south of Chennai along the coastline of Tamil Nadu, Tranquebar truly is a hidden gem that gets far fewer visitors than it actually deserves. If you want your weekend to be spent in a place that is off the beaten track, then Tranquebar surely won’t disappoint. Plus, the five-hour drive to it from Chennai is an experience in itself thanks to the fact that most of it is by the scenic East Coast Road.
6. Pulicat
Archaeological site
7. Karaikal
While technical a part of Pondicherry, the coastal town of Karaikal is geographically separated from union territory by over 129km. However, Karaikal shares much of Pondicherry’s heritage and reputation for being a tourist paradise. With pristine beaches and some of the best examples of both Indian and French architecture, Karaikal is Pondicherry at its best.
8. Vellore
Archaeological site
9. Velankanni
Church, Shrine
This ancient port town that once traded with Rome and Greece is now popular as the home of one of the most visited Catholic site of worship in the world – the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Otherwise known as Lourdes of the East, the Velankanni shrine is visited by nearly 20 million people from all across the world annually. Located at a distance of 327km from Chennai, this church town is a must-visit, especially during the annual Feast of Our Lady of Good Health.
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