6 things to do on a trip to Chennai

Chennai, also known as Madras, was originally a group of small villages in East India until the British decided to develop a trading port there. Chennai is a city that takes time to be truly known and appreciated, it is one of those cities that reveals its best to those who explore it in depth. Here are our tips on what to do on a trip to Chennai:

1- Explore Mylapore

The historic Mylapore district of Chennai is often referred to as the soul of the city. One of the oldest residential districts of the city, it is full of culture. Here you can admire the most impressive temple of Chennai, the temple of Kapaleeshwararar, dedicated to Shiva. Other highlights are the Cathedral of St. Thome, originally built by the Portuguese, and the temple of Ramakrishna Mutt. Here you can get to know the soul of Chennai in depth.

2- Going around local markets

The Georgetown area, which during the colonial period was inhabited by locals trading with the British at Fort Saint George, was the first settlement of the city of Madras, which began its expansion from there. Its commercial origins can be found today in the many stalls and markets of Georgetown's bazaar. It is noisy and chaotic but not to be missed!

3- Visit the artists' village

The Artists' Village of Cholamandal was founded in 1966, on the southern outskirts of Chennai. The artists bought the common land and built their homes, studios, gallery, theatre and workshops. The village is renowned for being the pioneer of the Madras Art Movement, which brought modern art to southern India. Here you can admire an extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures, together with the artists at work.

4- Enjoy the view from the Chennai lighthouse

The Chennai Lighthouse is located next to Marina Beach, with a beautiful view of the Bay of Bengal. It has been replaced by two successive lighthouses, located within the complex of the High Court of Madras. The lighthouse is the only one in an Indian city to have an elevator! It houses the local meteorological department but is open to the public to allow visitors to enjoy the view.

5- Attend a local music and dance show

If you like dance and music, Madras Music Academy is one of the oldest music academies in South India and is at the center of the Chennai scene. An annual programme of events, shows and concerts takes place in the large auditorium in Gopalapuram, near Mylapore. Chennai's annual music season runs from mid-December to mid-January, with many performances taking place in various parts of the city.

6- Celebrate Madras Week

What began in 2004 as a day of commemoration of the founding of Madras has turned into a whole week of celebrations. Activities include gastronomic walks, visits to places of interest in the city's artistic and cultural heritage, photo exhibitions, book readings, film screenings and public lectures. Madras Day is on 22 August each year, and the Madras Week takes place around this date.

Chennai is a city waiting to be discovered. If you are interested in getting to know it even better, don't miss the 4 things to see in Chennai and the 4 dishes to enjoy in Chennai!

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