Sightseeing

Chennai and its surroundings offer a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are some highlights worth exploring during your visit.

Marina Beach

~10 km from IIT Madras

One of the longest urban beaches in the world, Marina Beach stretches about 13 km along the Bay of Bengal. A beautiful spot for an early morning or evening walk.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

~7 km from IIT Madras

A magnificent 7th-century Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Mylapore neighborhood — one of Chennai's oldest and most culturally rich areas.

Fort St. George

~14 km from IIT Madras

Built in 1644, this is the first English fortress built in India. It houses a museum with colonial artifacts and the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

DakshinaChitra

~24 km from IIT Madras (via ECR)

A living museum of South Indian culture, arts, and heritage — featuring reconstructed traditional homes from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

~50 km from IIT Madras

A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring stunning 7th–8th century rock-cut temples, shore temples, and bas-reliefs carved by the Pallava dynasty. Absolutely unmissable.

Kanchipuram

~75 km from IIT Madras

One of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, Kanchipuram is home to hundreds of ancient Dravidian temples and is also famous for its silk sarees.