Places to Visit near Chennai Within 200 Kms

Known For : Paradise Beach, Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram Auroville

Puducherry was the largest French colony in India and the French influence on the city can still be seen.

Distance from Chennai: 151 km

Best Time: October to March

49 Pondicherry Attractions

Known For : Shore Temple Mahabalipuram Beach Five Rathas

Famous for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves, Mahabalipuram also offers beautiful white sand beaches and an exotic shopping experience to the tourists.

Distance from Chennai: 52 km

Best Time: November to February

23 Mahabalipuram Attractions

Known For : Sri Venkateswara Temple Akasaganga Teertham Silathoranam

The holy town of Tirupati is one amongst the 8 most scared places of Lord Mahavishnu and is highly revered, glorified and worshiped.

Distance from Chennai: 147 km

Best Time: September to March

40 Tirupati Attractions

Known For : Matrimandir Marc's Cafe Arka

Situated in the union territory of Pondicherry, this township is wholly and solely based on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living and 'divine consciousness' which was the brainchild of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mirra Alfassa.

Distance from Chennai: 147 km

Best Time: November to March

21 Auroville Attractions

Known For : Sri Venkateshwara National Park Srikalahasti Temple Nagalapuram

Steeped in religion, devotion and architecture, Chittoor is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Distance from Chennai: 158 km

Best Time: September to February

11 Chittoor Attractions

Known For : Kamakshi Amman Temple Varadharaja Perumal Temple Devarajaswami Temple

Widely known for its 'Kanchipuram sarees' and also referred to as the 'golden city of thousand temples', Kanchipuram has various temples of religious and cultural importance spread all over the city.

Distance from Chennai: 72 km

Best Time: October to May

16 Kanchipuram Attractions

Located on the coastline of the Bay of Bengal near the village Covelong, Kovalam Beach was given the name 'Covelong' by the British due to their inefficiency of pronouncing "Kovalam". A perfect retreat amidst palm trees and silver sand, Covelong Beach was once set up as a port by Saadat Ali for Carnatic Nawabs. The beach offers a plethora of water activities to its visitors. Visiting the beach and entering the mode of relaxation is another thing you can opt for. The calmness it offers during the sunset is unmatchable.

Distance from Chennai: 33 km

Known For : Gingee Fort Sathanur Dam Annamalaiyar Temple

A town that offers a significant history adorned in its countless temples and ashrams, Thiruvannamalai is where Hindu Mythology takes the form of stunning architecture.

Distance from Chennai: 193 km

Best Time: October to March

9 Thiruvannamalai Attractions

Considered as one of the cleanest and beautiful beaches in Chennai, VGP Golden beach is one of the most sought-after destinations in the area by family and friends. This beach is a part of the VGP Universal Kingdom, which is a famous amusement park and lies on the East Coast Road. This mesmerising beach is an appealing part of the Bay of Bengal, with its smooth and silver sand situated on Marina, the second longest beach in the world. 

Distance from Chennai: 18 km

Chittor is a district laden with important temples, one of them being the Kanipakkam Vinayagar Temple. Apart from Tirupati, Tirumala and Srikalahasti, the Vinayagar Temple in Kanipakkam is another reason why pilgrims flock to the district of Chittor. Situated 56 km from Tirupati, the small town of Kanipakam is the abode of great deity Vinayaka. It makes for an ideal weekend getaway trip for city dwellers as well as a major pilgrimage site.

Distance from Chennai: 169 km

Known For : Srikalahasteeswara Temple Veyilingala Kona Waterfall Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple

Overflowing with a rich and vivacious yesteryears, this place has showcased its potential to allure the visitors with its extravagant shrines and pristine beauty.

Distance from Chennai: 120 km

Best Time: July to March

9 Srikalahasti Attractions

Known For : Ramalingeswara Temple Narasimhaswamy Temple Patu Ru

Nellore is a beautiful city lying on the banks of River Penna and a Municipal Corporation in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Distance from Chennai: 174 km

Best Time: October to February

7 Nellore Attractions

Known For : Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary Karikili Bird Sanctuary

Lying close to the important district of Mahabalipuram, is Vedanthangal, best known for its bird sanctuary.

Distance from Chennai: 86 km

Best Time: November to February

2 Vedanthangal Attractions

The second largest Mangrove forest in the world, Pichavaram is located off the tourist trail but is totally worth the effort. One can be enchanted by the complex river system and canal network that bind this beautiful place together and support the rich biodiversity of the place.

Distance from Chennai: 212 km

Hidden like a jewel behind the lush green forests of Andhra Pradesh lies a serene and tranquil place named Nagalapuram. Surrounded by majestic hills and gurgling waterfalls, this place is ideal to take a break from the buzzing city life and spend some peaceful days amidst soft breezes, flourishing trees and gushing waterfalls. Famously also known as Nagala Hills, this is the place to pump up your adrenaline with the various adventurous activities proffered in this scenic village.

Distance from Chennai: 74 km

Known For : Vellore Fort Jalakandeswarar Temple St. John's Church

An ancient city in the northeastern part of Tamil Nadu, Vellore is located on the banks of river Palar Vellore. The land of Vellore has seen glorious days of many empires such as the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Vijayanagara, the Rashtrakutas, the Carnatic and the British. The city has a nickname called 'The Fort City' due to the Marvelous Fort which sits at the heart of Vellore city. A legend says that the region where the city now stands was once upon a time surrounded by Velan (Babul) Trees giving the place the name Vellore.

Distance from Chennai: 137 km

Best Time: October - March

17 Vellore Attractions

Known For : Ramalingeswara Temple Narasimhaswamy Temple Patu Ru

Nellore is a beautiful city lying on the banks of River Penna, a Municipal Corporation in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Anciently known as Vikrama Simhapuri, it derived its name from "Nelluru", a combination of Tamil words "Nel" and "Ooru" where Nel stands for Paddy and Ooru means Place.

Distance from Chennai: 174 km

Best Time: October to February

7 Nellore Attractions

Known For : Fort Dansborg The town gate The Zion Church

Forgotten to be touched by time, and still known for its tranquility, is Tharagambadi, otherwise known as Tranquebar- The land of the singing waves. Tied up together still, and surviving the storms of time, Tranquebar is the ultimate destinations for those who lose themselves, when it comes to History.

Distance from Chennai: 266 km

Best Time: August to February

7 Tranquebar Attractions

Lying at the boundary of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake is the second largest lagoon in the country. This fantastic destination is a natural beauty and also serves as an asylum for birds under the name of Pulicat Bird Sanctuary. The lake is separated by the Bay of Bengal by the barrier island of Sriharikota, which is also a rocket launching centre. Lying in the midst of scintillating virgin charms and cutting edge technological hotspot, the Pulicat Lake has something for everyone.

Distance from Chennai: 104 km

Located in Sri Venkateswara National Park, Talakona Waterfall is the highest waterfall in the region and a famous picnic spot. The water is believed to have medicinal properties and comes from an unknown underground stream. The attraction is also famous for trekking and has several trekking routes running around it amidst the scenic natural surroundings.

Distance from Chennai: 204 km

Needless to say, this world renowned temple is a must visit on a trip to Chittoor. Located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala, of the Tirupati hill, this temple houses the most breathtaking idol of Lord Venkateshwara, and it is said that a look at the idol is sure to leave one spellbound.

Distance from Chennai: 158 km

Known as the "Troy of the East" by the British, Gingee Fort rises out of the Tamilian plains. Lying in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu, the fort is 160 kilometres from the state capital, Chennai, and is close to the Union Territory of Puducherry. The majestic fort has three different hilltop citadels and a massive boundary of thick walls and cliffs. 

Distance from Chennai: 155 km

Cholamandalam Artists? Village is situated in Injambakkam in Chennai. The gallery is spread over 10 acres and was established by the brilliant artist KCS Paniker in 1966. The gallery exhibits and displays works of artists who contributed for the "Madras Movement".

Distance from Chennai: 18 km

Nettukuppam is the northernmost tip of Chennai and has a beach which is yet not tarnished by encroaching crowds. It is a solitary retreat for those who seek to enjoy the raging sea up close but in a peaceful environment. The saltwater creek of Ennore joins the sea here forming an estuary of sorts. The place is ideal to spend a peaceful time as it is still not on the radar of the maddening tourist crowd.

Distance from Chennai: 24 km