20 Excellent Destinations for Short Trips from Chennai

The average tourist wants to pack in as much as he or she can into one vacation experience. Hence; vacationers in Chennai often seek to explore beyond city limits. Fortunately; there is a fair share of exciting places to consider for short trips from Chennai city.

Listed below are 20 exciting places that make for a great itinerary of short trips from Chennai. These places include historical towns and cities, pilgrimage sites and eco-tourism opportunities. Scroll down to discover these exciting destinations.

20 Tourist Hotspots for Short Trips from Chennai

1. Covelong Beach

Located on the route to Mahabalipuram from Chennai; Covelong Beach which is also known as Kovalam Beach gets its name from Covelong Village nearby. This beach stands out for casuarinas groves and its pristine sands.

• Location: Near Covelong Village
• Things to Do: Enjoy sightseeing around in the neighboring areas or indulge in adventure sports like paragliding, surfing, and jet skiing and parasailing.
• Distance from Chennai: 38.8 km

2. Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is a beautiful coastline temple town in Tamil Nadu; not too far away from the capital city and the perfect tourist destination for short trips from Chennai. This town is a widely known tourist destination in Tamil Nadu state owing to its temples and monuments; built in the 7th and 8th centuries.

• Location: Kancheepuram District
• Things to Do: Visit historical and archaeological wonders such as the Shore Temple and Pancha Ratnas among others.
• Distance from Chennai: 56.9 km

3. Sadras Town

Sadras is a quaint fortress town on the Coromandel Coast. This town in Kancheepuram district is a “short trips from Chennai” worthy destination; owing to its magnificent Dutch Fort and the adjoining beach; which is the site for multiple luxurious beach resorts.

• Location: Kancheepuram District
• Things to Do: Visit the old yet imposing Dutch Fort and spend some time on the beautiful sands of Sadras Beach.
• Distance from Chennai: 71.1 km

4. Kanchipuram

Also known as Kanchi; Kanchipuram is an ancient temple city in Tamil Nadu State. This city holds much relevance for Vaishnavi Hindus as it is one of 7 pilgrimage sites with the allure of spiritual release and enlightenment. The city has numerous old and archeologically stunning religious edifices.

• Location: Tondai Nadu Region
• Things to Do: Visit Varadharaja Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple and Kumarakottam Temple among other holy sites.
• Distance from Chennai: 74.0 km

5. Tirupati

Tirupati City in Andhra Pradesh – Chittoor District is one of the most well-known and holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus in India and abroad. This city is often referred to as the “Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh”.

• Location: Chittoor District – Andhra Pradesh
• Things to Do: Visit Sri Venkateshwara Temple which gives this city its religious significance.
• Distance from Chennai: 133.0 km

6. Vellore

Vellore is a great destination for short trips from Chennai for more than one reason. Located in Tondai Nadu region; Vellore is a major destination for medical tourism in the country. However, this city does have multiple public attractions to delight tourist to the area.

• Location: Tondai Nadu Region
• Things to Do: Visit Vellore Fort, the Golden Temple, Sripuram and Jalakandeshwarar Temple among other attractions.
• Distance from Chennai: 138.9 km

7. Chandragiri

While Chandragiri is a village like any other in Andhra Pradesh, it is set apart from the rest because of its famous and historical fort and the royal palace within the fort. Not too far away from Chennai City; Chandragiri is a popular short getaway for visitors and tourists in Chennai.

• Location: Chittoor District
• Things to Do: Visit the historical Chandragiri Fort and the equally impressive Raj Mahal and Rani Mahal housed within.
• Distance from Chennai: 145.2 km

8. Tirumala

Owing to the physical proximity of Andhra Pradesh State to Chennai city one can make multiple short trips from Chennai to various tourist hotspots in Andhra Pradesh. Tirumala is a pilgrimage town’ well known for the sacred Venkateshwara Temple.

• Location: Chittoor District
• Things to Do: Visit Venkateshwara Temple and the Natural Arch of rock formations located to the north of the temple.
• Distance from Chennai: 154.3 km

9. Pondicherry

Pondicherry is the capital city of Puducherry Indian Union Territory. However, this is not all; as Pondicherry is well known for its many tourist attractions and picturesque settings.

• Location: Puducherry District
• Things to Do: Visit popular tourist attractions such as Promenade Beach, Matrimandir, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus among others.
• Distance from Chennai: 156.1 km

10. Gingee Fort

Gingee Fort of Villupuram District is yet another tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu state; perfect for short trips from Chennai City. This old fort was built between the 9th and 13th century and was known as the “Troy of the East” during the heights of its glory days.

• Location: Villupuram District
• Things to Do: Explore this fort complex built upon three hillocks.
• Distance from Chennai: 157.4 km

11. Kanipakam

There is one primary reason to make a short trip from Chennai to Kanipakam village in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. However, that one reason is more than enough. Plan a trip to Kanipakam to see the impressive Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple; which are an important sacred site for Hindus and a marvel of 11th century CE architecture.

• Location: Chittoor District
• Things to Do: Explore the impressive Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple
• Distance from Chennai: 172.8 km

12. Talakona Waterfalls

A short trip from Chennai to Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh also comes with the opportunity of experiencing the natural beauty of Talakona Waterfalls in Sri Venkateswara National Park. These waterfalls are one of the most popular tourist attractions of Andhra Pradesh with many visitors coming in from Chennai.

• Location: Chittoor District
• Things to Do: Enjoy bathing under the waterfalls and the natural beauty that surrounds it
• Distance from Chennai: 192.7 km

13. Chidambaram

Tamil Nadu is a State of many beautiful and ancient temples and Chidambaram Town in Cuddalore District richly contributes to this widespread reputation. Chidambaram Town is the home of the famous Thillai Nataraj Temple; which is without a doubt an archeological and a sacred religious site for many Hindus.

• Location: Cuddalore District
• Things to Do: Explore Thillai Nataraj Temple and the bustling township that surrounds it
• Distance from Chennai: 217.9 km

14. Kaigal Falls

Kaigal Falls is yet another natural wonder of Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh; which fortunately is easily accessible from Chennai City. This beautiful waterfall lies in the midst of the resplendent Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Location: Chittoor District
• Things to Do: Explore both; the falls and the wildlife sanctuary
• Distance from Chennai: 222.5 km

15. Yelagiri Hills

Most of Tamil Nadu is warm and humid almost throughout the year. However, if you are looking for cooler weather; Yelagiri Hills makes for an excellent hill station destination for short trips from Chennai.

• Location: Vellore District
• Things to Do: Visit Velavan Temple, explore Punganur Lake and the nature park nearby and enjoy the beauty of Jalagamparai Waterfalls.
• Distance from Chennai: 228.9 km

16. Pichavaram

Pichavaram is a prime example of eco-tourism at its best. Located near Chidambaram; Pichavaram is most widely known for its several islands covered in dense mangrove forests which is the home of several native species of flora and fauna.

• Location: Cuddalore District
• Things to Do: Go on a jungle safari of Pichavaram mangrove forests
• Distance from Chennai: 229.3 km

17. Horsley Hills

This series of hills in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh makes for an interesting short excursion to consider when choosing from different destinations for shorts trips from Chennai city. Bearing in mind that this area is cooler than most of Chittoor; it is also a popular hill station among tourists in the south of India.

• Location: Chittoor District
• Things to Do: Explore Horsley Hills and enjoy the cool weather
• Distance from Chennai: 262.5 km

18. Poompuhar

Modern-day Poompuhar is a small town in Tamil Nadu; which was once thriving port town in times gone by. Archeological findings have proven this to be a fact, however; Poompuhar continues to attract visitors for its tourism value. Poompuhar Beach and its lighthouse are the primary tourist attractions.

• Location: Nagapattinam District
• Things to Do: Enjoy the sun and the sands on Poompuhar Beach, climb up its lighthouse and explore other town attractions.
• Distance from Chennai: 274.6 km

19. Gangai Konda Cholapuram

Gangai Konda Cholapuram was once the capital of the Chola Kings in c. 1025. The remnants of this historical fact in the form of monuments and temples built during the reign of the Chola Dynasty make this town an important tourist destination.

• Location: Ariyalur
• Things to Do: Visit the impressive Shiva Temple, the remains of the royal palace and the excavation display of ancient items from the Chola period.
• Distance from Chennai: 276.1 km

20. Karaikal

This major port city in the Union Territory of Puducherry makes for interesting short visits due to its proximity to the capital of Tamil Nadu.  The rich history of Karaikal makes it an important destination on the Puducherry map.

• Location: Karaikal District
• Things to Do: Explore Karaikal Beach and Park among other public attractions
• Distance from Chennai: 276.1 km

There is so much more than the places on this list when deciding upon destinations for short trips from Chennai. For readers who can add to the Chennai vacation experience with tips and suggestion; leave them in the comments section below.