Pulicat

A quaint seashore town nestled in the north of Chennai, Pulicat boasts a colonial past with a Dutch Fort and a Dutch cemetery. Head to Pulicat Lake, which also houses the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, home to scores of resident and migratory birds. It is famous for the Flamingo Festival hosted by the State Tourism Board.

Distance from Chennai: 55 km
Climate: Tropical
Best time to visit: Oct-Mar (pleasant)

Mahabalipuram

A temple town famous for its stone carved monuments, Mahabalipuram’s age-old structures and ruins depict its grand architectural legacy. Apart from the Shore Temple and the Five Rathas, the Varaha Cave, Arjuna’s Penance, and Tiger Caves are the other relics adorned with atavistic artwork. If you love performance arts, be sure to catch the famous Mamallapuram Dance Festival. Enjoy your dose of vitamin sea by its pristine shorelines.

Distance from Chennai: 60 km
Climate: Tropical
Best time to visit: Oct-Mar (winter)

Puducherry

It’s quite impossible to not include Puducherry on a list of weekend getaways from Chennai! Quench your thirst for a taste of the cross-cultural, for it’s where the south Indian meets the French. Puducherry has something to offer everyone. You could enjoy a spiritual cleansing at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, take off to relax by the sun-kissed beaches (Auroville, Paradise, Promenade or Serenity), or cycle through the quaint town. Or go bird-watching at the Ousteri Wetlands.

Distance from Chennai: 170 km
Climate: Tropical
Best time to visit: July-Sept (monsoon); Oct-Feb (winter)

Kanchipuram

Popularly known as Kanchi, the city is the perfect blend of culture, history, and architecture. From the Kailasanathar Temple known for its ornate sandstone carvings to the Kamakshi Amman Temple, the only Goddess temple in the city, Kanchipuram is a wonderful set in stone. Modern Kanchi is a famous weaving center, making it a favorite among shopaholics.

Distance from Chennai: 75 km
Climate: Tropical
Best time to visit: Oct-Mar (pleasant)