Chennai, India

DAILY TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Chennai

Formally known as Madras, Chennai is a hotbed of South Indian culture. Expect ornate temples, incredible artwork and fantastic food, but without the tourists and hawkers that crowd many other Indian cities.

To find out more about the history of Chennai, visit the Government Museum. With an impressive collection of ancient bronze sculptures, you can learn about the art and culture of the Tamil Nadu region since prehistoric times. There’s also some artifacts from Roman and early Christian visitors – St Thomas was supposed to have sailed to Chennai and some of his relics remain in the cathedral.

When the heat of the city becomes too much, take a stroll along Marina beach. This area is also popular with locals who gather here to play cricket, fly kites or just enjoy the cool sea breezes. Get a snack from one of the delicious food carts before climbing the lighthouse for a view over the city and out to sea.

Read more on Chennai below with flight options, current weather, maps, and activities to try while you are there.

Chennai is just one of many featured destinations part of our Daily Travel Inspiration series. Discover more at Daily Travel Inspiration or add it as part of your flash briefings on your Amazon Alexa device. Search 'Daily Travel Inspiration' on your alexa app or check out our Alexa page for more information.