Certain cities welcome you with a warm smile. Others embrace you by the heart and ensure that you never do forget them. Chennai was the latter for me.

From the time I exited Chennai International Airport, the salty, warm Bay of Bengal breeze caressed my skin, and I felt it — there were stories to be told here. I had taken a short trip with an itinerary, but the least I knew was that Chennai would entrance me so much that I would yearn to return even before departing.

Photo by SYED ARIFF on Unsplash

Day 1: Marina Mornings and a Smooth Start with cheQin

My odyssey started with dawn on Marina Beach. At 13 kilometers in length, it’s among the longest metropolitan shores on the planet, and the prospect of the orange sun rising over the Bay of Bengal was something mystical. Fishermen were trying their luck with nets, runners were putting in their miles, and I was already hooked on the city.

I wanted an affordable, hassle-free stay, and this is where cheQin really came to the rescue. Within minutes of arrival, I opened the cheQin app, sorted by budget and distance from the beach, and booked a hotel in Triplicane. It wasn’t affordable alone — it was small, clean, and just a short walk from the beach. cheQin does not provide local insights or itineraries, but when it comes to accommodation, it is simply unbeatable.

☕ Storytime at Amethyst Café

In the afternoon, I visited Amethyst Café in Royapettah, a converted colonial bungalow into café and boutique. The garden was green, the atmosphere creative, and the cappuccino rich and fragrant. I ran into a local designer who was sketching on a notebook and engaged in conversation. She reminisced about her childhood in Mylapore, temple bells, monsoons, and hidden beaches known only to locals.

This spontaneous interaction set the tone for the entire trip — Chennai is not a city you just look at. It’s a city you listen to.

Day 2: Temples, Textiles, and Time Travel

The following day, I visited Mylapore, an ancient area of Chennai. The Kapaleeshwarar Temple itself was a wonder — vibrant gopurams (towers) against the skyline, delicate carvings narrating mythological tales, and conch shells filling the air with peace.

Photo by SIBY on Unsplash

A short walk from the temple, I paid a visit to Rasi Silks. Even if one is not intending to buy saris, walking through these fabric shops is an experience. The employees drape expensive Kanchipuram silks across tables like precious art pieces. I purchased a little handwoven stole, more for the memory than the fabric.

Tip: Go to temples early morning (pre-8 am) to escape the crowds. Also, if you prefer genuine handlooms, always request a “Silk Mark” tag.

Chennai’s Culinary Delights

Lunch was at Murugan Idli Shop — tender, steaming idlis, crispy fried vadas, and an assortment of chutneys so good, I lost count. Dinner of the day? Dosa and filter coffee at Ratna Café in Triplicane. Their sambar is the stuff of legend.

Each meal in Chennai was rich and flavorful. This was not merely food — it was an introduction to centuries of culinary heritage. Whatever I was tasting, ranging from spicy Chettinad chicken to a simple curd rice at a mess, each morsel was like a welcoming hug.

Day 3: Cinema and Contemporary Culture

I could not go to Chennai without experiencing its cinema culture. I watched a Tamil movie at Sathyam Cinemas, the city’s best. Although I did not have fluent Tamil, the atmosphere in the theater — the laughter, gasps, and whistles — made me feel part of it. It’s not merely a movie; it’s a community event.

Afterwards, I stepped into the Government Museum in Egmore. The archaeological wing boasted ancient South Indian bronze sculptures that took my breath away. I gazed at a Nataraja statue from the Chola period, admiring its poise, elegance, and narrative.

Tips

Take a scarf or shawl with you to temples and museums — it’s polite and useful in Chennai’s often ferocious sun too.

Day 4: Offbeat Chennai

I wished to investigate areas of Chennai not in standard tourist brochures. I found myself in Besant Nagar, strolling along Elliots Beach. Unlike Marina, this beach is quieter, and in many respects, even more lovely.

Here’s a secret treasure: Broken Bridge. Initially constructed to link Santhome and Besant Nagar over the Adyar River, the bridge was destroyed in the 1970s. Now, it lies abandoned, untamed, and lyrical. Watching it from here at sunset is otherworldly.

Yet another quirky pit stop:

Cholamandal Artists’ Village. It’s a community of artists on the East Coast Road where you can meet artists, view modern South Indian art, and even make a purchase if you’re so inclined.

More Gourmet Delights: Sundal and Street Food

Evenings were for street food. Sundal (boiled chickpeas, coconut, and spices), masala pori (puffed rice), and raw mango slices with chili powder — Chennai street food is simple and nostalgic. I discovered a favorite vendor outside Marina Beach who prepared the best pineapple chili sundal I ever had.

Back to My Hotel: Thanks to CheQin

Each evening, after my wanderings, I’d come back to my hotel with aching legs and a full heart. The room, courtesy of cheQin, was always comfortable, nice and cool (bless that AC!), and had dependable Wi-Fi — just right for uploading the day’s photos and journaling. And yes, cheQin made it so convenient.

They didn’t assist me with finding a place to eat or see (they don’t do that), but as far as booking cheap hotels with the utmost in comfort, they got precisely what I was looking for.

Last Thoughts: Why I’m so Excited to Return

Chennai is one of those cities that finds its way under your skin. It’s a city where each street has a tale to tell, where the scent of jasmine and filter coffee wafts through the air, where temples and tea stalls sit alongside IT parks and jazz bars.

This wasn’t a holiday. It was a discovery — a discovery of a place, of people, of myself.

Photo by Ganesh Partheeban on Unsplash

I long to return to walk Marina Beach barefoot once more, to relish that ideal dosa at Ratna Café, to catch another film in a crowded local cinema, to converse with strangers in cafes that are home. And when I do return, I know cheQin will once again look after where I sleep, so that I can devote my complete attention to Chennai magic.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

So, if you’re looking for your next Indian destination — consider Chennai. It’s not always loud or flashy, but it’s deeply soulful, generously warm, and delicious in every way.

Until next time, Chennai — keep the coffee hot and the sea breeze gentle. I’ll be back.

— End of Blog

Chennai for First-Time Visitors: What to Eat, See & Where to Stay