Chennai’s Best Beaches, Forests And National Parks

Chennai in India (formerly known as Madras) is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is one of India’s most visited cities owing to its incredible beaches and urban forests. Chennai uniquely boasts one of the world’s longest urban beaches, and a National Park within its city boundaries. When you are ready to travel, Brightsun Travel has cheap flights to Chennai so you can experience all that this diverse city of India has to offer. Here we explore Chennai’s natural highlights.

Marina Beach

Chennai’s central Marina Beach is the second longest urban beach in the world. It is also one of the most visited beaches in the country, with wide stretches of natural sand to enjoy, as well as waterside promenades, and several important memorials. The MGR memorial was built in honour of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran, and is a cultural icon in the state of Tamil Nadu, and one of the most popular on the beach, covering an area of over 8 acres. The Triumph of Labour statue is another important landmark in Chennai, and one of the oldest on Marina Beach, built in recognition of worker’s rights in India.

Elliot’s Beach

Elliot’s Beach has been a popular hang out in Chennai since colonial times. Here you can dine along the many restaurants lining its well-kept shores, take a swim in its clean waters, laze on wide stretches of sand, or watch the sun set at night over its beautiful landmarks, memorials and temples. The Karl Schmidt memorial is the most prominent landmark, built in honour of a Dutch sailor who lost his life saving others, and the Ashtalakshmi Temple is a contemporary temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, health, fortune and prosperity.

The Guindy National Park

Chennai uniquely boasts a National Park, the Guindy National Park, within its city boundaries, with beautiful lakes and streams, plus a wide variety of wildlife. Guindy National Park is one of the very few National Parks to be located within a city’s boundaries, making it a unique attraction in Chennai that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The park is home to thousands of deer, including 400 near threatened blackbucks, and hundreds of bird species, including rosy and painted pelicans. The park covers an area of almost 3 square kilometres, with a children’s park, bike trails and walkways to enjoy.

Kerala

Chennai provides a gateway to the incredible Kerala region, offering vast tea plantations, beautiful backwaters, mountains, lakes, forests, and some of India’s most idyllic beaches along the Arabian Sea, which attract visitors from around the globe. In picturesque Periyar National Park you have the opportunity to spot some of India’s famous wildlife, including elephants and tigers, and at Vembanad Lake you can experience magical islets and waterways winding through beautiful mangrove forests. And let's not forget Kovalam, with stunning beaches to ensure your tour of Kerala is complete.

Getting there

Brightsun Travel offers discounted airfares to Chennai on India’s national carrier, Air India, offering Economy class cabins with improved illumination and in flight entertainment, alongside exclusive First class cabins, limited to 12 passengers, with ‘Sleeperette’ seating with a 180-degree recline. Alternatively, fly direct with British Airways from London and you could be lazing on the beach in Chennai in less than 10 hours.

Author Bio:

Brightsun Travel can arrange all of your travel needs, from flights, short haul to long haul holidays, world tours and memorable life adventures! For more information on Chennai cheap flights offers, Please visit us at www.brightsun.co.uk