The Diva of Dating

Romantic Escapes in Chennai: Best Places for Couples to Explore Love

Chennai— where the charm of the old world mingles with the desi contemporary vibe, and is conducive to falling in love. For the sound of romance while walking along a beach, a candle lit atmosphere, or even adventurous activities to get up close and personal, this city has just a pinch of magic in every way. From sunsets kissing the waves of Marina Beach to discovering secret culinary delights, Chennai has plenty of couple friendly activities–and with this guide, we’ll show you the most beautiful places where love is just a little more magical. So, take your partner’s hand and explore all these incredible places to visit in Chennai, for couples recently in love! Chennai’s Most Romantic Spots for Couples Are you seeking the best spots for a romantic date?  Because Chennai has plenty to offer! Whether you’re seeking a place to talk in solitude or you want a high-profile, lively spot, this city will have hearts racing. This is a well-curated list of the most romantic places in Chennai guaranteed to fit the romantic bill. 1.  East Coast Road – One of the Most Scenic Drives of Love East Coast Road is one of the most picturesque drives in India, where adventure meets romance. A drive on the sun-kissed beach along the Bay of Bengal, a well maintained road offers something for everyone from beautiful beaches to even fun filled adventure right along the coast.  Reasons Couples Love this Beach:  – Walk around the Cholamandal Artists’ Village where creativity and freshness dominate and speak.  – Visit the ancient Mahabalipuram temple to ask for blessings (and maybe romance?).  – Put your feet into the golden sand at Covelong Beach.  – Cut loose at MGM Dizzee World, or go boat riding at Muttukadu Boat House. Best Time to Visit:   – Morning: Temples & beaches– Afternoon: Adventure parks & art villages– Evening: Sunset boating & beach walks   Location: 8 East Coast Road, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 2. Besant Nagar Beach – Where Love Meets the Waves If long walks on the beach, golden sunsets, and quaint little cafes sounds romantic to you, aim for Besant Nagar Beach (also known as Elliot’s Beach). Romantic Things To Do:   – Hand-in-hand stroll the beach at dawn or dusk.– Drink aromatic coffee at Vivekananda Coffee House.– Unwind with cocktails at Unlock – The Retro Bar. Best Time to Visit:  5:00 AM – 6:30 AM (For dreamy sunrises)6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (For magical sunsets)Location: Elliot’s Promenade, Besant Nagar, Chennai 3. Marina Beach – The Love Spot of Chennai. There’s something undeniably romantic about Marina Beach. This beach is the second longest urban beach in the world! When visiting, watch the gentle waves crash into the golden sands or take in the endless horizon together. Marina Beach is full of things to do for couples.   Romantic Things to Do:  – Climb the old lighthouse and see if you are able to see Love from the top! – Go for a pony ride together! (okay a little cheesy but it’s cute right?!)– Have crunchy sundal and spicy bhajjis from the beach stalls.– Fly kites as the sun dips lower into the horizon and then out of sight into the waves!  Best Time To Visit: 5:30 AM – 6:00 AM (for stunning sunrises)Location: Marina Beach Road, Chennai 4. Muttukadu – Romance on the Backwaters If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Muttukadu backwaters are perfect for a calming boating experience, where you can row over the calm waters under a clear sky. Couple goals here:  – Speed boating for adrenaline junkies.– Paddle boating for a lazy romantic jaunt. Best Time to Visit: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMLocation: East Coast Road, Muttukadu 5. Amethyst Café – A Dreamy Garden Date Imagine dining in a heritage bungalow in the middle of the greenest surroundings –  Amethyst Café is poetic. Why it works for couples: – Romantic garden seating with twinkly lights.– Cute flower shop in the same compound (for surprise flowers!).– Delicious European & South Indian cuisine. Best Time to Visit: Evenings (For a candlelit dinner)Location: Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai 6. St. Thomas Mount – Sunset & Serenity For couples who fancy a quick hike or trek, a quick hike up St. Thomas Mount is a great way to enjoy one of the most picturesque sunset lookout points in Chennai. Romantic stops here:  – Walking hand-in-hand on the uphill walk.– Watching the sky change in all shades of orange and pink.  Best Time to Visit: Early morning (for a peaceful walk)6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (for sunset magic)Location: Parangi Malai, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai 7. Azzuri Bay – A Candlelit Dinner by the Sea If you are looking for romantic restaurants in Chennai, Azzuri Bay on the ECR will be a bright spot. With Mediterranean flavours, fabulous seafood, and a dreamlike setting, Azzurri Bay is a stellar pick for intelligent date night! Best Time to Visit:  7:00 PM – 11:00 PMLocation: 1st Crescent Park Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar 8. Basil With A Twist – A 9-Course Love Affair Looking for a special culinary experience? Basil With A Twist offers an ambience for close friends or loved ones with a nine-course meal – a sure fire way to make your date night special!   Must-Try: Mushroom Pasta & Chicken YakitoriBest Time To Visit: Weekdays – 12 PM to 11 PM | Weekends – 11 AM to 11 PMLocation:  Habibullah Road, T. Nagar, Chennai Let’s Summarize: Chennai is more than just a busy city – it can be a canvas for romantic escapade. Whether you like the salty air from the Marina Beach, the culture vibes of ECR, or a great candle-lit dinner at Amethyst Café, this city knows how to create love.   Pack your bags (and your person), and be ready to be swept-off your feet – you can’t expect love to happen unless you try! Love tends to happen in the most outlandish places; you could just start your love story in Chennai.   Where will your next romantic adventure … Read more

9 Best Weekend Getaways from Chennai | Within 100-200-300 Km

There are lots of places to plan for weekend getaways from Chennai for 1-2 days trip! The vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu, has an amazing coast and so many places to check out if you want to escape the city for a quick trip. If you enjoy history, nature, or simply want to leave the city behind for a little bit of a break, there truly is something for everyone! Think ancient forts, lush hills, animal experiences, and stunning beaches, just to name a few. You can hardly contain your excitement planning to visit them all on your Chennai trip! And don’t forget about the spectacular Eastern and Western Ghats with those beautiful cool and misty peaks waiting for you to grab your gear and hit the road. What are you waiting for? Forget about your daily commitments and revel in some weekend adventure. Where to Go? The Ultimate List of Weekend Escapes from Chennai There are endless possibilities for short trip locations near Chennai! Really, you will have too many options to choose from! Would you like to trek some of the dramatic cliffs at Gandikota? How about sipping a chai tea while gazing into the infinite greens of Coonoor? If you are craving a beach destination, you can splurge on the golden beaches of Kovalam.  For pulsating adventures or just lazy, sun filled experiences, Chennai offers almost too many choices to meet your weekend satisfaction for family, friends or solo adventurer. Now pick your getaway and get visiting! 1. Kanchipuram Kanchipuram is just a short 2 hour drive along NH48 from Chennai, and its known as the “City of a Thousand Temples” for a reason. The city and area has a history going all the way back to the Pallavas, then on to the Cholas and beyond, and is filled with lovely temples, sculpted idols, and culture.  However, apart from the temples and spirituality, if you walk around the streets of Kanchi, there are some great South Indian street food options as well. As crispy vadas, filter coffee it gives the city that perfect blend of rich history and tasty food.  Distance from Chennai: 74 km via NH48Must-visit spots: Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Kanchi Kudil Museum, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary 2. Tirupati With countless temples and a vibrant atmosphere, Tirupati is one of South India’s holiest cities that attracts both pilgrims and travellers alike, but there is also large national parks, waterfalls and trekking trails!  During your Tirupati visit, whether you’re heading to a sacred temple at Venkateswara Temple, or chasing waterfalls at Talakona, we can guarantee you’ll leave with lasting memories from the weekend.  Distance from Chennai: 133 km via NH716Must-visit spots: Sri Venkateswara Temple, Akash Ganga Waterfalls, TTD Gardens, Talakona Waterfalls, Sri Venkateshwara National Park 3. Pondicherry Spend just three and a half hours getting out of Chennai, and you’ll fly to Pondicherry (or Puducherry), where it’s like a mini-vacation in Europe. Stroll by gorgeous pastel-colour French villas, enjoy espresso at a cafe, snack on buttery croissants, and feel the sea breeze.  If you want adventure, consider surfing and if you want to relax, you can settle in Auroville or at the splendid Promenade Beach. Bon voyage!  Distance from Chennai: 169 km via NH32Must-visit spots: Auroville, Seaside Promenade, Paradise Beach, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus  4. Yelagiri Seeking a quick getaway in the mountains? Yelagiri is only three and half hours from Chennai and you’ll find misty hills, placid lakes, and a range of adventure sports. Hike Swamimalai, float in a boat over Punganoor Lake , or visit during the noted Summer Festival, where you can absorb cultural performances and food stalls Distance from Chennai: 229 km via NH48Must-visit spots: Punganoor Lake, Jalagamparai Waterfalls, Swamimalai Hill 5.  Horsley Hills Horsley Hills, situated in the Eastern Ghats, offers a laid-back atmosphere with forests, weather, and views to enjoy. At 4,100 feet, it is great for trekking, spotting wildlife (hello deer and peacocks!), or reflecting at Gangotri Lake. Distance from Chennai: 289 km via NH71Must-visit spots: Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Mallamma Temple, Horsley Hills Zoo 6.  Mysore It’s hard to imagine a cleaner city than Mysore with history around every corner from times of royalty past. Welcome to a living museum where the Wodeyar dynasty ruled for seven-hundred years; you will be surrounded by palaces, sandalwood, and Mysore pak that will dissolve in your mouth. Mysore is a half day drive from Chennai (or a quick flight) and you will not be disappointed. The moment you walk into the Mysore Palace during the magical golden hour, royalty will be in your heart.    Distance from Chennai: 482 km via NH48 Don’t Miss: Mysore Palace (lit up on Sundays!), Chamundi Hill Temple, Brindavan Gardens’ musical fountains 7.  Yercaud If you want a mountain experience, but don’t want to deal with the Ooty crowds, try Yercaud -“Lake Forest”. This sleepy little hill station offers misty views, pristine boating on emerald lakes, and spice scented trails for half the cost of its prominent cousins.     With miles of vantage points to enjoy the view, an early dawn will afford you to see the sun surface above the Sheveroy Hills and compliment yourself with a steaming cup of locally grown coffee.  Pure bliss under 7 hours from Chennai!    Distance from Chennai: 366 km via NH79Must-Do: Boating at Yercaud Lake, exploring Silk Farm, sunset at Lady’s Seat 8. Thiruthani Spiritual heavyweight Thiruthani is a mere 90 km from Chennai, and a city that is certainly worth the time. It is home to the spectacular Thiruthani Murugan Temple which is built on top of a hill. Oh, and that’s not all. You can trek the hill to get the stunning panoramic view; you can sit and meditate or just breathe in the tranquillity at Shantipuri Shrine; and you can take back to the golden age of temple towns transitioning to the nasty fate of mass tourism.  This is a perfect space for a quick time-out and recharge from the city buzz. Distance … Read more