A Stay in Chennai Before Travelling to Pondicherry

facade image of a temple in Chennai with the sun setting in the background

Even though Chennai is India’s fourth-largest city, it is often overlooked as a thrilling travel destination. It is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring Tamil Nadu’s stunning religious sites and the breathtaking former French colony of Pondicherry, which is situated at a comfortable driving distance of two-and-a-half hours towards the south.

The most frequented routes from Chennai Airport to Pondicherry are ECR, NH32 and NH48. However, most travellers prefer the ECR route along the Bay of Bengal coastline for its scenic views and shorter distance. An added advantage of this route is that you get to visit some of the most beautiful tourist places like Mahabalipuram, Alamparai Fort, Cholamandal Artists’ Village and more!

Mahabalipuram


Situated in the southeastern part of Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram is a small town that stretches from the Great Salt Lake to the Bay of Bengal. It is known for its religious temples and monuments. The most famous temple complex in Mahabalipuram is Shore Temple, which consists of three temples built inside a single complex.

a facade image of a temple in Chennai with blue sky in the background
steps leading to a Fort in Chennai with blue sky in the background

Alamparai Fort


Constructed in the late 17th century during the Mughal era, Alamparai Fort is a famous tourist attraction in Chennai. The fort once had a 100 m long dockyard that stretched into the sea and was used to export ghee, salt and zari cloth. The views from the fort are breathtaking, making it a must-visit tourist spot during your one-day stay in Chennai!

Cholamandal Artists’ Village


Located about 9 km from Adyar in Chennai, Cholamandal Artists’ Village is India’s largest self-supporting artists’ village. The village celebrates and promotes artistic expression. It offers an open-air theatre called Bharathi, which hosts conferences and discussions. Cholamandal Artists’ Village has earned recognition from all over the world and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chennai!

entrance to a building selling painting and other things - Tourist Attractions in Chennai

Hablis is one of the best hotels in Chennai, offering luxurious amenities and spacious rooms for a comfortable stay in the city. In addition, our hotel is conveniently located in close proximity to major tourist attractions. If you are looking to spend one day in Chennai, then Hablis is the right choice for you!

For a one night stay in Chennai, you can check out these popular tourist attractions near our hotel:

A deer posing for the camera with another deer in the background

Guindy National Park


A natural spectacle in the city, Guindy National Park is the eighth smallest national park in India. Spanning over an area of 2.70 km2, it houses a wide variety of fauna, along with tropical dry evergreen forests. One of the main attractions of the national park is the 20 million-year-old specimen of Tyrannosaurus. Other attractions include the common mongooses, blackbucks, small Indian civets, jackals, three-striped palm squirrels and hedgehogs.

Phoenix Marketcity


Opened in 2013, Phoenix Marketcity is the largest mall in Chennai. The mall features Chennai’s first IMAX screen and an 11-screen multiplex. Also, the mall houses over 200 stores and eateries, making it ideal for those looking to spend a lazy afternoon in Chennai!

Interior of a shopping mall in Chennai with people walking

So, on your way to Pondicherry, do not miss out on visiting these popular tourist spots in Chennai. For a relaxing stay, head out to our transit hotel near Chennai airport, Hablis. It is one of the best hotels in Chennai that caters to the needs of both leisure and business travellers. Due to its close proximity to Chennai Airport, travellers prefer to spend a day in the city at our hotel before heading to Pondicherry!