Known For : Cubbon Park Lalbagh Bangalore Palace
Having evolved gradually from being the Garden city to the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru is India's third largest city, being the most livable city in India.
Distance from Chennai: 345 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Paradise Beach, Pondicherry Aurobindo Ashram Auroville
Puducherry was the largest French colony in India and the French influence on the city can still be seen.
Distance from Chennai: 151 km
Best Time: October to March
Bellikkal is one of those places where you can completely relax, without having to worry about a 'to-do' list for your vacations and yet experience mountains that will steal your breath away.
Distance from Chennai: 566 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Emerald Lake, Yercaud Pagoda Point Botanical Garden, Yercaud
Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud is a hill station called poor man's Ooty with abundant forests, vast coffee plantations and some unique species of flora and fauna resulting in gorgeous views.
Distance from Chennai: 364 km
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Sri Venkateswara Temple Akasaganga Teertham Silathoranam
The holy town of Tirupati is one amongst the 8 most scared places of Lord Mahavishnu and is highly revered, glorified and worshiped.
Distance from Chennai: 147 km
Best Time: September to March
Known For : Shore Temple Mahabalipuram Beach Five Rathas
Famous for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves, Mahabalipuram also offers beautiful white sand beaches and an exotic shopping experience to the tourists.
Distance from Chennai: 52 km
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Brihadeeswara Temple Saraswathi Mahal Library Shiva Ganga Garden
Also known as Tanjore or the city of temples, Thanjavur has a lot of cultural value and is known for its famous Tanjore paintings, antiques and handicrafts, its Carnatic music and musical instruments and of course the temples.
Distance from Chennai: 346 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Kamakshi Amman Temple Varadharaja Perumal Temple Devarajaswami Temple
Widely known for its 'Kanchipuram sarees' and also referred to as the 'golden city of thousand temples', Kanchipuram has various temples of religious and cultural importance spread all over the city.
Distance from Chennai: 72 km
Best Time: October to May
Known For : Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi Temple Nandi Bull and Paintings
Lepakshi is a small quaint village with several fascinating archeological sites and beautiful ancient temples.
Distance from Chennai: 404 km
Best Time: September to February
Mahanandi is a scenic village in the district surrounded by dense forestation with the mesmeric Nallamala Hills located to its west. The village has one of the nine shrines dedicated to Lord Nandi, also called Nava Nandulu. The village is famous for a 10th century ancient temple - the Mahanandiswara Swami temple. The village draws pilgrims every year on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
Distance from Chennai: 471 km
Known For : Hogenakkal Falls Mettur Dam Melagiri Hills
Hogenakkal is the small village that is known because of Kaveri river that splits into multiple streams of waterfalls over here, making it arguably the most heavenly place in the state.
Distance from Chennai: 341 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Matrimandir Marc's Cafe Arka
Situated in the union territory of Pondicherry, this township is wholly and solely based on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living and 'divine consciousness' which was the brainchild of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mirra Alfassa.
Distance from Chennai: 147 km
Best Time: November to March
Known For : Punganur Lake Nature Park Jalagamparai Falls
Yelagiri is small hill station, in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. If your looking for a hill station out of the ordinary, then you need to make your way to Tamil Nadu!
Distance from Chennai: 227 km
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Srikalahasteeswara Temple Veyilingala Kona Waterfall Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple
Overflowing with a rich and vivacious yesteryears, this place has showcased its potential to allure the visitors with its extravagant shrines and pristine beauty.
Distance from Chennai: 120 km
Best Time: July to March
Known For : Cauvery Fishing Camp Doddamakali Nature Camp Boat Rides in Bheemeshwari
This small town near Bangalore city is a perfect getaway for a nature lover and in its seclusion is a good break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Distance from Chennai: 417 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Adi Kumbeshwara Temple Nageswaran Temple Shopping in Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam is a gorgeous temple town in the heart of the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
Distance from Chennai: 281 km
Best Time: November to February
Penna Ahobilam is renowned for its Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The temple complex has temples of Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi.
Distance from Chennai: 534 km
Known For : Gingee Fort Sathanur Dam Annamalaiyar Temple
Perched on top of the Malai hill, Thiruvannamali is a holy town, most famous for its Arunachala temple among numerous other temples and ashrams dedicated to saints of olden times.
Distance from Chennai: 193 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Vivekanand Falls Ranganathaswamy Temple Kaivara
Located about 57km from Bangalore, Chikballapur is a place close to Nandi Hills, Vivekanand falls and many other small small attractions making it a good one day getaway from Bangalore.
Distance from Chennai: 322 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Situated 60 kms to the west of Bangalore, Savandurga, considered to be one of the largest single rock formation in the whole of Asia.
Distance from Chennai: 384 km
Best Time: November to May
Known For : Tipu's Drop Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple Tipu's Summer Residence
Small mounds near Bengaluru, Nandi hills serve as a great trekking destination and a weekend getaway for people in the metro.
Distance from Chennai: 340 km
Best Time: October to June
Known For : Velankanni Church Velankanni Beach Velankanni Church Museum
On the Coromandel coast, 165 kilometers south of Chennai in the district of Nagapattinam, it is said that years ago, the Virgin mother came to bless the land.
Distance from Chennai: 309 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Sri Venkateshwara National Park Srikalahasti Temple Nagalapuram
Steeped in religion, devotion and architecture, Chittoor is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Distance from Chennai: 158 km
Best Time: September to February
Located near the south western border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the mighty Horsley Hills is a hill station which is the perfect amalgam of the charms of Andhra Pradesh and Ooty. This natural marvel is situated at an astonishing height of 4312 metres and is very well known for its breath taking landscape, rich biodiversity, countless holiday options and comparative exclusivity.
Distance from Chennai: 275 km
Known For : Ramalingeswara Temple Narasimhaswamy Temple Patu Ru
Nellore is a beautiful city lying on the banks of River Penna and a Municipal Corporation in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Distance from Chennai: 174 km
Best Time: October to February
Known For : Chaitanya Jyoti Museum Sathya Sai Ashram Wish Fullfilling Tree
The holy abode of the apocryphal figure, Saythya Sai Baba, Puttaparthi is a town which takes you back to the days of ashrams and the ways of living in those times.
Distance from Chennai: 435 km
Best Time: September to February
The second largest Mangrove forest in the world, Pichavaram is located off the tourist trail but is totally worth the effort. One can be enchanted by the complex river system and canal network that bind this beautiful place together and support the rich biodiversity of the place.
Distance from Chennai: 212 km
Nrityagram is a dance village is located near Hesarghatta in Bangalore rural district. The village was conceptualized by the well known Odissi dancer Protima Bedi.
Distance from Chennai: 386 km
Best Time: February to Apr, October to December
Known For : Tiruchirappalli Rock Fort Kallanai Dam Rockfort Ganpathi Temple
Trichy is a mid sized, fat emerging city in Tamil nadu. It is a refreshing change from cities that are either completely devoted to a religion and cities that are nothing but concrete jungles.
Distance from Chennai: 330 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Pichavaram Mangrove Forests Shopping in Chidambaram The Nataraja Temple
A beautiful temple town in the eastern part of Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram is famous for housing the marvelous Lord Nataraja Temple and a few others which highlight its importance as a special place of pilgrim.
Distance from Chennai: 212 km
Best Time: October to January
Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta is almost 16 kilometres from the town of Kanakapura is a great trekking destination for a day trek. It is one of the highest hills in the neighbouring area with an elevation of 3780 feet, the hill also houses a temple devoted to Lord Rangaswamy that is constructed under a large white granite monolith.
Distance from Chennai: 379 km
Situated in Kanakapura of Ramanagara district, Mekedatu is a site by a stretch of narrow, deep gorges through which the river Kaveri flows. The spot is steeped in folklore: with the name of the place meaning 'goat's leap' in Kannada and has an interesting mythical story attached with it.
Distance from Chennai: 398 km
With an ominous name which means 'Mountain of Death', Koli Hills are a mountain range located in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. It is relatively untouched by commercial tourism and therefore has retained most of its natural magnificence.
Distance from Chennai: 362 km
Situated at a distance of about 132 kms from the city of Bangalore on 6 kms from Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp, Doddamakali is a living example of pristine rustic charm and idyllic sylvan setting. It also has a few resorts which offer a relaxing and rejuvenating break to the city folks. Besides the amazing bed and breakfast, the guests can also choose from a plethora of day-activities like bird watching, wildlife spotting and end the day with a quiet bonfire.
Distance from Chennai: 424 km
Known For : Dutch Fort Archaeological Museum Sikkal Singaravelar Temple
Nagapattinam is a town on the coastline of Bay of Bengal with major historical significance which is also a renowned pilgrim center with many temples, churches and mosques spread all over.
Distance from Chennai: 297 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Ramadevara Betta Ramnagara Hills Ramdevara Temple
Set amidst the challenging rocky hillocks and lush green surroundings, Ramnagaram is a popular weekend getaway for Bengaluru folks.
Distance from Chennai: 383 km
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary Karikili Bird Sanctuary
Lying close to the important district of Mahabalipuram, is Vedanthangal, best known for its bird sanctuary.
Distance from Chennai: 86 km
Best Time: November to February
Devarayanadurga which translates to 'The fort of God' is a tranquil hill station located near Tumkur district in the state of Karnataka. Situated at an elevation of 4000 ft, Devarayanadurga is a perfect weekend getaway to live among the lush green trees and explore the hilly terrain. There are a number of beautifully crafted temples which will provide you with inner peace and leave you awestruck.
Distance from Chennai: 422 km
Known For : Fort Dansborg The town gate The Zion Church
Forgotten to be touched by time, and still known for its tranquility, is Tharagambadi, otherwise known as Tranquebar- The land of the singing waves.
Distance from Chennai: 266 km
Best Time: August to February
There are a few ordinary landscapes in Kurnool. One fascinating stretch is a park with igneous rock formations. Find here a restaurant, small ponds, boating facilities and a cave museum. A less ordinary hiking area and a bit unusual picnic spot, this one, is a must visit area in Kurnool.
Distance from Chennai: 450 km
A wildlife sanctuary spread across an area of 614sq kms in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, Rollapadu offers its visitors a journey into the wild, close to nature, amidst a number of diverse species of flora and fauna.
Distance from Chennai: 447 km
Nestled on the banks of River Kaveri, the town of Talakadu in Karnataka is a mystic place submerged in the sand of extremely fine quality. Steeped with rich past and heritage, it is famous for its Vaidyanatheshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place derives its name from two local chieftains Tala and Kada and thus is called Talakadu.
Distance from Chennai: 446 km
Located in the picturesque state of Karnataka, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna is a haven for a wide array of bird species. It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state and comprises of six small islands on the banks of the river Kaveri. The beauty that finds a place here in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a sight to sore eyes.
Distance from Chennai: 465 km
Bhavani Island is one of the largest islands on a river and is located on the Krishna river at Vijayawada. The vast expanse of the island proves to be the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. If you are one for adventure sports and water slides, this is an exhilarating place to visit! Bhavani island can be reached by boat from the banks of Krishna river.
Distance from Chennai: 458 km
Yaganti, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh in India, is a popular tourist site that is famous for its Sri Yagantiswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple speaks profoundly about our rich culture and traditions even today. Yaganti houses the idol of Shiva and Parvathi, called Ardhanareeswara. The festival of Maha Shiv Ratri which falls around October or November each year is celebrated with great pomp and show at the temple.
Distance from Chennai: 411 km
A place which is testimony to the architectural and engineering genius of the region and the pride of one of the greatest empires of India - Chola Empire, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a place worth exploring. The magnificence of the Brihadishwara temple along with few others will enchant you and thrill you with its history and engineering.
Distance from Chennai: 274 km
Siddara Betta is a popular tourist attraction in the Tumkur district of Karnataka immersed in rocky boulders, temples and caves with an elevation of 1700 feet. The hillock is popular amongst trekkers and spiritual seekers alike, with one of the main attractions of the hill being the Lord Shiva temple enclosed in a cave that sees a fair number of devotees throughout the year. The hill is also really popular among trekking enthusiasts too.
Distance from Chennai: 451 km
Ancient temples with relics from centuries back in await you within the temples of Tadipatri. Built during the golden years of the Vijaynagar Empire, this retreat situated on the Western side of Andhra Pradesh is guaranteed to leave any visitor enchanted. If you're someone fascinated with history or interested in architecture, then Tadipatri should be your holiday destination.
Distance from Chennai: 377 km
Manchanabele Dam is built on the water of the tranquil Arkavati River. Located in the state of Karnataka, this place is visited by a lot of people because it is ideal to get away from the pell-mell of city and enjoy some serenity in the lap of nature. Manchanabele Dam is replete with cool and clear water. This dam is also surrounded by lush green trees in small hills that make the place look even more mesmerizing.
Distance from Chennai: 372 km
Hidden like a jewel behind the lush green forests of Andhra Pradesh lies a serene and tranquil place named Nagalapuram. Surrounded by majestic hills and gurgling waterfalls, this place is ideal to take a break from the buzzing city life and spend some peaceful days amidst soft breezes, flourishing trees and gushing waterfalls. Famously also known as Nagala Hills, this is the place to pump up your adrenaline with the various adventurous activities proffered in this scenic village.
Distance from Chennai: 74 km
In the state of Karnataka a beautiful city is nestled amongst trees and rivers which is great for a weekend getaway. Kanakapura is rich in heritage and culture. This place is a hidden gem bountiful in greenery and waterfalls. A few days in this wonderful and picturesque place will leave you rejuvenate. After visiting this serene place, you might not want to get back to the hustle bustle of the city as such is the charm of this place. The weather remains pleasant throughout the year and this place can be a great short trip destination to beat the heat or the weekday blues.
Distance from Chennai: 374 km
The Penukonda Fort is one of the main attractions of Anantapur. Located at a distance of nearly 70-km from Anantapur, the fort derived its name from the word Penukonda, which literally means big hill.
Distance from Chennai: 423 km
Seeing things and places as they are and not how they are meant to be is what life is all about. The places listed above are best experienced in their naked form and are sure to keep those enchanted long after they have left.