With its immaculate beaches and lush gardens, Chennai is a special combination of modernism and heritage. Chennai is an urban jungle, just like any other big metropolis in India. The city has, however, successfully maintained its green spaces in the shape of several new parks and protected areas, despite all its new malls, factories, and IT parks.
In addition to serving as a buffer against the pollution threat, these oases of greenery offer residents and visitors a chance to get away from the bustle of the city and reconnect with nature. Here are a few of the city’s top parks and other green areas.
How to reach Chennai?
By air
19 km from the centre of the city, Chennai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation. The airlines connect Chennai with important Indian and international cities, including, to name a few, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Dubai, Singapore, Frankfurt, and Muscat.
By train
Chennai, where the Southern Railway’s headquarters are located, has three main railway stations: Chennai Central (code MAS), Chennai Egmore, which is only two kilometres from the city (code MS), and Tambaram, which serves Chennai’s suburbs. There are numerous express trains that run often and have good connections to Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Cochin, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and others.
By road
A network of expressways and roads provides the city of Chennai with simple access to the rest of the country. NH 16, NH 32, and NH 48 are a few of Chennai’s arterial roads that link the city to other regions of India.
Best time to visit Chennai
Chennai is on the coast, which is one of the reasons why it is often hot and muggy. The best time to travel to Chennai is between October to February from the end of monsoon to the end of winter. This time of year is relatively comfortable and not too hot.
Chennai is a great place to visit in winter. This means you can explore the city without feeling the summer heat. Chennai hosts many traditional winter festivals and it would be great if you could join them. Avoid visiting Chennai during the summer and monsoons as summer in Chennai can be brutally hot and can be dramatic and unpredictable during the monsoons.
Beautiful parks in Chennai you should definitely visit
Following are some of the most popular parks in Chennai for you to explore.
Best parks in Chennai #1: Semmozhi Poonga
Semmozhi Poonga, Chennai’s first botanical park, was inaugurated in November 2010. The park, which boasts more than 500 plant types, also contains herbs and medicinal plants. Eight zones, each with a different theme, have been created inside the park as a whole. Due to its allure, beauty, and abundant wildlife, this park is one of the most visited in Chennai.
Location: Cathedral Rd, opposite American Consulate, Ellaiamman Colony, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600086
Timings: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (all days of the week)
Entry Fee: Rs 15 for Adults and Rs 10 for Children
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Source: Pinterest
Best parks in Chennai #2: Secretariat Park
Secretariat Park is a stunning urban park in the city and is situated across from the Secretariat at Fort St. George, close to the Chennai Port. Originally an undeveloped patch of ground, the area has been transformed into a sizable green park perfect for taking walks in the morning and evening or simply relaxing outside while taking in the fresh air and verdant surroundings.
Location: 19, Rajaji Salai, Fort St George, Chennai – 600009
Timings: Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Best parks in Chennai #3: Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden which is located at Vandalur, a suburb in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, around 15 kilometres from the airport and 31 kilometres from the city centre. It is a member of the Central Zoo Authority of India and is spread out over an area of 602 hectares, including a centre for animal rescue and rehabilitation. In its 160 cages, the zoo houses over 3000 types of plants and animals spread across 1200 acres, including 46 endangered species.
Location: GST Road, Vandalur, Chennai – 600048, Near Crescent Engineering College
Timings: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Tuesdays closed)
Entry Fee: Rs 50 for Adults and Rs 20 for Children
Time Required: 3-4 hrs
Best parks in Chennai #4: Nageswara Rao Park
Nageswara Rao Park is a 4-acre urban park situated in Chennai’s Mylapore suburb. It contains a badminton court and a separate children’s play area. Additionally, this Chennai park holds musical events and public dialogues.
Location: Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600004, Near Mylapore Railway Station
Timings: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Best parks in Chennai #5: Tholkappia Poonga Park
Tholkappia Poonga, sometimes called Adyar Poonga or Adyar Eco Park, is an ecological park constructed at the initiative of the Tamil Nadu government. This park in Chennai, which is located on the Adyar estuary, has 160 different species of trees and is popular with both visitors and locals.
Location: Dr DGS Dhinakaran Salai, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai – 600028
Timings: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM on Saturdays and 2:30 – 4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Entry Fee: Rs 60 per person
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
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Best parks in Chennai #6: Anna Nagar Tower Park
An urban park named Anna Nagar Tower Park, often referred to as Dr Visveswaraya Tower Park, can be found in Chennai’s Anna Nagar neighbourhood. The 135-foot tower constructed in the middle of this park in Chennai is its most notable feature. The tower, which was built in 1968 as a component of the World Trade Fair, continues to be the garden’s main draw.
Location: Tower Park, 3rd Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600040, Next to The Tower Club
Timings: 5:00 AM – 9:30 PM (all days of the week)
Entry Fee: No entry fees
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Source: Pinterest
Best parks in Chennai #7: May Day Park
May Day Park is a park in Chintadripet, Chennai, that was formerly known as Napier Park until getting a new name. This Chennai park, which was first opened in 1950, has hosted political gatherings and May Day festivities. Today, it is replete with lush green trees and sports facilities for badminton, volleyball, football, and cricket.
Location: Dy Mayor Kabalamoorthy Salai, Chintadripet, Chindatripet, Chennai – 600002
Timings: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM (all days of the week)
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Best parks in Chennai #8: Natesan Park
Natesan Park occupies 4 acres and is situated in T. Nagar in Chennai. The park includes specialised tennis coaching for kids and is maintained by Chennai Corporation. Additionally, there is a separate children’s play area and a plant growth centre.
Location: No 23/2, Kannadasan Road, T Nagar, Chennai – 600017, Near Parthasarathy Puram
Timings: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Best parks in Chennai #9: Sivan Park
Sivan Park is a significantly smaller park in Chennai that is located near KK Nagar. The park, which is brimming with colourful flowers and bustling with activities, is a refuge for joggers. The park is visited by friends and family who want to spend some time in the abundant environment and is lavishly decorated with many green trees.
Location: PV Rajamannar Salai, Kannigapuram, Sector 3, K. K. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600078
Timings: 3:30 AM – 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
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Best parks in Chennai #10: Guindy National Park
In Chennai, the expansive greenery is largely defined by the Guindy National Park, which covers a total area of 2.71 square kilometres. Despite being India’s eighth smallest national park, it boasts of breathtaking forest areas, scrublands, pristine lakes, and flowing streams. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including 14 species of mammals, over 60 species of butterflies and insects, a variety of reptiles, and more than 130 species of birds. It is no surprise that the park receives over 700,000 visitors every year who come to marvel at its natural beauty and the fascinating creatures that call it home.
Location: Rangeguindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-600025
Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Entry fee: Rs 15/adult and Rs 10/child
Time required: 3-4 hours
FAQs
Which is the largest park in Chennai?
The 358-acre Tholkappia Poonga park, created to rehabilitate the Adyar estuary's delicate ecosystem, is the largest in the city.
Which is the most famous Chennai park?
Guindy National Park- One of the few Indian cities with a National Park inside its borders is Chennai. Despite covering only 2.70 square kilometres in the centre of the city, Guindy National Park is home to a diverse range of plant life and serves as Chennai's green lung.
