Elliot's Beach (Besant Nagar)

Chennai, India

A cleaner and less crowded alternative to Marina Beach with a relaxed vibe.

Places in Elliot's Beach (Besant Nagar)

Elliot's Beach cafés Cafés along the relaxed, cleaner beach ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers.

Best time to visit: November to February (cooler, drier months) for the most comfortable beach and sightseeing weather.
Getting around: Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach anchor the coastal side of the city, with Guindy National Park and San Thome Basilica reachable by short taxi rides across Chennai's expanding urban footprint.
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹)
Language: Hindi and English, plus strong regional languages.
Timezone: IST (UTC+5:30)
Current trends: Chennai's booming growth alongside Bangalore and Hyderabad continues to be reflected in its expanding hotel scene, from The Leela Palace's full-service spa to mid-range options like Happy Planet, while Elliot's Beach's calmer, cleaner appeal draws a growing share of visitors away from the more crowded Marina Beach, and San Thome Basilica remains a key pilgrimage and tourist landmark.

Marina Beach district — Home to one of Asia's longest city beaches, along with Meenavan Unavagam's fresh-caught seafood.
Alwarpet — Home to mid-range stays like Happy Planet, costing about 3,000 INR for two people including breakfast.