Chennai Lighthouse
A 46m concrete lighthouse offering panoramic city and sea views from its public viewing gallery.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Sunset colors & sea breeze
Chennai Lighthouse
Best Time
Sunset colors & sea breeze
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 46m concrete lighthouse offering panoramic city and sea views from its public viewing gallery.
"The panoramic view of the city, sea, and beach from the top is truly memorable."
🌅 Sunset Spectacle
Catch the golden hour for incredible photos! Arrive early as the top viewing area has limited capacity.
⏳ Beat the Elevator Wait
The single elevator can cause queues. Visit on weekdays or earlier in the day to minimize wait times.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic City Views
Viewing Gallery
Ascend to the top for breathtaking 360-degree views of Chennai's coastline and cityscape.
Marina Beach Vista
Top of the Lighthouse
Witness the vast expanse of Marina Beach and the Arabian Sea from a unique vantage point.
Maritime History Museum
Inside the Lighthouse
Explore exhibits detailing the history of lighthouses and Chennai's connection to maritime trade.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for Views
Elevator Etiquette
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🌅 Sunset Spectacle
Catch the golden hour for incredible photos! Arrive early as the top viewing area has limited capacity.
⏳ Beat the Elevator Wait
The single elevator can cause queues. Visit on weekdays or earlier in the day to minimize wait times.
📸 Quick Photo Ops
You get about 10 minutes at the top. Be ready to snap your shots quickly!
🚗 Easy Parking
There's usually free and easy parking available nearby, making access convenient.
Tips
from all over the internet
🌅 Sunset Spectacle
Catch the golden hour for incredible photos! Arrive early as the top viewing area has limited capacity.
⏳ Beat the Elevator Wait
The single elevator can cause queues. Visit on weekdays or earlier in the day to minimize wait times.
📸 Quick Photo Ops
You get about 10 minutes at the top. Be ready to snap your shots quickly!
🚗 Easy Parking
There's usually free and easy parking available nearby, making access convenient.
🚶♀️ Peaceful Escape
Located at the quieter southern end of Marina Beach, it's a great spot for a calm seaside vibe.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Chennai Lighthouse for its stunning panoramic views of the city and coastline, especially during sunset, and its affordable entry fee. It's noted as a calmer spot on Marina Beach with convenient parking and nearby facilities. However, some find the single, slow elevator and the limited time at the top to be drawbacks, suggesting room for improvement in execution.
"A quite place away from the hustle and bustle of the main Marina Beach. This spot is the south end side of the Marina Beach and has comparatively low noise and less people/visitors. Free and easy parking spot, easy access to washrooms and a good place to enjoy some soothing sea side vibes."
Sayantan Mishra
"Located near Marina Beach, Chennai. Nearby vast beach is very lovely. When we visited the place it was a full moon day. The reflection of full moon from the sea tide was mesmerizing."
A. H. Hasmani
"Chennai Lighthouse stands tall on Marina Beach, offering stunning coastal views.
It’s one of the few lighthouses in India open to the public with an elevator.
The panoramic view of the city, sea, and beach from the top is truly memorable.
Evenings are the best time to visit, with sea breeze and sunset colours all around.
The small museum inside traces the history of lighthouses and maritime Chennai.
A calm, breezy spot perfect for photography, relaxation, and enjoying the Marina vibe."
Mithun Narasimha
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Chennai Lighthouse is located at the southern end of Marina Beach. You can reach it by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or local bus. Parking is generally available nearby.
Yes, there is free and easy parking available near the lighthouse, which is a convenient option for visitors.
Marina Beach is well-connected by public transport. Buses are frequent, and auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available.
Yes, the Chennai Lighthouse is an iconic landmark and is visible from many points along Marina Beach. 
Absolutely! Numerous local buses ply routes that pass by Marina Beach, making the lighthouse easily accessible via public transport.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The lighthouse is typically open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays.
Admission is quite affordable. Adults usually pay around Rs 20, and children around Rs 10.
Advance booking is generally not required. Tickets can be purchased at the venue. However, due to limited capacity, arriving early is recommended.
While there isn't a strict age restriction, the climb and the limited time at the top might be challenging for very young children or individuals with mobility issues. It's considered a family-friendly spot.
Visitors are typically allowed about 10 minutes at the top viewing gallery to enjoy the views and take photos.
📸 📸 Photography & Views
Late afternoons, especially during sunset, offer the most dramatic lighting for photography. The sea breeze and colors are stunning.
From the top, you get a panoramic view of Marina Beach, the Bay of Bengal, and the cityscape of Chennai.
Drone usage might be restricted in certain areas, especially near sensitive infrastructure. It's advisable to check local regulations before flying a drone.
Yes, the view is considered stunning and memorable, offering a unique perspective of the city and coast.
Photography rules can vary. It's best to check for signage or ask staff if photography is permitted inside the museum.
🎫 🚶 Onsite Experience
It offers a relatively calm experience away from the main hustle of Marina Beach, with great views and a small museum.
Yes, there is a small museum inside that showcases the history of lighthouses and Chennai's maritime past.
Crowds can be moderate, especially during evenings and weekends. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded.
Yes, restroom facilities are available nearby, adding to the convenience for visitors.
While the view is great, some visitors note that the elevator is old and slow, and the top viewing space is narrow.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's advisable to visit during weekdays or earlier in the day to avoid long queues for the elevator. While the time at the top is limited, it's usually enough for kids to enjoy the experience. The nearby Marina Beach also provides ample space for children to play after the lighthouse visit.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1The best time for photography is undoubtedly the late afternoon, leading up to sunset, for dramatic lighting. Be prepared for the limited time at the top; have your camera settings ready to maximize your 10 minutes. Drone shots can offer a spectacular perspective of the lighthouse and its surroundings.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Combine your visit with a stroll along the less crowded southern end of Marina Beach for a complete, low-cost day out. The easy accessibility via public transport further adds to its appeal for budget-conscious travelers.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Iconic Chennai Lighthouse
The lighthouse features a viewing gallery at the top, accessible by a single, albeit old and slow, elevator. From this vantage point, visitors are treated to stunning panoramic views of the coastline, the vast Bay of Bengal, and the sprawling cityscape of Chennai. This makes it a popular spot for photography, especially during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
Beyond the views, the lighthouse also houses a small museum that delves into the history of lighthouses and Chennai's rich maritime heritage. This adds an educational element to the visit, making it an engaging experience for history buffs and curious travelers alike.
Experiencing the Top Viewing Gallery
Once at the top, the space is quite narrow, accommodating a maximum of around 20 people at a time. To manage the flow and ensure everyone gets a chance, visitors are typically given a limited time of about 10 minutes to soak in the views and capture photographs. This means being prepared and making the most of your brief window.
Despite these constraints, the breathtaking 360-degree views are widely considered worth the wait. The opportunity to see Chennai from such a height, with the expansive sea on one side and the city on the other, is a memorable aspect of visiting the lighthouse.
Photography Opportunities
+2The most sought-after photographic moments occur from the viewing gallery. The panoramic vistas of the coastline, the city skyline, and the endless ocean provide a canvas for stunning landscape and cityscape photography. Late afternoons, particularly during sunset, are ideal, as the changing light casts a warm glow over the scene, creating dramatic and colorful compositions.
Beyond the grand views, the lighthouse area also offers opportunities for capturing the local life along Marina Beach, the play of light and shadow on the structure, and the serene seaside ambiance. Even the journey up in the elevator can be a unique photographic subject for those interested in industrial aesthetics.
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