Bothered by the humidity in Chennai? These 7 beautiful places are perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway Away from the hustle and bustle of Chennai: 7 most beautiful natural places that provide relaxation and fresh air on weekends – ..

By Samira Vishwas On Jun 11, 2026

The fast paced life of Chennai, office stress and the humid heat there often make a person tired from within. In such a situation, everyone feels like staying away from the mobile screen for a few days and spending it peacefully in the lap of nature. The good thing is that you do not need to go on a very long journey. There are some excellent tourist spots within a radius of 300 kilometers around Chennai, where dense mountains, cold waterfalls, calm lakes and beautiful wildlife provide a unique experience.

If you too are planning a short and memorable trip in the coming weekend, then these 7 places can prove to be the best option for nature lovers.

1. Horsley Hills – Mini Ooty of Andhra Pradesh

Horsley Hills situated in Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh is a very peaceful and beautiful hill station. Due to the greenery spread all around, it is also called “Ooty of Andhra”. The cool breeze here and the views from the high mountains will win your heart.

Main Attractions: Whisper Wind View Point (where clouds can be seen closely), Galla Banda View Point, Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaigal Waterfall located nearby.
Distance and travel time: About 275 km from Chennai. The months from December to March are considered the best to visit here.
How to reach and budget: From Chennai you can go to Madanapalle by bus or train, then take a local taxi from there. Bus/train journey can cost ₹300 to ₹800 and a taxi from there can cost ₹5,000 to ₹8,000.

2. Nagalapuram – Thrill of trekking and natural pools

If you like walking and adventure amidst dense forests, then Nagalapuram is the right place for you. This place is quite famous among the youth for its amazing waterfalls and rocky trekking paths.

Main Attractions: Nagalapuram Waterfall, natural pools of cold water built between the mountains and the historic Siddulaiya Kona Temple.
Distance and travel time: Just 85 km away from Chennai. The weather here is most pleasant between October and March.
Trekking Guide: The 2-3 kilometer trekking route here passes through dense forests and big stones of the river. After reaching Tirupati from Chennai, one can easily reach here by bike or taxi. Bus fare ranges from ₹100-₹250 and local taxi costs from ₹2,000-₹3,500.

Major tourist destinations near Chennai: At a glance

To make your journey planning easier, you can get an idea of the distance and exact time from the table given below:

3. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

It is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India. If you like to see and photograph colorful birds of different species, then this place will make your weekend enjoyable.

Main Attractions: Thousands of migratory birds like pelicans, spoonbills, darters and herons come from all corners of the world during winter.
Distance and travel time: About 85 km from Chennai. Most birds are seen here between November and February.
Travel and Expenses: Take train/bus from Chennai to Chengalpattu or Madurantakam, then take a local auto or vehicle from there. The bus costs ₹100-₹250 and a direct taxi costs ₹2,000-₹3,000.

4. Pulicat Lake – Home of flamingos

It is the second largest brackish water lake in India, located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The view of calm water and far away blue sky looks amazing here.

? Special tip for bird lovers

Pulicat Lake is a sight to behold during the winter months (especially October to March). During this time, thousands of beautiful pink flamingos, kingfishers and pelicans camp here.

Distance and Travel: Only 60 km away from Chennai. Can be reached by bus (₹50-₹150) or taxi (₹1,500-₹2,500) via Red Hills or Sullurpet. Boating in the lake can be enjoyed between ₹200 to ₹600.

5. Talakona Waterfall – 270 feet high waterfall

Situated amidst the dense forests of Sri Venkateswara National Park, Talakona is the highest waterfall of Andhra Pradesh. The sound of water falling from the mountains and the fragrance of medicinal plants spread all around completely calms the mind.

Main Attractions: Canopy Walk, built among the trees about 40 feet above the ground, offers jungle trekking and rare bird watching.
Distance and Travel: About 190 km from Chennai. The best time is from October to February. After reaching Tirupati (4-5 hours) from Chennai, one can take a local auto or private taxi from there. The train/bus costs ₹150-₹600 and the total cost of a taxi from there comes to ₹4,000-₹6,000.

6. Yelagiri Hills – A relaxing small hill station

Yelagiri is a small, clean and very peaceful hilly area of Tamil Nadu. This place is perfect for those who just want to relax without any noise.

Main Attractions: Boating in Punganur Lake, trekking on the peaks of Swamimalai Hills and the beautiful Jalagamparai Waterfall.
Distance and Travel: About 230 km from Chennai. The weather here is best between November and February. Reach Jolarpettai station by train, from there you can go to the hill station by local bus or taxi. Train/bus travel ranges between ₹150-₹700 and taxi travel between ₹5,000-₹7,000.

7. Puducherry & Pichavaram – Magic of Mangrove Forests

In this trip, you will get a glimpse of French culture as well as a wonder of nature which is found in very few places in India. Pichavaram is home to one of the world’s largest mangrove forests.

Main Attractions: Take a Tamil Nadu Tourism Department boat ride through the dense and narrow mangrove trees, the serene atmosphere of Auroville and Paradise Beach.
Distance and Travel: Puducherry is 165 km from Chennai and Pichavaram is about 230 km. The best time is from October to March. Direct buses and taxis are available from Chennai. Bus fares range from ₹200-₹500 and taxis from ₹3,000-₹5,000, while boating in Pichavaram requires a separate ticket of ₹300-₹1,000.