• 1800-123-5555
  • Travel Agent? Join Us
  • Blog
  • Offers
Timeless beauty of Mahabalipuram - where history meets the sea

Tourism in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, Coastal town in Tamil Nadu, India, is known for it's rich history, cultural significance, and many attractions.

Tourism in Mahabalipuram

Rated 4.30/5 ( based on 1843 reviews )

See Map

Quick Information

Best time to visit
Nov - Sep
Ideal Duration
Visa
On Arrival
Starting from
Rs. 3,000
  • Rock-cut architecture
  • Ancient architecture
  • Seashore

Tourism in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram Tourism

Just 45 minutes from the city, the East Coast road stops at Mahabalipuram, a famous historic town. The 7th-century city is known for its rock-cut shore temples and the lone lighthouse that offers a breathtaking view from the hill. Mahabalipuram also has some great cafes that serve good seafood. A backpacker’s delight, one can find cheap accommodations and plenty of activities. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important cultural hub with a unique blend of history, art, and coastal beauty. Mahabalipuram tourism will give you an ancient temple, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage.

History Of Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram has a deep historical connection with the Pallava Dynasty, which ruled the region from the 7th to the 9th centuries. Under the reign of King Narasimhavarman II, also known as Mamalla, the town was considered the major port and cultural centre. The city’s historical prominence is evident through its rich collection of ancient monuments, temples, and rock-cut sculptures. The Pallavas were known for their architectural innovations, and Mahabalipuram tourism is a testament to their legacy.

Mahabalipuram Architecture And Art

Mahabalipuram is an open-air museum with architectural masterpieces that have fascinated historians, architects, and tourists alike. The intricate rock-cut temples and sculptures are among the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. These monuments, carved out of granite, showcase exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The style of architecture found here is unique to the region and has profoundly influenced the construction of South Indian temples. This is one of the essential tourist attractions Mahabalipuram with stunning architects.

Mahabalipuram- Places To Visit And Things To Do

One of the popular costal town in Tamil Nadu along with a treasure trove of ancient temples, sculptures and pristine beaches. One of the must-visit tourist places mahabalipuram include the rock-cut shore temple, five rathas, Arjuna’s penance. Explore the Mahabalipuram beach, engage in water sports, or take a scenic drive to the east coast are some of the stunning things to do. Mahabalipuram Tourism will provide you with opportunities to witness the vibrant local markets, mouthwatering seafood and traditional dance performances. Mahabalipuram is an ideal destination due to its rich history, traditional archeological sites, stunning architecture and soothing atmosphere.

Similar Destinations

Popular Packages

Unlimited Choices. Trusted Agents. Best Prices. Happy Memories.

View All

1 Day Vandalur Zoo Tour

View Detail

Cities:

  • Vandalur
1 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹3,000/-

₹3,261/-8% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

HotelsSightseeingTransfers

Grab Amazing Deals On The Salem To Yercaud Tour Package Now

View Detail

Cities:

  • Yercaud
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹4,000/-

₹4,444/-10% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfers

Book A Fun-filled Mudumalai Tour Package For 2 Nights 3 Days

View Detail

Cities:

  • Mudumalai
3 Days & 2 Nights

Starting from:

₹4,000/-

₹4,706/-15% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfers

Book A Memorable Trip To Tirunelveli

View Detail

Cities:

  • Tirunelveli
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹7,000/-

₹7,955/-12% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Amazing Mettupalayam Tour Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Mettupalayam
  • Coimbatore
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹7,000/-

₹8,235/-15% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Most Popular Kanchipuram Tour Package For 2 Nights 3 Days

View Detail

Cities:

  • Kanchipuram
  • Pondicherry
3 Days & 2 Nights

Starting from:

₹7,500/-

₹8,152/-8% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Enthralling Hogenakkal Falls Tour Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Chennai
  • Vellore
  • Yercaud
4 Days & 3 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,000/-

₹8,696/-8% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Book A Memorable Trip To Agumbe

View Detail

Cities:

  • Coorg
  • Agumbe
4 Days & 3 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,000/-

₹8,696/-8% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Best Yercaud Tour Package From Chennai

View Detail

Cities:

  • Yercaud
3 Days & 2 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,000/-

₹8,889/-10% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfers

Get Ready For A Short Getaway In Yelagiri

View Detail

Cities:

  • Yelagiri
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,500/-

₹9,043/-6% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfers

Ooty Package For A Couple For 2 Days

View Detail

Cities:

  • Ooty
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,539/-

₹9,384/-9% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

A Calming Tirupati Tour Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Tirupati
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,847/-

₹9,722/-9% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 2 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Splendid Bangalore Ooty Mysore Kodaikanal Tour Package From Bangalore

View Detail

Cities:

  • Ooty
3 Days & 2 Nights

Starting from:

₹8,999/-

₹9,889/-9% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Exotic Munnar Thekkady Alleppey Honeymoon Tour

View Detail

Cities:

  • Ooty
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹9,000/-

₹9,890/-9% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Book An Exciting Trip To Thanjavur

View Detail

Cities:

  • Madurai
  • Tiruchirappalli
3 Days & 2 Nights

Starting from:

₹9,000/-

₹10,588/-15% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfers

Kanyakumari Sightseeing Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Kanyakumari
3 Days & 2 Nights

Starting from:

₹9,394/-

₹10,323/-9% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 2 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Kodaikanal 1 Night / 2 Days Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Kodaikanal
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹9,394/-

₹10,101/-7% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

Popular Velankanni Tour Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Velankanni
2 Days & 1 Nights

Starting from:

₹10,000/-

₹10,870/-8% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

4 Nights 5 Days Nagapattinam Tour Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Thanjavur
  • Tiruchirappalli
  • Madurai
5 Days & 4 Nights

Starting from:

₹10,000/-

₹10,753/-7% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

5 Nights 6 Days Srirangam Tour Package

View Detail

Cities:

  • Madurai
  • Rameshwaram
  • Kanyakumari
6 Days & 5 Nights

Starting from:

₹10,000/-

₹10,989/-9% OffExact prices may vary based on availability.

Upto 3 StarsMealsSightseeingTransfersStay Included

How to reach Mahabalipuram

Read about the best & quickest routes to save time & money, as suggested by our travelers

By Air

Chennai International Airport is conveniently located just 53 km from Mamallapuram, making it the closest airhead for travellers. You’ll find a variety of flights connecting to major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, with both non-stop and connecting options available. Once you arrive, you can easily hop into a taxi or cab right outside the airport, and they’ll take you to Mamallapuram in no time!

By Train

Mamallapuram is wonderfully accessible via Indian rail networks! The nearest railway station, is just 23 km away, making your journey to this charming town quite easy. Once you arrive, you can hop into a taxi or cab to reach Mamallapuram comfortably. If you prefer a more local experience, local buses are available just a few minutes from the Chengalpattu New Bus Terminal, ready to whisk you away to the lovely town of Mamallapuram.

By Road

You can easily reach the charming town of Mahabalipuram by taking a scenic drive along state and national highways from nearby cities like Chennai, Puducherry, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram. Alternatively, tourists can hop on a bus from those locations to enjoy the journey to Mamallapuram. Nestled along the famous East Coast Road (ECR), Mahabalipuram offers a delightful drive that showcases the stunning natural beauty of South India.

    Our experts would love to create a package just for you!

    Fill in your requirements here >

    Your Preferences

    Where do you want to go?

    <>
    • Jan
    • Feb
    • Mar
    • Apr
    • May
    • Jun
    • Jul
    • Aug
    • Sep
    • Oct
    • Nov
    • Dec

    2025

      Fastest Growing Holiday Marketplace

      650+

      Verified Agents

      22 Lac+

      Happy Travellers

      65+

      Destinations

      Easy, Secure & Reliable

      Traveltriangle

      Verified

      Stringent

      Quality Control

      24/7

      Support

      Mahabalipuram Packages Reviews

      Read on to find out why our customers love us!

      C

      Chaitrabhat

      Bangalore

      Chaitrabhat's 3 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Driver was experienced, but cab condition was not good, at some uphill the cab gave up. The hotel was clean, had a good view and excellent food, Was much than expected. Jeep safari and toy train
      AS

      Ankita Sharma

      New delhi

      Ankita's 4 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      I recently had my south india trip to rameshwaram kanyakumari and trivandrum.. Everything i booked with blissful journey is worthy and in budget.. Gangan from blissful has fully helped and coordinted during whole trip ... Also Driver named Muthu is superb guide helping in nature ...Overall i assure
      everyone if you book with blissful u surely will not face any kind of challenge during your journey.
      CA

      Chandanshive Atul

      Mumbai

      Chandanshive's 5 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      It was perfect trip and well planned by the agent and they were so helpful to us in every situation Everything ;)
      TK

      Tapas Kumar

      Bengaluru

      Tapas's 5 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      We recently had a wonderful trip to Mysore and Coorg, and it turned out to be a truly memorable experience. We were fortunate to explore a variety of scenic locations, each more breathtaking than the last, and we indulged in delicious local cuisine that gave us a true taste of the region's flavors.
      A big part of our enjoyable experience was thanks to our trip driver, Sunil, who was extremely professional throughout the journey. He ensured we covered all the places listed in the itinerary and even shared interesting insights about the destinations. His dedication and pleasant demeanor added great value to our trip. The resort we stayed at was another highlight of our vacation. Nestled amidst the serene woods, it offered stunning views that made for a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The food served at the resort was equally delightful, offering a wide range of flavors that satisfied our palate. However, while the trip itself was fantastic, I want to share some feedback regarding the booking experience. Our travel agent, Kishan from Bookitforgetit, was very proactive and responsive before we booked the trip. Unfortunately, after the booking was finalized, I found myself repeatedly following up for crucial details such as the hotel voucher, payment confirmations, and driver information. This lack of consistent communication and post-booking support was a bit disappointing. My humble request to Travel Triangle is to ensure that better customer service is provided after the booking process is complete. It’s crucial to maintain the same level of attentiveness throughout the entire experience. While the trip itself was great, the post-booking service left room for improvement. I hope this feedback helps improve future experiences for travelers like us.
      SL

      Shilpa Labdhi

      Mumbai

      Shilpa's 5 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Ms. Kajal from ganpati travels give best service on every step.we 14 people group is enjoy whole trip and very satisfied
      IG

      Indrajit Gaikwad

      Pune

      Indrajit's 6 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Kiran Ji thanks for proper planning my trip it's Trip is My best trip drive also nice person he was explained all things & guide nicely. All temples Darshan, was my Father & Mother's Dreams completed in this trip so thanks all travel triangle team & special thanks Kiran Ji she's time planning is so
      super .
      NP

      NEEL PATEL

      Coimbatore

      Neel's 7 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Thank you for your excellent hospitality and for providing such a great driver, Ramesh.
      JR

      Jai Rajpoot

      Trivandrum central railway station

      Jai's 7 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks Rakesh for crafting an incredible itinerary for my family's trip! We had an amazing time, and the hotel selections were top-notch. You truly deserve 5 stars for your exceptional planning and service!
      P

      Ponnampriyanka

      Hyderabad

      Ponnampriyanka's 4 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Our family had a memorable trip to Madurai and Rameshwaram. Kiran was very helpful with designing our itinerary. Her prompt response to my requirements is greatly appreciated. Whilst we were happy with the customer service we received, the hotels chosen as part of the booking werent too comfortable.
      Perhaps, better choice hotels may need to be made available to customers to choose from. Abdul kalam house, meenakshi temple, ramanathaswamy temple, and Dhanushkodi
      PG

      Prasad Ghushe

      Prasad's 5 days trip to Mahabalipuram

      Its was a great experience the driver jamil is so good and drive very safely H

      Want best packages handpicked just for you?

      Fill the form and get a callback from our holiday experts

      FAQ's of Mahabalipuram

      Read on to find out why our customers love us!

      What is Mahabalipuram famous for?

      Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, India, famous for its ancient rock-cut temples, sculptures, and beaches. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction.

      Is Mahabalipuram a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

      Yes, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rock-cut temples, cave sanctuaries, and giant open-air reliefs. There are many Mahabalipuram tourism places that you can explore during your visit.

      How many days are enough to explore Mahabalipuram?

      You can explore Mahabalipuram in a half day or a few days, depending on what you want to see and do. But the ideal time to explore is 2 days.

      Are there any festivals celebrated in Mahabalipuram?

      Yes, many festivals have been celebrated in Mahabalipuram. Mamallapuram Dance Festival annually is a famous one where you can experience India's classical and folk dances.

      What is the story behind Arjuna’s Penance in Mahabalipuram?

      Arjuna's Penance in Mahabalipuram, India, is a rock sculpture that depicts Arjuna's penance from the Mahabharata. The sculpture is also known as the Descent of the Ganges. Arjuna, a Pandava prince, performed penance to receive the Pasupatastra, Shiva's most potent weapon. The weapon would help Arjuna in the Kurukshetra War against his relatives.

      What are some tips for visiting Mahabalipuram for the first time?

      - When visiting the Mahabalipuram for the first time, you must consider the following tips:

      • visiting during the winter months (November to February) for pleasant weather
      • exploring the Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas
      • hiring a local guide to understand the history
      • Wear a comfortable footwear
      • Arrive early to avoid crowds
      • Enjoy the local beaches after temple visits
      • be mindful of dress codes when visiting religious sites

      How It Works

      1

      Personalise This Package

      Make changes as per your travel plan & submit the request.

      2

      Get Multiple Quotes

      Connect with top 3 agents, compare quotes & customize further.

      3

      Book The Best Deal

      Pay in easy installments & get ready to enjoy your holiday.