Here is a concise itinerary for your trip to the ancient town of Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu!
You can watch the YouTube video to learn about 25 places to visit, 20 cafes to eat at and restaurants, stay options, bike/taxi rentals and the budget.
I believe that 2 days are needed to enjoy and explore the history, culture, food and activities that are available in Mahabalipuram.
Note: Some of the links in the article are affiliate links, which means we get a tiny part of the earnings from the booking at no additional cost to you.
2-Day Mahabalipuram Itinerary & Places To Visit
DAY 1
- Monuments Tour
There are 20+ monuments that are protected in Mahabalipuram as UNESCO World Heritage sites. You need at least 3 to 4 hours to do the entire tour of these. They are scattered in a 5 km radius around the town.
A common ticket of INR 40 for Indians and INR 600 for foreigners is applicable for all monuments.
Start from Pancha Rathas, then head over to the main complex of monuments, which has 19 monuments inside it on a walking trail.
- Lunch
Marmoris Beach Shack - Shore Temple
Head here in the evening to visit the most iconic spot of Mahabalipuram
- Shopping – Othavadai Street
This road leads to the beach and all the shacks. Here you can shop for leather goods, sculptures, art and clothes - Sunset at Mahabalipuram Beach
Reach the beach and enjoy the sunset - Dinner
Have it at one of the beach shacks – Sea Rock, Bob Marley Cafe, Sea Shore Rooftop
Day 2
- Surfing
Go for a morning session with multiple surf schools like Mahabs Surf & Stay, Mumu Surf School or Surf Turf Mahabalipuram. It takes about 2-3 hours per session.
- Brunch
Joe’s Cafe - India Sea-Shell Museum
India’s largest seashell museum with ~40,000 seashells from over 6,000 species worldwide. They have also made 6 more galleries for pearls, dinosaurs, fishing and more in the same campus. A very unique and fun visit, I was pleasantly surprised. - Madras Crocodile Bank
It is one of the world’s largest reptile zoos and India’s oldest, focusing on the conservation of the species. Great for families and wildlife lovers. You can also witness crocodile feeding and live venom extractions at specific times. A worthy visit to be educated about conservation and the life of different types of reptiles.\ - Kovalam Blue Flag Beach
India’s one of 12 blue-flag beaches is just 20 minutes from Mahabalipuram. You get this certification when you meet 30+ different criteria for high environmental and tourism standards. Perfect to enjoy a swim and a picnic, as it has good changing rooms, showers and shelters along with a lifeguard on duty.
💰Budget Stays & Hostels in Mahabalipuram
Upto INR 3,000
| Silver Moon Guest House | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/silver-moon-guest-house.html |
| Daphne Hotel | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/daphne.html |
| Squirrel Nest Guest House | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/squirrel-nest-guest-house.html |
| White House Beach Stay | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/white-house-beach-stay.html? |
| Sri Murugan Beach Paradise Hotel | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/sri-murugan-beach-paradise-mamallapuram.html |
| Catch A Wave | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/catch-a-wave.html |
| Mahabs Surf and Stay | https://maps.app.goo.gl/f2UV7tYA5FZjK46CA |
| Hotel Kalos | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/kalos-mahabalipuram.html |
As of August 2025, no hostels were operating in Mahabalipuram, which came to our radar.
🤑Luxury Stays in Mahabalipuram
Above INR 7,500
| Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/sheraton-grand-chennai-resort-spa.html |
| Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Kences Palm Beach, Mamallapuram | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/welcomhotel-kences-palm-beach.html |
| Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/radisson-resort-temple-bay.html? |
| Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort & Convention CenterOpens in new window | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/confluence-banquets-and-resort.html |
| Kaldan Samudhra Palace | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/kaldan-samudhra.en-gb.html |
😎Comfortable Stays in Mahabalipuram
Between INR 3,000 to 8,000
| Mahabs Beachview Homestay | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/mahabs-beach-house.html |
| Ocean Pearl Beach Villa & Retreat | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/ocean-pearl-beach-villa-amp-retreat.html |
| Bodhiwoods Resorts | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/bodhiwoods-resorts.html? |
| Madras Chronicle Bay Resort & Spa | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/madras-chronicle-bay-resort-amp-spa-mahabalipuram.html |
| The Mahizh Home | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/the-mahizh-home.html |
| Hotel Mamallaa Heritage | https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/mamallaa-heritage.html |
| Tamil Nadu Tourism – Beach Resort | https://ttdconline.com/ |
Travel responsibly, respect local customs, and keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. Happy Xploring!
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