Puducherry (or Pondicherry), was a French colonial settlement in India, until 1954. It is now a Union Territory town, bound by the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu. This French capital of India is a destination that offers serenity and sanctity in its true sense. Some of the most popular attractions here are Serenity Beach, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, and the famous Puducherry Botanical Garden, which features a fun toy train ride. Those who are on a gastronomic journey can enjoy a wide range of delicious Indian food and street foods. The city is calm and its urban architecture depicts the style of a French colony, attracting people from all over the world. Besides sightseeing, you don’t need to worry about what to do in Puducherry, for the tiny holiday destination has a lot to offer to make it a fun-filled trip for you. Accommodations include beach resorts and budget hotels.
Read on to find out the best things to do in Pondicherry.
Good to know:
- According to Weather Spark, the best time to visit Pondicherry is from late December to mid-March, when the weather is most pleasant.
What to look forward to:
- If you're looking for souvenirs to take home, Incredible India, the country's official tourism website, has a detailed list of local crafts that you can buy. This includes Puducherry Bomai (dolls made of terracotta, papier mache, or plaster of Paris).
Tip from Content Creator
Aayushi
If you ask me to describe Pondicherry in 3 phrases, it would be:
-French architecture
-Cafes with the best food
-Scenic beaches
This combined with Auroville makes it a perfect short vacay getaway.
It has that combined touch of Tamil and French in its architecture and food and that is what makes it so different than other beach destinations.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise
This tiny coastal city boasts famous beaches that offer exciting water activities. Additionally, the city has many gorgeous beach promenades, some of which feature a wide range of delicious food. All this adds up to some wonderful locations to enjoy stunning views of sunrises in the country. So, wake up early in the morning or stay up all night long, but don’t miss the sunrise, for watching the sunrise from the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal is one of the best things to do in Puducherry. After satisfying your visual cravings, you might as well satisfy you gastronomic cravings by visiting one of the best places to eat in Puducherry.
Rock Beach
Address: White Town, Puducherry, 605001
2. Take a boat ride to Paradise Beach with the Chunnambar Boat House
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
House boat
Posted by Chunnambar Boat House on Wednesday, 25 January 2017
This popular venue offers spectacular boating facilities in the Chunnambar River, with lush, green plantations and backwaters as the backdrop. Located along Cuddalore Main Road, this is an amazing location for relaxing and chilling out. One can also sunbathe here and enjoy magnificent views of the sunset. Boats take people up to the placid and picturesque Paradise Beach, also known as Plage Paradiso.
Along with boat rides to the beach, there are some interesting and thrilling beach activities in Puducherry, especially in this part of the city. You can enjoy outdoor activities such as backwater sailing, hiking, picnicking, and overnight camping in tree houses in the backwaters. From here, people can also take short cruises to the sea. You could be lucky and spot dolphins, too!
Chunnambar Boat House
Address: National Highway 45A, Near Water Sports Complex, Nonankuppam, Puducherry 605007
Website: Chunnambar Boat House
3. Embark on a heritage walk in Puducherry
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Fringed with a diverse range of history and culture, Puducherry makes it to the list of best historical places in the country. No matter in which corner of Pondy you are, you will always find yourself engulfed by its heart-warming locales and diversity! Explore this gorgeous French colony with a heritage walk through lively marketplaces and silent yet colorful lanes and witness how life thrives in this region. During the course of your walk, interact with the locals and get a glimpse of their daily life.
Also, while strolling around, you can witness how perfectly the French essence in Puducherry was blended with the Tamil lifestyle and culture. A visit to Indian Square, on Vaishali Street, will offer you the best picture of how these two cultures embrace one another. On a whole, in the list of fun activities in Puducherry, a heritage walk is the best and most convenient way to learn about and get acquainted with this rustic union territory.
Heritage Walk
Website: Heritage Walk
4. Visit Aurobindo Ashram
This ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo, in 1926, when he decided to withdraw from public view and continue his spiritual growth. The place is now visited by thousands of spiritual seekers from all over the world. If inner peace is what you seek, this is where you should be headed. The ashram gives a lot of importance to yoga as it helps in transforming the body and mind.
Aurobindo Ashram
Address: No. 9, Near Junction of Manakula Vinayagar, Kovil Street and Marine Street, White Town, Marine Street, Puducherry, 605002
Website: Aurobindo Ashram
5. Immerse yourself in peaceful atmosphere of Auroville
Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual collaborator, Mirra Alfassa, also known as Mother, founded Auroville, in 1968. Her aim was to create a town where people of all nationalities could live in peace and progressive harmony, and true to her ideal, the place is full of calm and composure. Several workshops and therapies in and around the area help people get over their personal demons and be at peace once again. Even for casual visitors, Auroville is an enchanting place.
Auroville
Website: Auroville
6. Frolic on the beaches of Puducherry
One of the best things about Puducherry is the beaches. There are four main beaches: Promenade Beach, Paradise Beach, Auroville Beach, and Serenity Beach. These places are great for beach lovers as they are never too crowded and, compared to other scenic beaches in India, the beaches in Puducherry are pretty clean and well-kept. And there is nothing quite as refreshing as sitting by a beautiful beach, whether in the morning or evening time. To fully enjoy the beaches, why not stay in one of the best beach resorts in Pondicherry?
Beaches
Website: Beaches in Pondicherry
Traveler's tips
Promenade Beach might not be the best spot for swimming, but it's definitely a place to visit if you enjoy long walks by the sea and watching the sunrise in a tranquil setting. The pedestrian-only seaside promenade is clean and pollution-free, ideal for some early-morning jogging. There are plenty of shops and restaurants lining the promenade, from waffle joints to multi-cuisine eateries. Try some soft serve by the beach or visit it on a full moon to be mesmerized by the views. Some beachfront restaurants include Escape In and Udupi Ruchi Cafe.
Traveler's tips
If you wish to swim in the sea while in Pondicherry, take a ferry to Paradise Beach. The beach has clean sand and medium-sized waves, and you can even access a private beach area for an extra cost. Make sure to carry towels and a change of clothes if you wish to swim here. There are separate showers for men and women at the beach, as well as shacks selling juice, coconut water, fresh sweet corn, and more.
7. Explore the seas of Puducherry with a scuba diving experience
Scuba diving in the blue waters is one of the most enthralling experiences and water activities in Puducherry. In fact, Puducherryis the only diving spot on the eastern coast of India. The place is characterized by a natural coral reef, rocky pop-ups, man-made folds, and a plethora of marine organisms. The marine life includes coral, lionfish, grouper, kingfish, moray eels, manta rays, parrotfish, sea snakes, triggerfish, angelfish, bannerfish, and crustaceans. Scuba Diving is organized by Temple Adventures.
Scuba Diving at Temple Adventures
Address: 9, Archbishop Gandhi Street, Colas Nagar, 1st Road Opposite Indira Gandhi, Stadium,, Puducherry, 605001
Website: Temple Adventures
8. Explore the beautiful churches of Puducherry
There are 32 splendid churches in Puducherry, including the Our Lady of Angels Church, Sacred Heart Church, Dupleix Church, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, to name a few of the biggest and oldest ones. Their beauty lies in French architecture and the solace they hold within, making them must-visit places in Puducherry. Irrespective of your religion, just a few minutes of silence and reflection within these churches can provide you with a divine experience and put your mind at peace.
Churches
Website: Churches in Pondicherry
9. Take plenty of photos of the Old Lighthouse
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
One of Puducherry’s most famous landmarks and must-visit places, the lighthouse was constructed in 1836, and at that time, was considered very modern because of its unique, round tower. It is not operational today but still remains a very interesting tourist attraction with stunning views.
Old Lighthouse
Address: Old Lighthouse, Goubert Ave, White Town, Puducherry, 605001
Website: Old Lighthouse
10. Admire the Gandhi Statue
As if to remind you that you’re in India, not France, there is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi not too far away from the memorial. Located on the Promenade, the statue is surrounded by eight monolithic granite pillars, from the 17th century. The entire monument is very striking, especially when seen from a distance.
Gandhi Statue
Address: Near Beach, Beach Rd, Puducherry, 605001
Website: Gandhi Statue
11. Enjoy a cycle tour of Puducherry
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Looking for fun activities? Join a local tour guide on a Pondy Cycle Tour and get to know Puducherry beyond its French heritage and colonial history. This is a slow-paced cycle with an average duration of 2.5 hours. The tour package includes a vintage Indian customized bicycle with a basket, safety helmet, and a bottle of water. The route will pass through the Muslim area to Kuruchikuppam (fishermen’s village) via Goubert Market and the Heritage French town. You’ll have numerous stops in between for photo opportunities. Be sure to check out the French colonies, Tamil settlements, and other awe-inspiring locations! At the end of the tour, enjoy your breakfast in a lovely tropical garden and choose between traditional South Indian food or a French menu. The tour departs every day at 7:00 am from Sita Cultural Centre.
Pondy Cycle Tour
Price: 22 USD
Duration: 2.5 hours
12. Learn about traditional Kolams with Anita
Kolam is a traditional symbol of auspiciousness. They are beautifully designed, geometrical and multi-colored drawings created every day on the floor in front of the house. In Hinduism, kolams are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi to help the family drive away evil spirits. Rice is often used to make kolam patterns since it is meant to feed birds and small insects. Discover more about this interesting art by joining a 1.5-hour workshop with our local artist. You will learn the techniques of kolam and practice creating your own masterpiece. This can be booked between 9 am to 12 noon and includes transport from your hotel to the workshop’s venue.
Traditional Kolam initiation with Anita
Price: 10 USD
Duration: 1.5 hours
13. Admire the beauty of the French Quarter
Though small, Puducherry’s French Quarter will ensure that it takes up most of your visit there. Starting from one end of the famous promenade to the other, the side streets of the French Quarter that line themselves next to the promenade and make up the little alleyways and lanes are some of the most beautiful streets in India. Tree-lined streets cast their shadows on houses painted in colours reminiscent of a Europe long forgotten; street names in French and cafes that look like they’ve been plucked out of forgotten photographs of Paris jot themselves alongside the colonial houses.
Take a rickshaw ride (20 USD at most) for a guided tour or walk along the streets starting from the French embassy to the main fire station on the other side.
Traveler's tips
If you're a group of four or two couples on a vacation, you can stay at this Airbnb right across the street from Celine's Kitchen in the French Quarter to explore the charming neighborhood better. This snug and clean two-floor rental comes with a bedroom and an ensuite on each floor, along with balconies attached to each bedroom. In-room amenities include air-conditioning, fresh bedding, toiletries, and a minibar stocked with chips, snacks, and two bottles of beer. Moreover, the Airbnb is only a two-minute walk from the Promenade!
14. Take a leisurely walk along the Promenade
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The main promenade of Puducherry is best seen as the sun sets. Start an hour or two before the sun sets by walking along one end. Meander slowly as the locals flood out to gather by the beach after work. Pass by the famous Gandhi statute and the gorgeous police station and stop at the famous Le Cafe - get in early or you’ll be waiting for a table - for a coffee, drink or snack. Situated next to the beach with beautiful views of the ocean, it’s within walking distance of the Gandhi statue and very fairly priced - coffees are less than 100 INR (1.5 USD).
The promenade hosts several eateries along its way and is best seen at 6 pm when no cars are allowed on the street until the next morning. Soak it all in as you find yourself immersed in the relaxed Puducherry culture.
Visit the Indian version of France
Step into Puducherry and you’ll wonder if you’re in India or France. I, myself am a proud Puducherrian. It is a quaint little place and you can see everything there is to see in Puducherry, in one day. But if you have more time, you can just relax, slow down and find meaning and purpose in the simple things in life. From yoga to bird watching to just relaxing in the lap of nature, there are numerous ways to unwind in the amazing city of Puducherry.
For accommodations, no need to worry as there are plenty of options here–from budget hotels to luxurious sea view hotels and even Airbnbs with a pool.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Shubhi .over 5 years ago
very nice article ,I like to do Scuba Diving
0 . Replyhere you can find best cities of india
[link removed]