Pondicherry (or Puducherry), 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 Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry, for the tiny holiday destination has a lot to offer to make it a fun-filled trip for you. Accommodations include beach resorts and top homestays in Pondicherry.
Read on to find out the 12 best things to do in Pondicherry:
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 Pondicherry. After satisfying your visual cravings, you might as well satisfy you gastronomic cravings by visiting one of the best places to eat in Pondicherry.
Rock Beach
Address: White Town, Puducherry, 605001
2. Heritage Walk
Fringed with a diverse range of history and culture, Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry, 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
3. Take a boat ride to Paradise Beach with the Chunnambar Boat House
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 Pondicherry, 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
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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. 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. Beaches
One of the best things about Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry 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 top seaside hotels in Pondicherry?
Beaches
Website: Beaches in Pondicherry
7. Scuba Diving
Scuba diving in the blue waters is one of the most enthralling experiences and water activities in Pondicherry. In fact, Pondicherry is 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. Churches
There are 32 splendid churches in Pondicherry, 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 Pondicherry. 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. Old Lighthouse
One of Pondicherry’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. 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. Pondy Cycle Tour (22 USD)
Looking for fun activities? Join a local tour guide on a Pondy Cycle Tour and get to know Pondicherry 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. Traditional Kolam initiation with Anita (10 USD)
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
Visit the Indian version of France
Step into Pondicherry and you’ll wonder if you’re in India or France. I, myself am a proud Pondicherrian. It is a quaint little place and you can see everything there is to see in Pondicherry, 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 Pondicherry.
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.