Top 15 tourist places in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a union territory in India. This quaint place is one of the popular tourist destinations in the country for its rich historical significance and architectural beauty. A former French colony, Pondicherry still contains reminiscences of the past in its buildings and people. Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual findings in Pondicherry have also made it an important place of interest.

Currently, hundreds of tourists visit Pondicherry every year. The tourist places in Pondicherry are not only aesthetic but also offer spiritual repose from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. 

 

How to reach Pondicherry

By air: Pondicherry Airport is a domestic terminal located within the city. The airport receives a large number of domestic flights from various parts of India. Additionally, international tourists can also travel to Pondicherry airport by taking connecting flights to Chennai and Bangalore.

By rail: Pondicherry railway station is an important rail link in the union territory of Pondicherry. The station is located within the city and tourists can travel here from any part of the country. If you cannot find direct trains from your city, you can travel to Chennai and then, take a connecting train to Pondicherry.

By road: Pondicherry is well connected by roadways and many tourists opt for the same. From Bangalore, tourists can take the NH44 highway to reach the city within a day. Alternatively, Pondicherry is under 3 hours away from Chennai and can be reached via East Coast Road.

 

15 best tourist places in Pondicherry for a memorable trip

Here are some things to do and places to see in Pondicherry if you are new to the place.

 

1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram

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Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual place and one of the top tourist places in Pondicherry. The ashram was built in the mid-20th century. Followers from all over the world come to the ashram to seek the blessings of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo who has found his resting place here. The place is a hub of spirituality, and regular meditation sessions are conducted where people are free to join. Their canteen offers three meals a day at extremely low prices and you can avail them by booking coupons a day in advance. The peace and serenity surrounding the ashram will mesmerise you and help you learn about the life of Sri Aurobindo. Aurobindo Ashram is open to all, everyday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

 

2. Auroville

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Covering an area of several hundreds of kilometres, Auroville was started as an experimental township in the heart of Pondicherry. Founded by Mirra Alfassa, or the Mother, in 1968, the township has become one of the top tourist places in Pondicherry. The beautiful Matrimandir at the centre of the township was designed by Roger Anger and is a true marvel of modern architecture. You can visit the Matrimandir with prior permission and explore the chambers dedicated to connecting people to their inner selves. You will also find plenty of information about the working of Auroville society and its vision.

 

3. Auroville Beach

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Auroville Beach or Auro Beach is located close to Auroville. This beach is less crowded and offers a peaceful gateway for people who dislike crowds. You can have a nice picnic by the shore and spend some quality time with your family. The beach side is also perfect for nature photography since no one is around. The place can be easily reached by auto services in Pondicherry. You can also take a bath on this beach, unlike the rock beach, which does not allow people in the water. Overall, Auro beach is the ideal place to hang out with your folks on a day off and enjoy the beauty of Indian beaches.

 

4. Promenade Beach

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Promenade Beach or Pondicherry promenade is a seaside walk which stretches up to several kilometres. The paved shores and the beautiful beach offer stunning views of the Bay of Bengal. The path stretches from the War Memorial and ends at Dupleix Park. You can take a casual stroll at the promenade and explore the nearby shops and restaurants while marvelling at the beauty of the beach. The beach is unfit for swimming but you can sit or lie down at the shore and enjoy the beautiful weather. The evenings at Promenade Beach are serene and devoid of any traffic on weekends.

 

5. Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar temple

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Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar temple is one of the famous religious temples in Pondicherry. This Hindu temple is one of the best tourist places in Pondicherry and is frequented by tourists from around the Indian subcontinent. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha, and devotees arrive from various parts of India to pay their respect and perform pujas. The beautiful temple architecture will be reminiscent of traditional Indian motifs popularly found in south Indian temples. You can visit this old temple and catch a glimpse of the deity worshipped by hundreds of people in Pondicherry.

 

6. The Sacred Heart Basilica

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The Sacred Heart Basilica is one of the many Christian religious places in Pondicherry. The rich pink exterior and French designs of the church make it one of the most attractive tourist places in Pondicherry. Christians from India and abroad come here to pray and behold this beauty. The high ceilings and rich glass paintings create a very soothing ambience where you can spend hours in solitude praying to God or simply marvelling at the architecture. The church was built in the 1900s and was inspired by the gothic revival architectural movement in Europe. You can explore the church and find some amazing information about its history and construction.

 

7. Rock Beach

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Rock Beach is a part of the promenade beach, which is inaccessible by vehicles. This part of the beach is completely closed off from the shore by huge rocks. One has to traverse these haphazardly placed rocks to reach the sea. Swimming is strictly prohibited here due to the uncertainty of the sea’s depth in places. However, you can definitely sit by the rocks and enjoy the beauty of the beach from afar. You can also taste delectable street food from the local shops and listen to the roaring waves of the sea. Sunset at Rock Beach is also a unique gem in itself.

 

8. Immaculate Conception cathedral

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Immaculate Conception Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Pondicherry. This cathedral has a rich history and a beautiful structure. The white and gold cathedral is built with strong Portuguese and French influence, which is common for buildings in Pondicherry. The cathedral is still very active and conducts mass every Sunday. You can visit this cathedral from the 17th century and soak in its rich beauty. You can also find the detailed history of the cathedral outside the building and garner some information from the Father. This cathedral will be one of the best tourist spots in Pondicherry to include in your itinerary.

 

9. Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple

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Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is another important Hindu Temple in Pondicherry. This temple also receives hundreds of devotees who specially visit Pondicherry to come to this place. The temple was built in the 3rd century and dedicated to the Hindi God Vishnu. This extremely old temple is a popular place for worship for Vaishnavites. The temple organises regular pujas and special pujas on auspicious days. The temple architecture will take you back in time and show you some amazing sculptures from the 3rd century and farther away in the past. You can offer your worship here or simply enjoy the architecture of the temple from outside.

 

10. French Colony

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The French Colony in Pondicherry is what all tourists see when they search social media websites. One of the most picturesque places in India, Pondicherry’s French Colony has been a popular tourist attraction. Many travel enthusiasts come to the French Colony to appreciate its aesthetic beauty. The buildings here are mostly in the French style and used to be old residences of French settlers during the colonial period. Therefore, the streets and buildings around this area will definitely remind you of French towns and villages. There are several shops and cafes in the area, which can also be explored for some authentic French cuisines. Photographers will have a blast clicking some amazing portraits in this area.

 

11. Pondy Marinaa

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Pondy Marinaa is a newly developing beach in Pondicherry. This beach has been decorated by the government to attract tourists who come to Pondicherry. The paved pathways, comfortable hotels, and ample seating places make this beach perfect for spending quality time with family. The beach is located away from the main city area and mostly remains crowd-free. You can visit this beach and enjoy the serenity while recovering from travel. The street food hub in the area is a special attraction and will keep your tastebuds busy as long as you stay at Pondy Marinaa.

 

12. Paradise Beach

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Paradise Beach at Pondicherry is another serene beach with few people. This beach is also perfect for swimming since the shoreline is pretty accessible. The vast shores with no people also make it the best place for beach games like volleyball. You can take a cooling swim in the sea or have a quick picnic with the local food. Children will also enjoy building sand castles and finding seashells on the beach. Photographers will enjoy taking some breathtaking pictures of sunsets from this nearly empty beach.

 

13. Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges

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Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges or Our Lady of Angels church, is said to be one of the oldest churches in Pondicherry. Dating back to the 19th century, the church is now a popular tourist attraction here. The building has been preserved and maintained so that people can come and pray here in peace. The church is also trilingual and offers prayers in French, Tamil, and English. You can come to explore the church and marvel at the Greco-Roman beauty of the Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges church .

 

14. Cycling at Seaside Promenade

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People and tourists in Pondicherry love to take cycle rides or bike rides around the city. You can take a cycle ride along the seaside promenade to enjoy the cool sea breeze and bask in the evening sunlight. A quick ride around Pondicherry will present you with some hidden gems and private residential places which come straight from French movies. The quaint city is perfect for a ride with your loved one and family. We recommend going biking in the evening and just after sunrise. You can also opt to cycle to the beaches and catch the amazing sunrise before anyone else.

 

15. Local restaurants

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The local cuisine of Pondicherry is a top tourist attraction. A tour of Pondicherry is absolutely incomplete without a good meal from the city’s reputed eateries. You will find a variety of coastal cuisines and French or continental cuisines in countless eateries which serve delectable food. The most famous restaurants around the area are Bay of Buddha, Celine’s Kitchen, Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, Sky Garden Best Rooftop Restaurant in Pondicherry, Coromandel Cafe, Villa Shanti for food lovers, Les Saveurs, Escape In, Multi Cuisine, Sea View Restaurant, and 1 Rue Suffren. The cafes here are extremely instagramable, and the ambience and food will leave you feeling completely satisfied.

 

FAQs

Is Pondicherry worth visiting?

Pondicherry is a beautiful city with vibrant French architecture and several serene beaches. It is definitely a place worth visiting, if you want to go somewhere quiet and relaxing.

How many days are enough for Pondicherry?

Pondicherry can be explored within 3-4 days. For the ultimate tourist experience, we suggest a total of 4 days for a complete tour of the city and its nearby areas.

Which month is best for Pondicherry?

Tourists who want to visit Pondicherry can travel to the city between March and September, for the best experience.