Pondicherry

Tourism in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a Union territory of India that was once colonised by the French, giving it the name “The French Riveria of the East”. It is one of the best places to gain a first-hand taste of the colonial heritage as the city still boasts of its French culture in quaint yellow-coloured houses and an array of local cafes serving authentic French cuisine.

Now known as Puducherry, the city is a small quiet town away from the hustle bustle of city life. The tree-lined avenues, the vast stretches of virgin beaches, the French colonial architecture, the rich spirituality culture, small street-side stores selling an alternate world of the French and a wavering choice of cafes and restaurants serving delicious delicacies, make it a popular destination for travellers from both near and far off the city.

Here is a detailed travel guide for Pondicherry to help you plan your next trip for a perfect Pondy Experience.

Best Time to Visit Pondicherry

Pondicherry in Summers (April to June) : Summers in Pondicherry can be very unpredictable. Some days could be pleasant while some are extremely hot with temperatures going as high as 40 degrees.

Pondicherry in Monsoon (July to September) : Since its proximity to the coastal lines, Pondicherry experiences extremely humid monsoons making it an unfit time for a pleasant holiday in Pondicherry.

Pondicherry in Winters (October to March) : Winters are the perfect time to take a trip to Pondicherry as the temperature drops down and generally ranges between 15 to 30-degree Celsius, making up for a very pleasant climate.

How To Reach Pondicherry

By Air : There is no direct way to reach Pondicherry by flight. The nearest airport is the Chennai International airport located 135km from the city. The airport is well connected to other major cities in India. You can hire a taxi to Pondicherry from the airport.

By Rail : Pondicherry is accessible by trains through its only railway station Villupuram, located 35km away. It frequents trains to and from Madurai, Tricky and Chennai. Transport services are available by taxi from the station to Pondicherry.

By Road : Pondicherry is well connected to its road network via bus or cabs to nearby cities of Chennai, Bangalore and Madurai. It is the best mode of travelling to Pondicherry as the roads are well-maintained and offer scenic views. Chennai to Pondicherry by car is about 170km and can take 3.30 hours to reach.

Best Place to Visit in Pondicherry

• Beaches

Pondicherry houses a number of beaches each with its own credits. The most prominent of them are the Serenity beach, Promenade beach, Paradise beach and Auro beach. Its crystal clear waters, pearl white sands and very little crowd make it particularly alluring to visitors taking a trip to Pondicherry.

• Basilica Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

This majestic church showcases Gothic architecture adorned with beautifully stained glass-panels that symbolise the life events of Jesus Christ. It holds great significance for devotees in the country, thus making it a tourist hotspot during Pondicherry tour.

• Pondicherry Botanical Gardens

Featuring the city’s only garden space offers gorgeous fountains including a unique dancing fountain show, Japanese rocks, a massive aquarium and a beautiful train for children. Spread across 22 acres, it is a magnificent site.

• Pondicherry Museum:

The Pondicherry museum is a place of beauty for every history and art lover. It features an extensive and rare collection of artefacts, sculptures in bronze of gods and goddess amongst other intricate handcraft works. Interestingly enough, the museum also holds archaeological findings excavated from the Arikamedu Roman settlement.

• City of Auroville

Auroville is a small experimental township or commonly called “ a universal town”, situated a little outside the city centre. A top recommended by almost every Pondicherry tourism guide, where you can witness people from different cultures, nationalities, ideologies live together in peace, it is a must visit place in Pondicherry.

Things To Do In Pondicherry

• Holidays in Pondicherry is incomplete without water activities like scuba diving that can be doneat various spots in the city like the Temple Reef or Arvind’s Wall.
• Stay at an overnight houseboat. Many tourist guides for Pondicherry suggest the Chunnambar Boathouse.
• On yourtrip to Pondicherry, try the local food-serving delicious French and South Indian cuisines
• Watching the sunrise is an experience not to miss in Pondicherry.

Pondicherry is a colourful small town that beholds something for every genre. Hence, in this Pondicherry travel guide, we have enclosed, based on real-time reviews and references to other travel guides for Pondicherry, everything you will need to plan your next trip to the city of Dawn.

For more information, check out our Pondicherry tour packages here!