20 Best Places to Visit in Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year, and for all beach lovers, it is situated right beside the sea. Known as the French capital of India, Pondicherry offers a wide range of tourist attractions. It is quite popular for its urban architectural style, and when it comes to South India, Pondicherry can definitely be regarded as a much-loved tourist attraction. From sunny beaches to yellow buildings that are postcard-perfect, Puducherry has something to offer to everyone.
Here are the top 20 best places to visit in Pondicherry when you plan a trip with your friends or family!
1. Pondicherry Botanical Garden
This garden is absolutely enchanting, and a must visit if you ever find yourself in Pondicherry. It offers the travelers a refreshing respite in the lap of nature and with greenery surrounding them. You can also find some beautiful and rare species of flora in the garden as well as roam around that reflects the beauty of India, exploring the fantastic old-world French architecture. It is the perfect place for nature lovers.
2. Raj Niwas
Raj Niwas is the official residence of Dr. Iqbal Singh or the Lieutenant Governor. This stunning building is quite crucial in Pondicherry. At one point in time, it was the palace from where the French royals ruled during the colonial rule. Today, it is a very attractive tourist attraction that is open for public viewing. This place is ideal for architecture lovers and history geeks.
3. Old Lighthouse
The Old Lighthouse was built in the 19th century by the French and is a beloved historical landmark in Pondicherry. It shows the ingenious engineering as well as the architecture of that time and serves as a stunning attraction for tourists. You can take some picturesque photos here of great sunset views. If you are a history geek or an architecture fanatic, you will love this place.
4. French War Memorial
This memorial was built in the year 1971 on the Promenade or Goubert Avenue. The French War Memorial reminds us of all the brave soldiers during World War I who sacrificed their lives for the greater good. People often visit this place to remember the sacrifices and bask in the glory of this war memorial. It is a great place to visit for photographers, students, and patriots.
5. Pondy Bazaar
Pondy Bazaar is a shopaholic’s dream come true. This market can offer you some unique handmade items, traditional souvenirs as well as art pieces. The best craftsmen showcase their authentic and traditional creations in this bazaar for eager and enthusiastic tourists to choose from. Moreover, you can also try out some local delicacies when in the bazaar at some nearby cafes.
6. Goubert Avenue
Goubert Avenue is essentially a beach road in Puducherry which offers the perfect coastal location to have fun. You can do some offbeat things here with your family and friends. You can go cycling, take leisurely strolls with your kids and watch surreal views of sunrise and sunset from this place. The cool sea breeze and the amazing weather are perfect for eliminating all kinds of worries from your mind.
7. Ousteri Lake
Ousteri Lake is also known as Osudu Lake. You can call it one of the most Instagrammable places in Pondicherry and for an excellent reason. This is a humanmade freshwater lake built by mudflat and marshes. This place offers some spectacular views of the sunset. You can enjoy the rich biodiversity of this place as well as the beautiful migratory birds if you happen to visit at the onset of Spring.
8. Serenity Beach
Serenity Beach is a pristine shoreline that is sprinkled with glittering waves, sparkling sand as well as colorful fishing boats. This is a picture-perfect beach with swaying plant plantations that you will absolutely adore. This stunning beach and fishermen’s village offers all travelers a chilled-out ambiance and utmost relaxation. You can sunbathe, fish, and surf according to your preference and mood.
9. Chunnambar Boat House
This boathouse ride is the best thing you can do in the backwaters of Puducherry. This place takes you one step closer to enjoying nature in its true glory. During the boat ride, you can check out some stunning natural sceneries, relax as well as rejuvenate. You can also indulge in hiking, picnicking, and camping in lush environs. This place is perfect for honeymooners and couples.
10. Promenade Beach
Promenade Beach is a quaint and quiet place, which is perfect if you are looking to spend some time with yourself and relax. The sights, sounds, and the sea breeze, all add up to make for an intoxicating cocktail for your mind, body, and soul. This is a popular place in Pondicherry that can make you forget all about your work, worries, and the world in general.
11. Sita Cultural Center
This is a very popular Franco-Indian cultural center that you can enjoy in Pondicherry. It is a famous tourist attraction and is situated on the well-known Candappa Mudaliar Street. From Kolam learning to Indian cooking, Pilates, yoga and Ayurvedic medicine, you can take a number of classes as per your schedule. It showcases the Pondy culture in all its glory and can make for a beautiful way to spend your afternoons.
12. White Town
White Town offers a vibrant and bright culture with smiling locales, multi-colored lanes, bustling marketplaces, and a jazzy nightlife. White Town is an erstwhile French town that is packed with the chicest cafes, eye-warming yellow architecture, high-end boutiques, and a lot more. It gives you a perfect chance to interact with the locals and enjoy some famous Tamilian dishes as well as seafood delicacies.
13. Le Club
Le Club is a super romantic and popular lit garden restaurant in Pondicherry which is as chic as it gets. The best things on the menu are the pizzas, the crepes, and the steaks with their famous Béarnaise or blue cheese sauce. The food is sensational, and the bar is fully stocked with first-class liquor. The bartenders of this restaurant are artists who serve delicious signature cocktails. All in all, you can expect to have an unparalleled time.
14. Gingee Fort
Gingee Fort is a national monument in Pondicherry since 1921. It is a unique and stunning architectural feat that is enough to take your breath away and leave you inspired at the same time. This is one of the few popular forts of the state and is a must-visit place for architecture fanatics, history buffs, experience seekers, photographers, etc.
15. Jawahar Toy Museum
Jawahar Toy Museum is the perfect place to visit with your kids when you find yourself in Pondicherry. This dollhouse showcases over 140 dolls from a wide range of Indian states. You can find this museum in the main town near the Gandhi Maidan at the old lighthouse. You will find some of the rarest toys and dolls in this museum, which are an absolute delight for students and kids.
16. Paradise Beach
This is yet another beach in Pondicherry that must definitely be on your list of places to visit. This beach is extremely soft, unlike the Auroville beach that consists of coarse sand. This is the perfect place to have fun or indulge in some good old beach sport. Just like its name, the beach is truly paradisaical with blue waters and the golden sand. You must definitely visit this golden paradise when in Pondicherry.
17. Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus is situated at the south boulevard. It was consecrated in 1907. The church is truly exceptional and one of the best places to visit in Pondicherry if you are looking for a religious or a spiritual experience with peace and serenity. If you are a photo fanatic or a Nirvana seeker, you will have an amazing time at this Basilica.
18. Shri Aurobindo Ghosh Ashram
Sri Aurobindo, the Indian freedom fighter lived in this house. This ashram was founded in the year 1926 and is one of the wealthiest and the most well-known ashrams in the country. It attracts spiritual seekers from across India and is a place full of peace and serenity. It is also one of the prime tourist attractions in Pondicherry.
19. Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple
This temple is also popularly called the Villianur Temple. There is a huge procession in the temple during the annual festival of Brahmotsavam with a chariot. So, if you happen to visit during that time, you can participate and have a great time.
20. Auroville
Auroville literally translates to ‘The City of Dawn.’ It was founded in the year 1968, and this universal town is the residence of men and women from different countries and states. This place stands on the principle of promoting harmony and human unity. Auroville exudes peace and tranquility like no other place in Pondicherry.
Final Words
And there you go! These were the top 20 places that you should definitely visit when in Pondicherry. Rest assured, this is one tourist attraction that will not disappoint you and will leave you with countless happy memories! Bon Voyage!