Pondicherry (officially Puducherry) is where bougainvillea-draped French villas meet Tamil courtyards and the Bay of Bengal’s breeze. Once a French colony (until 1954), it still moves to a slower, seaside rhythm: pastel facades, café terraces, temple bells, and stone-piled “Rock Beach” promenades at dusk.

Beyond the postcard views, you’ll find living traditions—Kolam floor art gracing doorsteps at sunrise, vegetarian tiffin breakfasts, and artisanal crafts in nearby Auroville. The city’s spiritual heart beats at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram while surfers chase sets at Serenity Beach and boats shuttle families to Paradise Beach’s soft sands.

Best weather runs November–March; summers are hot and monsoon showers arrive roughly Oct–Dec. Dress modestly for temples, book Auroville’s Matrimandir viewing in advance, and carry cash for markets. Getting here is straightforward via Chennai: fly into MAA, then drive, bus, or train south along the scenic East Coast Road.

Pondicherry

Pondicherry rewards wandering: White Town’s grid of mango-yellow mansions and wrought-iron balconies, the Tamil Quarter’s thinnai (raised verandahs), and quiet lanes perfumed by jasmine and filter coffee. Don’t miss Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula Vinayagar Temple’s elephant blessings, and the breezy evening scene along the Promenade.

When hunger strikes, this coastal town shines. Snack your way through Baker Street’s croissants, tuck into Chettinad thalis at Surguru, savor seafood on the sand at Serenity Beach, and linger over Franco-Tamil plates at Villa Shanti or Coromandel Café. For a sweet finish, Pondy’s beloved GMT Ice Cream and Zuka’s inventive chocolate desserts rarely disappoint.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Pondicherry or Hotels.com Pondicherry. Two White Town favorites: the heritage-boutique Palais de Mahe (pool, arcaded verandahs) and Le Dupleix (courtyard dining, 18th‑century vibes). Solid value with a rooftop view: Villa Krish.
• How to get here: Fly to Chennai (MAA), then continue to Pondicherry (3–4 hours by road). Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains within India (e.g., Chennai Egmore ↔ Puducherry ~3.5–4 hours, ~US$3–8) on Trip.com Trains. A private taxi from Chennai runs ~INR 3,500–6,000; buses take ~3.5–5 hours.

Day 1: Arrival, White Town Stroll, and Sunset by the Sea

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the travel day with a relaxed walk in White Town: Rue Dumas, Rue Romain Rolland, and the handsome Notre Dame des Anges church. Coffee and a light bite at Baker Street (quiches, mille-feuille, almond croissants) on Bussy St.

Evening: Join locals on the Promenade (aka Rock Beach) around sunset—waves crash over the granite boulders while street vendors hawk peanuts and lime soda. Dinner at Villa Shanti: order the prawn moilee, masala fried calamari, and their house-made gnocchi for a Franco-Indian duet.

Night: Nightcap at The Storytellers’ Bar (live music on weekends, craft cocktails, often featuring local botanicals). Alternatively, the tranquil courtyard at Le Dupleix serves excellent mocktails and seafood grills.

Day 2: Cycle the Quarters, Ashram Calm, and Temple Colors

Morning: Meet early for a guided bicycle ride through French, Muslim, and Tamil quarters. It’s the most atmospheric way to read the city’s layers.

Book: The Unique Pondicherry City Bike Tour (gentle pace; includes multiple quarters). Post-ride brunch at Coromandel Café (housed in a heritage bungalow)—try the shakshuka, homemade sourdough, and hibiscus iced tea.

Afternoon: Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram (silence is observed; leave phones on mute). Walk to Manakula Vinayagar Temple next door to see vivid gopuram carvings and, if you’re lucky, the temple elephant’s blessing. Cool off with Zuka’s hot-chocolate shot or a dark-chocolate mousse jar.

Evening: Dinner rooftop at Bay of Buddha (The Promenade)—pan-Asian plates with sea views; reserve a table by the edge. Finish with gelato at GMT Ice Cream on Mission St (pistachio and dark chocolate are standouts).

Day 3: Heritage Walk, Museums, and Market Flavors

Morning: Dive deeper into architecture and social history on a guided walking tour that threads French White Town and the Tamil Quarter’s thinnai-fronted homes.

Book: Heritage & Cultural Walking Tour of Pondicherry. Before you start, grab a south Indian breakfast at Surguru (idli-vada-sambar, onion rava dosa, strong filter coffee).

Afternoon: Explore the Pondicherry Museum (Chola bronzes, colonial artifacts) and Bharathi Park’s shady paths. For crafts, stop by Cluny Embroidery Centre (supporting local artisans) and Hidesign’s flagship for leather goods. Lunch at Rendezvous (grilled fish, Creole shrimp curry, rooftop breezes).

Evening: Catch golden hour along the Promenade again. Dinner in Le Dupleix’s courtyard—order the crab cakes and prawn linguine or go classic with pepper chicken and herbed rice. Consider a late mango lassi at a street-side stall on Mission St.

Day 4: Full-Day UNESCO Excursion to Mahabalipuram

Trace Pallava-era stonework on a private day trip north to Mahabalipuram (approx. 2.5 hours each way). See the Shore Temple at sunrise-silver light, the monolithic Pancha Rathas, and the vast bas-relief of Arjuna’s Penance. Climb near the lighthouse for coastal panoramas and watch stone carvers at work in town.

Book: Day Trip to Mahabalipuram (Curated Private Sightseeing Experience). For lunch, your guide can steer you to beloved seafood shacks like MoonRakers or Sea Shore. Return to Pondicherry by dusk; casual late dinner at Café des Arts’ courtyard or a quick dosa at Surguru if you’re happily tired.

Day 5: Beaches and Surf—Paradise to Serenity

Morning: Light breakfast at Le Café (right on the sea; try the masala omelet). Head to Chunnambar Boat House for a short backwater ride to Paradise Beach—soft sand, gentle waves, and coconut water stalls. Carry sunscreen and cash for the boat tickets.

Afternoon: Move up the coast to Serenity Beach. Book a beginner surf lesson with a reputable school (Kallialay Surf School is well-known), or lounge beneath a thatch umbrella. Lunch with your toes in the sand at Theevu Plage—grilled tiger prawns, calamari masala, and lime soda.

Evening: Back in town, browse boutiques around Rue Suffren and Rue Dumas. Dinner at Coromandel Café (beetroot carpaccio, prawn curry with red rice, and seasonal tarts). If you want a quiet drink, the bar here shakes a balanced gin-basil cocktail.

Day 6: Auroville, Craft Boutiques, and an Indian Cooking Class

Morning: Day-trip to Auroville (30–45 minutes by road). Stop at the Visitor’s Centre and stroll to Matrimandir viewing point (book a viewing slot well in advance). Explore design-forward boutiques for sustainable textiles and crafts; sample Auroville’s famed artisanal cheeses and breads.

Afternoon: Long lunch at Bread & Chocolate (almond butter toast, cacao granola bowls, excellent espresso) or wood-fired pizzas at Tanto. Swing by Svaram (sound instruments) or Upasana (ethical fashion) before returning to Pondy.

Evening: Learn to cook a South Indian meal—tempering spices, building a sambar, and finishing with a simple dessert—then feast on your work.

Book: Indian Cooking Class in Pondicherry. If you still have room after class, a late stroll on the quiet Promenade is the perfect digestif.

Day 7: Markets, Gardens, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Early walk through Goubert (Grand) Market—flower garlands, spice pyramids, banana leaves, and polished brassware. Grab breakfast at Indian Coffee House (butter toast, cutlets, filter coffee) or a final flaky pastry at Baker Street.

Afternoon: Quick amble through the old French cemetery walls and a spin around the Botanical Garden (yes, that Life of Pi railway scene was shot here). Last-minute shopping on Mission Street for leather, linen, and souvenirs. Lunch at Les Saveurs (if you find a table) or a simple veg thali at Hotel Karai before your transfer.

Evening: Departure day. For onward travel, book trains or buses on Trip.com Trains, or arrange a car back to Chennai Airport. For any last-minute flight changes, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Energy)

• Pichavaram Mangrove Forest and Chidambaram’s Nataraja Temple (about 2 hours south): hire a rowboat among emerald tunnels of roots, then see exquisite Chola-era temple bronzes. Best as a full day with an early start.
• Morning Kolam class in town to learn traditional threshold art with rice flour—an eye-opening window into daily Tamil ritual.

Handy Eats & Drinks Cheat Sheet

• Breakfast/Coffee: Baker Street (French bakes), Bread & Chocolate (Auroville), Le Café (seafront, simple fare), Indian Coffee House (nostalgic).
• Lunch: Rendezvous (seafood & grills), Surguru (veg tiffins/thali), Theevu Plage (beachside seafood), Tanto (wood-fired pizza near Auroville).
• Dinner: Villa Shanti (Franco-Indian), Coromandel Café (seasonal, modern plates), Le Dupleix courtyard (heritage ambiance), Bay of Buddha (rooftop sea views).
• Sweets: GMT Ice Cream (classic gelato), Zuka (innovative chocolate desserts).
• Bars: The Storytellers’ Bar (live acts, cocktails), Bay of Buddha (sunset sips).

More Guided Experiences (Pick One For Your Free Slots)

If you want one more curated overview that bundles key sights with context and transport, consider this highly efficient option:

The Best of Pondicherry: A Private Sightseeing Tour (great if you prefer a private pace and door-to-door convenience).

Wherever you roam, keep a refillable bottle, sun protection, and a scarf for temple visits. Taxis are easy to arrange via your hotel; for short hops, auto-rickshaws are inexpensive—always confirm the fare beforehand.

Trip Summary: In seven days, you’ll cycle through layered neighborhoods, reflect at the Ashram, beach-hop from Paradise to Serenity, taste both Tamil home-cooking and French-inspired plates, and day-trip to UNESCO-studded Mahabalipuram. Expect to leave with sand in your shoes, chocolate on your lips, and a deeper appreciation for Pondicherry’s soulful blend of heritage and sea air.