Things to do in Pondicherry ranges from exploring the city, visiting various tourist attractions, spending time at the beaches or enjoying the local food. Pondicherry is a haven for fun activities that you can enjoy while on a vacation here. Whether you love to try different adrenaline-pumping water sports, relish some spicy, mouthwatering street food, or simply spend time at the beaches, there are several interesting things to do in Pondicherry during your trip. You can enjoy a fun-filled nightlife in Pondicherry, visiting pubs and bars, tasting the best food and drinks. The city is pretty safe even if you are travelling solo and you can take a stroll in the night, check in to a cafe for a quick bite or just spend time revelling in the beauty of this coastal city. If you are planning a trip here and are looking for the best things to do in Pondicherry, sit back and go through our blog post below.
12 Things to Do in Pondicherry for an Exciting Holiday
1 Scuba Diving in Pondicherry
Scuba diving in Pondicherry is an exciting activity and a must-try for anyone travelling this place. Located on the impeccable coastline of the Bay of Bengal, the crystal blue waters are perfect for scuba diving and to explore the charming underwater flora and fauna. Scuba diving for tourists is conducted by PADI certified divers who train and you on the basics and also help you enjoy a mesmerising time underwaters, exploring the unravelled, untouched beauty below. Scuba diving over here ranges from 5m to 40m and is perfect for both beginners and expert divers, making it one of the best things to do in Pondicherry.
- Cost of scuba diving: Rs 5000 and above
- Best time for scuba diving in Pondicherry: October to December
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2 Birdwatching in Ousteri Lake
If you are a birder or have developed an interest in bird watching, Ousteri Lake is a perfect place in Pondicherry for it. Hundreds of birds flock to this lake every year and birdwatching here is one of the best things to do in Pondicherry. You can witness several species of birds such as tailor bird, painted stork, open bill stork, white ibis, white-breasted water hen and spotted owlets. Apart from bird watching, you can also witness a mesmerising sunset at the Ousteri Lake, revel in the surrounding beauty and enjoy a pleasant and amazing time here.
- Best time for birdwatching in Ousteri Lake: September to January
3 Spend a Day Exploring Pondicherry
Exploring the city on a bike or car is one of the top things to do in Pondicherry. The wide roads promise you a comfortable ride and you can ride around the city at your own pace. You can rent a vintage cycle or a two-wheeler or take your car and check out all the beautiful places to visit in Pondicherry, stopping by great restaurants for a bite whenever you feel like it. You can also pass by French colonies or the local Tamilians living there, exchange a smile with the localities and experience the true essence of tourism here.
4 Shopping in Pondicherry
Shopping in Pondicherry gives you a fulfilling experience since this city is a paradise for shopping and offers numerable things that you can buy for yourself or carry home as souvenirs. It’s hard not to splurge in Casablanca, Serenity Beach Bazaar, Cluny embroidery centre, The Cotton House and others where you can shop for apparels, handmade stuff and other things. You can also enjoy street shopping and enjoy the process of bargaining and getting lots of stuff for a reasonable price! Indeed, shopping is one of the best things to do in Pondicherry, or any city for that matter, as it is pure bliss to fill your bags with lovely stuff and your hearts with astounding memories at the end of each trip.
5 House Boat Ride in Chunnambar Backwaters
Boating is one of the most popular things to do in Pondicherry, and the city offers ample options for boating. But for the best boating experience, we’d highly recommend Chunnambar backwaters that promises you a refreshing and exciting ride. From paddle-boats, rowing boats, to motorboats, you can opt for any boat of your choice in the Chunnambar boathouse and take a tour around the place witnessing its enchanting beauty while riding on the calm blue waters. You can sunbathe, relax or even indulge in nature photography here and capture the charming place in your cameras for a lasting memory.
- Cost of boat ride in Chunnambar Boathouse: Rs225
6 Visit the Churches in Pondicherry
A visit to the splendid churches is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Pondicherry. Several churches are true architectural wonders and boast Gothic, French and other styles with unmatchable interiors. Some of the best churches in Pondicherry include
Hallelujah Assembly of God Church, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Immaculate Conception Cathedral,
St Andrew’s Church, Our Lady of Angels Church, and others. Each of these churches displays unique patterns and styles of construction that are really captivating.
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7 Spend a Day in Auroville
Your Pondicherry sightseeing is incomplete without a visit to Auroville. If you wish to experience serenity and quietude, planning to spend a day at Auroville should top your list of important things to do in Pondicherry. This township aims to spread progressive harmony and help people understand the importance of peace and brotherhood. The place welcomes everyone with open arms with no discrimination based on caste, creed or race. Everyone is allowed here to meditate, experience a calm atmosphere and connect with oneself and others visiting here, better.
8 Kayaking in Pondicherry
In the mood to try some different water sport? We’d surely recommend kayaking in Pondicherry. You can even try canoeing here with proper help and guidance from expert trainers who also might accompany you if you’re trying for the first time. Among the many adventure activities, kayaking and canoeing are 2 of the top things to do in Pondicherry to enjoy the true essence of watersport. You can try kayaking and canoeing in the picturesque Karaikal Beach and discover your new-found love for these activities, once you try them here.
9 Picnic by the Beaches in Pondicherry
Beaches in Pondicherry promise you an exquisite experience as every beach is gorgeous in its own way. You can visit Auroville Beach, Mahe Beach, Paradis Beach, Promenade Beach, and others and plan a nice and rejuvenating picnic on any of these beaches. In fact, you can even beach hop to visit several beaches in a single day, which by the way is one of the most interesting things to do in Pondicherry to savour the beauty and serenity of each beach here. Gorge some local delicacies in the local shops of restaurants or stay in beach shacks for an extended dose of “Vitamin Sea”.
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10 Enjoy the Nightlife in Pondicherry
One of the best things to do in Pondicherry is to experience its infectious and mesmerising nightlife. There are several cafes, pubs and fine-dine restaurants where you can go with your friends or family and enjoy the night with scrumptious food and great drinks. You can even hit the dance floor and dance till you drop tired or simply enjoy the music, food and ambience. If you are a party animal, Pondicherry is the best place and you can enjoy the nightlife in places like Asat, Paradise Lounge, Zero House, Bamboo Bar and more.
11 Visit Pondicherry Museums
Along with beaches, French quarters and churches, the city is also famous for museums, and a visit to these well-maintained and educative museums is one of the most important things to do in Pondicherry. You can take a tour of the Jawahar Toy Museum, Pondicherry Museum, Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum, and others to learn about the history, culture and heritage of this place and witness the wealth of the Chola Dynasty in the brilliant collection of bronze statues, innovatively created toys or the artefacts of pre-Christian era stored safely for public view in these museums. If you are a history buff or love visiting museums to learn about a city, you will thoroughly enjoy your time in Pondicherry.
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12 Savour Delectable Street Food in Pondicherry
Your Pondicherry trip is incomplete without savouring the delectable food here. The city is a haven for foodies and there are several places to eat in Pondicherry. The food sold on the street carts and small eat-outs are irresistibly delicious and a must-try for everyone. You can thoroughly enjoy the spicy, tangy street food in Pondicherry and experience a burst of flavours in every bite you eat. Some of the best dishes to try locally here are Samosas, Pani Puri, Bonda, Masala Puri, Crab Masala Fry and many more. Feeling hungry already? Go grab your plateful of these pleasant delights to gorge on!
Here’s the list of the 12 best things to do in Pondicherry whenever you visit this Union Territory. If you are looking for good budget hotels in Pondicherry, you can book your stays with Treebo Hotels for a safe and pleasant stay experience.
