Pondicherry
Puducherry · 340 km from Bangalore
- Distance
- 340 km
- Ideal duration
- 2–3 days
- Best season
- Oct–Mar
- Avg cost
- ₹5,800
About Pondicherry
Puducherry keeps two towns side by side: the French Quarter of mustard-yellow walls, bougainvillea and street names still in French, and the Tamil quarter across the canal. The promenade shuts to traffic every evening and the whole city walks it. Auroville and the Matrimandir sit 12 km north, Serenity and Paradise beaches are a short ride away, and the cafes are good enough to justify a trip on their own. **Getting there.** 340 km from Bengaluru via Krishnagiri and Tindivanam (6 hours); just 3 hours down the ECR from Chennai. **Where to stay.** Heritage guesthouses in the White Town, hostels near the canal, beach resorts towards Auroville.
Things to do
- • French Quarter walking tour
- • Promenade and Rock Beach at sunset
- • Auroville and Matrimandir viewpoint
- • Paradise and Serenity beaches
- • Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- • Scuba or kayaking at Chunnambar
Best time to visit
October to March. The Bastille Day celebrations in July and the Masi Magam festival are worth timing for.
How to reach
340 km from Bengaluru via Krishnagiri and Tindivanam (6 hours); just 3 hours down the ECR from Chennai.
Where to stay
Heritage guesthouses in the White Town, hostels near the canal, beach resorts towards Auroville.