3-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Pondicherry

  1. Day 1: Explore French Colony
    10 minutes (3.2 km) from Pondicherry Bus Terminus

    Start the day at Promenade Beach, Pondicherry's most famous beach. Explore the French Quarter with its charming colonial buildings, restaurants, and boutiques. Visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a neo-gothic church with stained-glass windows and marble columns. Spend the late afternoon at Auro Beach for some fun family time, stunning sunset and great food.

  2. Day 2: Experience Spiritual Pondy
    30 minutes (8.2 km) from Auroville

    Start your day with Mangalambika Devasthanam Temple, a beautiful temple dedicated to the goddess Mangalambika. Head to the Auroville International Township, an experimental community known for its sustainable practices and spiritual life. Take an early morning walk through the Matri Mandir's beautiful gardens, known for their tranquility. Enjoy your lunch at the Solar Kitchen and then visit the Pondicherry Museum in the afternoon.

  3. Day 3: Culture and Craft
    10 minutes (3 km) from Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple

    Begin the day with a visit to the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the elephant god Ganesha. After getting your blessings, explore the colorful local markets of Pondicherry. Visit the Pondi Pottery, where you can witness the craft of pottery making, and shop for unique ceramics. Enjoy some traditional South Indian dishes at Surguru Spot. Finally, end the day with a visit to the famous Promenade and grab some locally-made ice cream at Gelateria Montecatini Terme.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Promenade Beach (1-2 hours, free)
  • Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (30 min, free)
  • Auro Beach (2-3 hours, INR 500 for two chairs and an umbrella rental)
  • Mangalambika Devasthanam Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Auroville International Township (2 hours, INR 100 for entry to Matri Mandir)
  • Solar Kitchen (1.5 hours, INR 250 for the meal)
  • Pondicherry Museum (2 hours, INR 15 for Indians, INR 300 for foreigners)
  • Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Pondi Pottery (1 hour, varies on purchase)
  • Surguru Spot (1 hour, INR 500 for a group of four)
  • Promenade (1-2 hours, free)
  • Gelateria Montecatini Terme (30 min, INR 150 for two ice-creams)

  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 1,915/-

Useful Tips

If you have more than three days, we recommend visiting the incredible Chunnambar Boat House, exploring Villianur's agricultural villages, and taking part in the Pondicherry Heritage Walk to discover Pondicherry's rich history.

For those with less time, we suggest skipping the trip to Auroville International Township and devoting more time to the Pondicherry Museum or visiting the Ousteri Lake, one of the town's most beautiful water bodies.

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