Start your day at the Pondicherry Museum and explore the French colonial history of Pondicherry. Walk through the galleries displaying pottery, coins, weapons, sculptures, and paintings. Then, head to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a stunning church built in the Neo-Gothic style with stained glass windows and gothic arches.
Next, visit the Pondicherry Promenade Beach, located on the Bay of Bengal, and enjoy the sunset with a cup of coffee or ice-cream from the street vendors. End the day with a stroll through French Quarter, also known as 'White Town', and admire the heritage buildings and colorful houses painted in various shades of yellow, pink, and blue.
Start your day early at the Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo and his disciple The Mother. Spend a few hours meditating or reading books on spirituality at the ashram library.
Next, head to the Auroville, an experimental township located on the outskirts of Pondicherry. Visit the Matri Mandir, a unique temple designed for silent meditation, and walk through the Peace Garden with various sculptures and fountains.
End your day at the Ousteri Lake, a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and home to various migratory birds. You can take a boat ride or have a picnic with your family or friends.
If you have an extra day, you can visit the Chunnambar Boat House, located 7 km from Pondicherry, and take a boat ride to the Paradise Beach. Or, you can visit the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a famous temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, located in the heart of the city.
If you have less time, skip the beaches and spend more time exploring the heritage buildings, or vice versa.