The erstwhile French colony of Puducherry (still popular as Pondicherry) is a comprehensive destination offering many avenues for adventure and experience. But if you’ve explored it all and are looking for other interesting places to visit near Pondicherry for just a day or as a weekend getaway, our guide to the best options will help you make the right choice.
Meanwhile, tick off this exclusive selection of the top things to do in White Town, Pondicherry’s famed French Quarter.
Now, if you are looking for places to visit near Pondicherry on a day trip, the options below are ones you can reach comfortably and don’t need much time to explore …
Places to visit near Pondicherry for day trips
Auroville (15 km)
It’s one of the top places to visit near Pondicherry. Called the City of Dawn, as it’s all about enlightenment, this international township is about 15 km away. While it’s easily doable as a day trip, you could want to extend your time here or move in permanently! Peaceful and green, it’s a productive community committed to an evolved lifestyle. Start your exploration with a stop at the Auroville Visitors Centre. Day visitors get to understand Auroville, its ideals, history, and what it means to its residents today.
Don’t forget to explore Pondicherry’s extensive shopping scene. The Auroville boutique is one of the best and most comprehensive, so budget enough time for shopping. The bookshop, cafe and food court will also give you a lot to do before you head to the Matrimandir Viewing Point to get a glimpse of the impressive Matrimandir meditation dome from a distance.
Chidambaram and beyond (65 km)
Drive about two hours (65 km) to the temple town of Chidambaram, one of the interesting places to visit near Pondicherry. The ancient Nataraja shrine, Thillai Natarajar Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer. Take your time admiring the ornate architecture and intricate sculptures in the temple, and don’t miss seeing the Chidambaram Rahasya, a secret chamber with a hidden deity! After a local lunch, you could visit the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest, which is said to be the world’s second-largest, just about 16 km away from the main town of Chidambaram. A two-hour boat cruise through the verdant waterways will allow you to see the abundant wildlife and birdlife.
East Coast beaches
Beautiful, unspoilt beaches abound on the Coromandel Coast. While they may not be very developed (no shacks or swimsuit shops to be seen), they’re extremely easy on the eyes. Akkarai Beach, ECR Beach, the Blue Flag Beach at Kovalam and French Beach are all north of Pondicherry, along the East Coast Road towards Chennai. To the south are sandy shores at Pudukuppam, Thazhanguda, Alapakkam, Samiyar Pettai, Silver, Kodiyampalam Island, Pazhaiyar, Madavamedu, Koolaiyar, all of which are lovely places to visit near Pondicherry on a day’s drive if you’re a beach buff.
Places to visit near Pondicherry for a weekend getaway
Your Pondicherry vacation will be fulfilling and fun-filled, but a weekend getaway could be a good plan if you stay long. Chennai, only 161 km away, promises you the big-city vibe, colonial charm, and many things to see. If you’re looking at a different sort of destination, though, our list will lead you to destinations that may not be very far from Pondicherry but have enough to hold your interest for over a couple of days. Here’s our pick of the smaller places to visit near Pondicherry that can be big on experience…
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Mahabalipuram
An essential port of the Pallava dynasty between the seventh and tenth centuries, Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) has wonderfully crafted monuments recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The eighth-century Shore Temple in granite, the Panch Rathas or five chariots intricately carved in stone, Cave temples like the Tiger Cave, Atyantakama and Ramanuja, and the perfectly balanced gigantic boulder, which is called Krishna’s Butter Ball, are all must-sees when you visit Mahabalipuram. Another spot that has become very popular with tourists is the India Seashell Museum, Asia’s largest, with a collection of more than 20,000 shells, conchs, and more. Mahabalipuram Beach and the lighthouse are also worth visiting.
Distance: 98 km
Where to stay: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Kences Palm Beach, Intercontinental Mahabalipuram, Sheraton Mahabalipuram, and Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram
Cuddalore
The quaint Cuddalore Old Town, the 16th-century Gingee Fort, and Kalrayan Hills, a quaint hill station in the Eastern Ghats known for its pleasant climate and easy hikes, are all points of interest in and around this location. Temples such as Thiruvandarkoil, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, as well as temple towns such as Mayiladuthurai, Thirupadiripuliyur, Kumbakonam, Thirukkadaiyur, etc., are all filled with incredible Hindu history and culture.
Distance: 22 km
Where to stay: Arcot Woodlands Hotel
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Tharangambadi
It is one of the most fascinating places to visit near Pondicherry. Tranquil Tranquebar, now known as Tharangambadi (meaning ‘place of the singing waves’), was part of the Thanjavur kingdom. It had a sizeable Indo-Portuguese population before it became Denmark’s first trading outpost in India. Temples dating back to the 14th century, the Danish Fort Dansborg built in the mid-1600s, the Zion Church, colonial houses, and the Tamil architecture on a freshly restored Goldsmith’s Street… there’s so much to see here, besides lounging by the vastness of the moody Bay of Bengal on the east.
Distance: 120 km away
Where to stay: Neemrana’s Bungalow On The Beach
Kadapakkam
Kadapakkam is one of the most unique places to visit near Pondicherry. Once an ancient port and trade post named Idaikazhinadu, Alamparva and Alampuravi, this place has become famous for the 18th-century Alamparai Fort. This fort, in ruins today, has been under the rule of the Nawab of Arcot, the French, and the British over the decades. You can picture the 100-metre-long dock stretching into the Bay of Bengal, which was the base from where goods were shipped to foreign lands. The still-functioning 100-foot-tall Kadapakkam Lighthouse is in better condition and worth a photo stop. Other ancient ports, such as Karaikal and Nagapattinam, still exist as towns along the Coromandel Coast and make for interesting places to drive to.
Distance: 50 km
Where to stay: The Alampara Resort – Luxury Boutique Glamping & Watersports
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is a treasure trove of traditional Tamil culture and one of the best places to visit near Pondicherry. If you’re into luxury textiles, Kanchipuram (formerly known as Kanjeevaram) sarees will undoubtedly be part of your wardrobe and wish list. Apart from shopping for these exquisite fabrics in Kanchipuram, visiting one of the many silk-weaving villages around the city can be very rewarding. Get an idea of what goes into weaving the sumptuous silk sarees with their vibrant colours and temple borders, and perhaps buy some directly from the weavers. Another must-see in Kanchipuram is the heritage home called Kanchi Kudil has been converted into a museum that showcases many aspects of traditional Tamil culture. Everyday items from a household, from furniture to vessels and tools, give rare insights into Kanchipuram’s history.
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As one of the focal points of Tamil Hindu culture, Kanchipuram has several avenues for understanding its history. The important institution called the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham is the seat of the Shankaracharya and will give the visitor an understanding of his traditions and teachings. Another place to explore the rich traditions of Tamil philosophy, literature, and religion is the Kanchi Mutt Library, which boasts a vast collection of ancient manuscripts and religious texts. Naturally, there are numerous temples that one can visit. Of the many, here are some of the most visited…
- The ancient Kamakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, is a major pilgrimage site and one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. It is worth visiting for its grand architecture, intricate carvings, and spiritual atmosphere.
- Ekambareswarar, the sacred temple of Lord Shiva, with its tall gopuram and mango tree, is special as it is one of the Panch Bhoot Sthals.
- The Sri Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, has some magnificent murals with scenes from the Mahabharata.
Distance: 117 km
Where to stay: Regency Kanchipuram by GRT Hotels
(Feature image credit: HH Gallery, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Any of the destinations above are the best places to visit near Pondicherry by road.
All of the places mentioned above are great places to visit near Pondicherry for a night or even two.
Auroville is a fascinating place to experience a unique international culture near Pondicherry.
Pondicherry itself is a great place for a solo vacation. The other spots can be a bit secluded for solo travellers, but if you’re adventurous and take the usual precautions, you can enjoy any of the places to visit near Pondicherry solo as well.
There are scores of beaches on the Coromandel Coast, all of which are fairly unspoilt. For fun cafes and a Goa-like vibe, head to Mahabalipuram Beach.
A weekend should be enough for any place to visit near Pondicherry.
Excellent wellness offerings in and around Pondicherry include luxury hotel spas, Turkish baths, and Ayurvedic therapy centres.
Written By
Priya Pathiyan
A chronicler of all things culture and lifestyle. Priya\'s forte is fresh perspective on everything. ..Read More
