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Things to do in Pondicherry for a Fantastic Holiday

Activities to do in Pondicherry for a Fantastic Holiday

Pondicherry is a city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is the administrative capital of Pondicherry district and one of the oldest cities in India. Pondicherry was formerly known as Puducherry and before that, Mahébourg. The city has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission. The name "Pondichéry" comes from French: "pont meaning bridge or gap in a river bank" + "dicohery meaning portage".

Explore the French Quarter

The French Quarter is the most picturesque part of Pondicherry, and therefore it’s one of the best places to explore. It's also known as “the city within a city” because there are so many historic buildings and museums here. Here you can find everything from houses with cannons overlooking your balcony to churches with stained glass windows that make you feel like you're in Paris.

The French Quarter isn't just for tourists though! It's home to many locals who live here year-round, so you'll find friendly faces everywhere if you stop by their stores or restaurants during late afternoon hours when everyone else has left town (or at least gone back home). If you're feeling adventurous after visiting these amazing sites then why not try some local cuisine? There are several great eateries in this area where authentic Indian cuisine can be found along with traditional dishes like dosai (fried rice) or roti jalapeño (crispy naan bread).

Visit Auroville

Auroville is a unique community in India. It's a township of over 500 people, who have come together to create an entirely new way of living. The model city has its own government and law enforcement, along with schools, hospitals and libraries.

In addition to being an amazing place to visit with families or friends on holiday, it's also ideal for anyone looking for somewhere they can try out their own version of sustainable living while they travel around India!

Relax on the Beach

Pondicherry is famous for its beaches, and you can't get more relaxed than lying in the sun. The beaches are wide and sandy, so you'll have plenty of space to spread out. If you're feeling adventurous, go for a swim! You might see some dolphins or even whales while swimming—especially if they're coming up close to shore (which they often do).

If that's not enough to keep your attention focused on nothing but the ocean waves crashing against their shores, try taking a walk along one of these gorgeous stretches of sand:

Vennakkal Beach - This beach has been named one of India's most beautiful by TripAdvisor users! It features breathtaking views across its expansive stretch from cliff-top walks overlooking sea cliffs with sheer drops below into deep blue waters; perfect for snorkeling if conditions allow it!

Try Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities in Pondicherry. It's also one of the safest, as you can get your certification from any local dive shop and then take it out on a boat with other certified divers.

Dive sites are usually located at least 500 meters underwater, but some are even deeper than that. The water temperature is around 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). You'll need to wear a wetsuit and fins, as well as a good mask so that you don't inhale any water when dealing with strong currents or waves underwater. You may want to pack extra clothes if your clothes aren't waterproof; there's nothing worse than getting wet under your arms!

Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual centre that was established in 1926 by the spiritual teacher Sri Aurobindo. It is located in Pondicherry, India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ashram houses several museums and cultural centers where you can learn about their history as well as take part in meditation sessions with monks or nuns who will guide you through meditations that focus on peace, tranquility and harmony within yourself as well as between yourself and others around you.

Indulge in French Cuisine

French cuisine is famous for its use of fresh ingredients, which are often locally sourced. The emphasis on balance and harmony in French cooking makes it one of the most popular cuisines in the world.

French chefs pride themselves on using fresh herbs and spices when creating dishes that reflect their heritage. French chefs also appreciate the purity of fish and meat, which allows them to achieve a delicate balance among different flavors without compromising any part of what they're trying to achieve.

Take a Heritage Walk

The Heritage Walk is a fun way to learn about Pondicherry's history. It's also a great way to see the French Quarter and the Dutch Quarter, where you'll see many historical buildings, including those of French and Dutch origin. You can also take this walk on your own or with a guide who will share some stories about each building along the way.

The Indian Quarter is another area where you can see some beautiful architecture from across India (and beyond)! This section of town was built during colonial times after European settlers arrived in 1766 for trading purposes; it was named after them as well because they came from Germany rather than England like most other settlers at that time period did!

Explore the Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is a great place to relax, take pictures and learn about plants. It has a lot of interesting species of plants that you can see in person. The garden also has an indoor area where you can enjoy some peace and quiet as well as an outdoor area with lots of trees that make for good photography opportunities

Visit Gingee Fort

If you're looking to get off the beaten path, then this is your destination. The fort is located in the town of Gingee, which is also home to a lot of gorgeous colonial architecture.

Gingee Fort was built by the British in 1767 as part of their strategy for protecting Pondicherry against attack from Tipu Sultan's forces and other enemies. The fort has been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 because it was one of the first major European military complexes established outside Europe during this time period (more than 50 years before America even existed). It still stands today as an important historical site that tells us about how our ancestors lived back then!

Learn Pottery

Learning pottery is a great way to learn about history. It's also a wonderful way to relax and spend time with family and friends!

The clay used for making pottery is called "clay". The process of making pottery involves several steps:

Creating a vessel or vase (a bowl, mug or other container). This can be made from anything that will hold water such as wood, bamboo or plastic bottles. You can also make your own by using an empty kerosene tin as a mold!

Mixing the clay together with water until it becomes soft enough then kneading it until smoothness is achieved before putting it into your molds which are usually either made out of clay itself but sometimes metal plates too which gives them their shape once they're cooled down afterward so they don't crack when you put them onto hot surfaces like ovens inside homes where people cook meals all day long every single day throughout their entire lives without ever getting tired about doing so because there's always new things being invented by scientists who work hard trying everything possible just so everyone else around here continues living comfortably without having any problems at all while enjoying life's pleasures...

Take a Bicycle Tour

If you’re looking to explore Pondicherry, a bicycle tour is one of the best ways to do so. The city is small and easy to navigate on foot or by bus, but if you really want to get out and stretch your legs, renting a bicycle will allow you the freedom of exploring at your own pace.

When traveling with children or elderly people who might need assistance getting around or going up stairs (or both), it can be difficult for some people in cities like Pondicherry where there aren't many sidewalks or places where they can stop their cars safely while parking them overnight. With bikes available everywhere from small shops along roadsides all over town until they reach larger rental agencies near important sights like museums & monuments; there are plenty of opportunities throughout each day's journey!

Enjoy a Boat Ride

Boat rides are a great way to see the city and its surrounding areas, from Havelock Road to Fort St. George. When you're on a boat ride, you can relax as it glides through beautiful waterways and enjoy the sights along the way.

If you're looking for something fun and active, try one of these tours:

The Boat Ride Around Pondicherry - This tour takes passengers through local landmarks such as Bachelors Bungalow (a colonial house built in 1849) and Bishop's Palace (built in 1795). You'll also get an opportunity to take photos at various points along your journey!

The Boat Ride Around Pondicherry - This tour takes passengers through local landmarks such as Bachelors Bungalow (a colonial house built in 1849) and Bishop's Palace (built in 1795). You'll also get an opportunity to take photos at various points along your journey!

Visit the Puducherry Museum

The Puducherry Museum is located in the French Quarter, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's open daily from 9am to 5pm and contains many interesting artifacts. Admission to the museum is free; however, you may want to purchase tickets for certain exhibits or events like art exhibitions or concerts.

Attend a Cultural Event

Cultural events are a great way to get to know the city and its people. They're also a great way to meet locals and other travellers, which can make your trip more memorable.

There are many cultural events that take place in Pondicherry throughout the year, but some of the most popular ones include:

The Kalidasa Festival (held every year on 6th April) - This festival celebrates the legendary poet Vidyapati (also known as Kalidasa), who lived around 400 years ago in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district. The festival includes plays performed by students from local schools along with dance performances by professional dancers; it ends with fireworks! If you don't want anything too big planned for yourself then this is definitely something worth checking out! There'll be plenty going on while you're there too - including street performances which may include acrobats or jugglers performing tricks on top of buildings etcetera.'

Go Shopping

If you're looking for a way to spend your time in Pondicherry Shopping areas are a great option. There are many things that can be found at the markets and shops, including clothing and accessories. You'll also find many different foods such as savories like samosas or sweets like gulab jamun (a fried dough ball soaked in syrup).