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Pondicherry

French VibesBeach DestinationSpiritual Retreat
Pondicherry is described as tranquil, modern, and attractive, yet none of these descriptors do it credit. The town is tranquil and rich in culture and history. It is a union territory that was previously held by Dutch, French, and British rulers. It is also known as 'Puducherry.' However, it retains leanings toward French culture and popular influences - there is even a big French neighbourhood here, which is Pondicherry's most popular tourist destination.
Key Highlights
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Digital locks

24/7 Help desk

24/7 Help desk

24/7 Cafe

24/7 Cafe

Daily Events

Daily Events

Common areas

Common areas

Chatroom

Chatroom

Other hostels nearby

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Heart of HSR

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Popular nightlife

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Bengaluru, Jayanagar
Calm neighbourhood

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Bengaluru, Gandhi Nagar Majestic
Right in the city

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Ooty
Morning mist included

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Coorg
Coffee mornings guaranteed

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Goa, Panaji PLUS
Old Goa lanes

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Goa, Calangute Lite
Beach plans, always on

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761 km away

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Goa, Baga
Steps from the beach

Goa, Baga

763 km away

From

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Goa, Vagator PLUS
Cliffside area

Goa, Vagator PLUS

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Things to do in Pondicherry

Matrimandir Visit
Spiritual
Peaceful

Matrimandir Visit

A peaceful visit inside Auroville centered around the iconic golden Matrimandir, known for silent meditation, lush green paths, and a deeply grounding atmosphere.

Rock Beach Walk
Seaside
People Watching

Rock Beach Walk

Rock Beach is Pondicherry’s most iconic seaside promenade, perfect for sunrise walks, evening strolls, street food hopping, sea views, and endless people-watching.

Auroville Bakery & Café – Fresh Bakes & Chill
Cafe
Fresh Bakes

Auroville Bakery & Café – Fresh Bakes & Chill

A laid-back garden café in Auroville known for fresh breads, croissants, good coffee, and a slow, peaceful vibe that makes you forget time.

Bread & Chocolate – Croissant Goals & Coffee Fix
Cafe
Breakfast

Bread & Chocolate – Croissant Goals & Coffee Fix

A cult-favourite Auroville café serving artisan breads, flaky croissants, smoothies, and great coffee in a lush, dreamy green setting.

Dreamers Café – Global Plates & Chill
Cafe
Healthy Food

Dreamers Café – Global Plates & Chill

A calm, traveler-favourite café near Auroville serving fresh juices, vegetarian comfort food, and laid-back, eco-friendly vibes.

Brothers Pizzeria – Pizza Night Done Right
Cafe
Traveler Favorite

Brothers Pizzeria – Pizza Night Done Right

A go-to evening hangout in Auroville serving wood-fired pizzas, cold drinks, and relaxed post-sunset vibes loved by travelers and locals alike.

Guru Surf School – Surf, Sand & Stoked
Surfing
Beach Activity

Guru Surf School – Surf, Sand & Stoked

Guru Surf School at Serenity Beach is a beginner-friendly surf hub where you learn to ride waves, rent boards, and soak in an easygoing ocean-first lifestyle.

Tipsy Cream – Boozy Scoops & Dessert Dreams
Insta Worthy
Dessert

Tipsy Cream – Boozy Scoops & Dessert Dreams

Tipsy Cream is Pondicherry’s quirkiest dessert stop, serving alcohol-infused ice creams, rich sundaes, and playful flavors in a colorful, high-energy café setting.

Cosy Pub – Drinks, Beats & Chill
Pub
Drinks

Cosy Pub – Drinks, Beats & Chill

Cosy Pub is a laid-back White Town hangout known for craft beers, pub food, and chilled music — perfect for winding down after a day of sightseeing.

The Spot – Chill Vibes & Night Sips
Music
White Town

The Spot – Chill Vibes & Night Sips

The Spot is a popular White Town hangout for cocktails, bar snacks, and laid-back nightlife with music and a lively evening crowd.

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam
Spiritual
Temple

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam

A vibrant and historic Ganesha temple in White Town known for its colorful architecture, daily rituals, and the famous golden elephant blessings.

Bharathi Park
Park
White Town

Bharathi Park

A calm, centrally located green park in White Town offering colonial-era charm, shaded walkways, and a peaceful break from Pondy’s busy streets.

Catamaran Brewing Company
Drinks
Night Hangout

Catamaran Brewing Company

A laid-back craft brewery in Pondicherry known for freshly brewed beers, calm vibes, and conversations that last longer than the pint.

Promenade Beach
Seaside
Street Food

Promenade Beach

Pondicherry’s most iconic seaside stretch where the city comes alive every evening with walkers, street food, sea breeze, and people-watching.

KAMATCHI: The Non-Veg Mecca
Non-Veg
South Indian

KAMATCHI: The Non-Veg Mecca

Legendary local non-veg restaurant serving unapologetically spicy South Indian food that Pondy locals swear by.

Bay of Buddha: Boujee Rooftop Scene
Rooftop Dining
Asian Cuisine

Bay of Buddha: Boujee Rooftop Scene

Upscale rooftop restaurant serving Asian cuisine and cocktails with uninterrupted ocean sunset views.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Zen Mode in the City
Spiritual
Peaceful

Sri Aurobindo Ashram: Zen Mode in the City

A serene spiritual retreat in White Town offering silence, meditation, and a complete mental reset away from city chaos.

KBS Kofi Barr: The Coffee Fix
Local Spot
Cafe

KBS Kofi Barr: The Coffee Fix

A legendary Pondicherry coffee joint serving strong brews and indulgent desserts — the go-to pit stop during White Town exploration.

Thillai Nataraja Temple – The Cosmic Dancer's Abode
Day Trip
Spiritual

Thillai Nataraja Temple – The Cosmic Dancer's Abode

A legendary Chola-era temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, known for its massive scale, spiritual weight, and iconic golden-roofed sanctum.

New Moorthy Café – The Spice King
Non-Veg
Local Food

New Moorthy Café – The Spice King

The go-to non-veg joint in Chidambaram for fiery South Indian food, legendary biryani, and parottas that locals swear by.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest – Get Lost in the Mangroves
Nature
Adventure

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest – Get Lost in the Mangroves

A surreal mangrove ecosystem where narrow green tunnels, calm backwaters, and silent boat rides create a pure nature-escape experience.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Church
Spiritual

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral

A historic Portuguese-era cathedral and one of Pondicherry’s oldest landmarks, known for its striking white façade and deep colonial roots.

Paradise Beach – The Ferry Escape
Beach
Nature

Paradise Beach – The Ferry Escape

A pristine beach reachable only by ferry, known for clean golden sand, turquoise water, and a full-on island escape vibe.

Sacred Heart Basilica
Church
History

Sacred Heart Basilica

Pondy’s iconic red-and-white Gothic church, famous for its towering facade and stunning stained-glass windows depicting the life of Christ.

Puducherry Museum
History
White Town

Puducherry Museum

A compact but powerful museum covering Pondy’s ancient roots, Roman trade links, Chola bronzes, and French colonial history — a solid context-builder for the city.

Sunrise & Surfing @ Serenity Beach
Surfing
Beach

Sunrise & Surfing @ Serenity Beach

Calm sunrise beach near Auroville known for beginner-friendly surfing, peaceful vibes, and beach cafés. Perfect for early mornings, surf lessons, and relaxed beach time.

Must reads about Pondicherry

Going to Pondicherry? Here’s what to do & where to eat
Food
3 min read
7 Aug, 2023

Going to Pondicherry? Here’s what to do & where to eat

Pondicherry is tranquil and rich in culture and history. It is a union territory that was previously held by Dutch, French, and British rulers. It is also known as ‘Puducherry.’ However, it retains leanings toward French culture. Here’s a list of things to do and places to eat THINGS TO DO • Promenade Beach: Stroll […]

An Introduction to Backpacking for Beginners
Backpacker
7 min read
6 Dec, 2022

An Introduction to Backpacking for Beginners

Backpacking had always felt like a western concept to me. I remember speaking to an Italian volunteer at an NGO in Pondicherry who had backpacked throughout Europe alone. To me, it was rather surprising. She was in India for a few months and was planning to backpack and live in different states for the rest […]

Best Places to Celebrate Christmas this year
celebrating christmas in kerala
4 min read
23 Nov, 2022

Best Places to Celebrate Christmas this year

The month of December in India is all about celebrations and warmth. It’s that time of the year when you dance to the tunes of JINGLE BELLS AND FELIZ NAVIDAD!! With Christmas and New year vibes around the corner, it becomes surreal to witness the holiday spirit in the air. Even though Christmas is not […]

Tips To Plan For A Long Weekend Getaway
how to plan a weekend trip
5 min read
16 Nov, 2022

Tips To Plan For A Long Weekend Getaway

Since working, I have realised the value of a long weekend. Travelling is more complex than it used to be when we were children. There are no summer vacations for us to plan a long trip in a fascinating location. So, the long weekends are all we have to taste the joy of travel and […]

How to choose the best location for your next Workation?
traveling post the pandemic
7 min read
27 Sept, 2022

How to choose the best location for your next Workation?

Imagine a wide cinematic shot of a person walking up to a wall, looking at the map and intoning, ‘this is where I am working next’; well, this could be a reality. Workation (Work + Vacation) is a simple concept of working and vacationing. As utopian as it may sound, it is precisely that. The […]

Your No-Nonsense Guide To Workations
goSTOPS workations
9 min read
7 Sept, 2021

Your No-Nonsense Guide To Workations

Let’s face it, we all deserve to take a break from our WFH routine. And when adding some plants to your workspace or getting a new work chair doesn’t really cut it, it’s a sign that it’s time to hop on the workation trend! What’s a workation? It’s where a green and quiet place that’s […]

Tips For Your First Solo Trip
Solo Travel
10 min read
27 Aug, 2021

Tips For Your First Solo Trip

Your first trips are always with your parents, then with your friends, but have you ever given a thought to traveling solo? If you’re someone who can’t even go to a movie or café alone, the mere thought of a solo trip can be daunting. But this is exactly why you need a solo trip! […]

8 Places To Visit In India For The Aquaphiles
places to visit in India for the aquaphiles
13 min read
11 Aug, 2021

8 Places To Visit In India For The Aquaphiles

If there’s one word that we associate with India, it’s ‘diverse’. Kids as small as first graders are taught that if it’s one thing that our country effortlessly nails, it’s diversity. And the beauty of this diversity is that it has a little something for everyone, all within our geographical boundaries. From water sports to […]

The Magic of Traditional and Folk Music of India: South Indian Folk Music
folk music of india
6 min read
12 Jul, 2017

The Magic of Traditional and Folk Music of India: South Indian Folk Music

From the diverse variety of the Indian musical instruments to the versatility in vocal range exhibited by the singers, South India effortlessly takes a very important position in the enriching the folk music of India.

5 Adventure Sports In India That Will Test Your Limits!
adventure sports in india
3 min read
28 Jun, 2017

5 Adventure Sports In India That Will Test Your Limits!

The more you risk, the more you gain and life is an adventure meant to be lived like that. If you’re tired of the monotony of your daily routine and want to test out your will and strength, we introduce to you to the best adventure sports in India that will keep you on the […]

Best ways to reach Pondicherry

Best time to visit Pondicherry

December - March

20°C - 32°C

December - March

The winter season lasts from December to March, and these are the best months to visit Pondicherry. Pondicherry's weather is tropical in nature.

April - June

26°C - 42°C

April - June

Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures averaging 40-44 degrees.

October - December

21°C - 32°C

October - December

The rare rain begins in July, but the majority of the rain falls in Pondicherry between October and December.

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