Your local guide to the best places to visit in Auroville and Pondicherry – beaches, heritage streets, temples, cafés and day trips. Most are easy to reach on a rented scooter.
Top Places in Auroville
- Matrimandir – the golden meditation dome at the heart of Auroville.
- Auroville Beach – a relaxed beach popular with locals and surfers.
- Auroville Visitors Centre – cafés, boutiques and the Matrimandir viewing point pass.
- Sadhana Forest – a volunteer-run reforestation community.
- Auroville Botanical Gardens – gardens and conservation of the local dry evergreen forest.
More ideas: things to do in Auroville.
Top Places in Pondicherry
- White Town (French Quarter) – colourful colonial streets and cafés.
- Promenade Beach & Rock Beach – best for sunrise walks.
- Paradise Beach – reached by boat from Chunnambar.
- Serenity Beach – surf spot with beach cafés.
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Manakula Vinayagar Temple.
Detailed guides with timings and entry fees for every Pondicherry sight are on our sister site, Pondicherry Holidays.
Compare them all in our best beaches in Pondicherry guide, or follow our 2-day Pondicherry itinerary.
Explore on two wheels
The easiest way to see all these places is on a rented scooter.