Two days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Pondicherry. This 2-day Pondicherry itinerary covers the French Quarter, the best beaches and Auroville – and it is planned around a rented scooter, which saves a lot of time and money on autos.
In this guide
Day 1: White Town and the south
- Sunrise at Promenade Beach – walk the seafront before the heat.
- Breakfast in White Town – French bakeries and South Indian tiffin both nearby.
- Walk the French Quarter – colourful streets, Our Lady of Angels Church, the Aurobindo Ashram and Manakula Vinayagar Temple. Follow our White Town guide.
- Afternoon at Paradise Beach – ride 8 km south to the Chunnambar boat house and take the boat across.
- Evening – back to the Promenade, then dinner in town.
Day 2: Auroville and the north
- Sunrise at Serenity Beach – or book a beginner surf lesson.
- Auroville Visitors Centre – exhibition, cafés and the Matrimandir viewing point.
- Lunch at a farm café in Auroville.
- Afternoon – ride the forest roads or visit a workshop. More ideas in things to do in Auroville.
- Sunset – relax at Auroville Beach.
Have a third day?
Add a day trip to Mahabalipuram along the ECR, or to Tiruvannamalai for the Arunachaleswarar Temple.
Getting around
Distances in this plan are 5–20 km at a time. A scooter is the easiest option; see our rental prices. If you prefer not to ride, book a car with driver on our taxi page – the 8-hour local sightseeing package covers most of this itinerary.
Budget tips
- Weekly scooter rentals are much cheaper per day than daily rent.
- Visit Paradise Beach on a weekday to avoid long boat queues.
- Carry water and sunscreen – afternoons can be very hot.
Need a bike, scooter or taxi?
Tell us your dates on WhatsApp – we reply fast and keep your ride ready.
