My 2.5 Days in Pondicherry: A Journey Worth Taking September 21 - 23, 2025

Planning a trip to Pondicherry had been on my mind for a while, and finally, a month ago, I decided to make it happen. True to my usual last-minute style, all the actual bookings happened just a couple of days before departure. Sometimes the best adventures begin with a little chaos, don't they?

The Journey There

I booked our bus tickets through JBT Travels via the Abhi app – the booking process was surprisingly smooth. However, here's a heads up for fellow travelers: be mentally prepared for the feeder bus pickup. It's not exactly luxury travel, but it gets the job done. We left Hyderabad at 6:40 PM, running slightly behind schedule, but managed to reach Pondicherry right on time at 8:30 AM.

The only hiccup? They dropped us on the roadside instead of the proper bus depot. Immediately, we were swarmed by local auto drivers trying to overcharge us – you know how it goes. Fortunately, one honest driver suggested we rent a scooter instead, which turned out to be brilliant advice, especially since I'd unknowingly booked a hotel in Tamil Nadu rather than proper Pondicherry territory.

Our Base: La Beach Resort

After a 17-kilometer ride, we reached La Beach Resort Muthu in Kottakkuppam. The place had its charm – a decent swimming pool and genuinely welcoming staff who even allowed us an early check-in despite our dawn arrival. The room was spacious with basic amenities like AC and a small TV, but the bathroom situation was disappointing. The water geyser was leaking all over the toilet area, creating an unsightly mess. Still, we barely spent time at the resort since Pondicherry's attractions were calling.

Exploring the French Quarters

White Town was everything I'd imagined and more. Walking along the Promenade, taking in the Rock Beach, and admiring the French colonial architecture felt like stepping into a different era. We managed to visit four different beaches – each beautiful in its own way, though the scorching heat kept us hunting for shade. The sea was quite rough, but that didn't stop my adventurous niece from taking a refreshing swim.

The Food Trail: Hits and Misses

Our culinary journey was a mixed bag. The first meal at WA WA in Auroville looked promising from the outside, but the fusion food fell short of expectations – all style, not enough substance.

Day two's breakfast at Writers Cafe was frankly disappointing. Their Spanish omelette and American classic hot dog were overpriced for the mediocre quality. The confusion over the "Filter Madras coffee" was amusing though – I ended up with something resembling a latte instead.

However, lunch at Babu's Cafe and Restaurant completely redeemed our food experience. Fresh prawns and fish in garlic sauce, served with crispy chips and salad, accompanied by a refreshing lemon-mint drink – this little roadside gem is a must-visit for anyone heading to Auroville.

Day three brought us to Hot Breads in White Town for breakfast, and what a delightful surprise it was! Their croissant, cinnamon bun, chicken pie, and hot dog were not only delicious but incredibly affordable – a stark contrast to the previous day's overpriced breakfast.

Our final lunch at Surguru was an experience in itself. This bustling vegetarian restaurant serves quality food at unbeatable prices. We enjoyed malai paneer with tandoori roti and mausabi juice. The confusion about whether we wanted ice in our drinks was hilarious – watching the waiter go back and forth before finally bringing us a bowl of ice had us in stitches.

Final Moments

Before catching our bus back, we visited Bharathi Park on Rue Saint Gilles Street in White Town – a small park dedicated to Aayi, a famous courtesan from the area's history. We'd hoped to see the botanical garden too, but found it closed, which was a bit disappointing.

Reflections

Pondicherry carries significant historical weight, and its people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Despite the minor inconveniences and mixed experiences, it's definitely a place worth visiting at least once. The blend of French colonial charm with Indian vibrancy creates something unique that you won't find elsewhere.

Overall, we had a wonderful time, and I can confidently tick Pondicherry off my bucket list. 

Rock Beach or Promenade Beach is a sea front beach with the original light house and cafe's, guest houses in White Town.

Our Lady of Angels Church (also known as Eglise Notre-Dame des Anges) is the oldest church build in 1738

Scared Heart Basilica is where we went for our Sunday evening mass. This 117 years old  church contains  rare stained glass panels depicting the events from the life of Christ and the saints of the Catholic Church and is also a popular landmark.

                                                                                                Serenity Beach

                                                                                             Serenity Beach

                                                                                            Auroville Beach

                                                                                                White Town Beach

Next destination: Kanyakumari. The journey continues!