Places To Visit Near Pondicherry For A Weekend Getaway

Known For : Matrimandir Marc's Cafe Arka

Auroville is one of those towns which appear to come to life right out of fiction. In the union territory of Pondicherry, this township runs on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living and 'divine consciousness' which was the philosophy of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mirra Alfassa.

Distance from Pondicherry: 14 km

Best Time: November to March

21 Auroville Attractions

Known For : Pichavaram Mangrove Forests Shopping in Chidambaram The Nataraja Temple

A beautiful temple town in the eastern part of Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram is famous for housing the marvelous Lord Nataraja Temple and a few others which highlight its importance as a special place of pilgrim.

Distance from Pondicherry: 62 km

Best Time: October to January

10 Chidambram Attractions

Known For : Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary Karikili Bird Sanctuary

Lying close to the important district of Mahabalipuram, is Vedanthangal, best known for its bird sanctuary. The compact water tank of 30 hectares that the sanctuary is built around is home to at least 30,000 birds every year during migratory season.

Distance from Pondicherry: 89 km

Best Time: November to February

2 Vedanthangal Attractions

Known For : Shore Temple Mahabalipuram Beach Five Rathas

Famous for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves, Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram as it is famously known, is a historically important and well-loved tourist location situated on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Distance from Pondicherry: 99 km

Best Time: November to February

23 Mahabalipuram Attractions

Known For : Brihadeeswara Temple Saraswathi Mahal Library Shiva Ganga Garden

Also known as Tanjore or the city of temples, Thanjavur has a lot of cultural value and is known for its famous Tanjore paintings, antiques and handicrafts, textiles and saris , its Carnatic music and musical instruments and of course the temples.

Distance from Pondicherry: 167 km

Best Time: October to March

15 Thanjevur Attractions

Known For : Fort Dansborg The town gate The Zion Church

Forgotten to be touched by time, and still known for its tranquility, is Tharagambadi, otherwise known as Tranquebar- The land of the singing waves. Tied up together still, and surviving the storms of time, Tranquebar is the ultimate destinations for those who lose themselves, when it comes to History.

Distance from Pondicherry: 115 km

Best Time: August to February

7 Tranquebar Attractions

Known For : Marina Beach Government Museum, Chennai MGR Film City

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the fourth largest city in the country, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South India. A city that has a rich cultural history, Chennai perfectly balances its heritage with its thriving modern lifestyle. A metropolis with a heart, Chennai’s skyline is famous for its towering skyscrapers which form a scenic vista along the coast, but the heart of Chennai still remains in the multitude of old temples and churches dotting various parts of the city. Steeped in rich South-Indian culture, Chennai is a city that has a plethora of dimensions that one can explore, and regardless of where you go, the city has an old-world charm to it that refuses to be overshadowed.

Distance from Pondicherry: 152 km

Best Time: October to March

91 Chennai Attractions

Known For : Chettinad Palace Chettinad Museum Chettinadu Mansion

Located in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, Chettinad showcases the rich heritage, striking art and grand architecture of the state. The word "Chetti" is a Sanskrit term meaning wealth. It is derived from the original traders of the region who dealt in salt and spices for marbles and other decorative items used in the construction of their properties. The place is touted as a temple town, but it is also a foodie’s paradise. There is more to Chettinad other than just an exotic cuisine. It has an elaborately vibrant culture and an over the top extortionate township comprising of ridiculously opulent mansions, palatial homes, magnificent temples and fascinating museums.

Distance from Pondicherry: 151 km

Best Time: November to March

13 Chettinad Attractions

Known For : Gingee Fort Sathanur Dam Annamalaiyar Temple

A town that offers a significant history adorned in its countless temples and ashrams, Thiruvannamalai is where Hindu Mythology takes the form of stunning architecture

Distance from Pondicherry: 111 km

Best Time: October to March

9 Thiruvannamalai Attractions

Known For : Kamakshi Amman Temple Varadharaja Perumal Temple Devarajaswami Temple

Widely known for its beautiful ‘'Kanchipuram sarees' and also referred to as the 'golden city of a thousand temples', Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu is a popular tourist attraction.

Distance from Pondicherry: 120 km

Best Time: October to May

16 Kanchipuram Attractions

Known For : Punganur Lake Nature Park Jalagamparai Falls

A quaint little hill station located in Vellore, Yelagiri is just three hours away from Bangalore, making it the perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway. Spread a little over 30 square kilometres, and at a height of over 1100 metres above sea level, Yelagiri offers its tourists some beautiful places like the Jalagamparai falls, sweeping orchards and rose garden, among others. The ideal destination for nature lovers, Yelagiri is a town that is completely off the beaten tourist trail, lending it a quieter and much more peaceful vibe compared to other more famous hill stations nearby. Originally belonging to the Zamindar family of Yelagiri, the hill station began to gain popularity since the colonial rule, when it was used by the British as a summer getaway. Ever since then, it has been one of the hidden gems of South India, replete with rocky hills and natural scenic beauty, making it the perfect place to take a break from the fast-paced city life.

Distance from Pondicherry: 242 km

Best Time: November to February

13 Yelagiri Attractions

Known For : Velankanni Church Velankanni Beach Velankanni Church Museum

On the Coromandel coast, 165 kilometers south of Chennai in the district of Nagapattinam, it is said that years ago, the Virgin mother came to bless the land.

Distance from Pondicherry: 159 km

Best Time: October to March

6 Velankanni Attractions

Known For : Adi Kumbeshwara Temple Nageswaran Temple Shopping in Kumbakonam

Sandwiched between two great rivers of southern India, Cauvery and Arsala, Kumbakonam is a gorgeous temple town in the heart of the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.The town is a place for the lovers of history and those seeking to understand India's cultural roots and Hinduism.

Distance from Pondicherry: 128 km

Best Time: November to February

25 Kumbakonam Attractions

Known For : Dutch Fort Archaeological Museum Sikkal Singaravelar Temple

Nagapattinam is a town on the coastline of Bay of Bengal with major historical significance which is also a renowned pilgrim center with many temples, churches and mosques spread all over.

Distance from Pondicherry: 147 km

Best Time: October to March

8 Nagapattinam Attractions

Known For : Dhanushkodi Beach Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park Adam's Bridge

Dhanushkodi is a small, sparsely populated beach town on the coast of Tamil Nadu. In the 1964, Dhanushkodi was hit by one of the worst storms India has ever seen. Ever since then, Tamil Nadu has rebuilt this town to become one of the most unique and unusual beach towns of India.

Distance from Pondicherry: 481 km

Best Time: October to February

6 Dhanushkodi Attractions