Some places don’t need to shout to be heard; they linger, they charm, and they wrap around you like a favourite old song. Puducherry is one such place. With its sun-drenched streets, crumbling colonial villas, and salty sea breeze whispering through coconut palms, this little seaside town on India’s Southeastern coast offers the kind of slow and poetic magic that is made for two.

It is not a destination of grand views or hurried sightseeing. It is a place to walk without purpose, to sip coffee slowly in silent courtyards, and to watch the world go by from a promenade bench. And best of all, it welcomes travellers, especially couples, with warmth, soul, and affordability.

You do not need a luxury resort or a first-class ticket to fall in love with Puducherry. What you need is time, curiosity, and someone to hold your hand.

Here is a three-day itinerary that captures the best of this romantic coastal escape, with everything planned around modest budgets and meaningful experiences.

Day 1: Stroll through colonial dreams

The journey begins in Chennai, the nearest major airport and railhead, about 150 km from Puducherry. The drive along the East Coast Road is an experience in itself — the sea occasionally peeking through stretches of casuarina trees, colourful roadside stalls, and the scent of salt and sambar in the air.

Shared taxis or buses cost between Rs 300 and Rs 600 per person.

Once you arrive, check into a heritage guesthouse tucked inside White Town, Puducherry’s charming French Quarter. Think mustard-yellow facades, bougainvillaea-covered balconies, and quiet streets steeped in colonial charm

Budget-friendly stays like Villa Krish, Gratitude Heritage, and La Closerie offer rooms starting at Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 per........

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