List Of Colonial Towns In India That Look Like European Getaways

Colonial Towns in India:  India is filled with aesthetic places that will remind you of being in Europe. Some of these towns were under colonial rules like British, French, Portuguese, and Dutch, which significantly affected the architecture of those places. These colonial towns have old buildings, streets, and cafes that have a very European vibe. These colonial towns are the perfect blend of Indian heritage and European beauty. If you wish to experience the charm of Europe without having to travel abroad, we have got you covered. Here is a list of the top picturesque colonial towns in India that are a must-visit at least once in a lifetime.

List Of Top Colonial Towns In India That Look Like European Getaways:

Pondicherry (Puducherry) – French Vibe

Pondicherry's White Town is world-famous for its pastel-colored French-style villas, green boulevards, and aesthetic European cafés. The colonial heritage of the town is evident in its churches, bakeries, and street names, giving it the feel of Southern France on India's east coast. The Auroville community in the vicinity contributes to the international flavour, with their French ideals, along with Indian spirituality.

Pondicherry (Image Credit: Canva) 

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – The British Summer Capital

Shimla was the summer capital of British India. The highlight of the place is its colonial buildings, cobblestone streets and the famous Viceregal Lodge. Everything makes Shimla look like a European getaway; the crisp climate, pine groves, and English-style churches make it a charming hill town just like a European one. The mountain place is perfect to visit during the summer holidays.

Shimla (Image Credit: Canva) 

Fort Kochi, Kerala – European Influence

Fort Kochi is a mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial history. Walk along streets with heritage bungalows, art galleries, and European-style churches. Top attractions are the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, which is the oldest European church in India, and the famous Chinese fishing nets along the seafront.

Fort Kochi (Image Credit: Canva) 

McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh – Scottish Architecture

McLeod Ganj in Himachal Pradesh is famous for its Tibetan heritage and is also home to Scottish-style churches like St. John in the Wilderness. The pleasant climate, pine forests, and gothic architecture make this place a peaceful, European-style mountain-town getaway.

McLeod Ganj (Image Credit: Canva) 

Daman and Diu – Portuguese architecture

Daman and Diu’s sea towns display Portuguese colonial style through their fort, churches, and narrow streets. Daman's St. Jerome Fort and Diu's towering Diu Fort, along with peaceful beaches and ancient churches, will remind you of a Mediterranean vacation.

Daman And Diu (Image Credit: Canva) 

Lansdowne, Uttarakhand – British Cantonment

Lansdowne in Uttarakhand is a calm hill station. The place is known for its churches and bungalows of the colonial era, along with their pine-covered mountains. Its serene atmosphere and ageless architecture bear testimony to its history as a British cantonment.

Lansdowne (Image Credit: Canva) 

Kalimpong, West Bengal – Colonial Hill Station

Kalimpong, in the eastern Himalayas, is popular for its infrastructure of schools, bungalows, and gardens of the British era. Places such as Morgan House and Dr. Graham's scream colonial grandeur.

Kalimpong (Image Credit: Canva) 

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