Best Places to visit in Kerala

Kerala is surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the West, the towering Western Ghats in the East and networked by 44 interconnected rivers. It is blessed with a unique set of geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. A long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, are just a few of the wonders that await you once you crossover to the other side. The Land of literate and simple citizens, kerala will amaze you with its culture, dance forms, music and food.

Cochin

Fort Kochi Market

Kochi or Cochin fondly called as “Queen of the Arabian Sea” is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’.

Attractions:

Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Basilica of Santa Cruz, Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Jewish Synagogue, Cochin Cultural Centre, Mattancherry Palace, Lulu Mall, Princess Street, Kerala Kathakali Centre, Vasco Da Gama Square

Alleppey

Houseboat cruising in Alleppey Backwaters

Alleppey called as ‘Backwater Capital of India’ or the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey is known for its silent backwaters and bountiful beauty. It’s best known for houseboat cruises along the rustic Kerala backwaters, a network of tranquil canals and lagoons.

Attractions:

Vembanad Lake,  Alleppey Beach, Krishnapuram Palace, Pathiramanal, Kuttanad Backwaters, Arthunkal Church, Ambalapuzha Temple, Mannarshala Temple, Karumadikuttan Statue, St. Mary Rorane Church

Munnar

Munnar Tea Plantation

Munnar is one of the most sought after gorgeous hill stations in the Western Ghats of Kerala. It is famous for its tea estates, exotic lush green forest and high peaks. It is also famous among honeymooners.

Attractions:

Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Pothamedu View Point, Anamudi, Blossom Park, Devikulam, Pallivasal, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, Kundala Lake, Nyayamakad, Meesapulimala

Periyar (Thekkady)

Boat Ride at Periyar Lake to witness Wildlife

Thekkady is a pleasant heaven on earth for those who love nature in its wild manifestations. Periyar National Park is the major attraction and The early morning ride in the boat within the sanctuary is an extremely awesome experience and you might be able to spot wild elephants, bisons, wild boars, various kinds of birds, etc

Attractions:

Periyar National Park, Periyar Lake, Jeep Safari at Gavi, Kumily, Caramom Hills, Spring Valley Mountain, Vandiperiyar, Grampi, Mangala Devi Temple

Kumarakom

Kumarakom Backwaters

Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. It is an enchanting backwater destination which offers visitors many other leisure options. he bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise.

Attractions:

Bird sanctuary, Pothamedu View Point, Anamudi, Blossom Park, Devikulam, Pallivasal, TATA Tea Museum, Vattavada, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, Kundala Lake, Nyayamakad, Meesapulimala, Kolukkumalai, Lock-Hart Gap, Chithirapuram, Rajamala, Top Station, Marayoor Dolmens, Indo Swiss Diary Farm, Lite of Pi Church

Kovalam

Kovalam Lighhouse

Kovalam in Kerala is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. It is extremely popular among tourist due to shallow waters and low tidal wave.

Attractions:

Lighthouse Beach, Chowara Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawah Beach, Samudra Beach, Shangumkham Beach, Neyyar Dam, Aruvikkara Dam, Edakallu, Karamana River, Halcyon Castle, Kovalam Art Gallery, Valiyathura Pier, Veli Tourist Village, Artificial Coral Reef, Vizhinjam Rock Cut Temple, Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, Naiper Art Museum, Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Marari

Marari Beach

Marari or ‘Mararikulum’ is a beach in Kerala with golden sands and coconut palm trees on the Arabian Sea coast.

Attractions:

Alappuzha Beach, Cherthala, St. Andres Church, Mararikulam Shiva Temple, Aroor, Arthunkal, Poochakkal

Vythiri

Vythiri Tree House

Vythiri is a popular resort town famous for its old world charm of cottages, log huts & tree house accommodations cosily nestled in the forests of Wayanad district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is set in a lush tropical rainforest. Rustic themed cottages in indigenous architecture beside a frolicking jungle stream, splendid tropical birds on overhanging branches, colourful butterflies and the insistent chatter of cicadas

Attractions:

Wayanad Wildlife  Sanctuary, Banasura Sagar Dam, Chembra Peak, Soochipara Falls, Sentinel Rock Falls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Kuruva Island, Pookode Lake, Lakkidi, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Pakshipathalam, Edakkal Caves, Sulthan Bathery

Trivandrum

Trivandrum Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Trivandrum is the capital of the southern state of Kerala. It is known for its strongly rooted heritage and a nostalgic colonial legacy. Trivandrum is a swanky metropolis with a quaint urban charm and plenty of scenic places to visit. Proudly retaining its age-old cultural charm, Trivandrum offers a huge variety of sights including incredible museums, beautifully designed palaces, sacred temples and mesmerizing beaches

Attractions:

Shanghumugham Beach, Aruvi Waterfalls, Akkulam Tourist Village, Veli Tourist Village, Aruvikkara Dam, Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary, Koyikkal Palace, Kanakakunnu Palace, Anchuthengu Fort, Napier Museum, Zoological Gardens, Vizhinjam, Thiruvallam, AnanthaPadmanabha Temple, Attukal Bhagavathi Temple, Meenmutty Falls, Golden Valley, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Mankkayam Falls, Kallar, Koyikkal Palace, Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Sri Krishna Swami Temple

Varkala

Varkala

Varkala is a calm and quiet coastal town in the southern part of Kerala known for the unique 15m high ‘Northern Cliff’ adjacent to the Arabian Sea. It has some of the best pristine beaches, hills, lakes, forts, lighthouses, natural fisheries and springs – all of this together makes this town a little paradise. 

Attractions:

Varkala Beach, Thiruvambadi Beach, Edava Beach, Kappil Beach, Papanasam Beach, 590 Cliff, Anjengo Fort, Sivagiri Mutt, Janardhanaswamy Temple, Ponnumthuruthu Island, Varkala Tunnel, Vishnu Temple, Varkala Aquarium, KaduvayilJuma Masjid, Varkala Lighthouse

Thrissur

Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur is known to be the cultural capital of Kerala. It is famous for fostering classical Keralan performing arts, religious sites and the renowned Thrissur Pooram festival. The best time to travel to the city is during its festivals.

Attractions:

Chavakkad Beach, Nattika Beach, Vatanappally Beach, Athirapally Waterfalls, Guruvayoor, Peechi Dam, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrisuur Zoo, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Chimmony Dam, Thrissur Pooram, Archaeological Museum, PunnathurKotta, Sri Maheswara Temple, Lourdes Cathedral, Marth Mariam Church, Vaddakunathan Temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, ParamekkavuBhagavathy Temple, Arattupuzha Temple

Guruvayur

GuruvayurTemple

Guruvayur is famous for the Guruvayur Temple – India’s third-largest temple housing Lord Krishna. The temple is believed to be one of the 108 most divine Vishnu temples in the world. Guruvayoor has emerged as one of the most important places of worship in Southern India among pilgrimages.  

Attractions:

Guruvayur Temple, Guruvayur Elephant Camp, MammiyurMahadevan Temple, Palayur Church, Parthasarathy Temple, Chamundeshwary Temple, Devaswom Museum, Institute of Mural Paintings

Kollam

Kollam City

Kollam is an enchanting town with backwaters and picturesque landscapes. It is a commercial centre and home to India’s cashew producing industry. Popularly known as Quilon, it is often regarded as the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala.

Attractions:

Dutch Quilon, Thirumullavaram Beach, Kollam Beach, Ashtamudi Lake, Palaruvi Waterfalls, Paravoor, Punalur, Thenmala, Mayyanad, Deer Park, Thevalli Palace, British Residency, Chavara, Jatayupara, Thangasseri, Rameshwara Temple, Sasthamkotta, Ochira,KottarakkaraKathakali Museum, Picnic Village, Munore Island, Neendakara Port