Visiting Kerala? Do Not Miss Out On These 16 Beautiful Places

April 23, 2018

The southern Indian state of Kerala offers a captivating view of the long palm tree beaches, verdant hills, pristine backwaters as well as river bodies. Known as among the ten heavens on earth, Kerala stands true to its tag as “God’s Own Country”.

Besides the mesmerizing nature’s bounty, Kerala is also known for its rich culture, Ayurveda, delectable local cuisines, festivals, handicrafts and more. MakeMyTrip offers amazing discounts and great deals to travel to this beautiful place at the cheapest rates.

Trivia: Kerala is referred to “God’s Own Country”
Why Go There: Rich cultural experience| Relaxation | Biodiversity
Ideal For: Beach Holidays | Ayurveda Treatments | Nature Walks | Wildlife exploration
Best time to visit: October to March
Things to Bring Back: Coir merchandise, Elephant statuettes, ‘Thooku’ (hanging bells), Travancore sarees, ‘nilavillakkus’ (traditional lamp), Nettur Chest (Nettoor Petti), Coconut shell crafts and much more.

Places to Visit in Kerala

1. Munnar

This scenic hill station is known for its tea estates, luxurious green cover and rugged hillocks. Situated in the western Ghats, Munnar is the largest tea plantation area and acts as a commercial hub for world’s biggest tea plantations. Besides the tea estates, Munnar is known for Eravikulam National Park and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Below are some top places to visit in Munnar

Rose Garden
Echo Spot
Elephant Advent place
Photo Point
Mattupetti Dam
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

Time required: 2 days
Ideal for: Treks| Exploring exotic flora
Best time to visit: Sep-May
Also Read: Best Places To Visit In Munnar

Best Places To Visit & Things To Do In Thrissur

2. Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Located on the shores of the Arabian sea, Alleppey is known for its pristine backwaters, lovely beaches, temples and the famed ‘Vallam kali’ (traditional boat race). People also flock to this place for its varied assortment of ayurvedic treatments and wellness centres. Home to many beaches, lagoons and canals, Alleppey is aptly called “The Venice of the East”. One should stay in a houseboat in the backwaters to experience the beauty of laid back life of the tropical region. Below are top places to visit in Alleppey

Alappuzha Beach
Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary
Vembanad Lake
Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race

Trivia: Alleppey is referred to as “The Venice of the East”.
Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Relaxation | Ayurvedic and wellness treatments | Nature walks
Best time to visit: Jun- Mar

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3. Kochi

It is a busy commercial port city of Kerala. Kochi or Cochin is an important trading centre having a cosmopolitan influence. The place is dotted by many upscale stores, art galleries as well as heritage sojourns. Below are the top things to do in Kochi

Willingdon Island
Bolgatty palace
Mattancherry palace
Marine Drive
Fort Kochi

Trivia: Kochi is referred to “”Queen of Arabian Sea”
Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Heritage visits | shopping | relaxation
Best time to visit: Jul- Apr
Also Read: Top Things To Do In Kochi | Best Places To Visit In Kochi

4. Thekkady

The place is known for India’s biggest tiger reserve- Periyar, Thekkady. One can undertake nature walks in ‘Anakarra’. ‘Murikaddy’ is another place famous for its spice gardens. ‘Chellar Kovil’ waterfalls and Mangala Devi temple are other attractions of the place. Below are some top things to do in Thekkady

Periyar Tiger Trail
Thekkady Lake
Bamboo rafting in the Mullaiperiyar Dam

Time required: 1 day
Ideal for: Wildlife exploration | Nature walks | Bamboo Rafting
Best time to visit: Throughout the year

5. Wayanad

This place located on the Tamil Nadu and Kerala border has mesmerising waterfalls, spice gardens, wildlife and caves to offer to its visitor. Below are the top places to visit in Wayanad

Banasura Dam
Pookot Lake
Chembra Peak
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Soochipara Falls
Edakkal Caves

Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Wildlife exploration | Nature walks
Best time to visit: Throughout the year

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6. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, the Thattekad bird sanctuary is located in Ernakulam. This sanctuary is famous for its diverse wildlife species and houses more than 500 varieties of birds. The sanctuary came into existance in 1983 and also contains tropical plantations.

Below are some things to explore in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Bhoothathankettu Dam
Backwaters

Time required: 1 day
Ideal for: Wildlife exploration | Nature walks | boatrides
Best time to visit: Throughout the year

7. Varkala

The town is situated in the Trivandrum region and is known for its fisheries and springs, hills, lakes, forts, beaches and more. The place is also known for tomb of Sree Narayana Guru, Kerala’s revered saint.

Below are some top things to do in Varkala

Water sports
Beaches located at Varkala, Edava and Thiruvambadi
Sivagiri Mutt
Anjengo Fort

Trivia: Varkala is also referred to as “”The hidden treasure of Kerala”
Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Water sports | Nature walks | Relaxation
Best time to visit: Throughout the year

8. Kovalam

Located on the Arabian sea coastline, Kovalam is a quiet town famous for its shallow water beaches. Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation are other pursuits which can be undertaken in the location’s pristine locales. One can also go shopping for spices, wooden artefacts etc at this place.

Below are some top things to do at Kovalam

Water Sport Activities
Visit to beaches such as Lighthouse beach, Hawah Beach, Samudra Beach
Halcyon Castle
Vellayani Lake

Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Water sports | Beaches | Ayurveda treatments
Best time to visit: Sep-Mar

9. Poovar

Located close to Thiruvananthapuram, Poovar is a beautiful island dotted with pristine beaches and peaceful backwaters. Poovar lies at a point where river, sea and land meet making it a natural wonder. One can explore the local traditions and rituals by visiting the adjoining fishing community.

Below are some top things to explore in Poovar

Visit to beaches such as Poovar beach and Kovalam beach
Thirparappu Falls
The Fishing village
Cruises

Time required: 1 day
Ideal for: Beaches | Exploring local culture
Best time to visit: Aug-Mar

10. Kumarakom

Kumarakom is a group of several small islands which have been reclaimed from the Vembanad lake. As part of the Kuttanad territory, Kumarakom is known for its beautiful backwaters. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary is a bird watchers paradise, given its large variety of migratory birds which visit the place.

Below are some top things to do in Kumarakom

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Backwaters
Vellavalli
Toddy shop visit
Bay Island Driftwood Museum
Fishing

Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Fishing | Bird watching | Backwaters
Best time to visit: Sep-Mar

11. Sabrimala

Sabrimala is a temple town located on the banks of the Pampa river. The town houses the famous Ayyappa temple which is visited by more than 30 million devotees every year. It is interesting to note that women aged 12-50 years are not allowed to enter the temple premises. The temple is open for only two months in a year.

Below are some top things to do in Sabrimala

Ayyappa Temple
Makaravilakku
Malikkappuram Devi Temple
Vavar Shrine

Time required: 1 day
Ideal for: Religious people
Best time to visit: Sep-Apr

12. Kollam

Located on the banks of Ashtamundi Lake, Kollam is the oldest ports which has assumed significance as it trades finest quality cashew nuts. Kollam is dotted with several temples, mosques as well as serene backwaters.

Below are some top places to visit in Kollam

Punalur
Palaruvi Waterfalls
Karunagappally
Mayyanad
Ashtamudi Lake
Pathanapuram

Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Religious people | Relaxation | Cashew nut shopping
Best time to visit: Sep-Feb

13. Kozhikode

Kozhikode is an important trading centre for commodities such as coconut, coffee, rubber etc. Formerly called as Calicut, Kozhikode is an ideal tourist destination given its scenic countryside and rich heritage.

Below are some top places to visit in Kozhikode

Kozhippara Falls
Thusharagiri Waterfall
Thikkoti Light House
Kakkayam
Sweet Street (Mithai Theravu)

Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Nature Lovers | Relaxation | Shopping
Best time to visit: Oct-Mar

14. Thrissur

Known as the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur is popular for traditional performing arts, sacred places as well as festivals. The Onam and the Thrissur Pooram festival is celebrated with great aplomb.

Below are some top places to visit in Thrissur

Athirapally Falls
Vadakummnathan temple
Charpa Falls
Heritage Garden
Vazhachal Falls
Vilangan Kunnu

Time required: 2-3 days
Ideal for: Religious people | Cultural activities
Best time to visit: All year round

15. Trivandrum

It is the capital of Kerala and known for its beaches, temples, museums, historical sites and biological gardens.

Below are some top places to visit in Trivandrum

Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The Kanakakunnu Palace
Poovar Island
Observatory
Happy Land Water Theme Park

Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal for: Religious people | Wildlife exploration | Beaches
Best time to visit: Oct-Feb

16. Pallakad

Palakkad is a sleepy but picturesque place located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Known for its palm plantations and paddy fields, Palakkad is the main granary of Kerala. Palakkad gets its name from the ‘pala’ trees which grow in abundance in the region. Though Malayalam is the ubiquitous language of Kerala, Tamil is the predominant language which is spoken in the Palakkad district.

Below are some top places to visit in Palakkad

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Ottapalam
Palakkad Fort
Dhoni
Silent Valley National Park
Jain Temple

Trivia: Palakkad is referred to “Gateway of Kerala”
Time required: 1-2 days
Ideal For: Heritage| Relaxation | Biodiversity
Best time to visit: Jul-Mar

How to Reach Kerala

Major Airports:

Trivandrum International Airport
Cochin International Airport
Calicut International Airport
Kannur International Airport

Book Using: ixigo Offers | Paytm Flight Offers | Flywidus Offers

Major Railway Stations:

Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC)
Ernakulam Town North (ERN)
Kozhikode (CLT)
Shornur Junction (SRR)
Kollam Junction (QLN)
Ernakulam Junction South (ERS)
Kottayam (KTYM)

Major Bus Depots:

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)

Travelling by private company buses and taxis is another option which you can avail.

Book Your Bus and Save Money Using: redBus Offers | Ticketgoose Offers | Travelyaari Offers

Where to Stay in Kerala

Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa Kovalam | Old Harbour Hotel | Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa| Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Cochin | The Lalit Resort & Spa, Bekal

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Other Places to Visit in Kerala

Nilambur is a small town located in Malappuram district and is known for its teak trees (380 km from Trivandrum)
Ponmudi is a hilly area marked with tea plantations, valleys and water bodies such as waterfalls and streams (55 km from Trivandrum)
Kalpetta is a hilly area in Wayanad district and is known for its coffee plantations (447 km from Trivandrum)
Peermede is a hill station in the Idukki district and is marked by tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom estates. (178 km from Trivandrum)
Guruvayur is a small town in the Thrissur district and is known for Guruvayoor temple, India’s third biggest temple dedicated to Lord Krishna (292 km from Trivandrum)
Malampuzha is located in the Palakkad district is well known for its dam. (350 km from Trivandrum)
Iduki is a hilly area marked with forests, wildlife & rubber farms (240 km from Trivandrum)
Vythiri is located in the Wayanad forests and is popular for its cosy accomodations (437 km from Trivandrum)
Thenmala is the country’s foremost eco-tourism place and had beautiful water bodies, hills, lovely railway tracks etc (72 km from Trivandrum)
Ponani, located in the Malappuram district is known for its lovely beaches. (313 km from Trivandrum)
Vagamon is a hilly area with verdant greenery offering peace and serenity (186 km from Trivandrum)
Malappuram is located close to Kozhikode is replete with markings of history of the Bristish era. (363 km from Trivandrum)

Hidden Gems

Bekal, located on the Malabar shoreline is dotted with caves, temples, beaches and forts
Also known as Tellichery, Thalassery a coastal town in Kerala is home to many renowned circus owners such as Gemini and Bharath. The place is also famous for its bakeries.
Located on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, Nelliyampathy is a beautiful hill station known for its tea, coffee and cardamom estates.
Kannur is a scenic place in Kerala which is dotted with beaches, temples, heritage sites etc. The place is also known for its weaving tradition and cashew plantations
Kasargod is a scenic hamlet on the sea coast. The place offers many sightseeing options in the form of forts, hills, rivers and beaches. The town showcases lingual diversity with seven languages spoken in the town. Kasargod is also known for its coir and handloom work.
Kottayam destination in Kerala is tagged as ‘Akshara Nagari’ as it has achieved 100 % literacy in India. The place is also known for rubber plantations and spices

CashKaro Recommendation

You should definitely savour the sumptuous Kerala cuisine which is a blend of local vegetables, meat and seafood flavoured with lavish use of spices.
Summers can be hot and humid given the tropical climate of the region. However, you can visit the many hill stations in Kerala which remain cool during the hot months

Traveling In Kerala

When you travel in Kerala, you would ideally want to book a cab. Well, booking cabs can sometimes be expensive. Hence, you can use the following cab offers to save money when you book cabs: Ola Cab Offers | Meru Cab Offers