Nomad Saikat
There are ample reasons for calling Kerala “God’s Own Country”. It is also known as the “Spice Capital of India”. The enchanting beauty of Kerala holds special prominence amongst the travel enthusiasts. Situated between the Arabian Sea in the West and the Western Ghats in the east, Kerala is the land of cultural and geographical diversity. Ranging from endless tea gardens to sandy beaches, calm backwaters and rolling hills this place is a wonder in itself. There are many tourist places in Kerala that are a must visit. You can get a Kerala tourist package or visit separate places one by one because there is a lot to explore. In this article I will put down the best tourist places in Kerala. So if you are on the hunt for a list of places to visit in Kerala, continue reading.
Best Places to Visit in Kerala
Alleppey
Location : On the Laccadive Sea, the city is 55km from Kochi and 155km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Nearest airport: Located at a distance of 75km the Cochin International airport is the nearest airport.
Nearest railway station: Alleppey Railway Station is the nearest railway Station.
Why Alleppey is famous?
Alleppey is very popular in India as a backwater destination. It is also famous for marine products, alleppey houseboat, boat races and the coir industry. Alleppy popularly known as the Venice of the East is a beautiful destination to visit.
Another name of Alleppy is Alappuzha. The still backwaters are a sight to enjoy. If you are a water baby then this can be one of the best places in Kerala for you to explore. You can simply enjoy a chilled out time floating in the water. The calmness around the place is a blessing in itself. You can notice how life there is interlinked with waterways. Spending some time on the banks of Vembanad Lake or staying in the houseboat cruise can be one of a lifetime kind of experience for you.
Best time to visit Alleppey
This is a year round travel spot that you can visit anytime.
Tourist spots
Vembanad Lake, Alleppey Beach, Kuttanad Backwaters, Krishnapuram Palace, Arthunkal Church, St. Mary Forane Church, Marari Beach, Ambalapuzha Temple, Mannarasala Temple are some of the popular travel destination in Alleppey.
Weather in Alleppey
Summer Season from April to June
Monsoon Season from July to September
Winter Season from October to Mid March
Munnar
Location
Munnar is in the Idukki district of Kerala in the Western Ghats Mountain range.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport.
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam junction which is 128km away and takes around 4 hours to reach there.
Why Munnar is famous?
It is the most popular hill station travel destination in South India.
1600 meters above sea level, in the lap of Western Ghats, Munnar is one of the most famous travel destinations. The tea gardens amidst the mountains make it a destination people visit for the much needed peace. The beauty of the mist-covered mountains and rolling hills surrounded by lush greenery looks captivating. The everlasting beauty of Munnar shines through all the seasons whether its summer, monsoon or winter. The calmness of this place will soothe your soul transporting you to a place of utmost bliss. This is surely one of the most visited tourist places in Kerala.
Best time to visit Munnar
This is an all year round destination for tourists.
Tourist spots
Mattupetty Dam, Eravikulam National Park, TATA Tea Museum, Blossom Park, Kundala Lake, Pothamedu View Point, Anamudi, Chithirapuram, Rajamala, Attukal waterfalls are some major places to visit in Munnar.
Weather
Summer season from March to May
Monsoon season from June to September
Winter season from December to February
Wayanad
Location
Wayanad is under the administration of Municipality of Kalpetta, in the north east of Kerala.
Nearest airport: The Calicut International Airport which is 98km away is the nearest airport.
Nearest railway station: Nilambur railway station that is 92km away is the nearest railway station. The approximate time to travel is 3 hours.
Why wayanad is famous?
Wayanad is famous for its trekking trails and camping locations. You can see beautiful waterfalls and caves there.
Situated at a height of 700-2100 meters, Wayanad specially deserves a position in the list of must visit places in Kerala. The name Wayanad is derived from “Vayalnadu” that means the land of paddy fields. This is a spectacular hill station with captivating green forests which are said to be almost 3000 years old. The blue water lakes and captivating mountains and green valley are a magnificent sight.
Best time to visit wayanad
This place is a year round destination.
Wayanad tourist places
The main tourist attractions in Wayanad are Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chembra Peak, Sentinel Rock Falls, Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves, Pakshipathalam, Soochipara Falls, Kuruva island, Pookode Lake etc.
Weather in wayanad
Summer Season is from March to May
Monsoon Season is from June to September
Winter season is from December to February
Kovalam
Location
Kovalam is 13 km away from Trivandrum.
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International airport that is 16km away.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway station is the Trivandrum Central railway station that is 13km away.
Why is it famous?
Kovalam beach is also known as the crescent beach because Kovalam has three adjacent Crescent beaches. Also Kovalam beach has limonite and monazite in its sand that gives a light black shade to the sand making it a distinguishing feature of this beach. But not all places in Kovalam have this feature.
The word Kovalam literally means “grove of coconut trees”. Kovalam is located along the coastline of Arabian Sea. If you are a beach person then Kovalam beach is a must visit beach destination in India. The falcate shaped palm packed beach with its white sand and blue water is a visual treat. Activities like wind surfing, parasailing and diving are popular here. If you want to laze around then you can just go sightseeing or indulge in swimming. The eye-catching beauty and the serenity of Kovalam definitely makes it to the list of places to visit in Kerala.
Best time to visit Kovalam
The best time to visit is around September when the monsoon ends to the beginning of summer during March.
Kovalam tourist places :
Lighthouse Beach, Chowara Beach, Kovalam beach, Hawah Beach, Shanghumukham Beach, Samudra Beach, Aruvikkara Dam, Neyyar Dam, Karamana River, Halcyon Castle, Veli Tourist Village, Artificial Coral Reef, Vizhinjam rock Cut Temple, Shri Pamanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Art Museum are some of the must visit nearby places.
Interestingly you can also try to visit Kanyakumari from Kovalam. Kovalam to Kanyakumari distance is around 77 KM, A cab will take two and half hours to reach Kanyakumari and can be visited in 1 day.
Weather in Kovalam
Summer Season is from March to June
Monsoon Season is from July to September
Winter season is from November to February
Kumarakom
Location
This is a village on the Vembanad Lake within close proximity to Kottayam city.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport which is at a 125km distance is the nearest airport to reach Kumarakom.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway Station is Ernakulam Junction which is approximately 4hours and 128km away.
Why Kumarakom is famous?
Kumarakom is known as the black water paradise of India. This place is listed as one of the must visit places in a lifetime by National Geographic Magazine.
The main attraction here is surely the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary that spreads across 14 acres which is a home for many birds like cuckoo, parrot, Siberian crane, parrot, lark, owl and many other local and migratory birds. The place looks charming with its coconut groves, Vembanad Lake and rice fields that attract the tourists. The houseboat stays here are another attractive activity for tourists.
Best time to visit Kumarakom
The ideal time to visit is September when the monsoon ends to March when winter ends.
Tourist spots in Kumarakom
Some of the major spots to visit are Eravikulam National park, Mattupetty Dam, TATA Tea Museum, Blossom Park, Kundala Lake, Pothamedu View Point, Anamudi, Chithirapuram, Rajamala, Attukal Waterfalls, Devikulam, Pallivasal, Lock-Heart Gap, and Top Station.
Weather in Kumarakom
Summer season is from March to May
Monsoon season is from June to September
Winter season is from December to February
Thiruvananthapuram
Location
The capital city is located on the Indian west coast near the extreme southern mainland.
Nearest airport: The nearest airport to reach is the Trivandrum International Airport.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway station is the Trivandrum Central railway Station. Thiruvananthapuram station code is “TVC” which you may need during train ticket reservation.
Why Thiruvananthapuram is famous?
Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala as well as the largest city inKerala.
This is one of the major tourist spots for people visiting Kerala. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple that is the richest temple of India is one of the biggest attractions of the tourists here. Also the beach towns of Kovalam and Varkala are situated here. The beautiful beaches, backwaters, lagoons and the hilly areas add to the diversity of the place. You can see the rural life mixing with the contemporary elements here. Trivandrum is also rated as one of the finest cities to live in India.
Best time to visit Thiruvananthapuram
The best time to visit is after the end of monsoon.
Tourist spots in Thiruvananthapuram
Major tourist attraction here are sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Attukal Bhagavathy temple, Napier museum, Veli Lake Tourist Village, Akkulam Tourist Village, Vellayani Lake, Neyyar Dam, Samudra Beach, Shangumugham Beach, Kovalam Beach, Azhimala Cliff and Beach and many more.
Weather in Thiruvananthapuram
Summer season is from March to May
Monsoon season is from June to September
Winter season is from December to March
Kannur
Location
Kannur is situated in the north of Kozhikode and south Of Mangalore and Kasaragod.
Nearest airport: The Calicut international Airport is the nearest airport that is 84km away.
Nearest railway station: Kannur Railway Station is the nearest railway station.
Why Kannur is famous?
Kannur is known as “The Crown of Kerala”. This has the only Drive-in beach of India, the Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach.
Kannur is a breathtaking Tourist attraction bordered by the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea. This is a beach town on the Malabar Coast that is going to make you fall in love with the beauty of this place. This calm destination will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is one of the most visited tourist places in Kerala.
Best time to visit Kannur
The ideal time to visit is October to March.
Kannur Tourist Places
Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Meenkunnu Beach, Payyambalam Beach, Thottada Beach, Mopila Bay, Baby Beach, Arakkal Museum, Dharmadam Island, Sundareswara Temple, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Fort St. Angelo, Pallikunnu are some of the best tourist places to visit.
Weather in Kannur
Summer season is from March to May
Monsoon season is from June to August
Winter season is from October to February
Kozhikode
Location
Kozhikode is situated on the Malabar Coast
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is the Calicut International Airport that is at a 28km distance.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway station is Kozhikode railway station.
Why Kozhikode is famous?
Earlier Kozhikode was the capital of Zamorin kingdom and a renowned commercial centre. Because of its rich history Kozhikode is popularly known as the “City of Spices” as well as the “City of Sculpture”.
Earlier Kozhikode was known as Calicut. It has a rich history marked with many historical landmarks. This is one of the most diverse places in Kerala and a must visit tourist place in Kerala. In the city you can still notice reminisces of the British and Dutch Era.
Best time to visit Kozhikode
The months of July to April is the best time to visit
Places to visit in Kozhikode
Kappad Beach, Beypore Beach, Kozhikode Beach, Thikkoti Lighthouse, Kalipoyika, Kozhippara Falls, Kadalundi, Lion’s Park, Mananchira Square, Krishna Menon Museum, Peruvannamuzhi Dam, Thusharagiri Falls are some of the prominent tourist attractions.
Kozhikode to Kannur distance is almost 92 KM and can be travel by Car or train.
Weather in Kozhikode
Summer season is from April to May
Monsoon season is from July to September
Winter season is from October to March
Cochin
Location
This is located at the southwest of the Kerala coastal area.
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport.
Nearest railway station: The nearest Railway station is Kochi railway Junction.
Why Cochin is famous?
Cochin is a port city that is also called the “Queen of Arabian Sea”.
Cochin stands as a beautiful amalgamation of age old cultural values mingled with contemporary ideas. It has diversity in its tradition and culture because of its rich history. You can find a little bit of everything here like British history, Chinese nets, Dutch settlement or the traditional spice market. The uniqueness lies in the diversified blend of culture and therefore this place is included in the list of places to visit in Kerala.
Best time to visit Cochin
July to April is the perfect time to visit this place.
Places to Visit in Cochin
Kochi Fort, Vypeen Beach, Vypeen Island, Marine Drive, Cherai Beach, Bolgatty Island, Basilica of Santa cruz, Chinese Fishing Nets, Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara, Thrikkakara Temple, Jewish Synagogue, Cochin Cultural Centre, Hill Palace Museum, Lulu Mall which is the largest mall in India, Princess Street, Vasco da Gama Square, Kerala Kathakali centre are some of the prominent tourist places to visit.
Weather in Cochin
Summer season is from March to June
Monsoon season is from October to February
Winter season is from July to September
Idukki
Location
Idukki is a forest area in the mountainous region of Kerala.
Nearest airport: The nearest Airport is Cochin International Airport which is 98km away.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway station is Thinai junction which is 83km away.
Why Idukki is famous?
Idukki is known as the “India’s Backwater Capital”. It is famous for its flora and fauna. Also the popular Eravikulam National Park is situated here.
The Idukki region has various spice gardens, lofty peaks along with sanctuaries that makes it a highly engaging tourist destination. It is a place for nature lovers who want to explore the beauty of lush green plantations and misty clouds that will soothe the soul. It is surrounded by three rivers Periyar, Thalayar and Thodupuzha
Best time to visit Idukki
You can visit Idukki any time of the year.
Tourist spots in Idukki
Munnar, Vagamon, Periyar lake, Periyar national Park, Idukki Arch Dam, Nandukani, Painavu, Gavi, Hill View Park, Mangala Devi Temple, Keezharkuthu Falls, Anakkara are some of the important spots to visit.
Weather in Idukki
Summer season is from March to May
Monsoon season is from June to September
Winter season is from November to February
Bekal
Location
This small town is situated in the Kasaragod district along the west coast of Kerala.
Nearest airport: the Trivandrum Airport is the nearest Airport that is 71km away.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway stations are Kasaragod railway station which is 12km away and Kanhangad railway Station which is 14km away.
Why Bekal is famous?
Bekal is famous for its beautiful backwaters, spectacular beaches and forts.
The Bekal Fort was built almost 300 years ago. This fort is one of the largest forts and most preserved as well. This is a fort that is shaped like a giant key and you can get a splendid view of the Arabian Sea from the observation towers. This is one of the tourist places in Kerala that one must visit. The scenic beauty of this village on the lap of Arabian Sea is also historically rich. The place is ideal for a relaxing holiday with breathtaking views that will refresh your mind.
Best time to visit Bekal
The ideal time to visit is October to March.
Places to visit in Bekal
Bekal Fort, Bekal Fort Beach, Kappil Beach, Pallikere Beach, Bekal Hole Aqua Park, Mallikarjuna Temple, Nileswaram Cultural Centre, Valiyaparamba backwaters are some popular tourist attractions.
Weather in Bekal
Summer season is from March to June
Monsoon season is from June to September
Winter season is from December to February
Palakkad
Location
Palakkad is situated at the foothills of Western Ghats.
Nearest airport: The Peelamedu airport in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is 43km away and the Cochin International Airport is 96km away.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway stations are Palakkad town Railway station which is a narrow gauge line and the Palakkad Junction which is a broad gauge line.
Why Palakkad is famous?
Palakkad is known as the “Gateway to Kerala”. Also it is known as the “Granary of Kerala”.
Palakkad also known as Palghat is known for its scenic beauty. It is supposedly the most productive forested land in Kerala. It has lush green vegetation which enhances its beauty to a different extent. The region has a glorious past and carries a diverse range of cultural and traditional values. The Malabar style of living is another attractive feature. The peaceful ambience and alluring beauty of this place makes it a popular spot for tourists.
Best time to visit Palakkad
Ideally this place should be visited during July which is mid monsoon to March that is the winter end.
Places to visit in Palakkad
This place has multiple spots to visit which includes Silent Valley National Park, Parambikulam WildLife Sanctuary, Mayiladumpara Peacock Sanctuary, Palakkad Fort, Rock Garden, Attappadi, Dhoni Forest, Malampuzha Dam, Kalpathy Heritage, Pothundi Dam and Reservoir, Tipu’s Fort, Jain Temple, Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Kumarapuram Temple and many more notable options.
Weather in Palakkad
Summer season is from February to May
Monsoon season is from June to October
Winter season is from November to March
Vagamon
Location
Vagamon is located on the Idukki and Kottayam border.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport at a distance of 75km is the nearest airport.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway station is Kottayam railway station which is 64km away and takes approximately 2 hours to reach.
Why Vagamon is famous?
Vagamon is popularly known as the “Scotland of Asia.
This one is an offbeat travel destination in Kerala. It is situated 1100 metres above sea level. This hill station oozes its charm with its beauty. The place is less explored by tourists but adventurous travelers visit this place for some fun and adrenaline rush. Activities like Rock Climbing, Paragliding, Mountaineering, and trekking are popular among travel enthusiasts.
Best time to visit Vagamon
There is no best time to visit here. You can visit any time of the year.
Places to visit in Vagamon
Some famous tourist places are Ulipooni Wildlife sanctuary, Murinjapuzha WaterFalls, Idukki Arch Dam, Kuttikkanam Palace, Pattumala Church, Kurisumala, Peermade, Pine Hills, Mangala Devi Temple.
Weather in Vagamon
Summer season is March to June
Monsoon season is July to September
Winter season is October to March
Thrissur
Location of Thrissur
Thrissur is located in the Extended Palakkad plain in the midland of Kerala.
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is Kochi International Airport which is 67km away.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway Station is Thrissur Railway Station.
Why Thrissur is famous?
Thrissur is known as the “Cultural Capital of Kerala” because of its rich archeological wealth and cultural heritage.
Thrissur also called Trichur should be placed in the first position in your list of destinations to visit in Kerala if you are an ardent traditional and cultural enthusiast. The monuments and museums in Thrissur will give you an idea of the rich historical, religious and political inclination. This one is a major tourist attraction in Kerala especially during festivals like “Thrissur Pooram” and “Temple Festival”.
Best time to visit Thrissur
You can visit any time of the year but if you want to enjoy the Thrissur Pooram then visit during April-May.
Places to Visit in Thrissur
Athirapally Waterfalls, Chavakkad beach, Nattika Beach, Peechi Dam, Vatanapally beach, Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrissur Pooram, Thrissur Zoo, Chinmoy Dam, Chinmoy Wildlife Sanctuary, Archeological Museum, Sri Maheshwara Temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple, Dolours Basilica, Lourdes Cathedral, Marth Mariam Church, Arattupuzha Temple are some of the iconic tourist spots.
Weather in Thrissur
Summer season is from March to May
Monsoon season is from June to September
Winter season is from December to February
Varkala
Location
Varkala is a coastal municipality in the northern suburb of Trivandrum.
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport that is 36km away.
Nearest railway station: The nearest railway station is Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station.
Why Varkala is famous?
Varkala is the most popular Cliff Beach in India.
The Varkala Beach is also known as the Papanasham Beach and it is believed by many that a dip in the water here can wash away all your sins. This place is also popular for ayurveda as many tourists arrive here for traditional ayurvedic treatments and massages. This is the only beach in Kerala where you can see cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea. The Vishnu Temple and Sivagiri Mutt Ashram here are almost 2000 years old and attract a lot of tourists.
Best time to visit
You can visit this place all year round.
Places to Visit in Varkala
Varkala beach, Edava Beach, Thiruvambadi Beach, Kappil Beach, 590 Cliff, Savagiri Mutt, Papanasam Beach, Anjengo Fort, Janardanswamy Temple, Ponnumthuruthu Island, Vishnu temple, Varkala Aquarium, Varkala Lighthouse, Varkala Tunnel, Kuduvayiljuma Masjid are some of the prominent tourist attractions in Varkala.
Weather in Varkala
Summer season is from April to June
Winter season is from October to March
Tourist places in Kerala offer a diverse range of destinations that one can visit. Ranging from beautiful forests, to sandy beaches, historical monuments and temples, if you want some adventure or want to enjoy the serene beauty of nature, Kerala has a lot to offer. So next time when you are planning a trip keep tourist places in Kerala in your list. No one will be disappointed after exploring this list of best places to visit in Kerala. Do let me know which places made you feel like you need to visit it soon.
