10 Best Places to Visit Kerala, a magical place where mist and enchantment are carried in by morning. Fondly known as the “God’s Own Country,” this is the place where the backwaters captivate all with their alluring silence. Yeah, it’s the ‘Spice City of India’ where Mother Nature wishes adieu at the evening with some of the enchanting melodies. Yes that’s Kerala ‘s beauty and appeal! Let loose the wanderlust in you and plan a trip to this prismic land; Kerala has a variety of places to explore. Make sure you visit all these destinations and curate some of the most pleasant memories from your journey. And if you find it hard to decide which destinations to visit, here is a range of tourist destinations that will fill your travelogue with fun, frolic and excitement:
Thiruvananthapuram- City Of Lord Padmanabhaswamy
The capital of the state of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum, located at the south-west end of Indias. A hybrid, cosmopolitan city in nature, it is also the state’s largest and most populated city. Restricted to its west by the Arabian Seato, Thiruvananthapuram has to its east the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The official name of the town until 1991 was Trivandrum, But after that time , the government restored its name as Thiruvananthapuram, the city’s original name. The term Thiruvananthapuram means the City of Lord Anantha (the Shesha serpent on whom Lord Padmanabhan or Vishnu rests) in both the Malayalam and Sanskrit languages.
Thiruvananthapuram had previously been the capital of Travancore, a princely state established by its ruler Marthanda Varma. And Thiruvananthapuram emerged at that time as a key intellectual and artistic centre. The Evergreen city of India, the name given to it by Mahatma Gandhi, its thrilling area of low-lying coastal hills and occupied commercial passages describes Thiruvananthapuram.
Stretching around a field of 250 sq. km. (the city and the suburbs), Thiruvananthapuram is situated about 16 feet above sea level, at an average elevation. Two major rivers pass through the city: the Karamana River and the Killi River. Besides being the state’s political nerve centre and home to a number of government offices (both central and state), businesses and organisations, Thiruvananthapuram also houses a number of leading educational institutions, including the Killi River Kerala University.
Thiruvananthapuram is also home to the first IT park in India, Technopark, built in 1995. Technopark is home to many dream employers of IT professionals including TCS and Infosys, which has emerged as India’s largest IT Park and the third largest in Asia. With numerous historical landmarks, a far-reaching shoreline offering some of the most beautiful beaches, stretches backwater Thiruvananthapuram is a rich cultural heritage, and a popular tourist destination in Kerala and India.
Alleppey- India’s Own version of Venice
Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is a Kerala Coastal district. For many reasons such as the beautiful combination of lakes, lagoons, crisscrossed narrow canals, rivers, coconut palms, paddy fields and much more, Alleppey becomes popular.
Earlier Alleppey and close by are low lying wetlands. These wetlands form part of Lake Vembanadu, which originates from Lake Astamudi at Quilon till Kochi. The former Travancore state’s Maharaja gave permission to reclaim these wetlands and transform these wetlands into fertile paddy fields as a result of growing local people ‘s rice needs. The reclaiming of the wetland system began in 1832 and approximately 2300 hectares of land were reclaimed by the end of 1984. Two thirds of the total lake vembanadu was reclaimed or converted to paddy fields. When this huge lake is reclaimed and turned into paddy fields, there are several large and small canals and rivers that form. Now more than half of this area is known as Kuttanad, with large paddy fields, lagoons, narrow canals and rivers. Much of the tiny and small canals are in Kuttanad.
Alleppey is lovely, being a coastal district on one side of Alleppey canals and rivers and other side is the Arabian Sea which is Alleppey beach.
Munnar- Romance in the air
Munnar is rising as three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala-merge. Formerly the summer resort of the former British Government in South India, this hill station was 1,600 m above sea level. One of Kerala’s most sought after honeymoon destinations, Munnar is overflowing with resorts and logding facilities that suit a big budget rage. Sprawling tea groves, picturesque area, Winding lanes and vacation rentals make this a popular resort area. The Neelakurinji are among the native flora found here in the forests and grasslands. This flora, which once in twelve years bathes the hills in blue, will bloom next in 2030. Munnar also boasts South India’s highest mountain, Anamudi, towering over 2,695 m.
Let ‘s explore now some of the options in and around Munnar that would provide enough opportunities for travellers to enjoy Munnar ‘s captivating hill station.
Kumarakom- Haven of Backwaters and Birds
Kumarakom village is a cluster of small islands on Lake Vembanad, and is part of the Kuttanad area. Here the bird sanctuary, spread over 14 acres, is a favourite destination of migratory birds, and a paradise for an ornithologist. In flocks, Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild Duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here and fascinate all visitors.
Kumarakom is an enchanting backwater destination and provides several other leisure opportunities for tourists. The Taj Garden Retreat, a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort, provides boating and fishing facilities.
Waterscapes, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation’s backwater resort, has independent cottages constructed on stilts, set amid coconut groves that give a panoramic view of the backwaters. Holiday packages including houseboats and conventional rice barges (Kettuvalloms) provide fantastic experiences.
Wayanad- Nature’s Calling
Cradled in the Western Ghats’ lap, Wayanad truly deserves a top rank in Kerala’s list of places to visit. Located at an incredible height of 700-2.100 m, this breathtaking hill station is all about fantasy, untouched nature, unforgettable moments, and pleasure!
Adding more to the enchanting beauty of Wayanad, tourists can also revisit and unfold history when they visit this hilly retreat. Yeah, it is said Wayanad ‘s lush and pristine forests were inhabited more than 3,000 years ago.
Thekkady – Land of the Wild and Spices
In Thekkady there are plenty of places to visit if you are looking for an idyllic getaway with natural splendour in all its glory. Perfect for all of you who are overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of city life and want to escape to a spot where nature, wildlife and serenity are all there is – look no more.
If these are picturesque little hamlets secluded from concrete jungles in the midst of nowhere, Or wildlife sanctuaries with magnificent elephants and ferocious tigers-in Thekkady you’ll find everything you’re searching for. The scent of coffee , tea and a host of other spices fills the air as soon as you walk into Thekkady and if that alone isn’t enough to awaken your spirit and ignite happiness, the sight of wild and endangered animals like
Nilgiri tahrs are adequate to send a thrilling rush down your spine. Visit Thekkady and see places like Murikkady, Periyar, Vandanmedu for yourself, as they can not be represented in words.
Kovalam- Sand, Surf and Sea
Kovalam is an internationally famous beach with three beaches adjacent to the Crescent. Since the 1930s it has been a favourite destination of visitors. A huge rocky promontory on the beach has built a stunning bay of tranquil waters perfect for bathing at sea.
At this beach the leisure choices are abundant and varied. Some of them include sunbathing, swimming, toning the herbal body massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran sailing. The tropical sun works so rapidly that in a matter of minutes one can see the subtle flush of coppery tan on the skin. Life on the beach starts late in the day and continues long into the evening. The beach complex contains a host of budget cottages, Ayurvedic fitness resorts, conference centres, shopping malls, swimming pools, massage centres with yoga and ayurvedics.
Tourist accommodation facilities at Kovalam vary from five-star hotels to budget hotels and food options at restaurants and cafeterias vary from Continental varieties to South Indian delights.
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s capital city, is just 16 km from Kovalam and no hassle getting there. But if you are on holiday, staying in Kovalam and visiting the city is safer. The city of Thiruvananthapuram, including the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, has many fascinating sights to see. The SMSM Institute, a handicrafts emporium operated by the Ministry, is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.
Cochin – Queen of Arabian Sea
Officially known as Kochi, Cochin is a characteristic coastal town in central Kerala that has been attracting traders and explorers for over 600 years. The outcome is a beautiful and diverse city consisting of a collection of very different islands. Commercial Ernakulam is more convenient for the airport, but the vast majority are going to Fort Cochin, the city’s historic and prettier portion. This thumb-shaped peninsula is home to beautiful bungalows of tea merchants, mansions of spice dealers, the oldest church in India, the Dutch Palace, as well as village greens that wouldn’t look out of place in the Home Counties.
Its cultivation of colonial architecture is possibly the best in India and you can stay in one of the converted buildings of the 18th or 19th century for a fair price, And many had become glamorous luxury hotels. Cochin’s 400-year-old synagogue is, in our view, one of the highlights as the local Jewish community still enjoys it today. It is worth noting its intricate decoration with fine chandeliers and hand painted floor tiles. Of course the most photographed site of this quirky coastal location is the Chinese Fishing Nets; Chinese explorer Zheng He brought these massive cantilevered structures to the Malabar Coast, and they are still in use to this day. Cochin has a great selection of historic hotels, small shops and restaurants and is also home to a number of sights that can be visited individually or with a guide. Cochin is also the entry point into South India, functioning well before going to Munnar or Periyar for the first two nights of an itinerary. We ‘re huge fans of that.
Kozhikode – Charming Beauty with Ancient Legacy
Kozhikode will always have a special place in Kerala ‘s history, as it is here that Vasco-da-Gama first landed and the legendary Spice Route originated. It still has a historic charm to that city. The Kozhikode Beach is the personification of the many features that make Kozhikode so special.
Huge numbers of people gather to see the sunset from the beach. In the shacks that surround the place one gets a fresh supply of seafood. Local favourite is Kallumekaya (mussels). A walk at dawn to Dolphins Point guarantees a party of friendly dolphins. A magnificent lighthouse and two piers that open into the sea also welcome you. All have been around for more than a hundred years. Children flock to Lions Park and the nearby marine water aquarium that is open from 08:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs on all days.
Varkala – Quaint Hamlet by the Sea
Varkala is a pilgrim and coastal town situated at 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. The place is a natural tourist paradise. It is an attraction for its endless potential and limitless beauty where visitors enjoy a wide variety of activities such as boat riding, sunbathing and ayurveda. Even Varkala is an important religious place for the Hindus. Varkala’s Papanasam Beach is a peaceful place, Secluded beach known for its white, silvery sandy stretch, rocky cliffs and mineral springs. Sree Narayana Guru’s final resting spot, Kerala’s great social reformer, is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri. A typical scene of Varkala is the high cliffs with majestically rising mineral springs.
According to a storey, a party of mendicants approached sage Narada, who admitted to having sinned. Narada hurled his valkkalam (the tree bark that the legendary sage used to wear) into the air and was later called Varkala, the place where it landed. Narada had guided the mendicants to give their prayers by the seashore in the newly formed location. The place where they prayed for deliverance came to be known as the Papanasham Beach (Papanasham means salvation from sins).
