BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN KERALA

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN KERALA

Kerala has some marvellous holiday destinations and opens its door for beach holidays, honeymoons, adventurous trips, pilgrims, ayurvedic tourism, etc. Some of the best places to visit in Kerala are Kovalam, Alleppy, Munnar, Wayanad, Kumarakom, and the list goes on. So here are the best places to visit in Kerala, that must be a part of your travel plan.

#1. KOVALAM

Kovalam beach is one of the finest and most visited beaches in India. The shallow water and the low tidal waves are popular among the tourists. Kovalam has three crescent-shaped beaches named Lighthouse beach, Hawah beach, Samudra beach separated by rocky outcroppings and together forms the famous Kovalam beach. The town Kovalam is situated along the Malabar coast in the state of Kerala situated 16 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city.

Best time to visit: September to March

Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, 10 km away.
Nearest railway station: Trivandrum Central, 16 km away.

Where to stay: If you have enough budget then you can stay in beachside resorts. There are also wide ranges of budget-friendly hotels and homestays in Kovalam. You can find some here!

#2. VARKALA

Located in the Kollam district of Kerala, Varkala beach also known as Papanasham beach is a cliff beach along the Arabian sea is one of the most gorgeous and best places to visit. Surrounded by green lush and golden sands, the beach is an ideal location for sunbath and swimming. 

Best time to visit: September to March

Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, 36 km away.
Nearest railway station: Varkala Sivagiri, 4 km away.

Where to stay: There are different type of resorts and homestays near the beach. You can find some here!

#3. ALAPPUZHA (ALLEPPEY)

Alappuzha, known as the 'Venice of the East' is the Backwater capital of Kerala. Alappuzha provides you with a unique experience to revive and spend time with your family and friends.  Located on the banks of Vembanadu lake this beautiful city is famous for its backwaters, lagoons, evergreen coconut groves and other natural bounties. Whether you are a nature lover, searching for a romantic destination Alappuzha is the perfect destination for you.

Best time to visit: October to March
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, 85 km away.
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha

Where to stay: There are many river view resorts and budget-friendly homestays in Alappuzha. You can find some here!  

#4. MUNNAR

One of the most attractive hill stations in Kerala, Munnar is truly a heavenly tourist destination. Munnar is known as the Kashmir of South India and is a popular honeymoon destination in the country. This gorgeous hill station is situated 5200ft above the sea level have picturesque mountains, rolling hills will always make you chill during all the seasons.

Best time to visit: Year-round destination (Best during winter)
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, 125 km away.
Nearest railway station: Alwaye, 135 km away.

Where to stay: You can find different types of resorts and homestays in Munnar. You can find some here!
You can also check Kerala Tourism Development Cooperation (KTDC) hotel KTDC Tea County.

#5. THEKKADY

Located near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, Thekkady is the best place to enjoy a jungle vacation. The evergreen deciduous forest of Periyar National Park is the major attraction of Thekkady which is home to many animals like elephants, tigers, lion-tailed macaques, sambar and many more. Thekkady is known as the home for spices such as black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom and clove. Anakkara, a place near Kumily, is famous for spice gardens and the best place to enjoy nature. Chellar Kovil is another area located nearby, has a lot of beautiful waterfalls. 

  

Best time to visit: October to February
Nearest airport: Madurai Airport, 140 km away.
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, 107 km away. 

Where to stay: Many luxury and budget-friendly resorts and homestays are there in Thekkady. You can find some here!

#6. KUMARAKOM

Located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, Kumarakom is a part of Kuttanadu which offers you an amazing experience of Vembanadu lake with lush mangrove forest, coconut trees and paddy fields. You can explore the beautiful Vembanadu lake by boating, yachting and fishing. The bird sanctuary which is spread across 14 acres is famous for migratory birds. A walk through the village will give an unforgettable experience and make your trip a perfect one.

Visiting Hours: 06:00 - 17:00 hrs
Entry Fees: INR 50/-

Best time to visit: September to March
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, 125 km away.
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, 13 km away.

Where to stay: Several luxury and budget resorts are there in Kumarakom. You can find some here!

#7. FORT KOCHI

Fort Kochi (also known as Old Kochi), located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala is one of the major tourist places in Kerala. This beach town has genuine historic samples that were left behind by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Jews and the British. A walk through the streets of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry will make you feel like you are in another country. The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, originally built by the Portuguese is one of the nine Basilicas in Kerala and one of the finest churches in India. The St. Francis Church built in 1503, is the oldest European Church in India where the body of Vasco de Gama was originally buried.  

Best time to visit: July to April

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, 37 km away.

Nearest railway station: Ernakulam Junction, 13 km away.

Where to stay: There are many hotels and resorts in Fort Kochi and nearby places. You can find some here!

#8. ATHIRAPALLY WATERFALLS

Located in Thrissur district, this 80ft high 330ft wide waterfall is the largest in Kerala and is often referred to as Niagara Falls of India. It's surrounding greenery is perfect for walks and picnics with family and friends. There is also another waterfall named Vazhachal falls which is close to the forest region near to Athirapally falls.

Best time to visit: September to March
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, 55 km away.
Nearest railway station: Chalakudy, 30 km away.

Where to stay: Athirapally falls is about 85 km from Kochi. You can stay in Kochi and can go there by cab or bus. You can find some here!

#9. WAYANAD

Wayanad, the pristine paradise is situated among the mountains of Western Ghats. Wayanad is a beautiful hilly region in the Western Ghats that is located in the southern region of Deccan plateau. Wayanad is also famous for its wildlife. Wayanad homes a wide variety of wild animals like leopards, elephants, bears and many more. Edakkal caves are well known for its cave arts situated 3900ft above sea level is one of the main attractions. Kuruva Island, a protected island over the middle of the river Kabini, one of the three east-flowing rivers in the state. The island which is spread across 900 acres homes some rich and rare species of flora and fauna.

You can read more about Wayanad here!

Best time to visit: September to March
Nearest airport: Kozhikode International Airport, 85km away.
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, 75 km away.

Where to stay: Many heritage type resorts and homestays are available in Wayanad. You can find some here!

#10. BEKAL FORT

Located in the Kasargod district, northern Kerala, Bekal is among the most scenic hamlets you can ever visit while on a Kerala tour. Built-in the 17th century, this keyhole-shaped historic miracle is the largest fort in the state which offers a spectacular view of the Arabian sea.

Visiting Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 hrs
Entry Fees: INR 15/- (Free for children up to 15 years)

Best time to visit: October to March
Nearest airport: Mangalore airport, 50 km away.
Nearest railway station: Kasargod, 12 km away.