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Kerala is a beautiful country and there are multiple places to visit in Kerla which are a must see for any traveller. We've highlighted some of the best Kerala tourist places which are a must visit when you travel to ‘God’s Own Country’.
The land of coconuts and backwaters is one of the most diverse tourist locations in the country. With so many places to visit in Kerala, for every kind of traveller, this serenely beautiful state is your perfect southern getaway. From beaches to hill stations and cultural holidays to Ayurveda retreats, Kerala tourist places are different and varied. There are multiple Kerala attractions for every traveller.
Spread along the summit of the Western Ghats, Eravikulam National Park is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Designated as a national park in 1978, it is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr along with a host of other animal species such as Nilgiri marten, Nilgiri langur, ruddy mongoose and elephants. Anamudi Peak, Lakkom Waterfalls, Echo Point and Atukkad Waterfalls are some of the most beautiful places to visit inside the park.
Fort Kochi is not a fort at all! It is simply a region along the Malabar Coast that thrives with its colourful blend of Dutch, Portuguese and French cultural influences. It is now one of the most-visited Kerala tourist places. The iconic Chinese fishing nets that line the shore may not be catching any fish, but they still stand along the waterline. Visit the St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was once buried, or simply walk around the narrow bylines.
The ‘Granary of Kerala’ has been blessed with nature’s bounty. Palakkad gets its name from the abundance of Pala or Palmyra trees. Sitting at the foot of the Western Ghats, it is a land of dazzling green beauty. It includes some of the best Kerala tourist places such as the 250-year-old Palakkad Fort, the picturesque Kava Viewpoint and the stunning Malampuzha Dam. The Kalapathy Heritage Village & Temple Complex and Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Temple are the hubs of spirituality here.
This is the largest waterfall of Kerala, also known as ‘Bahubali Falls’. It is one of the most-visited Kerala tourist places. All good Kerala tour packages include this in their travel plans. After putting up a dazzling show of acrobatics, the waterfall continues through the Vazhachal Forest before meeting the Arabian Sea. The area around the waterfall thrives with local wildlife, making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kerala.
The emerald mirror that is the Vembanad Lake is the heart of Kerala’s backwaters and the longest lake in India. Often included in Kerala packages, it is a serene escape from the city’s maddening buzz. Rent a houseboat and enjoy one of the most peaceful boat riding experiences. But when its Onam, the lake comes to life with revelry and the fiercely competed boat races. Do not miss one of the most tranquil places to visit in Kerala.
Mattupetty Dam is an idyllic picnic spot and is one of the most popular places to visit in Kerala. Surrounded by Munnar’s greenery, the dam draws in tourists with its beauty. You will find speedboats, motorboats and even paddle boats to explore the lake at close quarters. The nearby Mattupetty Lake is also among the most visited tourist attractions that bewitches visitors with its misty allure.
Dating back to the Neolithic era, the Edakkal Caves are a time machine into the past. It has an unusual structure that is made by a large boulder straddling a crack in a stone. Surrounded by many legends, the cave walls feature spectacular carvings that have been dated back to 6000 B.C. A mainstay of many Kerala tour packages, the Edakkal Caves are among the top Kerala places to visit.
The 14th-century Mattancherry Palace is a marvel of Kerala-style of architecture mixed with Dutch colonial influences. Built by the Portuguese as a gift for a king of the Kochi dynasty, it is now a museum that chronicles the lives of the royalty. From spectacular murals to old weapons and articles of daily use, the palace is a treasure trove of history. Set some time aside from your Kerala trip package for this old palace.
Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and one of the most stunning places to visit in Kerala. A trek to Chembra is a picturesque journey accompanied by beautiful sights of windswept slopes and misty peaks. Take a guide along on your trek and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. The best way to experience Chembra is to join a trek organised by the forest department.
Located a few kilometres away from the coastal town of Kochi, the Cherai Beach is a very popular tourist attraction. With water sports ranging from swimming and snorkelling to surfing and canoe rides, Cherai beach is one of the most-visited Kerala tourist places. If you’re lucky you many even encounter the dolphins. For a change of scenery, you can also explore the beach-side villages on a bicycle.
Anamudi is the highest point of India outside of the Himalayas. At 2,965 metres, it is the highest point of the Western Ghats. With its proximity to the Eravikulam National Park it plays host to a number of rare animals. Trekking is the main activity at one of the most exotic Kerala tourist places. Make sure you have this included in tour Kerala travel package.
Surrounded by tea plantations and lofty peaks shrouded in mist, Ponmudi lies resplendent in the laps of the Western Ghats. The slopes are studded with a dizzying array of flowering plants that add sprinkles of colour to the greenery. Kallar River, Meenmutty Waterfalls and the trekking trails of Varayaduotta are some of the attractions here. It is among the most popular weekend Kerala places to visit.
Alapuzzha, or Alleppey as it is better known, is one of the best-loved Kerala places to visit. Not only is it a preferred picnic spot among the locals, but it’s also a place where tourists can enjoy a range of water activities along with swimming. The 140-year-old pier is one of the biggest draws here.
Away from the paddy fields and the Ayurvedic massages, the majestic Bekal Fort stands guard at the edge of the Arabian Sea. Built more than 300 years ago, it is one of the best-preserved forts in Kerala. It is also the largest fort in Kerala. Presenting an expansive panorama of the sea, it is one of the most-loved places to visit in Kerala.
Nestled deep into the forests of Wayanad, the three-tiered Soochipara Waterfalls is one of the most popular tourist places in Kerala. Set amidst the enchanting beauty of the Western Ghats, the waterfall provides a hypnotic backdrop to quiet contemplations. Rock climbing is one of the favourite activities here along with trekking. Be sure to include the in your Kerala trip package.
The most well-known bird sanctuary in Kerala, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kumarakom plays host to several local and migratory birds that are important for the ecosystem here. It is a haven for bird lovers and is one of the more popular places to visit in Kerala. Boating is the best way to get around inside the sanctuary.
Mother Nature does not stay silent at the Silent Valley National Park. The lush green forest is home to a number of wildlife species. Due to its proximity to the Western Ghats, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is blessed with a dizzying array of natural biodiversity that is teeming with life. Make this a part of your Kerala travel package and make sure you do not miss one of the best Kerala places to visit.
Located in Thiruvananthapuram city, the Napier Museum houses a number of national and international artefacts. From ancient bronze idols and temple chariots to ivory carvings and Japanese leather shadow-play puppets, the museum doesn’t lack in variety. One of the most fantastic places to visit in Kerala, the Napier Museum is a part of many Kerala tour packages.
If you think of only beaches and temples when asked about best places to visit in Kerala, then you couldn’t be more wrong. This coastal paradise houses some incredibly gorgeous hill stations too. Here are tourist places in Kerala that are perfect for hill-station lovers.
If you think of only beaches and temples when asked about best places to visit in Kerala, then you couldn’t be more wrong. This coastal paradise houses some incredibly gorgeous hill stations too. Here are tourist places in Kerala that are perfect for hill-station lovers.
Thekkady is yet another proof of why Kerala is a great hill station destination. It is famous for its green cover and unique flora and fauna. Thekkady is one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala. Every time you visit, you will see a different hue of green in the hills because of the rotating plantations. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the biggest tourist attractions in Thekkady hills offering a boat cruise, elephant safaris and trekking. Besides these you can also visit Mangala Devi Temple, PandiKuzhi, Vandiperiyar and Ramakalmedu.
Wander in the hills of Vagamon and explore misty waterfalls and beautiful roads cutting through the dense forests. Illikal peak, Poonjar Palace and Meenachil river are some of the lesser known treasures hidden in the lush green hills of Vagamon making it one of the best places to visit in Kerala.
If you want to experience the mountains in a luxurious way, then Lakkidi is your go-to place in Kerala. Home to several luxury resorts, Lakkidi will pamper you with rugged luxury.
Green rotating plantations, Edakkal caves from the Neolithic age and Kabini river defines everything about Vythiri. Located 1300m above sea level this tourist place in Kerala also offers adventure sports such as rafting, boating and angling.
Peermedu is on every traveller’s list of places to visit in Kerala for witnessing the tribal lifestyle and to explore the varied shades of green on the Peermedu mountains. These mountains are covered with a mix of tea, coffee and spice plantations. Explore this small hill station named after Sufi Saint Peer Mohammad and bring back some memorable experiences.
How can one miss out on visiting the magnificent beaches? The spectacular coastline makes for some amazing beaches and places to visit in Kerala.
Head to Thiruvananthapuram and explore the many beaches here. Kovalam beach will offer the quintessential light house view. On the Papasnanam beach, you can view the Varkala Formation declared as a geological monument by the Geological Survey of India. If you want to watch the sun set on the magical white beaches, Shankumugham beach is your place.
The port city has beaches that are home to old ruins. Visit Mundakkal beach to see the abandoned dredger ship or head to Kollam beach to see Chinese fishing nets, Chinese water pots and a flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat. Who could have thought that beaches could be a place to explore history?
Cherai beach at Ernakulam is a very popular spot among swimmers as the tide is mostly low, making it safe for swimming. Travellers also visit Cherai beach for Dolphin sightings and to see the ruins of Pallippuram fort and Palluppuram church.
Visit the Kappad Beach, which is rumoured to be where Vasco Da Gama set foot when he first visited Kerala in 1498. The next on list of beaches to visit at Kozhikode is the Beypore beach located in the ancient port town.
This beach is not just popular among travellers but also a hit among Bollywood film-makers as many movies have been shot here. The Bekal fort is surely one of the most scenic places to visit in Kerala.
Not many of us know where to hunt for retreats and Ayurveda resorts when browsing for tourist places in Kerala. However, the list of best places to visit in Kerala is incomplete without these renowned wellness resorts. If you want to skip the conventional and seek an off-beat holiday, going for a spa retreat is one way to do so. Gone are the days when adventure holidays were the only thing in vogue for travellers. Now’s the time to unplug, loosen your travel gear and just relax and reconnect with yourself.
Carnoustie is your luxury retreat getaway with world class dining, a royal houseboat and 5-star hospitability. Enjoy refreshing yoga sessions, detox, stress control therapies and delectable seafood here.
This resort, modelled after an old Portuguese house, offers Ayurvedic therapies such as Sirodhara, Ellakithirummu, Kizhi, Pizhichil, and Njavarakizhi. Located at Palakkad, it is one of the most preferred places to visit in Kerala.
Kerala’s vibrant art and culture scene is the perfect fodder for any artsy souls. Catch up on some Kalaripayatttu at Kadathanadan Kalari, Thekkady and Kerala Kathakali Centre at Kochi. Visit the Folklore Museum, Margi theatre and Kathakali Club to witness some incredible classical dance performances.
There’s no dearth of tourist places in Kerala. Select one of SOTC’s Kerala packages to get a glimpse of this magical land. The beauty is in the fact that you can design your own unique itinerary.
Spending the night in a rustic house boat sailing in the serene backwaters of Kerala is one way to relax and rejuvenate in the midst of nature. Absolutely pocket friendly and adorned with experiences of a lifetime, an indulgence as such will capture your heart and will bring you a step closer to God’s own country – Kerala. Marvel at the widespread crystal waters bordered with trees of coconut and listen closely to the euphonious melodies of nature. Tucked in the generous bounty of Mother Nature away from all the tourist buzz, staying in Kerala house boats is a must-have experience.
