Kerala Tourist Attractions

Keralam (Kerala) is a destination where nature, culture, and history come together to create unforgettable travel experiences. A traveller will notice calm backwaters, pristine beaches, lush hill stations and wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.

In Kerala, every destination is a canvas painted with breathtaking beauty and grace. Whether you wish to explore charming tea plantations, admire ancient temples, cruise through tranquil waterways, or witness vibrant cultural performances, Kerala presents countless opportunities for discovery.

And in case, you are finding it tough to decide what destinations you should cover, here is a list of tourist places that will fill your journey with amusement, fun and joy:

1. Munnar

This hill station is situated 1,600 meters above sea level in Kerala's Western Ghats. The place has emerald-green tea plantations, misty rolling hills, and crisp mountain air. Munnar is very budget-friendly. It is also one of the top honeymoon destinations in India.

Munnar is named after a word in Malayalam that translates to three rivers. It is the confluence of the Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala rivers. The place is endlessly covered with green tea plants.

Munnar is famous for its amazing beauty. Munnar is one of the few places where the Neelakurunji, which is a rare plant that blooms only once in 12 years. This hill station becomes more beautiful in the 'Kurinji season.' In this time, the hills and valleys get bathed in the blue hue of the little flower. The bloom typically lasts for about three months, peaking between late August and October, and the last full bloom cycle was in 2018 and the next one will be in 2030.

One of the major attractions of this hill-station is the Eravikulam National Park. This park is home to the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr.

Nearby attractions that one should not miss are Lakkom Waterfalls, Vattavada, Mattupetty Dam & Lake, and Kundala Dam & Lake.

2.Wayanad

In this district, you'll experience tea and spice plantations, cascading waterfalls like Soochipara, and rich wildlife. It’s the perfect escape for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Wayanad offers a blend of dense forests, trekking trails, and calm lakes. Wayanad’s terrain is a colorful collage of nature and culture. The district has huge mountains piercing the clouds, shimmering lakes, forested trekking trails, cascading waterfalls, and ancient caves that whisper stories of early civilizations.

Wayanad’s Banasura Sagar is India’s largest earthen dam. The prehistoric Edakkal Caves, where carvings dating as far back as 6000 BC still stand.

Wayanad is a massive contributor to Kerala’s foreign exchange through the cultivation of pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea, and cocoa.

Best places to visit nearby are Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, Banasura Sagar Dam, Lakkidi View Point, Thirunelli Temple and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

3.Alleppey (Alappuzha)

This city is famous for its quiet backwaters, interconnected canals, and houseboat cruises. This coastal city is famously known as ‘Venice of the East.’ The backwaters of Alappuzha are a complex network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes, and inlets, stretching over 900 kilometers. These intricate waterways are bordered with lush greenery, coconut palms, paddy fields, and quaint villages, creating a charming landscape.

You can experience Alleppey better through houseboats. Houseboats in Alappuzha are well-equipped with modern amenities, offering comfortable and luxurious accommodations on the water.

Attractions that you can’t miss are Alleppey Backwaters , Vembanad Lake, Champakulam Village, Alappuzha Beach and Pathiramanal Island.

4. Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi is Kerala's colorful commercial and cultural hub. Travelling to Kochi, will provide you with an intriguing blend of bustling modern city life, serene natural backwaters, and deep colonial history influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British settlements. Popularly known as ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, it is a flourishing port city showcasing a rich blend of mesmerising natural beauty and vibrant culture. Kochi is a paradise for nature lovers, as the place has vast tea plantations, numerous spice estates, and lush greenery.

This place serves as an exceptional holiday destination for travellers with diverse tastes and interests.

Kochi is also a shoppers' paradise. It doesn’t matter what you want to buy, there is certainly a place in Kochi that meets all your shopping needs. From bustling markets to high-end shopping malls, you can get it all here.

Places that you need to go while visiting Kochi are Fort Kochi, Jew Town & Paradesi Synagogue, Cherai Beach, Marine Drive and LuLu Mall.

5. Kovalam

Kovalam is a famous coastal town. The town offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and local culture. Amongst all the serene coasts that the beautiful state of Kerala houses, Kovalam has topped the charts for sea lovers.

Kovalam has three main beaches namely the Lighthouse Beach, it is the southernmost and busiest of the three. It is named after the 30-meter-tall Vizhinjam Lighthouse. The second one is Hawa Beach or Eve's Beach, it is located in the centre of the other two. The third one is Samudra Beach, it is the northernmost and most calm of the others. It is far less commercialized and offers a peaceful escape away from the crowds. The Kovalam Beach Market is perfect for picking up souvenirs, including beachwear, woodcrafts, bamboo items, and local spices.

Kovalam is a renowned hub for traditional Indian medicine. The area is packed with authentic resorts and spas offering herbal body toning, yoga, and signature treatments.

Nearby places that you can visit are Kovalam Art Gallery, Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, and Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium.

6. Thekkady

This hill station has wavy hills, picture-perfect landscape, far stretched greenery, shiny lakes, and cool, aromatic air. Thekkady is a dream destination for adventure travellers and nature lovers alike. It is situated in Idukki district of Kerala, at an altitude of 900-1800 m above sea level. While travelling in Thekkady you’ll find yourself covered with aromatic smells of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.

In Thekkady you’ll find Periyar Tiger Reserve which is spread over 777 sq km. This reserve is a biodiverse sanctuary that is home to wild elephants, tigers, sambar, and the lion-tailed macaque.

You can also witness Kalaripayattu and traditional Kathakali performances by visiting the centers like the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre in Thekkady.

Nearby places that you cannot miss are Periyar National Park & Tiger Reserve, Kumily Spice Villages, and Pandikuzhi & Chellarkovil.

7. Varkala

It is a coastal town in southern Kerala. It is famous for its dramatic red cliffs that are adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Here you’ll find a blend of bohemian cafe culture, ayurvedic wellness centres and ancient pilgrimage sites. If you are seeking a thrill, the beaches and cliffs offer excellent conditions for paragliding, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and parasailing.

The main Papanasam Beach is renowned for its sacred waters, believed to cleanse the body and soul. Janardhana Swami Temple is a 2,000-year-old shrine of Lord Vishnu, which is also called ‘Dakshin Kashi’ which means Banaras of the South.

The Varkala cliff is filled with cafes, restaurants, small shops with a mix of artsy, nature-inspired, and culturally diverse items, and yoga centres. The beaches such as Odayam and Black Sand beaches offer fantastic surfing and tranquil, uncrowded shores.

The nearby places to explore are Kappil Beach & Backwaters, Odayam Beach, and Jatayu Earth's Center.

8.Kumarakom

Kumarakom is a peaceful cluster of islands on Vembanad Lake. Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala. This place provides peaceful houseboat or shikara cruises, birdwatching experience, and rich local culture. Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands formed by the Vembanad Lake. It was once a vital trading hub, where merchants from distant lands converged to exchange goods and stories. Over time, the region evolved into a tranquil retreat, as it attracted travellers who were seeking a place for relief among its natural beauty and timeless charm.

The backwaters of Kumarakom are its most prominent attraction that consists of a network of canals, lakes, and lagoons. Tourists can explore the tranquil backwaters on houseboat cruises.

Nearby places to explore are Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, and Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls.

After knowing the tourist places let’s see what are some of the best activities you could do in Kerala:

• Witness the enthralling Kathakali performance
• Go for sailing in the backwaters of Alleppey
• Experience the electrifying Kalaripayattu
• Take the Elephant ride
• Have an Ayurvedic massage
• Walk the cobbled streets of Fort Kochi
• Mesmerize the beauty of Lake Vembanad
• Go bamboo rafting for an exciting experience
• Cheer a Snake boat race

Discover the beauty of Kerala’s iconic landmarks, serene backwaters, lush hill stations, and pristine beaches with our specially curated Kerala Tour Packages, designed to help you explore the state's most captivating tourist attractions.