Top 12 Places to Visit in Kerala

Referred to as 'God's Own Country', Kerala has some extremely beautiful destinations that capture the attention of global travelers. This South Indian state is blessed with the emerald backwaters, sprawling tea estates, pristine hill stations, and the azure Arabian Sea.

Kochi is the most popular city to visit in Kerala. Here, you can explore the famous Fort Kochi and Mattancherry Palace or watch a show at the Kerala Folklore and Theater Museum. The state is also well-known for its beautiful beaches such as Varkala and Kovalam.

Highlights

• Kochi is a bustling commercial port city that serves as the financial, commercial, and industrial capital of Kerala.
• The idyllic hill station of Munnar serves has some of the world's largest tea estates.
• Alleppey is a city known for its backwater canals, luxury houseboats, and serene beauty.
• Periyar National Park is considered to be one of the best wildlife reserves for wild elephants and tigers.
• Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state of Kerala and where the 16th-century Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located.
• Varkala Beach is well-known for its quiet shores and provides a peaceful alternative to the now commercialized Kovalam Beach.
• Kovalam is Kerala's most famous beach town and is known for its three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches with shallow waters.

1. Kochi

Recommended visiting time: 1-2 days

Located on the southwest coast of India, Kochi is a bustling commercial port city that serves as the financial, commercial, and industrial capital of Kerala. Known as the 'Gateway to Kerala', the city is marked by the influence of many different cultures including Arab, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and British.

The city's top attraction is Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a seaside town known for its old-world colonial charm. The St. Francis Church here was built by the Portuguese in 1502 and is considered to be among the oldest churches in India.

Mattancherry Palace is also another popular place to visit. Also known as the Dutch Palace, Mattancherry is now a museum displaying items that once belonged to the princes of Kochi such as swords, daggers, axes, and ceremonial spears decorated with feathers.

To learn about Kerala's culture, you can head to the Kerala Folklore Theater and Museum. The museum's three floors are packed with interesting artifacts related to the state's heritage including weapons, sequined gowns, and Dutch maps of old Kochi. Kerala art and dance shows are also performed daily at 6:30 pm.

• Perfect for: People who like learning about culture and history
• Insider tip: Kochi is a conservative city with a large Islamic community so it is a good idea to wear conservative clothing and respect the local population. Shirts that cover the shoulders and pants that go past the knee should do the trick.

You might be interested in:

Weather in May in India: a Good Time to Go?

Best Times to Visit Rajasthan and When the Monsoon Is (Updated 2024)

India Ganges River

2-Week Luxury India Tour

12-Day India and Bhutan Tour

Indian Desserts and Sweets

2. Munnar

Recommended visiting time: 4 hours

The idyllic hill station of Munnar is located in the region of the Western Ghats, which is an area at higher elevation also known as the High Ranges. Munnar was once a summer resort for the British government in South India and later became one of the top locations in the country for growing tea.

Munnar is blessed with the natural beauty of winding lanes, misty hills, and forests full of exotic plants and wildlife but it is most famous for its tea plantations. While visiting, travelers will get the chance to meet the tea workers who will show them how the tea leaves are harvested.

Tea is typically harvested from April to December when the weather is hot and wet. Each worker collects between 100 and 120 kilograms of tea leaves a day.

After exploring the plantation, travelers will get the chance to sample some of the freshly brewed tea.

Munnar remains a popular destination for local visitors from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. As a result, the town and its environment have witnessed an increase in the number of hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.

The Panoramic Gateway and Fragrant Nature Resort offer great service and excellent views of the surrounding town. Here, you can savor some traditional South Indian food like dosas, an Indian crepe, and idlis, a savory rice cake, at the Saravana Bhavan and Silver Spoon Restaurants.

• Perfect for: Tea lovers
• Insider tip: Munnar is also famous for growing spices such as cardamom, black pepper, and cloves which often grow alongside tea plants. In Munnar, the best souvenirs are locally grown tea and freshly ground spices.

China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Seeing Bangkok with ease In Bangkok, our tour guide, Ying, was wonderful. She navigated all the sights with ease, gave us interesting tidbits on Thai culture and history, helped us pick the right food at all the restaurants, and was just a pleasure to be around. We had a great time, and it was so nice to not have to worry about any of the details. More Diane Elkins, Nov 2023

Thailand -insights, no stress and amazing team My husband and my Thailand trip was fantastic, stress-free and educational thanks to the amazing team coordinated by Albee at Asia Highlights. The whole team was incredibly accessible, responsive, sensitive to our needs and lovely to work with. End-to-end, the trip was truly remarkable and the knowledgeable and dynamic tour guides and drivers made it especially memorable! More AndrewsFamily, Oct 2023

Informative & Thorough / Thanks Sharon! Sharon the advisor that helped me was so thorough & informative and explained the details of the tour including questions about visas and what is included vs what is not included in the tour packages. I would recommend them to explain tour packages that would fit the schedule of your pending travels. More Chris, Sep 2023

Easy, fast responses I worked directly with Monica in Asia Highlights. She was incredibly helpful and answered all of my questions quickly. Working with her made the whole process easy and we are so excited for our trip! More Diana B, Sep 2023

Stress free Thailand Alisa has organised our 14 day Thailand holiday for 2024 for my family & I. She has been very accommodating & super quick with all of our requests & we cannot wait for a stress free holiday! Thank you Alisa! More Alana Mitchell, Sep 2023

Family Trip to Thailand-Cambodia All of our guides were very nice and knowledgeable, but we have a special mention to our guide in Cambodia, Chan, he was very kind with us and it was very amusing. He went the extra mile for us. We really enjoyed our holidays! More José Antonio Carrillo de la Pl, Sep 2023

Asia Highlights and Sharon Asia Highlights, specifically Sharon, has been wonderfully helpful as we get ready for a 2024 excursion to Thailand. We are beyond excited, and much of that has to do with the personalized attention that we have experienced with Sharon. She has been extremely responsive, obliging, and focused as she helped us design a tailor made itinerary. All of our questions have been addressed, our needs have been met, and the path has now been set for a very exciting trip.... thanks to Sharon. More Marcy Hoenig, Sep 2023

I was planning a trip to Thailand to… I was planning a trip to Thailand to especially see the Lantern Festival this year for our birthdays!! It’s been on our bucket list, but we were completely lost on how to go about planning for our trip. We’ve never really booked tours before but Alisa was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, flexible and efficient in providing all the information we needed to make our decision on the best tours and tickets to purchase. Thank you so much!! More https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/64d9a5a4657e4b39f768a21e, Aug 2023

I would definitely recommend Asia… All of our guides were wonderful (Mr. Bank - Bangkok and Ms. Kai in Phuket & Khao Sok plus antoher guide who assisted in Koh Samui). Sharon took care of tours, private drivers, flights and hotels within Thailand and our trip went off without a hitch. The hotels were great and the transportation always arrived on time and with a clean, More Guinevere Provance, Aug 2023

Great Experience WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More Stephen Hollis, Aug 2023

Alisa has has been great to work with Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More Ana Rausch, Aug 2023

Using Sharon right now to book our… Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More Tracy, Aug 2023

Thailand, Singapore, Bali In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More Cassi Thunker, Jul 2023

Very supportive Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c, Jul 2023

My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More Richard, Jul 2023

A pleasure to plan with Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More Chris Williams, Jul 2023

Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More CL, Jul 2023

I never used a travel agent in my life I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More Antione Barry, Jul 2023

Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia! Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More Debi Hinerfeld, Jul 2023

We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand … It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More SIMO el ghobar, Jun 2023

3. Alleppey

Recommended visiting time: 1 day

Alleppey, officially called Alappuzha, is a city in Kerala that is also known as 'the Venice of the East'. Alleppey is famous for its backwater canals, luxury houseboats, and the serene beauty of its local villages.

Travelers can explore the peaceful backwater villages by renting a houseboat where you can spend your day cruising the canals, taking in the green paddy fields, and witnessing the life of the locals. On your houseboat, you can also stop by Alleppey Beach where the famous snake boat races are held.

Travelers should be cautious when renting a houseboat and make sure to do a lot of research on the company. Some houseboats are built with inferior wood and have poor electrical wiring and faulty electrical appliances on board. It is best to rent a houseboat from the companies that offer luxurious and safe experiences.

• Perfect for: People looking for a peaceful vacation
• Insider tip: Stay a few nights at a homestay or resort along the backwater canals to make the experience even more enjoyable.

You might be interested in:

10-Day Royal Rajasthan and Camel Festival Tour

11-Day Inida Highlights and Goa Honeymoon Trip

North India Tours, Best Private North India Tours

21-Day India, Nepal and Bhutan Tour

7-Day India Golden Triangle Tour

9-Day India Highlights and Food Tour

4. Periyar National Park

Recommended visiting time: half-day

Kerala's Periyar National Park is one of the most popular national parks in southern India. Unlike most other parks in the country, Periyar stays open during the monsoon season. This park is famous for its beauty, greenery, and wildlife.

Periyar is considered to be one of the best wildlife reserves for elephants and tigers. You can also find wild pigs, sambars, gaurs, mouse deer, barking deer, and Indian wild dogs here.

A safari with a park expert is a great way to see these animals. Safaris are ideal for individuals, small groups, and photographers. Travelers can choose between a day safari from 6 am to 3 pm and a night safari from 11 pm to 3 am.

Another great way to see wild animals is to take a two-hour boat ride on the Periyar Lake. Out on the lake, travelers will get the opportunity to see animals such as wild boars, elephants, and sambar deer along the banks. The first boat leaves at 7:30 am and the last leaves at 3:30 pm every day. Boat cruises are not available during the monsoon season.

• Perfect for: Wildlife lovers
• Insider tip: The best time to visit India's national parks is during the hot season (March to May) because that is when the animals are the most active as they come out looking for water.

5. Wayanad

Recommended visiting time: 2 to 3 days

Wayanad is a rainforest region that stretches along the Western Ghat Mountains. It is full of coconut palms, thick forests, paddy fields, and lofty peaks and is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife.

Here, travelers can trek the tallest peak of the region, Chembra Peak, which stands at 2100 meters (6890 feet) tall or explore old Jain temples, climb the Edakkal Caves, and see wildlife at Muthanga and Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuaries.

The most sought-after trek in Wayanad is the trek to Chembra Peak. On the way to the peak, visitors can stop by a natural heart-shaped lake called Hridhayathadakam. Another great trek in Wayanad is the trail to Neelimala which offers breathtaking views of the Meenmutty Falls the surrounding valleys.

The treks in Wayanad are relatively difficult journeys and are likely to test the physical fitness of most travelers . During a trek here you can expect a lot of walking and one trekking route can take around a full day to complete.

• Perfect for: Nature and adventure lovers
• Insider tip: Adventure enthusiasts should visit during the monsoon months of July and August to enjoy the best trekking.

9-Day India Highlights and Food Tour Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Varanasi

6. Trivandrum

Recommended visiting time: 1 day

Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the state of Kerala. Despite being the capital, the city has managed to keep itself far removed from the busy streets that are typical of an Indian capital city. Trivandrum is a posh metropolis with urban charm and plenty of scenic places to visit.

The main attraction of the city is the 16th-century Padmanabhaswamy Temple which is located in the city center. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has a striking mix of Keralan and Dravidian architecture. Travelers can visit the temple to pay their respects and see the 18-foot tall statue of Lord Vishnu.

• Perfect for: People who want to learn about culture and history
• Insider tip: Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, but it is still beautiful to see from the outside.

7. Muzuris

Recommended visiting time: half-day

If you love history, a visit to Muzuris should be at the top of your list. Located about an hour north of Kochi, this multicultural district is an ancient seaport that was once the heart of the spice trade in the Indian Ocean.

Muzuris was developed by the Keralan government as a heritage project to showcase the historical and cultural significance of this legendary port city.

Some of the key sites you can visit here include Cheraman Juma Masjid, India's first mosque, and Paravur Synagogue, one of the largest surviving synagogues in India.

• Perfect for: History buffs
• Insider tip: Cochin Magic offers a full-day private Muzuris Heritage Tour which covers some of the best sites to see in the city.

7-Day Off the Beaten Path South India Tour Aurangabad - Mumbai - Hampi

8. Vagamon

Recommended visiting time: 1 day

Vagamon is an enchanting hill station in Idukki that is still quite hidden from the public. Full of lush meadows, enchanting gardens, aromatic tea plantations, and misty valleys, Vagamon provides beauty and serenity for every visitor.

For nature-lovers, Vagamon Pine Forest is the place to go for long walks and views overlooking the entire Vagamon valley.

The Marmala Waterfall is another great attraction here. Located among lush greenery, this waterfall is a tucked-away oasis of serenity and tranquility.

• Perfect for: Nature lovers
• Insider tip: In Vagamon, travelers will only find simple restaurants that serve South Indian food and local dishes.

9. Varkala Beach

Recommended visiting time: half-day

Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam Beach, is renowned for its quiet beauty and is the perfect peaceful alternative to the now commercialized Kovalam Beach.

The dazzling coastline of Varkala has cliffs on one side and lush greenery on the other. This beach attracts travelers and water-adventure enthusiasts who want a more off-the-beaten-track beach vacation.

Varkala is full of coconut palms, quaint shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guesthouses. Travelers can also participate in activities such as boating, surfing, parasailing, jet-skiing, and horseback riding here.

• Perfect for: People looking for a peaceful beach vacation
• Insider tip: This is also a great place to take yoga classes or get a traditional Ayurvedic massage.

11-Day India and Nepal Tour Delhi - Varanasi - Jaipur - Agra - Kathmandu - Nagarkot

10. Kovalam Beach

Recommended visiting time: half-day

Kovalam Beach is Kerala's most famous beach town. Unlike the quieter Varkala, Kovalam is quite developed with plenty of resorts, restaurants, and nightlife options. Famous for its three crescent-shaped beaches, Kovalam is quite spread out and is dotted with many resorts and Ayurvedic massage centers.

Of Kovalam's three main beaches, Lighthouse Beach is the largest. Other beaches include Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach which are located in the northern part of Kovalam. Water sports such as snorkeling, parasailing, and windsurfing are the most popular activities in Kovalam.

One of the best places to celebrate Onam is at the Thrikkakara Temple in Kochi. The highlight of the festivities is the grand procession during which the main deity, Vamana, is carried around the temple grounds on a decorated elephant.

• Perfect for: Water sports enthusiasts
• Insider tip: Hiking to the lighthouse at the southern end of the beach is a great way to get incredible sunset views.

11. Marari Beach

Recommended visiting time: half-day

The little-known Marari Beach is located in Alleppey and is a pleasant destination for a serene beach vacation. This beach is an undeveloped "hammock beach" that is perfect for lazing around and holidaying with family or friends.

Aside from lounging on the beach, travelers can also engage in some water sports activities such as swimming, fishing, parasailing, water-skiing, and surfing. You can also enjoy the fresh seafood that is caught every day by local fishermen and taste some of the traditional local dishes.

• Perfect for: People looking for a relaxing and quiet beach vacation
• Insider tip: Marari Beach is a popular place to visit in August when travelers can see the famous Alleppey snake boat races.

12. Kizhunna Beach

Recommended visiting time: half-day

Kizhunna Beach is located in the northern coastal town of Kannur and is one of the quietest and most-secluded beaches in the state. Kizhunna stretches for 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) and is bordered by cliffs and lush green palm plantations.

The main attraction of this beach is relaxation. This is the perfect place to unwind and listen to the rhythmic sound of the waves and spend your time sunbathing, swimming, walking, and relaxing.

• Perfect for: People looking for a peaceful and quiet beach vacation
• Insider tip: While this beach is rather secluded, it does get more crowded in the evenings and on weekends.

Best Time to Visit Kerala

Kerala experiences three seasons during the year. The cool season is from December to February, the hot season is from March to the end of May, and the monsoon season is from the end of May to the end of November.

Generally, the best time to visit Kerala is during the cool season from December to January. The weather at this time is comfortable and just right to visit the many attractions and beaches in the state. However, traveling to Kerala during the peak season means dealing with larger crowds and higher travel expenses.

The monsoon season is not a good time to visit Kerala for those who wish to spend time on the beach or hiking, but it is the best time to go for yoga retreats and Ayurvedic treatments. The cool, damp, and dust-free atmosphere helps the body's pores to open up, making it more receptive to herbal oils and Ayurvedic therapy.

Travel Within Kerala

When traveling to Kerala, the best way to enter the state is to catch an international flight to Kochi. If you book your travel through Asia Highlights, upon your arrival at the Cochin International Airport you will be picked up by our representative and personally transferred to your hotel.

In Kochi, you will then get to explore the many attractions of the city such as the aromatic spice shops of Fort Kochi and the Mattancherry Palace.

While in Kerala, the best method of travel from city to city is by private chauffeured car. As Kerala is a hill covered state with dense forests, the train and bus systems often take a long time to transfer travelers to their destinations.

The travel time between most cities in Kerala is around 3 to 4 hours by private car.

Explore Kerala with Asia Highlights

One thing we know about 'God's Own Country' is that it is a destination that has something for everyone whether it is the beach, forested mountains, adventure sports, rare wildlife, ancient heritage, or unique culture.

Plan your trip to Kerala with Asia Highlights and our experts can tailor-make your itinerary based on your preferences. Leave the stress and planning to us so that you can just sit back and enjoy your trip.