Kerala’s Best Tourist Attractions
Kerala is a strange region where the mist and charm of the morning arrive. This is “God’s Own Country,” where the backwaters enchant everyone with their alluring silence. Yes, it’s the “Spice Capital of India,” where the evening bids farewell with some of Mother Nature’s enchanting melodies. Yes, Kerala’s beauty and allure are unparalleled! Let your wanderlust go and plan a vacation to this colorful land; Kerala has a plethora of locations to see. Make a point of visiting all these locations and creating some of the most memorable experiences of your trip. If you’re stuck on where to go, here’s a list of tourist attractions that will fill your travelogue with fun, frolic, and excitement:
Kerala is a land of infinite palm trees, magnificent sandy beaches, massive tea plantations, rolling green hills, calm backwaters, scrumptious cuisine, and much more. This country, lying between the Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, is rich in geological and cultural diversity. It’s amazing that this tiny sliver of land possesses such stunning natural beauty and cultural legacy.
There are numerous locations to see in this wonderland for any traveller. Here are 10 of Kerala’s most popular tourist destinations, along with more than a hundred other tourist attractions.
- KOCHI
Cochin will make you fall in love all over again, whether it’s the spirit of Dutch businesses, British history, Chinese nets, or ancient spice marketplaces.
A melting point of numerous cultures and traditions, Cochin has embraced all the modern outlooks to become one of the most developed metropolises in India. Be it the essence of the Dutch establishments, British history, Chinese nets, or the traditional spice markets, Cochin will surely make you fall in love once again!
Kochi, often known as Cochin, is Kerala’s urban face. This seaside, cosmopolitan metropolis on the Arabian and Laccadive Seas is located in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. It was historically a major spice trading town on India’s west coast, and it was dubbed “the Queen of the Arabian Sea.”
2. MUNNAR
Munnar, yet another magnificent hill station in the lap of the fascinating Western Ghats, needs no introduction. A vacation in the alluring locations of this highland refuge is all about the soaring clouds, gorgeous mountains, rolling hills, and tranquil environment.
When looking for the best tourist destination in Kerala, Munnar, which is mostly covered by never-ending tea plantations and lush woods, should not be overlooked. Munnar, whether in the summer or winter, monsoon or spring, will always leave you wanting more!
Munnar is a hill resort in Kerala famed for its tea estates, greenery, winding roads, mist blanket, and vistas. It is situated in the Idukki district. It is one of the most popular and visited tourist destinations in the world, located at 1600 meters in the Western Ghats, and is especially popular with honeymooners.
Munnar is a must-see for its expanding tea estates and diverse flora and fauna. Its primary attractions include Eravikulam National Park, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, and tea plantations. Munnar is recognized for being the habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and the unique Neelakurinji blossoms, which bloom only every 12 years (the next bloom is in 2030).
Munnar is divided into two sections: Old Munnar, which has the tourist information center, and Munnar, which houses the bus station and most guest accommodations. It is also a fantastic area for trekking, camping, paragliding, and boating. Jeep safaris are also popular due to the area’s rugged terrain. Munnar is commonly visited in conjunction with Alleppey and Thekkady, Kerala’s two most important tourist destinations.
The hill station is a haven for tea and spice connoisseurs. Cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, coffee, and a variety of artisan chocolates may be obtained from a number of establishments located throughout the hill town.
3. WAYANAD
Wayanad, Kerala’s green paradise, is located among the Western Ghats mountains, defining the border world of the state’s greener sector. This land is rich in history and culture, as well as being clean and pristine, enchanting, and hypnotic. This verdant hill resort, located 76 km from Kozhikode’s seashores, is rich in plantations, woods, and wildlife. Wayanad hills are linked to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur in Karnataka, forming a huge land mass for wildlife to roam in their natural habitat.
Wayanad district is located on the southernmost part of the Deccan plateau, with the stunning Western Ghats, which offer steep mountains and rocky terrain interspersed with lush forests, tangled jungles, and deep valleys. Important tourist destinations in South India, such as Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg, and Kannur, are also nearby.
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chethalayam Waterfall, Sri Maha Ganapathy Temple at Thiruvangoor, Pazhassi Raja Museum, Pookote Lake, and Edakkal Caves are the prominent tourist attractions in Wayanad. Besides, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Tholpetty, Karappuzha Dam, Jain Temple at Sultan Bathery, Tiger Valley, Meenmutty Falls, Soochippara Waterfalls, Chembra Hills, Bird Sanctuary in North Wayanad, Thirunelly Temple, and Kuruva Islands are among the other nearby tourist destinations in and around Wayanad.
Wayanad is unique in its location on a scenic hilly plateau in the Western Ghats. Wayanad’s magnificent natural beauty is expressed by huge stretches of mist-capped mountains, lush meadows of valleys, white water springs, blue water lakes, and wild forests. Despite its picturesque appearance, what visitors may find most attractive about this tiny hill station is its vast tribal population of over fifty tribes and their intriguing culture. Travellers can stay in tree-top cottages and mud huts and experience the thrills of jungle life.
5. THEKKADY
Thekkady is a wildlife and environment lover’s delight and is sometimes combined with Munnar for the most popular Munnar Thekkady Package among Kerala travellers. Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy its pleasant ambience, stunning scenery, lush vegetation, and unique wildlife refuge. All of Thekkady’s magnificent attractions and serene ambience have undoubtedly made it the most popular holiday destination in Kerala, India, and there are various Best Things to Do in Thekkady.
Bamboo rafting in the Mullaperiyar Dam catchment area, as well as wilderness hiking, night trekking, boating, and other activities, are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
6. ALLEPPEY
Alappuzha, often known as Alleppey, is a treasure in Kerala. It’s a little area in Kerala that looks like a smaller version of paradise on Earth. This backwater state is easily the most beautiful in Kerala, and it is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the East” by visitors. Alleppey, one of Kerala’s most popular tourist destinations, is both scenic and pristine. Alleppey is a beautiful place to visit when in Kerala.
Its intricate network of canals and how life here is intricately linked to its waterways are just amazing. Alleppy, which is home to thousands of houseboats, is the ideal destination to spend a weekend floating in its waters, taking in the stunning beauty that this region has to offer, and eating freshly cooked fish and ducks in genuine Kerala style.
Alleppey is the place to go if you need to get away from the noise and bustle of the metropolis.
7. KOZHIKHODE
Kozhikode (Calicut), the most significant province of Malabar in the past, was the capital of the great Zamorins as well as a prominent trading and commerce city.
The discovery of the sea route to India by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama in 1498 secured Kozhikode District’s place in world history. Vasco da Gama arrived at the Kappad coast with three ships and 170 men. To commemorate the historic landing, a memorial is being built here.
Kozhikode City is still a major hub of domestic and international trade. It has made a significant contribution to the district’s overall development in trade, commerce, and economic development over the years.
8. TRISSUR
Thrissur is a city in Kerala, India. It is well known for its religious sites and lively festivals. The Vadakkumnathan Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and embellished with murals, is located in the centre. The lovely Indo-Gothic Our Lady of Dolours Basilica is nearby. Thiruvambady Temple, located to the north, is home to several elephants. Sakthan Thampuran Palace houses an archaeological museum with bronze statues and antique coins.
Thrissur is also known as Kerala’s Cultural Capital due to its historical, cultural, spiritual, and religious interests. The Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy, Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, and Kerala Sahitya Academy are all in the city centre. The city hosts the Thrissur Pooram festival, Kerala’s most colourful and spectacular temple celebration.
9. TRIVANDRUM
Thiruvananthapuram, or Trivandrum, Kerala’s capital city, is an attractive blend of a long history and a nostalgic colonial legacy. Trivandrum, constructed on seven hills, has long since moved on from its days as a haven for nautical explorers; today, Trivandrum is an affluent metropolis with pleasant urban appeal and a plethora of architectural and historical monuments to visit. Trivandrum also serves as a gateway to the nearby tourist beach towns of Kovalam and Varkala.
The Padmanabhaswamy temple (also known as Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple) is a must-see temple in India. Other well-known temples in Trivandrum include the Attukal Bhagawati Temple, the Aazhimala Siva Temple, the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple, and the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple.
The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum and the Napier Museum are among the city’s museums. The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is close to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. This museum, famed for its Travancore-styled architectural features and structural grandeur, houses rare paintings, traditional furniture, and other royal family heirlooms.
10. KOVALAM
Kovalam is a seaside town in Kerala noted for its resorts and ayurvedic treatment institutes. The lighthouse beach, which features a 30-meter-tall lighthouse, is Kovalam’s largest beach. Samudra and Hawa are two other adjacent beaches. These three beaches all have crescent-shaped shallow water and are low tidal.
Kovalam, formerly a fishing village, began to draw tourists in the 1930s and came to fame during the hippie era of the 1970s. It still draws visitors from Israel and Europe.
Ayurvedic treatments and massages, as well as yoga, meditation, and other cultural activities, are among the most popular indulgences. Kovalam, with its rich spices, wooden statues, and handicrafts, may come full circle as a shopping vacation.
