Located in the southern part of India, Kerala is a very picturesque state in our country. The state is blessed with an abundance of nature, which led people to name it as ‘Gods own country’. The state is famous for its backwaters and being in the Malabar Coast region, it has some pristine beaches as well.
There are tons and tons of things to explore in Kerala and you should definitely visit the state to experience the exquisite beauty of it yourself. It is advisable to book reliable and excellent tour packages to Kerala in order to make the most of this beautiful state of India.
Famous Places in Kerala
Alleppey
Alleppey is considered as the backwater capital of Kerala. It is the hub spot for backwater experience of Kerala. In Alleppey, you get to stay in houseboats and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. Go on a backwater cruise to truly experience the wonders of Kerala backwaters. Visit the Alleppey Beach and the Alleppey Lighthouse and don’t forget to take the paddy field tours as well.
Wayanad
Wayanad is a very scenic place in Kerala, blessed with lush greenery. This hill station is home to the largest dam in India, the Banasura Sagar Dam. Paddy fields, rubber trees, eucalyptus trees and bamboo trees make up the vegetation of Wayanad. Visit the Edakkal Caves, where you will spot magnificent rock carvings belonging to the prehistoric ages. Soochipara Falls, Sentinel Rock Falls and Kanthapara waterfalls are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the hill station. If you are a fan of wildlife then visit the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and spot elephants, deers, tigers and bird species
Varkala
Varkala Beach is a very popular tourist hub spot. This quaint beach in Kerala is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy beach activities. Of all the beaches in Kerala, the Varkala Beach definitely stands out for its beauty. The pristine beach is surrounded by high cliffs, making for picture-perfect scenery. Varkala has some Tibetan shops and Khadi shops as well, from where you can buy souvenirs. Surfing and boat riding activities to are available on the beach. Indulge in water activities, take a sunbath or rejuvenate yourself with Ayurvedic massages here at Varkala.
Kochi
The port city of Kochi is known as the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’. Kochi is a beautiful city surrounded by water. It is home to the oldest European church in India. It is said that the Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama was buried here after his death although his remains were moved to Lisbon later. The Chinese fishing nets are a beautiful thing to see and make for the perfect Instagram shot. Other than that, do visit Cherai Beach, Mattancherry Palace, Fort Immanuel and David Hall to fully explore this beautiful city.
Trivandrum
Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala, which is the perfect mix of traditions and modernity. One the one hand it houses the country’s richest temple, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple while on the other hand, it has the first IT Park of the country as well. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is mentioned in the Hindu scripture, Bhagavad Gita and it says that Balaram had visited the temple and bathed in Padmatheertham before making homages to the Gods. You can also visit the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Shankumugham Beach as well.
Munnar
Located in Idukki, Kerala, Munnar is a beautiful hill station. It is a popular tourist destination and known across the nation for its extensive tea plantations. The tea gardens of Munnar are a must-see when you visit the place. Apart from that, you can head to the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. This wildlife sanctuary is home to about twenty-five different species of mammals including, the Nilgiri Tahr, Golden Jackal, Stripe necked mongooses, dusky palm squirrel and elephants. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is another place in Munnar, which is known for its Mugger crocodiles, rusty-spotted cats and grizzled giant squirrels. If you want to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Munnar then head to Pothamedu viewpoint.
Thekkady
Thekkady is home to the most popular wildlife sanctuary in the state. If you are a fan of wildlife exploration, nothing can be better than a visit to Kumarakom. The Periyar National Park is a very popular tourist attraction spot in Kerala. The National Park is situated by the Periyar Lake and is home to a large number of tigers and elephants. The major attraction of Periyar National Park is the boat ride on Periyar Lake, where you can spot wild animals from the water.
Kumarakom
Kumarakom is another backwater destination in Kerala. This tiny hamlet is located near Vembanad Lake and is a great place to relax away from the noise of city life. Kumarakom is home to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where you can spot species like Cuckoo, Waterfowl, Siberian Cranes, Owls, Larks, Parrots and many more. Go on a boat ride in the scenic backwaters of Vembanad Lake or picnic near the Aruvikkuzhi waterfall, a weekend in Kumarakom is all you need to rejuvenate.
Kannur
A blend of beaches, hills and culture, Kannur is a must-visit destination in Kerala. Kannur is a place of immense natural beauty. With beaches on the one side and hills on the others, the beauty of Kannur will totally captivate you. The place is known for its textiles and crafts. The handloom industry of Kannur produces some of the most beautiful fabrics in the state. The Theyyam art form of Kerala also takes place in this coastal city.
Kovalam
Kovalam is the destination for the beach lovers. This beach town is home to two scenic beaches, the Lighthouse Beach and the Hawa Beach. The beaches in Kovalam offer various outdoor activities like surfing, boat rides and swimming. Lighthouse Beach offers Yoga classes as well, which you can attend for a relaxing experience. Do not forget to visit the Valiyathura Pier. It is a two hundred and fourteen-meter long pier located in the old port of Valiyathura. A sunset shot of the pier makes for a great Instagram shot.
Kerala with its scenic beauty will capture your senses and a vacation in Kerala will truly leave you with lots and lots of pleasant memories and new experiences.
