Kerala, the “God’s Own Country” is a surreal destination that feels so close to home, exudes warmth from every corner, and impresses visitors with its gracious hospitality. It’s heaven for travellers who come here to revel in the lush greenery and pristine natural beauty of the ‘Land of Coconuts‘ and unwind in the refreshing climate and calming ambience, away from the concrete jungles.
Offering the best of experiences for exploration, this ever-so-beautiful Indian state is chosen as one of the ‘World’s Greatest Places’ among the 50 extraordinary destinations to explore in 2022 by the prestigious International magazine, TIME.
Gifted with the most unique backwaters in the world, heavenly hill stations, exotic beaches, age-old temples, historic palaces, ancient lively art forms, and traditional cuisines, there is no doubt that Kerala really is ”World’s Greatest Place to Visit” that appeal to all kinds of travellers.
Seeing God’s Own Country via houseboat cruise is always one of a kind experience and an unparallel delight. In addition, tourists can now experience the gorgeous state of Kerala in a brand new way, in the comfort of a luxury Caravan. Yes, after successful three decades of historic Houseboat Tourism, Kerala is now introducing Motor-Home Tourism in India to inspire a new pas de deux of exploration and accommodation. And the state has opened its first caravan park, named Karavan Meadows at the scenic hill station of Vagamon.
The huge wealth of tourist places makes Kerala a must-visit destination in the world. These extraordinarily awesome Kerala places make you want to go again even if you have visited a hundred times. Scroll down to see the Best Places To Visit In Kerala for your next vacation:
Alleppey
Alleppey is probably the favorite destination of every traveler who set foot in God’s Own Country. In all sense, it’s a paradise where backwaters hold everyone captive with its calming scenic beauty and blissful tranquility. Besides the spectacular backwaters, Alleppey amazes you with its tropical greenery, picturesque islands, scenic beaches, quaint villages, and luxurious houseboats.
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Major Attractions:
Alleppey Backwaters, Alleppey Beach, Vembanad Lake, Revi Karunakaran Museum, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Mullakkal Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple, Mannarasala Temple, Chettikulangara Temple, Arthunkal St. Andrew’s Basilica, Krishnapuram Palace, Pathiramanal Island.
Major Activities:
Houseboat Cruise, Houseboat Stay, Shikkara Ride, Motor Boat Ride, Ayurveda Massage, Bicycle Tour, Village Walk, Shopping.
Munnar
Munnar captures the mind of travellers with its stunning natural vistas. The place features some of the most wondrous landscapes on earth with mist clad mountains, lush green tea plantations, cool breezes, spectacular waterfalls, dense forests, and alluring meadows that are mind-blowing and leave you astonished. Be it a solo trip or a getaway with family or friends, Munnar promises unlimited fun and memorable moments.
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Major Attractions:
Kolukkumalai Tea Gardens, Tata Tea Museum, Eravikulam National Park, Meesapulimala, Echo Point, Anamudi Peak, Mattupetty Dam, Pothamedu View Point, Carmelagiri Elephant Park, Top Station, Kundala Lake, Rose Garden, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, Lakkam Waterfalls, Life of Pi Church, Marayoor Dolmens
Major Activities:
Tree House Stay, Tea Garden Visit, Camping, Trekking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Elephant Safari, Jeep Safari, Boat Ride, Watersports, Shopping.
Kochi
Kochi reflects the urban face of God’s Own Country while preserving its old world charm. This vibrant city boasts a long and strong history and influences of varied cultures and traditions.
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The remarkable influence of the fascinating culture and architecture of the British, Arabs, Chinese, and Portuguese can be experienced here. The streets coupled with excellent restaurants and cafes, shopping malls, majestic skyscrapers, and modern buildings are yet another delight.
Major Attractions:
Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jew Synagogue and Jew Town, Marine Drive, Santa Cruz Basilica, Hill Palace Museum, Cherai Beach, Bolghatty Palace, Willingdon Island, Museum of Kerala History, Folklore Museum, Kerala Kathakali Centre, Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple, Indo-Portuguese Museum, Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Lulu Shopping Mall, Wonder La Amusement Park.
Major Activities:
Street Shopping, Sightseeing, Heritage Walk, Watching Kathakali Performances, Bicycle Tours, Boating and Beach Activities.
Vagamon
Vagamon offers a relaxing retreat amidst hypnotizing natural beauty. The allure of pine trees and the warmth of tea gardens will capture the heart of any visitor who comes to Vagamon.
Setting the vista for countless rip-roaring adventurous activities, Vagamon hill station is the ultimate adventure escape in Kerala. This blissful hill station houses Kerala’s first caravan park, named Karavan Meadows where tourists exploring the destination in Caravans can park their vehicles and spend a night or a day at this safe and secure zone.
Major Attractions:
Vagamon Pine Forest, Vagamon Meadows, Marmala Waterfall, Thangal Para, Barren Hills, Vagamon Lake, Mundakayam Ghat, Vagamon Fall, Idukki Dam, Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurisumala.
Major Activities:
Tandem Paragliding, Jeep Safari, Boating, Cycling, Trekking, Mountaineering, Rock climbing.
Thekkady
The diversity and abundance of flora and fauna make Thekkady one of the best eco-tourism destinations in Kerala. It caters to nature lovers, trekkers, forest lovers, and adventure seekers alike. The most richly rewarding experience here is the boat ride through the Periyar Lake which allows you to see the animals of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Major Attractions:
Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Lake, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, Mangla Devi Temple, Suruli Waterfalls.
Major Activities:
Boat Ride, Bamboo Rafting, Elephant Ride, Jungle Safari, Periyar Tiger Trail, Trekking, Tribal Heritage Program, Nature Walk, Shopping.
Varkala
Varkala is endlessly beautiful and extremely peaceful. Its blissfully isolated ambience, breathtakingly gorgeous beaches, Ayurveda centers, excellent seaside restaurants and cafes, and plentiful resorts and accommodation options attract tourists from far and near to Varkala. This charming beach location is far famed for its naturally formed red laterite cliff known as the Varkala Cliff of the Varkala Formation.
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Major Attractions:
Varkala Beach, Janardhana Swami Temple, Varkala Lighthouse, Anjengo Fort, Kappil Lake, Kappil Beach, Ponnumthuruthu Island, Sivagiri Mutt, Kaduvayil Juma Masjid, Sarkara Devi Temple
Major Activities:
Sightseeing, Swimming, Sunbathing, Watersports Activities, Pilgrimage Tour to Sivagiri Mutt, Ayurveda Treatment, Shopping.
Marari
Marari offers a soothing and tranquil setting for those craving for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The place is breathtakingly picturesque with a limitless expanse of sea, sandy shores, and swinging coconut and palm groves. Marari was an unexplored fishing village a few decades back, but now it is a favorite beach destination for both local and foreign tourists visiting Kerala.
Major Attractions:
Marari Beach, Mararikulam Shiva Temple, Kokkamangalam Apostle St. Thomas Pilgrim Centre, Arthunkal Basilica, Thumpolly Beach, Alleppey Beach, St. Francis Church.
Major Activities:
Swimming, Fishing, Beach Sports.
Guruvayoor
Guruvayoor is home to the most renowned Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple which is one of the most admired pilgrimage destinations in Kerala. Besides being a temple town, Guruvayoor is a shopper’s paradise too, where one can shop for Kasavu sarees or Kasavu Salwar materials, colorful and variety clothes, jewelry, idols, handicrafts, toys, books, and excellent souvenirs.
Major Attractions:
Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, Punnathurkotta Elephant Palace, Parthasarathy Temple, Devaswom Museum, Mammiyoor Shiva Temple, Vallabhatta Kalari, Harikanyaka Temple.
Major Activities:
Pilgrimage Tour, Sightseeing, Shopping.
Kumarakom
A paradise for migratory birds, Kumarakom is a haven for bird watchers that lies in the backdrop of the mighty Vembanad Lake. A visit to Kumarakom promises to be a refreshing and rejuvenating one. The lush green surroundings with a plethora of charismatic and colorful avifauna and the soothing climate of Kumarakom bring a charming respite among tourists.
Major Attractions:
Kumarakom Backwaters, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall, Vembanad Lake, St Mary’s Church in Cheriyapally, Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Thazhathangadi Mosque (Juma Masjid).
Major Activities:
Houseboat Cruise, Birdwatching, Sightseeing, Shopping.
Wayanad
A green paradise that makes you feel a step closer to the glory of Mother Nature. There is no other place in Kerala like Wayanad that is so much in harmony with nature. Brimming with nature’s abundance in the form of mist-clad mountains, sprawling tea plantations, spectacular waterfalls, and green valleys, this incredible eco-tourism destination offers fantastic scenic views everywhere you look.
Major Attractions:
Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, Chembra Peak, Meenmutty Waterfall, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Wayanad Heritage Museum, Lakkidi View Point, Thirunelli Temple, Jain Temple.
Major Activities:
Trekking, Camping, Bicycle Tour, Exploring Caves, Bamboo Rafting, Jungle Safari, Bird Watching, Tree House Stay.
Kovalam
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach destination in Kerala. Both locals and foreigners come here to enjoy the magical beauty of Kovalam. Sunbathing, Swimming, Ayurveda beauty treatments and massages makes tourists relish their visit to Kovalam.
Major Attractions:
Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, Samudra Beach, Halcyon Castle, Kovalam Art Gallery, Valiyathura Pier, Neyyar Dam, Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple.
Major Activities:
Wooden Boat Ride, Snorkeling, Water Sports, Surfing, Swimming, Water Skiing, Kayaking, Catamaran Cruising, Ayurvedic Massages.
Kannur
The ‘Land of Looms and Lores”, Kannur is well known for its handlooms as well as the temple folklore forms such as Theyyattam or Theyyam. If you go to Kannur, you can watch Kerala’s celestial Theyyam Festival. This place of historic significance still has an aura of the colonial era. It is also a great place to experience the rural beauty of Kerala.
Major Attractions:
Thalassery Fort, St. Angelo Fort, Dharmadam Island, Arakkal Museum, Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Payyambalam Beach, Parassinikadavu Snake Park, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Major Activities:
Pilgrimage Tour, Watching Theyyam Performance, Sightseeing, Boat Ride, Shopping.
Going to Kerala? don’t forget to add these amazing places to your bucket list. There is no uncertainty that an excursion to Kerala is a treat for a lifetime.
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