Top 6 Tourist Places in Kerala OR Top 6 Kerala Destinations

Top 6 Tourist Places in Kerala OR Top 6 Kerala Destinations

Kerala, popularly known as "God's Own Country", is a great tourist destination in South India. The coastal state is rich in distinctive culture and traditions, and the calm backwaters. The slow pace of life makes it a perfect tourist place for a leisurely vacation.

It is a destination that you must visit in a lifetime. The reason can be numerous to visit Kerala, and who have visited it already they would agree that they are eagerly thinking to plan their next visit.

Alappuzha 

The wonderful town in Alappuzha district received the name “Venice of the East” by the Lord George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston. The town is also known as Alleppey and located about 70 km south of Cochin. It canals that connects Kerala’s most popular snaking backwaters makes it Venice of the east. With its wonderful past, presently it owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century, district of Alappuzha figures in classical Literature. The most amazing thing about the town is weather; temperature in this region rarely goes above 35 degrees Celsius and never below 20 degrees. September to March is the best time to visit the place.

Get in:

By plane – Cochin International Airport is the closest airport. You can hire a taxi from here to get from Cochin airport to Cochin, then Bus or train to Alleppey. Alternatively come to airports at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut), Chennai, Bangalore and catch a train to Alappuzha.

By train – Several trains are running everyday from other cities including Kochi (Cochin), Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengalooru (Bangalore), Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Mangalore, and Kolkata. Reserve your seat in advance for a comfortable journey as seat filled quickly.

By bus – Bus services are available from cities such as Cochin (1:15 hours), Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore to Alappuzha.

Kochi

Kochi is formerly known as Cochin. The cosmopolitan city in Kerala with a bustling commercial port is one of the famous tourist destinations. It is also financial capital of Kerala and a major port city on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea and is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. From the 14^th century, the city heralded as “the Queen of the Arabian Sea”. It was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast.

Get in:

By plane – Cochin International Airport is located in Nedumbassery, 29 km from the city center, this is the largest airport in Kerala and one of major gateway to India. It is also India's 4th busiest International Airport. Regular flights depart and arrive from the airport from and to all the cities in Middle East as well as a few destinations in Southeast Asia.

By train – Kochi is well connected by train from all parts of India. Most Kerala-bound trains have a major stop here. There are two major rail terminals inside the city limits. Ernakulam Junction Station (South Station) is a major Indian railways station. Most of the long distance trains to and from Kerala pass through here. Kochi has many suburban railway stations where long distance trains stop, such as Aluva, Thripunithura and Angamally. Book in advance, as trains are usually crowded.

By bus – Kochi is accessible from all southern parts of the country as well as other parts of the state, through the extensive state run Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services and services of neighbouring state transport corporations. Apart from govt services, numerous private bus companies operate scheduled services to almost all major cities in South India as well as Mumbai, Goa etc.

By boat – Kochi can be reached by sea in yachts as well as cruise ship from Goa, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Colombo and Male. Almost all leading international cruises on global voyages operate to Kochi from the US and Europe at Wellingdon Island Cruise Berth. Yachts can be anchored at Kochi International Marina or Yacht Club Marina. There is a direct ferry service between Kochi and Lakshadweep.

Kovalam

Kovalam is a beach town in the southern state of Kerala in India. It is located about 17 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It is popular across the world for its beaches. Kovalam is one of the oldest tourist enclaves in India and extremely among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It has three major beaches in its 17 kilometre coastline. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, the Northern most crescent, (with the different names Main Beach/Leela Beach/Samudra Beach) and Hawa Beach.

Get in:

By plane – Trivandrum International Airport is the closest to Kovalam with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka as well as seasonal charter flights to Europe. It is linked with many major cities in India by domestic flights.

By train – Trivandrum Central railway station located at Thampanoor is the nearest one.  It is a major Indian railway station, third largest in South India after Chennai and Shornur jn. The station being a terminus, almost all trains on west coast and bound to Kerala start & end their journey here. It is very well connected and serviced by rail to all major cities in India.

By Road – Kovalam is about 16 km from Trivandrum. You can easily hire a taxi to reach Kovalam or catch buses.

Munnar

Munnar is a beautiful hill station in the Kerala state. It is most popular for the vast tea plantations among the tourists. The town itself is typically Indian with the usual shops, guest houses and is really beautiful and traditional. It is a good place to stay to see the surrounding countryside. It is also a popular place for Indian honeymooners.

Eravikulam national park is one of the main tourist attraction, where you can find the endagered species of Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat called "varayadu" in Malayalam). A treck to Rajamala ("King of hills" in Malayalam), in the morning is sure to spot a few friendly mountain goats. You can also find Gaur, Langur, Lion-tailed macaque, and Elephants depending on the season and time of travel.

Get in:

By air – Cochin International airport, also known as Nedumbassery Airport and CIAL is the nearest airport. It is 110 km away from Munnar by road. Another one, Madurai International Airport is 140Km from Munnar.

By train – The nearest railway station is Aluva, 110 km. Ernakulam is 130 km and Madurai is 135km You can get the direct regular buses to Munnar. 

By Road – Munnar bus station is on the main street, Main Bazaar.

Thekkady 

Thekkady is located in the Idukki district in Kerala. It is the location of the Periyar National Park. Kumily (Idukki district) is the nearest town center to Thekkady.

There are many places to explore such as Tiger reserve.  It has a rich diversity of vertebrates. The diverse forest types, vayals, marshes, and a large aquatic habitat together support 62 species of mammals, 320 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles, 27 species of amphibians, and 38 species of fish. Many other popular attractions in the region are Mangala Devi Temple, Murikkady, Pandikuzhi, Pullumedu, Ramakalmedu, The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary etc.

Get in:

By air – Madurai is the nearest airport to Thekkady, which is located at a distance of 136 km away from Thekkady. Madurai is well connected to Chennai and Coimbatore. Nearest major international airport is Nedumbassery airport in Kochi, at a distance of 165 km.

By train – Kottayam is the nearest railway station at a distance of 114 km from Thekkady. 

Several trains are available regularly from the various major railway heads including Delhi (Kerala Express), Kolkata (Ghy Tvc Express), Mumbai (Kanyakumari Exp), Bangalore (Kanyakumari Exp) and Chennai (Trivandrum Mail). All express trains towards Trivandum passes through Kottayam.

By bus – Thekkady is well connected via roads, public transport busses, KSRTC, are available frequently. Super fast buses are also available from Kottayam, Trivandrum and Kochi.

Varkala

The beautiful town is located about 50 kilometre north of Trivandrum. It is widely popular for Papanasam Beach as well as for the Samadhi of Kerala's saint Sree Narayana Guru, which is situated in this town and hence has become a place of pilgrimage. People who are seeking for beach holidays but without the crowd, this is simply the perfect place.

You can enjoy several fun activities at excellent Varkala. In the off season its really mellow and relaxed, swim and sleep and chill out. Only in December does it get really busy and prices start rocketing till January/February, when it starts to quieten down. The main season starts from Dec 1st- March 31st, with December & early January experiencing the biggest rush. If you want to go out of season, then you can stay very cheaply and of course avoid the crowd. 

Get in:

By air – The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (50km, 1hr 15 min drive).

By train – Varkala is also connected by Rail Network. If coming from Varkala and Cochin, the better option will be coming by train. Almost all trains passing by stops at Varkala. From Varkala Railway Station, Taxis and Auto Rickshaws can be hired. Papanasam Beach is around 5km from Varkala Railway Station.

By bus – State Transport Buses are available from Trivandrum. Bus service available from Varkala to many parts of South Kerala and Kanyakumari.