Best Tourist Attractions of Kerala
When looking for what Kerala is known for, there are numerous features you will find, such as serene backwaters, lush green tea plantations, distinctive art forms, and a variety of spices.
Kerala, popularly known as “God’s Own Country,” is a stunning tropical location where visitors go to relax and take in the scenery.
Kerala is well-known for its tourism due to its stunning beaches, tranquil backwaters, lush green scenery, and extensive cultural history.
The state is renowned for its delectable cuisine, exciting festivals, and friendly people. Kerala has a wide range of activities, which is why it is so well-known to tourists.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions of Kerala
1.Munnar
Kerala’s Western Ghats contain the charming town of Munnar. The region is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, tea plantations, wildlife, and adventurous pursuits. Along with mouthwatering food, Ayurvedic therapies, and cultural experiences, the region offers visitors
Neelakurinji, a rare plant that blooms just once every twelve years, is another thing that makes Munnar famous. In Munnar, the “kurinji season,” when the Neelakurinji blooms are in full bloom, is a breathtaking sight.
The hills of Munnar, known for their evergreen tea plantations, can enchant tourists with their rolling beauty and charm. While tea plantations cover the majority of the slopes, some are captivated by hypnotic waterfalls, rich greenery, and other sights.
Major Attractions of Munnar
- Eravikulam National Park
- Lockhart Gap
- Rose Garden
- Chokramudi Peak
- Kundala Lake
- Lakkom Water Falls
- Mattupetty Dam
- Top Station
- Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary
- Nyayamakad Waterfall
- Tata Tea Museum
- Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
2.Thekkady
Thekkady, one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the state of Kerala in southern India, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and abundant biodiversity. Due to the large number of rare animals, birds, and plants that call this place home, it is also referred to as the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Thekkady is well known for its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife and is well-known for its extensive savanna grasslands, moist deciduous forests, and semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. Elephants, sambar, tigers, gaurs, lion-tailed macaques, and Nilgiri langurs live there in herds.
Major Attractions of Thekkady
- Ramakkalmedu – Witness Thekkady Greenery
- Vandanmedu – Beautiful Cardamom Plantations
- Pullumedu – Lush Green Village
- Parunthumpara Viewpoint – A Tranquil Place
- Kadathanadan Kalari Centre – Know About The Culture
- Kumily – Admire The Natural beauty
- Chellarkovil – Watch Water Gushing
- Pandikuzhi – Perfect Picnic Spot
- Periyar Lake – Boating
- Thekaddy Lake – Ride & Explore The Surrounding scenic beauty
- Anakkara – Enjoy Spice Plantations
- Vandiperiyar – Paradise For the Nature Lovers
- Mullaperiyar Dam – Gear Up For Scenic Views of the hill station
- Elephant Junction Thekkady– Spend Time With Elephants
- Spring Valley Mountain – Amazing Viewpoint
- Green Park Ayurvedic & Spices Plantation – For Retreat
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Meet The Wildlife
- Mangla Devi Temple – Pray For the Well-Being
- Abraham’s Spice Garden – Enjoy The Aroma Of Fresh Spices
- Murikkady – Gape At Vast Meadows
3.Kumarakom
Kerala’s Kumarakom, a sleepy little village on Vembanad Lake, is located 13 kilometres from Kottayam. It provides a wide range of floral diversity, exotic sightseeing, boating, and fishing opportunities. The stunning paradise, which is home to mangrove forests, emerald paddy fields, and coconut trees, as well as waterways and canals adorned with white lilies, charms visitors from all over the world.
You will have a romantic experience in Kumarakom, which is one of the best places to spend time with your family. Here, you’ll find the best honeymoon packages and can experience a romantic backwater experience by exploring Vembanad Lake. You will experience the most romantic and life-changing moments in Kumarakom’s environment from November to March.
Major Attractions of Kumarakom
- Kumarakom Backwaters
- Vagamon
- Pathiramanal Island
- Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall
- Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Kumarakom Beach
- Vembanad Lake
- Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
- Thazhathangdi Valiapalli
4.Varkala
The distinctive 15-metre-high “Northern Cliff” next to the Arabian Sea makes Varkala, a coastal town in southern Kerala, stand out from other nearby communities. It is well-known for its hippie scene, cliffside shacks that serve delicious seafood and play international music, and the tomb of the saint Sree Narayana Guru from Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram is located 50 km away from Varkala, and Kollam is located 35 km away. Due to the presence of the historic Janardhana Swami temple, it was referred to as the Southern Varanasi or Thenkasi.
Major Attractions of Varkala
- Varkala Beach
- Varkala Cliff
- Asparagus
- Janardhana Swami Temple
- Kappil Lake
- Ponnumthuruthu Island
- Sivagiri
- Papasnanam Beach
- Kappal Beach
- Anchuthengu and Anjengo Fort
5.Kovalam
Three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches make up the well-known Kovalam beach. Since the 1930s, tourists have made it their favourite hangout. A large rocky outcropping on the beach has formed a stunning bay with calm waters perfect for swimming. There are numerous and varied recreational opportunities at this beach.
The community is renowned for its three spotless beaches, which merge into a majestic rocky crescent with shallow waters that are sea green. Kovalam is also affectionately referred to as the “grove of coconut trees” because of the coconut trees that line the village and further adorn it.
Major Attractions of Kovalam
- Aruvikkara Dam
- Vellayani Lake
- Samudra Beach
- Valiyathura Pier
- Lighthouse Beach
- Karamana River
- Hawah Beach
- Halcyon Castle
- Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple
6.Chembra Peak
A well-known adventure in Kerala is the climb up Chembra Peak, one of the tallest mountains in the Western Ghats, which boasts stunning scenery. The peak, which is 6,890 feet above sea level, can be seen from various locations throughout Wayanad.
The area is surrounded by vast rain forest and full of unusual plants, animals that is nestled among the Western Ghats’ hills and is having by variety of animals, including elephants, bison, panthers, wild cats, exotic birds, butterflies, and more.
Major Attractions of Chembra Peak
- Lakkidi View Point
- Soochippara Falls
- Cheengeri Rock
- St.Marys Soonoro Church
- Kanthanpara Waterfall
- St Josephs Church
- Asdani Adventures
- Public Aquarium.
7.Kerala Backwaters
The tranquil stretch of lakes, canals, and lagoons known as Kerala’s scenic backwaters runs parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. One of the world’s most popular tourist destinations is Kerala’s backwater areas. The serene backwater cruises are an experience of a lifetime.
Locally referred to as “Kayals,” one of the most well-known backwaters in the state is Vembanad. Low barrier islands called kayals are made possible by shore currents and wave action. Since freshwater and seawater are mixing in the Kayals, a variety of plants and animals can be found there.
Major Attractions of Kerala Backwaters
- Alleppey Backwaters
- Kumarakom Backwaters
- Kollam Backwaters
- Kasargod Backwaters
- Kozhikode Backwaters
- Kochi Backwaters
- Trivandrum Backwaters
- Kavvayi Backwaters
8.Wayanad
The administrative centre of Wayanad is located in the municipality of Kalpetta in the state of Kerala’s northeast. The Mananthavady, Sulthanbathery, and Vythiri Taluks were combined to form the 12th District of Kerala on November 1st, 1980.
The Western Ghats’ picturesque mountainous plateau and elevated location make Wayanad special. Wayanad’s magnificent natural beauty is expressed in its vast stretches of mist-covered mountains, green valley meadows, white-water springs, blue-water lakes, and wild forests.
Major Attractions of Wayanad
- Meenmutty Waterfalls
- Banasura Sagar Dam
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jain Temple
- Edakkal Caves
- Chembra Peak
- Chain Tree
- Neelimala View Point
9.Alleppey
Between the vast Arabian Sea and its network of rivers, Alappuzha serves as a landmark. Early in the first decade of the 20th century, Lord Curzon, the Indian Empire’s viceroy at the time, paid a visit to the state of Alleppey, which is now Alappuzha.
Alleppey gained notoriety for a variety of factors, including the stunning combination of lakes, lagoons, rivers, coconut palms, paddy fields, and crisscrossed narrow canals. In the past, Alleppey and the surrounding areas were low-lying, wet lands.
Major Attractions of Aleppey
- Marari Beach
- Punnapra Beach
- Pandavas Rock
- Alappuzha Beach
- Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple
- Karumadi
- St Mary’s Forane Church
- Vembanad Lake
- Pathiramanal
10.Kannur
In the 12th century, Kannur was a significant trading hub with ongoing trade relations with Persia and Arabia. Up until 1887, it served as the British military’s command centre on India’s west coast.
The district of Kannur is one of Kerala’s most culturally and historically significant. It has a long history as a port and a hub of trade, and it has exchanged goods with many civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. Since it is a part of the Western Ghats, it is endowed with a variety of natural wonders.
Kannur is the home of numerous folk dances and art forms. In this district, there are numerous folk plays and dances performed by the scheduled tribes and castes. Every tribe has unique folk dances that are primarily performed at festivals.
Major Attractions of Kannur
- Payyambalam Beach
- Muzhappilangad Beach
- St Angelo Fort
- Kannur Lighthouse.
- Parassinikkadavu Snake Park
- Arakkal Museum
- Baby Beach
- Palakkayam Thattu
- Ezhimala
- Madayipara
- Paithalmala