Kerala – God’s Owned Land – The mesmerizing Beauty of Nature
Kerala, the most beautiful state in India, is the land that belongs to God. So lets explore Top tourist attractions in Kerala you should explore. The place where you can roam around and capture iconic mother nature’s scenes in your eyes. Hello I am Samprita Pujari I explored Kerala for around 10 days and thought I would provide you insights on Top tourist destinations here and best way to explore Kerala.
The best place where you can go and take your loved ones to have your special moments witnessed by nature! It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. This is the south side of India, where Indian land meets the Arabic Ocean. Due to ports like Kochi, Kerala is important to the Indian economy for doing business with multiple countries across the world. Also, Kerala is called the Spice Coast of India as this region gives us lots of Spices. Let’s have a ride to Kerala.
Gods own Land ! – Tourist attractions in Kerala from Munnar Kochi to Wayanad
- How to Go to Kerala from Pune?
- best time to Visit
- Explore the traditions of Kerala
- The Beaches around Kerala
- Adventures and Activities
- Tourist attractions in Kerala- Places where you must visit
- The Iconic Temple Padmanabhan
- Where to stay?
- What are the food options?
- What can you bring from there as souvenirs?
How to Go Kerala from Pune & Mumbai?
- You can plan your trip by flight. There are so many flight options available from Pune and Mumbai. So, basically, you can land in Cochin or Trivandrum. But here, I am sharing my own experience, and I chose my journey from Pune to Cochin. You can reach Cochin within 2 hours of flying from Pune. If you plan your booking well in advance, it will cost around Rs. 5,000–6,000.
However, it will save you time, and you’ll have more options for roaming around. According to your travel plan, start from South Kerala or North Kerala; you can decide on the flights. So, if you plan to start your trip in Cochin, you should end it in Trivandrum. Because both are on opposite poles, you can save your travel time. Once you reach there, you can hire a bike for your Kerala journey. Similar to Goa scooter rentals, Kerala has plenty of options.
- You can arrange your trip by train. There are weekly trains from Pune to Cochin, like the Poorna Express, the Trivandrum Express, etc. Rates are reasonable for trains, which will cost around Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000 per person, depending on your bookings, but will take 34–36 hours to travel.
- You can arrange your trip by bus. This plan will take 27 hours to reach Cochin from Pune. According to your bookings, it will cost between Rs. 2500 and Rs. 6,000 per person.
- You can plan your trip with your own vehicle. If you want to go with your vehicle, it will take about 1300 km to Cochin and 25 hours for nonstop driving from Pune. Yes, it’s a big ride, but the beauty of Mother Nature and the moments that you will collect in your brain baggage will mark their footprints forever!
Best time to visit Kerala.
Since Kerala is a tropical region with erratic monsoons, I would advise visiting between September and March. However, since you will have the dry season and be able to see the most of Kerala, I personally believe you should travel between October and February.
Also, you will get decent temperature and weather so, you can plan trip comfortably.
Plan for the rainy season if you want to take in Kerala’s beauty during the monsoon, but be prepared to adjust your schedule in the event of severe weather. But differently you get to witness heaven on earth in these days. If you are solo traveler then Kerala is heaven for you.
Exploring Tradition’s of Kerala-
Along with places to visit in Kerala, the tradition’s in this India’s most popular tourist place is important too. Kerala is most famous for the unique traditional dance performance called Kathakali. It is the most complex dance performance, which should be done in beautifully designed, unique, heavy costumes and with heavy makeup. It is the art of story-playing in the form of dance and expressing feelings towards each other. And this art you can witness in Munnar as well as in Kochi.
There are multiple theaters that are dedicated to dance art Kathakali. In Forte Kochi, you can visit the Kerala Kathakali Centre, where you will learn about the history of this art form. Don’t miss the cultural show that I attended in Munnar for Kathakali and Marchel art, and each show represents culture.
Apart from art, there is one more traditional thing that I will suggest you not miss: food. Having typical traditional food in this state is like having a taste of heaven. And the information about food and menus I have given in the below points for the food section.
Activities-
- Surfing: If you love water and want to play within the water, then you can go surfing. Bamboo rafting was also a great experience for me. Kayaking with bamboo boats gives you a unique experience.
- Hiking: Hiking is my favorite activity to do. So, I visited Munnar. And I assure you that you will never regret visiting this place. You can spend infinite days there because there are so many options for hiking and roaming around.
- Paragliding and Zipline: You will get the highest zip line in Kerala in Munnar.
Best tourist attractions in Kerala: Places You must visit –
1- Secrets of Wayanad: A Traveler’s Guide to Kerala’s Hidden Gem
Wayanad is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala. It is known for its greenery and natural beauty due to its scenic landscapes. One of the top places to visit in Wayanad includes Edakurangala Falls, Soochirabali Falls, the Wildlife Sanctuary of Wayanad, and Meesapulimala Peak. Tourists can also explore the local culture and food, visit villages nearby to learn about Kerala traditions, and take part in activities like trekking, kayaking, and rock climbing.
With its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Wayanad is a must-visit tourist destination in Kerala. The ideal time to explore Wayanad is two days and enjoy all of the sights and activities in the tea gardens, such as picking and cutting tea leaves. Which are so enjoyable activities. The zip line over Tea Gardens was an amazing experience.
2- Athirapally Waterfall –Largest waterfall in Kerala
It is one of the most famous waterfalls in Kerala, as it is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. This breathtaking natural beauty is located near Thrissur. Athirapalli waterfall has an amazing view from top as well as bottom, which shows the power and beauty of falling water. The waterfall is known to have medicinal properties for various illnesses, as I heard from many locals that bathing in it cures various illnesses. The entry timing for the waterfall is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with entry fees of 15 rupees per person.
As one of the top tourist attractions in Kerala, it is chosen by many film makers. Blockbuster films like Bahubali, Dil Se, Raavan, and Guru are shot on this waterfall. It is also called the Niagara Falls of India due to its hugeness; this nickname is given to it. The best time to visit this place is just after the monsoon; we can say after September. This waterfall is 80 feet high and 330 feet wide, so it is also called Bahubali Falls. From the entrance, you need to walk for 15 minutes, which means around 0.5 km to reach the top, and to reach the bottom or base of Athirapally waterfall, you need to walk for around 30 minutes.
You can also swim in the water; don’t forget to bring extra pair of clothes. You may face lots of monkeys who try to snatch your bags and eatables from you, so be careful with your costly items. The total time required to explore Athirapally Falls is only 2–3 hours, including the top view and bottom view. Because of its popularity, we have added this waterfall to our list of the best tourist attractions in Kerala.
3- Munnar Heaven on Earth
Who doesn’t know Munnar? Everybody among us is willing to go there and feel the cold breeze of pure air. I stayed there for 2 days and covered many sights. I visited the town of Surianalle, where you cannot miss the beautiful view of the sunset. Also, I took an amazing sunrise view from Kollukamlai Hill. You will get a Jeep safari there. Munnar is a very famous destination among Indians because of its unmatched beauty and greenery everywhere, so it is considered one of the top tourist attractions in Kerala. When someone says Kerala, the first place that comes to mind is Munnar.
There is a small place called Annamudi from where you will get a good view of tea gardens and roads. Maximum land is covered under tea gardening and species farming, which smells aromatic in the air. There are some more sights, like Eco Point and Top Station Point, which generally tourists want to visit. Munnar can be easily explored in 2 days, as apart from tea plantations, there are other tourist attractions you can explore, including lakes, waterfalls, and mountain top views you can explore by trekking.
October to February are considered the best times to visit Munnar. It is a misty hill located 1600 meters above sea level. Munnar is famous for its wildlife and Flora and Fauna culture too. You can spot tigers, leopards, elephants, wild boars, deer, sambhars, porcupines, and many more wild animals in the jungles of Munnar. Because of its natural beauty, hiking trails, tea gardens, and different activities, Jungle Safari Munnar is a famous travel destination and is popular around the world.
4- Kodai Kanal – Princess of Hill stations.
This is the misty, woody place that is famous for hills, also called Princess of Hills Station. The wooden forest and rolling hills one over the other are the scenic, mesmerizing beauty of the earth. To be frank, it doesn’t actually come from the Kerala area, but it’s only a 6-hour journey from Kerala, so we have added it to our list of the most famous tourist attractions in Kerala as it’s a popular hill station in India and worth visiting if you have some time remaining after exploring Kerala.
Kodai Kanal is truly a haven for nature lovers, with its Kodai Lake at the heart of the hill station. Spanning 60 acres, this artificial lake is surrounded by greenery, providing a retreat from the daily hustle and bustle. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the tranquil waters, soaking up the serenity of the environment. Additionally, exploring Coakers Walk along the lake offers views of the hills and valleys.
Nature lovers will definitely fall in love with the forests in Kodai Kanal, home to trekking trails leading to magnificent viewpoints and mesmerizing waterfalls. It’s mostly famous for cool and misty weather and the scenic beauty of the hills. The ideal time to visit Kodai Kanal is from November to February to experience chilling weather. A two-day visit to Kodaikanal allows you to explore the area thoroughly. You can enjoy a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake, paddle a kayak on Berijam Lake, and take photos by the Pillar Rock. It is not a tourist attraction in Kerala, but it is from Tamil Nadu, and we have still added it as it is near Kerala.
5- Thekkady – Periyar Wildlife sanctuary
If you love jungle safaris, then you must visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can experience peace, beauty, and nature with uncounted animals like elephants. This is the best option for animal and forest lovers. This area was preserved for the Tigers in 1978. The best time to visit this place is from October to February. The cost of a jungle safari here is around $10,000 for 5 people and an additional $2500 per person for additional people. It will be a 36-kilometer drive with 3 km of trekking and a 2-hour pedal boat ride, in which meals are included.
Thekkady is a tourist attraction for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a national park occupying animals like tigers, elephants, leopards, porcupines, jackals, and other wild life. Thekkady also has scenic hills and waterfalls you should visit. So it’s heaven for trekkers and adventure seekers. It has a calm and peaceful Periyar Lake too, where you can sit and do meditation to heal your soul. You can take a boat ride on this lake, which is surrounded by dense jungle and tall trees. Due to all these amazing views, we have added this travel destination to the list of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Kerala.
There are many wildlife safari packages available. Here are some suggestions for the best safari in Thekkadi: Shaj Periyar Adventure Tours, PTR Jeep Safari, and Green Kerala Tours & Travels are the top jungle safari operators in Thekkadi, Kerala. It’s also famous for spices like pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, coffee, tea, and clove, so these kinds of spices are mostly produced here. You can see an elephant bath with an elephant ride for RS. 1750 per person.
6- Alappuzha – Venice of East
I am water lover so I was so excited to visit Alleppey water. This is the city on the water where all the people live in house boats. This is a type of Island. This place is also famous for snake boat races. This is the world-famous island for backwater destination where tourists especially visit. The specialty over there is seafood.
Alappuzha is also known as Allepey Water, as most of the city is built on water, its like Island. Its sometimes called the Venice of east due to networks of Canals and Backwaters it shares. The city is very popular for its Traditional Boat racing, also called as Snake boat racing This city also encompasses Cultural and Historical heritage having ancient Temples, Churches and places of worship for Jews called synagogues (Jewish assembly or congregations)
7- Kochi- Places to visit
Cochin/Kochi has a special place in my heart. This place is said to be the Capital of Kerala for business, Educations, Commercial and Financial purposes. You can visit multiple greatly architected Vintage churches there, like- Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, St. Francis Church. You can find their old Dutch buildings and palaces. Cochin is another popular tourist Attractions in Kerala. Also, I visited the very interesting Historic place “The residence of Vasco De Gama.” I stayed and explored cochin for 2 days.
One day I spent local roaming, and another day I went to Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi: This is the southwest coastal line of India. Which is the most scenic place with captivating scenes? Fort Kochi has many cultural aspects and many traditional touches. You can catch a glorious sunset from Fort Kochi Beach. Major attractions for tourists are the granite walkway and lighthouse. You can also attend the Cochin Carnival if you travel during the new year.
The fort was built first by Portuguese and then again by Dutch people. So, this place has a traditional and cultural touch in both aspects. One more interesting thing about Fort Kochi is that you can go shopping in the Jew Market, where you will find unique and antique designs for shawls and stunning art pieces with historic backgrounds. Also, you can visit the Mattancherry Palace of the King of Fort Kochi. Kochi has some of the of the most popular villages in Kerala, like Edapally, which has one of the oldest churches, St. George’s Syro-Malabar Forane Church, which has beautiful architecture and was built by the Dutch.
8- Jatayu’s Earth Center- Famous tourist attraction in Kerala
Jatayu is the legendary bird from Spiritual history of Ramayana. This statue is created over 65acres over 4 hills. Which is specially architected as spreading his wings high up the hill is the biggest attraction for tourists. This place is near Kollam district in State Kerala.
9- The Iconic Padmanabhan Swamy Temple
The place where you feel bliss and peace is the temple of lord Vishnu. It is Known for the beauty of the temple and grandeur. Also, it is said that it is counted in 108 Divya Deshmas of Vishnu. This temple has 7 sacred doors for treasure. And specially guarded by Cobras. The real beauty of this temple is the Idol of lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is in his identical resting posture with closed eyes and we cannot capture full idol in single view.
The idol is huge, and we must see it from four different doors. The whole temple is carved in black stone with ancient stories, and that’s the beauty of it. When you visit the temple, please ensure you are wearing traditional clothing. Women are required to wear a saree or full-length skirt like a lehenga. Men should wear lungs as a compulsory. No pants are allowed for anybody. Without traditional clothing, security will not allow you to enter the temple. Due to such places, it is called God’s own country.
Best Beaches to visit near Kerala-
Kerala is the place where you will find lots of beaches, and Kannur has the maximum coastal line area. If you count the beaches in Kerala as a whole, there are 22. Out of those, I loved a few beaches, and I will recommend visiting the best beaches in Kerala.
10- Varkala – Most popular beach in Kerala
Varkala Cliff is the most popular beach side of Kerala, where you get the highest cliff on one side of the beach. And that’s the amazing beauty of nature. When I visited Varkala, many people told me that this is famous for the natural spring water that comes from the reverse of the jungle and lands, which has multiple medical benefits. And that’s why many Ayurvedic setups are based near Varkala. It is also less crowded than others, which is why I love Varkala Beach so much.
Varkala is also known as Dakshni kashi and has Ancient temples like Janardana Swamy Temple. The best time to visit this beautiful offbeat beach in Kerala is October to March. In this season, you will get pleasant weather, clear sky and cool evenings. Varkala is perfect blend of Culture, Nature and relaxation.
Along with the beach, you can visit many places nearby that are nearby tourist attractions. These include: breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea from Kappil Beach; exploring Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse; visiting the Aquarium to see ocean life; visiting the Varkala Cultural Center to explore the culture of Kerala; Ponnumthuruth Island; and Kilimanoor Palace.
Most importantly, end the day with a dinner date with your loved ones at Eat at Cafe Del Mar. And if you are a seafood lover, then dine at God’s own country kitchen to eat finger-licking seafood. Don’t miss to eat spiced fish wrapped in bananas. Sometimes you can enjoy live bands here too. God’s Own Country Kitchen is Kerala’s most famous beachside restaurant to enjoy traditional Kerala cuisine in a casual manner.
11- Kovalam Beach and Aazhimala Shiva Temple.
Kovalam has been the most famous attraction for tourists for a long time. This beach was magnetized to many tourists by its massive rock structures on the seashore. It is a long coastal line of three beaches together. Also, Light House Beach is one of the best beaches in Kerala, and you must visit it. Near Kovalam Beach, you can go to the Lord Shiva temple called Aazhimala Shiva Temple, where you can see the beautiful statue of Lord Shiva. Along with the temple, you can visit Aazhmala Beach too, as the temple is located near the beach.
12- Kozhikode, Kannur, Thanni, Bekal, Poovar
So many beaches are there to visit. And rather than I tell you everything you should go and witness the beauty on your own! That’s the reason I have added it in our list of Top tourist places in Kerala. I recommend you to definitely explore these top tourist attractions in Kerala.
13- Famous Churches in Kerala -Madre de Deus Church
Along with these natural gems, you can visit some historical places and beautiful churches, like in Thiruvananthapuram, where you can visit churches like Madre de Deus Church, so there are thousands of tourist attractions in Kerala you can visit. It is also called the Mother of God’s Church. The main significance of this place is that people from any religion can visit here without any discrimination. The church is also famous for its Veettukad festival, called the Feast of the King. You can also visit Silent Valley National Park.
Where can we stay during Kerala Trip?
Now you know the famous tourist attractions in Kerala, but we still need good stays, so here are the stay tips: For a stay, there are so many options available at every tourist attraction in Kerala. You will get hostels, villas, hotels, homestays, luxurious hotel stays, etc. If you plan properly, there is no problem with staying. Also, rates will differ from place to place. Sometimes I preferred hostels, and sometimes I needed to book hotel rooms.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Shikara ride at Alleppey. And it was worth it to stay in Shikara. At Varkala, you will find budget-friendly hostels and rooms, but if you go to Wayanad and hilly areas, then you must make your wallet a little bigger. Here are some accommodations I recommend for your stay in Wayanad: Wayanad Cliff, which offers a luxurious experience.
What can you eat in Kerala – Foods you must try.
Along with Kerala tourist places, it is famous for authentic food you must try. The authentic South Indian food that I had there was just wow. The pure taste of Idli, Dosa, Appam, and Wada Sambar, oh my god. I’m just melting my buds again. You can get pure taste everywhere.
But still, I will suggest some restaurants: Jetty in Cochin, Hotel Sadhya in Kannur, and Restaurant Clay Oven on Munnar Road. You can plan your lunch here. Also, I will recommend some dishes you should try over there, like thoran, kalan, paachadi, and pottu made from rice flour and banana.
Desserts are also special. If you are traveling to Munnar, then there are many chocolate factories. And you can visit there. I suggest you visit the Macofa chocolate factory, and you will get a variety of handmade chocolates.
How do you miss the Nariyal Pani in Kerala? This is the sweetest coconut water I have ever tasted. It is the state’s most famous drink and has several health benefits. It will keep you hydrated for a longer time. So while exploring popular tourist attractions in Kerala, don’t forget to drink coconut water daily.
Banana chips are an all-time favorite and a famous snack from Kerala. You must try thinly grated banana chips, which are fried in local coconut oil and have a great taste combination. You can get their infinite dishes made up of bananas and coconuts.
If you want to explore cafes, then you must go to Varkala. There are so many cafes that you would love to visit.
If you visit Alappuzha, you must try the seafood. The boating people are allowed to go fishing and find their own food! The drink you can’t miss in Toddy (alcoholic).
What can you bring from there as souvenirs & Gifts for friends and relatives?