Kerala is often called God’s Own Country, and one visit is enough to understand why. Within a few hours’ drive you can go from palm-fringed backwaters to misty tea hills to golden beaches. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip or a two-week tour, here are the ten places that should be on your Kerala list.
1. Alleppey (Alappuzha) Backwaters
No Kerala trip is complete without a night on a houseboat gliding through the Alleppey backwaters. Watch village life unfold along the canals, enjoy a fresh Kerala-style seafood lunch cooked on board, and fall asleep to the sound of water lapping against the hull.
2. Munnar
Rolling tea estates, cool mountain air and viewpoints that stretch for miles make Munnar the state’s favourite hill station. Visit during the Neelakurinji bloom (once every 12 years) if you can time it, but the tea gardens are stunning any time of year.
3. Kochi (Cochin)
A port city with layers of history — Portuguese, Dutch and British — Kochi is best explored on foot around Fort Kochi. Don’t miss the Chinese fishing nets at sunset and a Kathakali performance in the evening.
4. Thekkady and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Take a boat safari across Periyar Lake to spot elephants, bison and deer, then spend the afternoon touring a spice plantation to see cardamom, pepper and cinnamon growing in the wild.
5. Wayanad
Kerala’s greenest district is home to waterfalls, caves with prehistoric rock art at Edakkal, and plantation trails perfect for trekking. It’s also less crowded than Munnar, making it ideal for a slower pace.
6. Varkala
Dramatic red cliffs overlook the Arabian Sea at Varkala, with cafes and shops lining the clifftop path. It has the laid-back energy of Goa without the crowds, plus a natural mineral spring believed to have healing properties.
7. Kovalam
One of Kerala’s original beach destinations, Kovalam has three crescent beaches, a historic lighthouse, and some of the best Ayurvedic resorts in the state.
8. Kumarakom
Set on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is quieter than Alleppey and home to a bird sanctuary that draws migratory species from as far as the Himalayas and Siberia every winter.
9. Athirappilly Falls
Often called the “Niagara of India,” Athirappilly is Kerala’s largest waterfall and a popular Bollywood filming location. The surrounding forest is part of the Sholayar range and a good base for short treks.
10. Bekal Fort and North Kerala
Less touristy but equally rewarding, North Kerala’s Bekal Fort sits right on the coast and offers sweeping sea views. The surrounding beaches and backwaters see a fraction of the crowds found further south.
Planning Your Trip
The ideal time to visit Kerala is between October and March, when the monsoon has cleared and temperatures are pleasant. Base yourself in two or three regions rather than trying to cover the whole state, and budget extra time for the backwaters — it’s the experience most travellers remember long after they’ve left.