Kerala, the magical land of mother nature known as “God’s Own Country,” entwines the spectacular, captivating tapestry to perfectly blend cultural values with modern ideas. Here you find peace and tranquility, mist and magic, culture and arts – all with a glint of adventure and aesthetics! The place is so full of exhilarating sceneries that at times it can be hard to decide where to visit first. The good thing is that we have already done the homework and here you’ll find some of the top places to visit in Kerala.
Foreigners will need an Indian visa while OCIs and PIOs will need respective cards. What else? You’ll also find the seasonal reports, the best time to visit, where to visit (and when not to visit), what to do, and other important stuff like nearest landmarks as well!
So, shall we begin?
Places to Visit in Kerala
1. Alleppey
- Best Time to Visit:
- October to February (moderate temperature)
- July to September (monsoon; moderate temperature)
- Season Not Recommended: Summer (extremely hot weather)
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: April – June
- Winter: October – Mid March
- Monsoon: July – September
- Famous Tourist Attractions: Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad Backwaters, Karumadikuttan Statue, Krishnapuram Palace, Alleppey Beach
- What To Do: Houseboat travel, take pictures, enjoy walk, shop
- Nearest Spot: Alleppey Railway Station
- Other Names: Alappuzha, Backwater Capital of India, Venice of the East
Allepey is one of most attractive places to visit in Kerala. This breathtaking place is officially known as Alappuzha and is surrounded by silent Kerala’s backwaters and beautiful houseboats floating everywhere. Blending tradition with modern artistry, these houseboats are indeed a true picture of ancient Kettuvallams with a contemporary touch!
It’s no wonder why Alleppey is called the ‘Backwater Capital of India’ or the ‘Venice of the East’, for the place is perfect for an overnight stay, adventurous houseboat cruise, long village walks around aesthetically-pleasing scenery, and whatnot!
2. Cochin
- Best Time to Visit:
- July to September (monsoon; moderate temperature)
- March to April (Early Summer; pleasant temperature)
- Season Not Recommended: Summer (extremely hot weather)
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: March – June
- Monsoon: July – September
- Winter: October – February
- Famous Tourist Attractions: Basilica of Santa Cruz, Cochin Cultural Centre, Vasco Da Gama Square, Vypeen Island, Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara
- What To Do: try local food, click pictures, take a walk
- Nearest Spot: Kochi Railway Junction
- Other Names: Kochi, Queen of Arabian Sea
Situated on the southwest coast of India, Cochin is another exhilarating place to visit in Kerela. It is also known as Kochi but mainly goes by the name “Queen of Arabian Sea,” precisely because its long-held popularity dates back to more than 600 years. Around the 14th century, Cochin was one the most famous trade centers for species on the Indian west coast and since then has always added to the charm of Kerala.
A place where culture and traditions meet, you are more than welcome to visit one of the most advanced metropolitans in India. Enjoy local food, shop a glint of tradition, click pictures, and take a visit to history once again!
3. Wayanad
- Best Time to Visit: October to May: Winter to Summer
- Season Not Recommended: Monsoon (wet, risks of slips)
- Seasons Throughout the Year: Summer: March – May
- Monsoon: June – September
- Fall: October – November
- Winter: December – February
- Famous Tourist Attractions: Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Banasura Sagar Dam, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Edakkal Caves, Chain Tree
- What To Do: hike, climb mountains, enjoy rich greenery, camp, trek, rock climb, enjoy Boating, visit towns
- Nearest Spot: Nilambur Railway Station
- Other Names: Spice Garden of India
Wayanad is a place that will make you fall in love with Kerala all over again! Its spectacular vast plantations, misty mountains, beautiful waterfalls, historic caves, and serene atmosphere make it an evergreen tourist point in Kerala. Even in summer, the weather is cooler, so you can forever visit the “Spice Garden of India” to get a taste of fresh spices from cardamom to Fenugreek and more!
Mountain freaks always find Wayanad an exciting place, for it offers an excellent chance to hiking, rock climbing, trekking, and a whole camping experience!
4. Kumarakom
- Best Time to Visit: September to March
- Season Not Recommended: Summer (hot weather)
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: March – May
- Monsoon: June – September
- Winter: December – February
- Famous Tourist Attractions: Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Pothamedu View Point, Attukal Waterfalls, Marayoor Dolmens, Kolukkumalai
- What To Do: angling, boating, yachting, enjoy birds, enjoy kathakali performance
- Nearest Spot: Ernakulam Junction
- Other Names: None
Serene and calming places have always been an attraction point for tourists, and Kumarakom is a name that needs no explanation. Here you’ll find alluring sceneries, calming atmosphere, fresh coconut grooves, exotic meals, and some of the most peculiar birds you’ll ever see! With a breathtaking scenic view of prosperous plantation spread as long as the eye can see, it is the heart of peace and serenity.
What else? Backwater cruises and houseboats are other things that make Kumarakom a focal point of tourism in Kerela. Enjoy activities like angling, boating, yachting, or just enjoy the calming nature amidst green vegetation!
5. Kozhikode
- Best Time to Visit: September to March
- Season Not Recommended: Summer (too hot), Monsoon (too humid)
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: April – May
- Monsoon: July – September
- Winter: October – March
Famous Tourist Attractions: Hilite Mall, Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Conolly Canal, Mananchira, Kappad Beach
- What To Do: Try local food, enjoy the sunset, take pictures, host a picnic
- Nearest Spot: Calicut International Airport
- Other Names: City of Spices, City of Sculptures, City of Truth
It’s not just the long list of names Kozhikode is famous for; rather, you would be awed by its wondrous, eye-popping aura and a diverse array of ancient sites. Call it the ‘City of Spices,’ ‘City of Sculptures,’ or the ‘City of Truth’ – Kozhikode is a one-for-all jackpot for all tourists!
A wondrous place to spend your vacations with friends, family or alone, the stunning beach, beautiful sunsets, and Dutch and British-inspired architecture with a blend of Indian artistry make Kozhikode a must-to-visit in every traveler’s bucket list!
6. Idukki
- Best Time to Visit:
- November to January
- March to May
- Season Not Recommended: Monsoon (heavy rainfall)
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: March – May
- Monsoon: June – September
- Winter: November – February
- Famous Tourist Attractions: Periyar Lake, Keezharkuthu Falls, Mangala Devi Temple, Thekkady, Nandukani
- What To Do: Paragliding, camping, sightseeing, trekking
- Nearest Spot: Kochi
- Other Names: None
Idukki should be your top priority visiting Kerala if you are a nature lover. With more than half of its area covered in thick forest, Idukki is home to mother nature. You wouldn’t want to miss seeing the highest peak in India; located between the mountains of Kuravan and Kurathy, it is an evergreen tourist point!
Also, Idukki is always something to cherish; be it aromatic tea factories, wild forests, aesthetic villas, lofty peaks, spice gardens, or eye-catching sanctuaries, Idukki embraces all aspects of nature!
7. Thrissur
- Best Time to Visit:
- October to March
- April and May (when Thrissur Pooram is celebrated)
- Season not Recommended: None
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: March – May
- Monsoon: June – September
- Winter: December – February
- What To Do: enjoy waterfalls, visit museums, see performing arts, visit religious edifices, enjoy on the beach
- Nearest Spot: Thrissur Railway Station
- Other Names: Trichur, Cultural Capital of Kerala
It is not always nature that attracts tourists; some also love to be overwhelmed by deep roots of culture and tradition. If you feel the attraction, too, Thrissur is always there to quench your thirst for the rich traditions of Kerala. Feel at home in classical Keralan performing arts, the forever celebrated Thrissur Pooram festival, old religious monuments, culture-infused museums and other pilgrimages!
Thrissur’s older name was Trichur, and today the place is famously referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Kerala.” What else? Picturesque waterfalls and exciting beaches surround Thrissur. Enjoy the rich civilization, and find solace in the serene nature when you get tired!
Munnar
- Best Time to Visit:
- October to March
- April – June
- Season Not Recommended: Monsoon (heavy rainfall, road blockage)
- Seasons Throughout the Year:
- Summer: March – May
- Monsoon: June – September
- Winter: December – February
- Famous Tourist Attractions: Banasura Sagar Dam, Pakshipathalam, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- What To Do: Tea estate tours, camping, trekking, sightseeing
- Nearest Spot: Kochi Airport
- Other Names: None
Unlike other visiting places in Kerala, Munnar is a local town located on a hill station. But the tranquility it offers, the peace it gives to eyes, and the lush vegetation it is full of – all make Munnar an ultimate destination to stop by.
Not only is it soothing and peaceful, it is also the hub to tea plantations rendering it an aesthetically pleasing aroma and sight. Munnar is so captivating that it serves as one of the best honeymoon places in Kerala. It’s all about floating clouds in the sky, sensational greenery, and soothing ambience that Munnar never runs off tourists throughout the year!
These are some of the best places to visit in Kerala you can explore from within and outside of India.
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