Kerala Touring Places, the god’s own country is pretty much beautiful in its nature. The hills, forests, beaches, parks, and also museums make the place more attractive to tourists. Each of the 14 districts of Kerala has its own tourist places that you must visit in your lifetime. Here, we can discuss the Kerala Turing Places and the 20 most attractive tourist places in Kerala. The top 20 attractive sights in Kerala are,
Kerala Touring Places
Table of Contents
1. ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK
Location
It is located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala.
Description
This is one of best Kerala Touring Places in Kerala Twenty-six species of mammals are in the park including the largest surviving population of Nilgiri Tahr. Almost 132 species of birds, 101 species of butterflies, and also 19 species of amphibians have been recorded in the park. The three major types of plant communities in the park are grasslands, shrublands, and forests.
Other nearest spots
Anamudi Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary, and also Kurinjimala Sanctuary.
2. VARKALA BEACH
Location
Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram.
Description
It is also known as Papanasham beach and the pearl of the Arabian Sea. The meaning of the word is to wash away the sins. Varkala beach situated 39 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city. This beach is famous for the natural springs which are said to have medicinal qualities.
Other Nearest spots
Varkala Black Beach, Kappil Beach, Aliyirakkam Cliff Beach, Janardhana swami temple, Sivagiri Mutt
Other attractions
The beach has adventures and leisure activities such as boat riding, parasailing, jetting, and horse riding.
3. ANAMUDI
Location
On the border of Devikulam Thaluk, idukki district and Kothamangalam Thaluk, Ernakulum district.
Description
It is the highest mountain in the Western Ghats and South India, at an elevation of 2695 meters. The name Anamudi literally means elephant’s head. It is a resemblance of the mountain to an elephant’s head. The peak is famous for the Neelakurinji flower which blooms every twelve years.
Other nearest spots
It is on the top of Eravikulam national park.
Other attractions
Trekking
4. ATHIRAPPALLY WATERFALLS
Location
Athirappally, Chalakudy Taluk, Trissur
Description
Athirappally waterfalls is one of the best waterfalls in India, and the largest waterfall in Kerala. It is known as ‘The Niagara of India’. It is because in the monsoon season, in its full might, the waterfalls appear like Niagara Falls. This waterfall has a height of 82 feet and is located at the Chalakkudy River. It is one of the 20 most attractive tourist places in Kerala. The surrounding environment of the waterfalls is a biodiversity hotspot. The best time to visit here is from September to January.
Other nearest spots
The Vazhachal Waterfalls, Chapra Falls, Anakkayam, Sholayar Dam, Valparai, and Malayattur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Other attractions
Adventures activities like river rafting, trekking etc. are available there.
5. EDAKKAL CAVES
Location
Edakkal, Wayanad district
Description
The name ‘Edakkal’ literally means a stone in between. Edakkal caves are two natural caves at Edakkal which are situated 1,200 m above sea level. It is on the Ambukkutty hills. So, to reach the caves, one has to trek through the Ambukkutty mala. It will be around 45 minutes to climb the hill. These are believed to be the camping shelters of the Neolithic community.
The pictorial paintings are considered to be of 6000 BC. The walls of the caves contain a collection of Neolithic rock engravings and images. Actually, the caverns are clefts, not technically caves. On one side of the cleft is a rock weighing several tons that covers the cleft to form the ‘roof’ of the cave.
6. MATTANCHERY PALACE
Location
Mattanchery, Kochi.
Description
It is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace. The palace was included in the ‘tentative list’ of UNESCO world heritage sites. This is a quadrangular structure built in Nalukettu style, with a courtyard in the middle. The double-storied palace has a lovely collection of murals.it covers an area of almost 300 sq. km. In the courtyard there stands a small temple dedicated to ‘Pazhayannur Bhagavati’, the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family.
Other nearest spots
Fort Kochi, Chinese fishnet
7. CHERAI BEACH
Location
Cherai, northern side of Vypin Island, Kochi
Description
It is one of the most visited beaches in the state. A clean and fresh environment is the major attraction of Cherai beach. It is the swimmer’s paradise. The seashells on Cherai beach are unique and swimmers have been known to run into dolphins in the water.
8. ALAPPUZHA
Location
Alappuzha district, Kerala.
Description
This is the one of best Kerala Touring Places. Alappuzha / Alleppey is known as the ‘Venice of the East’. This place is the hub of Kerala’s backwaters and is home to a huge network of backwaters and more than a thousand houseboats.
Famous spots
the Alappuzha beach with a 137-year-old pier extending into the sea, and an old 17th-century lighthouse built by the Portuguese. It is famous for its boat races, marine products, and coir industry.
9. MUNNAR
Location
Idukki
Description
Kerala Touring Places. Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range. It is surrounded by the rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Munnar is situated at around 1600 meters above mean sea level. It is also called the ‘Kashmir of South Asia’ and is a popular honeymoon destination. The name ‘Munnar’ is believed to mean ‘three rivers’ referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirappuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundaly rivers.
There are four major directions in Munnar. Mattupatty direction, Thekkady direction, Coimbatore direction, and Adimaly direction. The climate and tea plantations are the main reason for tourism in Munnar.
Famous spots
Eravikulam national park, Lakkam waterfalls, Anamudi peak.
10. VAGAMON
Location
Peerumade taluk of Idukki district and Meenachil taluk andKanjirappalli taluk of Kottayam district.
Description
It is an Indian hill station town which also spelled Wagamon. Vagamon was used by the British for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurishumala in Vagamon. The national geographic traveler has listed Vagamon on their dictionary of the ‘50 most attractive places to visit in India’. Pine forests are one of the main attractions of this place.
11. KOVALAM BEACH
Location
Thiruvananthapuram
Description
Kovalam beach is the first choice for lovers. It is a small coastal town in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the famous places in the 20 most attractive tourist places in Kerala. Foreign tourists are most attracted to this spot because of its atmosphere. It is one of the best beaches in Kerala. Ayurveda treatment, massaging, and sunbath are other attractions.
Nearest spots
Lighthouse beach, Samudra beach, Vizhinjam mosque. Hawa beach, marine aquarium, and fishing harbor.
12. THEKKADY
Location
Idukki
Description
Thekkady is a town near Periyar national park. It is considered a stock house for natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, nut mace, ginger, and clove. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grasslands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques, and Nilgiri languor.
Nearest spots
Periyar wildlife sanctuary, Mullapperiyar dam
Other attractions
Trekking, Boating or Jeep safari are the main attractions in the sanctuary.
13. BEKAL FORT
Location
Kasargod
Description
Bekal fort was built by Shivappa Nayaka in 1650 AD at Bekal. It is the largest fort in Kerala spreading over 40 acres. The fort appears to emerge from the sea. Almost three-quarters of its exterior is in contact with water. Many films are shot from the Bekal fort.
Nearest spots
Ananthapuram temple, Kappil beach,
14. KUTTANAD
Location
It is a region covering the Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts.
Description
It is well known for its paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lowest altitude in India. The farming here is around 1.2 to 3.0 meters below sea level. It is the major rice production area in the state. It is known as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’.
The main four rivers Pamba, Meenachil, Acahnkovil, and Manimala flow into this region. It is well known for its boat race in the Punnamada backwater. Kuttanad is historically important in the ancient history of south India.
15. MARINE DRIVE
Location
Ernakulum
Description
It is a popular hangout for the local populations. The beauty of the region along with the gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake makes a perfect resting place for all. Marine drive is a buzzing waterfront district known for the walkway. It is popular for evening strolls. Both the tourists and local people use this for making their evenings more memorable and lovely.
The modern rainbow and Kettuvallam bridges offer backwater views, and cruises leave from jetties by the water. it is one of the 20 most attractive tourist places in Kerala 2021. It is built facing the backwaters and is a popular hangout. Marine Drive is also an economically thriving part of the city of Cochin.
Nearest spots
Vembanat kayal, Boat jetties
16. FORT KOCHI
Location
Ernakulam, Kerala.
Description
Fort Cochin is a beautiful region located towards the south-west part of the city of Cochin. It was the place of the first European township in India. We can still feel the influence and observed in the cities architecture and its own planning.
17. NEYYAR DAM
Location
Kattakkada Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram
Description
Neyyar Dam is a gravity dam located on the Neyyar River. It is a nature-friendly dam to visit along with your family. The scenery and atmosphere of the place attract the tourists. It is located on the foot of the Western Ghats about 30 km from the town. It was established in 1958 and is a popular picnic spot now.
18. KURUVA ISLAND
Location
Kuruva Island, Wayanad, Kalpetta.
Description
Kuruva Island is a 950-acre preserved river delta holding a group of islands in the Kabini River. It comprises three densely wooded uninhabited islands and a few submerged satellite islands. This island is rich in the presence of flora and fauna. The best time to visit Kuruva Island is from October to May.
Other attractions
The most exciting thing is the boat rides on bamboo rafts. Trekking is also a famous part of this. However, you can explore the environment and witness the most exotic species of plants, animals, and birds here.
19. KOZHIKODE
The city is a coastal city in the south Indian state of Kerala. It was a significant spice trade center. It is one of the 20 most attractive tourist places in Kerala in 2021. The main attractions of Kozhikode are
Kappad beach
It is famous in history of India. The Portuguese explorer Vasco-de-Gama landed here in 1498.
Kozhikode beach
The central Kozhikode beach overlooked by an old lighthouse is a popular spot for watching the sunset.
Mananchira
Mananchira is a man-made freshwater pond in the center of the city of Kozhikode. The pond is 3.49 acres in area is rectangular in shape and is also fed by natural spring.
20. SILENT VALLEY
Location
Nilgiri hills, Palakkad.
Description
Silent valley national park has a core area of 89.52 km sq. And also is surrounded by a buffer zone of 148 km sq. this national park has some rare species of flora and fauna. This area was explored in 1847 by botanist Robert Wight. It is the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and a part of the Nilgiri sub-cluster Western Ghats world heritage site, recognized by UNESCO.
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