Kerala Tourism: Top Things to Do in Kerala

MUNNAR TOURISM

Munnar,  affectionately called  as the Kashmir of South India,  is one of the main attractions that has contributed to Kerala's popularity as a travel destination among domestic as well as foreign travellers.  It is also Kerala's most popular hill station.  As the name hints, it is a land of three rivers, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala, perched about 1600 m. above sea level. Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India.

Tata Tea Museum

While visiting the charming streams and lofty green mountain ranges of Munnar, the most adorned spouse of God’s Own Country, you may forget yourself in its beauty. Looking at the mountain tops you may feel that they are touching the sky and when you look down on to the valleys from the top; if it is not a clear sunny day, you will feel that you are above the floating clouds. 

  

Vagamon Hill Stations

Vagamon is a hill station located on the Kottayam- Idukki border of Kerala. It has a cool climate with the temperature between 10-23°C even during summer midday and is situated 1,100 metres above sea level.

Kerala Beach

 Kovalam Beach

While speaking about the beaches of Kerala, no one will ever avoid Kovalam beach which is popularly renowned as  'paradise of the South'. It remains one of the most popular beaches in the state. The beach, located 16 kms away from Trivandrum city, is easily accessible by air as well as rail.

Varkala Beach

Varkala Papanasam beach is one of the top tourist destinations located in the outskirts ofThiruvananthapuram district. It can be reached within an hour's drive from Thiruvananthapuram international airport that  lies around 51 km away or fromKollam Town railway station that is around 37 km away.

Alappuzha Backwaters

Splash about in the aquatic experiences of Alappuzha. No traveller is a fish out of water at Alappuzha as almost everyone has a physical and psychological fascination with water.  No wonder Alappuzha, or Alleppey, is one of Kerala's most wanted names on a tourist diary.

Boat Race

The Venice of the East, Alappuzha (Alappey) in Kerala, is known for its boat race entitled Nehru Trophy Snakeboat Race. Every year many thousands of tourists come to Kerala just to watch out this awesome boat race which is unique for Kerala.

  Kerala pilgrims

 Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.

 St Francis Church

Constructed in the year 1503, St. Francis Church Kochi is the oldest European church in India. The wooden-structured church was rejuvenated by the Portuguese. Gaining permission from the Kochi Raja, they restructured this church into a stone building.

Vembanad Lake

Vembanad Lake, the longest lake in India and the largest lake in Kerala, sprawls across to a number of Kerala districts like Alappuzha, Cochin, Kottayam, etc. You can well explore the beauty and charm of this lake by having a pleasure filling boat trip. You will really find boating on the backwaters of the lake really interesting and entertaining.

Wayanad Hill Station

Wayanad, also known as the 'green paradise,' lies in between the mountains of the Western Ghats. It is called the 'green paradise' because it forms the border of the greener portion of Kerala.  It lies at a distance of 76 km from Kozhikode.

Archeological Museum Thrissur

Archaeological Museum is located in close proximity to the Thrissur Zoo. Earlier, it was accommodated in the Town Hall Building campus in Thrissur and recently it was shifted to Thrissur Kollengode Palace, an architectural excellence that delights everyone’s heart and mind. Archaeological Museum Thrissur displays quite a good number of murals collected from across Kerala.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls

Located 22 km from Kottayam, Aruvikkuzhi is a beautiful picnic spot and an ideal shooting location for movies. Aruvikuzhy Waterfalls, falling in five steps, is a real feast for the eyes. Here streams make their way through the landscape and the water roars as it cascades 100 ft. down the mountains. It is an ideal place for trekking and is located in the midst of rubber plantations. The famous St. Mary’s Church is situated at the top of the waterfalls. The rubber plantation centre, Pallickathode, is just 1 km from this spot.

Kollam

One who has seen Kollam doesen't need his Illam" (Namboodiri Brahmin mansions are called Illoms in Malayalam).  This old Malayalam saying gives ample proof of the tempting beauty of this old sea port town, on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake.  Kollam district, in reality, is a miniature Kerala.  The region is gifted with the unique features of ' God's Own Country'  Kerala - sea, lakes, plains, hills, rivers, streams, backwaters, forests, vast green fields and tropical crops  of every variety, both food and cash crops. Truly, 'God's Own Place'. So, it's least surprising  if one seemingly  forgets his house or mansion  on seeing Kollam !

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Located on the banks of the Vembanad lake, the Kumarakom bird sanctuary (also known as Vembanad bird sanctuary) is spread across 14 acres. Set in the lake backwaters, the bird sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.

Eravikulam National Park

One of the main attractions near Munnar is the Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park.  Located about 15 kms. away from Munnar, this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant  The Nilgiri Tahr.  Spread over an area of 97 sq. k.m. ,this  national park is also home to several rare species of  butterflies as well as other animals and birds.