Major Cities of Kerala

There are several famous cities in Kerala that are worth a visit while on a Kerala tour. Kerala, popularly known and believed to be God’s Own Country, is an ideal destination for business travelers as well as the holidaymakers. Kerala is adorned with dense tropical forests, beautiful beaches, cliffs, rocky coasts, an intricate maze of backwaters, still bays and 44 amazingly radiant rivers

Kochi

The commercial capital of Kerala, Kochi is bustling with culture and modernity. It has the world’s first airport that functions entirely on solar energy. One of India’s largest malls is also located in this city. It is a melting pot of people from not just all across the country but also from other parts of the world and is home to the oldest mosque, church, and synagogue in India.

Kochi Tour Packages

Alleppey – The backwater hot spot

Alleppey tops this list of best tourist places in Kerala with pictures. Its backwater trips, houseboat stays, and serene beauty attract a fair number of people to its territory. In fact it is the most popular place to experience Kerala’s backwaters. Lord Curzon’s depiction of Alleppey as the Venice of the East is not a hyperbole. A houseboat vacation is what people look for on their visit to Alleppey. There are expanses of paddy fields, quaint chapels, interesting fishing villages, lakes filled with water lilies which make for some of the best places to see in Kerala.

The fascination of Keralites with coconut and banana leaves in their food will prove to be a good experiment for you, if you have never had it before. The cobbled pathways and cleaner roads, comparatively will take you on an old-world tour.

Popular tourist attractions: Alappuzha Beach,Krishnapuram Palace, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Marari Beach, Revi Karunakaran Museum, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Pathiramanal, and Sri Krishna Temple in Ambalappuzha. The Snake Boat Race in Alleppey is another crowd puller.

Best time to visit: September to mid-May

Nearest airport: Kochi Airport, which is 53 km away from the city.

Nearest railway station: Alleppey Railway Station; it is well within the city limits.

Alleppey Tour Packages

Munnar – Perfect for a romantic honeymoon

A very popular one among hill stations in Kerala, Munnar is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Once the summer capital for British, the gradient and alignment of hills were particularly designed for tea farming. With about 80,000 miles of tea plantation, an equal measure of aromatic vegetation, misty valleys, and low-flying clouds, Munnar is a hill station that has become one of the best places to visit in Kerala for honeymoon.

Cute bungalows, cozy homestays and lavish hotels and resorts in Munnar, make it the most romantic destination even among the top places to visit in Kerala. The old world colonial feel has its own charms and it certainly makes for a good selfie drive. Revel in the extraordinary blend of luxury and beauty, at the most amazing honeymoon resorts in Munnar.

Popular tourist attractions: TATA Tea Museum, Meesapulimala, Blossom Park, Pothamedu ViewPoint, Life of Pi Church, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Top Station, Marayoor Dolmens, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Kundala Lake, Lockhart Gap, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, and Eravikulam National Park .

Best time to visit: October to March

Nearest airport: Kochi Airport, at a mere distance of 143 km from the hill station.

Nearest railway station: Aluva Railway Station, which is 110 km away from Munnar.

Munnar Tour Packages

Kumarakom – One of most tranquil places to visit in Kerala

Situated near Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a quiet little hamlet with alluring sceneries, ever pleasant weather and exotic flora and fauna; making it one of the loveliest places to see in Kerala. You get a mix of everything here – backwaters, authentic Kerala food, uber fresh air, warmth of Keralites, and deliciously fresh coconuts. There is a lot to do; choose from boating, cruising, houseboat stay, and fishing.

Kumarakom holds a special spot in the list of best of Kerala’s sightseeing places. The tempting waterways, decorated lakes, aromatic coconut grooves, fresh paddy fields, thick mangrove forests, delightful authentic food, and unpolluted freshness of the air add to the list. Also, Kumarakom’s houseboat stay offers a lot more solitude and privacy as compared to Alleppey. Even the resorts in Kumarakom are exceptionally serene and mesmerizing.

Popular tourist attractions: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Backwaters, Aruvikkuzhi waterfall, Juma Masjid, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Vembanad Lake, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Valiyapally, Cheriyapally, Kumarakom Beach, and Pathiramal Island.

Best time to visit: September to May

Nearest airport: Kochi Airport is 85 km away from Kumarakom.

Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station is 16 km away.

Kumarkom Tour Packages

Wayanad – The land of heavenly trails

Wayanad means the land of paddy fields in Malayalam. Wayanad is one of the greenest places to visit in Kerala. Enriched with godly beauty, serene atmosphere and rich culture, Wayanad is a perfect mix of nature and man-made heritage. After all, the place is famous for its richness in cultures, traditions and tribal heritage. Small, unnamed waterfalls, that line the city haphazardly, add to the place’s charm.

Popular tourist attractions: Besides top 10 tourist places in Wayanad, there are Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Thirunelli Temple, Banasura Hill, Lakkidi View Point, P Kuruvadweep, Puliyarmala Jain Temple, Kabini, Papanashini River and Padinjarathara Dam.

Best time to visit: October to May; adventure enthusiasts should visit during the monsoon months of July and August to enjoy the perks of trekking and other adventure activities.

Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport at Calicut is just 95 km away.

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode Railway Station, which is 72 km away from Wayanad.

Wayanad Tour Packages

Thekkady – For the love of wildlife

Thekkady is simply a heaven hidden in thick forests and wild vegetation. You get to see the near extinct species of animals including tigers, sambars, gaurs and lion tailed macaques. Also, there are elephants, lions, deers, bisons, boars, and the Great Indian tigers. Probably, the most favored among the Kerala’s tourist places, Thekkady boasts of abundant beauty and exotic wildlife. Its trekking path from Moozhiyar to Thekkady Gavi is one of the most popular trails in South India. Boating and wildlife observation are two of the favorite pastimes in Thekkady.

Popular tourist attractions: Besides 9 must visit places in Thekkady, there are Periyar Lake, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, Elephant Junction, Deepa World Spice and Ayurvedic Garden, Kumily, Ramakkalmedu, Mullaperiyar Dam, Periyar Tiger Trail, Mudra Cultural Centre, Vandiperiyar, Chellarkovil, Murikkady, and Vandanmedu.

Best time to visit: November to early-May

Nearest airport: Madurai Airport is just 136 km away.

Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station is 114 km away.

Thekkady Tour Packages

Kovalam – For some beach fun

Kovalam beach, one of best beaches in Kerala, is famous for its New Year celebrations, deep strong massages, Ayurvedic treatments, sunbathing fests, and water sports like parasailing. It has a crescent shaped coastline which is always buzzing with activities. People from different countries, cultures, and states come together and add to the beauty of the place.

Popular tourist attractions: Lighthouse Beach , Hawah Beach, The Lighthouse, Samudra Beach, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, Halcyon Castle, Akkulam Lake, Vizhinjam Fishing Harbor, Kovalam Jama Masjid, Vellayani Lake, Karamana River, Aruvikkara, Rock Cut Caves, and Valiathura Pier.

Best time to visit: September to May

Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport is mere 15 km away.

Nearest railway station: Trivandrum Railway Station is just 14 km away.

Kovalam Tour Packages

Vagamon – Solitude guaranteed

here is an enchanting hill station called Vagamon which is hidden from all the hoopla. Adorned with magical meadows, mystical gardens, beautiful dales, aromatic tea plantations, and misty valleys, Vagamon has surely earned its place among the best places to visit in Kerala. The fresh air and perfectly manicured gardens of Vagamon are a breath of fresh air.

Best tourist attractions: Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill, Kurisumala, Vagamon Pine Forest, Barren Hills, The Pattumala Church, Vagamon Lake, Mundakayam Ghat, Vagamon Falls, and Maramala Waterfalls.

Best time to visit: Early-August to May

Nearest airport: Kochi International Airport is 94 km away from Vagamon.

Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station is 15 km away

Bekal – Nothing less of heaven on earth

Bekal is specially known for its famous Bekal Fort, which is rated amongst the best tourist places in Kerala. Many Indian movies, like Rang De Basanti, are filmed in the fort premises. The sea breeze passing through your hair, the pleasant weather and good company are key ingredients to have good time in Bekal. Owing to exotic beauty and serenity, Bekal is among the top three honeymoon places in South India.

Popular tourist attractions: Bekal Fort, Ananthapura Temple, Valiyaparamba Backwaters, Bekal Beach, Mallikarjuna Temple, Chandragiri Fort, Kappil Beach, Nileswaram, Bekal Hole Aqua Park, and Pallikere Beach.

Best time to visit: September to May

Nearest airport: Bajpe Airport is nearest at 72 km.

Nearest railway station: Kasaragod Railway Station is just 12 km from Bekal.

Bekal Tour Packages

Kozhikode – For authentic Malabar cuisine

Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is one of the most active commercial cities in Kerala. The place is famous for its culture, historical sites, educational institutions, and culinary experiences. The architecture of the city has strong influences of the Dutch and the British. It is known for its authentic Malabar food and the exotic spices that make the food so delicious. When in Calicut, don’t miss on delicacies like Dum Biryani, Kallummakkaya, Chatti Pathiri, and Dal Halwa.

Best tourist attractions: Mananchira, Conolly Canal, Hilite Mall, Kallayi, Tali Temple, Kappad Beach, Kozhikode Beach, Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Sargaalaya, Payyoli Beach, Kozhippara Falls, and Matri Dei Cathedral.

Best time to visit: September to May

Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport in Calicut is just 28 km away.

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode Railway Station is well within the city limits.

Varkala – One of Kerala’s most scenic seasides

Varkala is one of the best seaside places in Kerala. The enticing coastline with cliffs on one side and lush greenery on the other attracts thousands of tourists and water-adventure enthusiasts to the beach. It is popular for activities like boat riding, surfing, parasailing, jetting, horse-riding are the life of the beach. The unmatched beauty of the beach is at its prime during sunsets. The hues of colorful rays make for a surreal atmosphere. Add a dash of luxury by choosing from the most exotic beach resorts in Kerala, around Varkala and you are set.

Varkala is also an important religious place in Hindu culture. Adorned with many Hindu temples, it welcomes many religious travelers and heritage lovers to its seams with open arms. With so much packed in a single city, Varkala is certainly fit to be among the best places to visit in Kerala.

Popular tourist attractions: Varkala Beach, Janardhan Temple, Sivagiri Muth, Kappil Lake, Papanasam Beach, Janardan Swami Temple, Vishnu Temple, Anjengo Fort, Sarkara Devi Temple, Varkala Tunnel, and Kaduvayil Thangal Dargah.

Best time to visit: August to mid-May

Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport is 53 km away.

Nearest railway station: Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station is well within the city limits.