The God’s Own Country, Kerala has some extremely beautiful tourist destinations to hold the attention of global tourists. There are hill-stations, backwaters, commercial cities, hamlets, and much more to explore. Rich culture and heritage of Kerala also attracts nature lovers from all over the world. Once you set foot in the beautiful paradise, all other things seem inconsequential.
1. Alleppey – The backwater hot spot
Alappuzha or Alleppy is world famous for its backwaters and is known as the Venice of the East. The rustic backwaters and the house boat cruises of Alappuzha are iconic symbols of Kerala tourism packages. The expanses of paddy fields, quaint chapels, fishing villages and the lakes are other attractions of this beautiful district of Kerala.
A day-night stay in the house boat aided with all basic amenities and a private chef for rich Kerala food is the main attraction. The cruising through the lakes filled with water lilies are astonishing.
Food is another main attraction of Alappuzha. The Karimeen Fry is the most prominent choice for every foodies who visit here. The rich Kerala sadya is a festival of tastes. From sweets to spicy pickles served on long banana leaves will be a rare experience for your taste buds. The fascination of Keralites with coconut in their food will prove to be a good experiment for you, if you have never had it before. For dessert, payasam is served, which is made of coconut milk, brown molasses and spices, garnished with cashew nuts and raisins.
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
2. Munnar – Perfect for a romantic honeymoon
Munnar is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. The tea plantations, forests, wild life and the geographical features of this hill station makes it breathtakingly beautiful. Situated at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar offers a variety of ones in life experiences for the travelers.
Munnar has attracted visitors for decades. Once it served as resort for the British Raj elite. The tea plantations of Munnar were established in late 16th century. The exotic greenery and the high peaks gift travelers a set of view-points apart from the tea-plantations. In addition, Munnar is home for many endangered species like Nilgiri Thar and the Neelakurinji. Also the high peaks offers adventure enthusiasts a range of breathtaking trekking trails.
The treks in Munnar offers wonderful and all-round experiences of shola walk, the grass stroll, steep climbs and the dangerous terrain. These treks offers you the most scenic regions of Western Ghats. Meesapulimala, Mathikettan Shola, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate are few among the scenic trekking spots in Munnar. A walk through the Neelakurinji flowers is once in a lifetime moment for many. The Neelakurinji flowers bloom once in 12 years in the lush hills.
Anamalai is the hot spot for experiencing the beauty of this rare blue flower. The blooming season starts at July and lasts till October (blooms this year 2018). During this time the hills of Munnar offers a visual treat. The entire hills get the bluish shade like a blue carpet spreaded across.
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
3. Kumarakom – One of most tranquil places to visit in Kerala
Kumarakom is known as an enchanting backwater destination of Kerala. Situated in the Vembanad Lake, Kerala's biggest backwater, Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands reclaimed from the lake and engineered by an English farmer back in 1847.
The eco-friendly tourism culture in Kumarakom was awarded by the Kerala Tourism. It is the first tourism destination in India to implement Responsible Tourism Project. The local community of Kumarakom offers the best hospitality culture towards every visitors.
Your Magic Moment Holidays in this paradise will be mesmerized with the melodious symphony of rare migratory birds. Make sure you are well equipped with binoculars and cameras, otherwise you may miss out some of the exotic flora and fauna of this magical village. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located in 14 acres of land is one of the hot spot destination for migratory birds.
The backwater cruises of Kumarakom is world renown and offers a great ambience due to the wide spread of Vemabanad lake. The lake achieves its maximum length and breadth in this region. Kumarakom is part of Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala, and thus is surrounded by lush paddy fields and is crisscrossed by canals and the lake. Canoe trips arranged by local fishermen if undertaken will offer photographers a delight of nature and village life picturesque.
For literature lovers, Kumarakom can gift the real life locations of the Booker-Prize winning novel The God of Small Things written by Arundhati Roy. The novel is set in the Aymanam (or Ayemenem) village and the Taj Garden Retreat hotel complex is centered on the 'History House' in the novel.
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
4. Wayanad – The land of heavenly trails
Wayanad is one of the greenest place to visit in Kerala. The lush forested region is home for many wild animals. Located at the north-east of Kerala, Wayanad is set high on the Western Ghats. The tribal heritage and the richness in the cultures and traditions makes Wayanad an apt perfect mix of nature and man-made heritage. There are still unexplored parts in Wayanad, without even proper names among the explorers to identify, which offers the best of the beautiful Mother Nature.
Your Magic Moment Holidays in Wayanad will be cherished with the recreational, adventure, historic and pilgrim tourism locations. Wayanad tourism offers a wide range natural spots to visit and spend your happy moments. Highly pure atmosphere and the greenery will provide you a heavenly feeling.
The adventure tourism in Wayanad is at the same time a beauty and a beast for adventure lovers. The trek trails may offer travelers a glimpse to the rich wild life of Wayanad. Trekking to the Chembra peak is very challenging and thrilling. It is the highest peak in Wayanad at 2100m above sea level, the trekking will take almost a day. The natural heart shaped lake with blue water at the top of the peak is so romantic and photogenic. Travelers can even camp a day or two at the top of the peak. The scenic beauty of Wayanad from the top of the peak will be a sweet memory for everyone.
The prehistoric rock shelters of the Edakkal Caves, the misty mountains, valleys with white water springs and green meadows and the heritage locations of Wayanad offers a cocktail of experience in your Kerala tour package.
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. The Kerala Government is all set to open the new Kannur International Airport
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode Railway Station, which is 72 km away from Wayanad
5. Thekkady – For the love of wildlife
Thekkady is your ideal jungle vacation. The thick forests and the wild vegetation offers you a list of near extinct species of animals including tigers, sambars, gaurs and lion tailed macaques. The Periyar National Park is India’s largest tiger reserve.
The early morning boating and wildlife observation, the night trek in the wilderness of Periyar, the vast stretches of spice gardens, all will cherish your Magic Moment Holidays in Kerala.
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
6. Kovalam – For some beach fun
Kovalam is one of the best known beaches of Kerala. The crescent shaped coastline is always buzzing with activities. Kovalam gives you an exciting experience of its unique and excellent culture that highlight in the festivals and fairs held there. The unique and captivating cultural festivals and fairs of Kovalam goes like Village Fair, Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Swati Thirunal Music Festival, etc.
Also the beach offers different adventure water sports activities and is an ideal spot to experience the pleasure of Kerala Ayurvedic treatments and deep strong massages. 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
7. Vagamon – Solitude guaranteed!
The enchanting beauty of Vagamon hill station is magical. Situated at the borders of Kottayam and Idukki districts and at an elevation of 1100 meters, Vagamon is your ideal location to enjoy a breath of fresh air.
The route to Vagamon itself is so mesmerizing. Beginning with a drive through the rubber plantations and gradually elevating narrow road with sharper curves and in between small water falls. The dramatic travel to Vagamon is ideal to witness the magical transformation of scenaries. As you reach the hill station you will be adorned with magical meadows, mystical gardens, beautiful dales, aromatic tea plantations, and misty valleys.
Popular 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
8. Bekal – Nothing less of heaven on earth!
The coastal town of Kerala is known for the 17th-century Bekal Fort. The imposing and must see fort is highly rated among the best tourist places in Kerala. The amazingly photogenic fort is a favorite location for many Indian movies. Bekal Fort is among the top three honeymoon places in South India. The sea breeze passing through your hair, the pleasant weather and good company are key ingredients to have good time in Bekal.
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