Top Tourist Destinations in Kerala, India

One of the most popular tourist destinations situated on the southern region of India, Kerala is one of the most picturesque and greenest states in India. Every year, millions of tourists from different corners of world visit Kerala. The region is quite famous for its beaches, backwaters, hill stations, colorful culture, historical culture, temples and wildlife attractions etc. Owing to its beauty, serenity and greenery, it has been mentioned as one of the 50 Must Visit Destinations by National Geographic Traveler. There are several breathtaking tourist destinations in Kerala which are commonly featured in most Kerala tour packages.

Kerala Tourism and Tourist Places witnessed immense development after 1980’s. The Kerala Tourism and Development Corporation (KTDC) did aggressive campaigns to promote Kerala as a popular tourist destination in India. It is fondly described as ‘God’s Own Country’ in tourism vernacular due to its eco-friendly and hospitable environment. Now-a-days, Kerala is growing as a super brand in travel and tourism sector. Here is a list of top tourist destinations in Kerala for your kind perusal.

Alleppey & Kumarakom- Backbone of Backwater Tourism 

The backwaters of Alleppey are considered as the backbone of tourism in Kerala. The long network of backwaters extends up to 115 kilometers. These backwaters are dotted with swaying palm fringes and offer a unique opportunity of houseboat Kerala tours. When it comes to backwater tourism in Kerala, Alleppey is the most favorite of all. The backwater cruise on board deluxe houseboats traditionally known as ‘Kettuvallams’. These houseboats are deluxe holiday homes floating over picturesque Vembanad Lake. Besides backwaters, other places that you can’t afford to miss include Alappuzha CSI Christ Church, Laccadive Sea, Krishnapuram Palace, Mannarasala Temple and Ambalapuzzha Sri Krishna Temple. Besides, there is Kumarakom, a popular tourist village in the Kottayam district of Kerala. There is a famous bird sanctuary in Kumarakom, where you can spot a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Thiruvananthapuram- Capital of God’s Own Country

Labeled as the ‘Evergreen City of India’, Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient city that has plenty of coconut and palm trees spanned across the Malabar Coast. Right from natural environs to languid beaches and wildlife sanctuaries to famous religious attractions, the place offers everything required for a dream vacation. Other places of interest in Thiruvananthapuram include Poovar Island, Agastya Mala, Chowara Beach, Napier Art Museum, The Zoological Park, Puthenmalika Palace and Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. For shopping enthusiasts, there are various shopping complexes sprinkled across the city. The Sanker Road is quite famous for its handicrafts such as paper crafts, home decors, stationeries, jewelry and vegetable dyed clothing.

Cochin Tourist Destinations

Fondly known as the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’, Cochin, also known as Kochi, is one of the cosmopolitan cities of Kerala. The term Kochi is derived from a Malayalam word ‘Kochazi’ that means a small lagoon. Once a famous hub of spice trade, today, Cochin is one of the top tourist places in Kerala. Kochi can be dubbed as a cluster of islands and all connected by bridges and ferries. Their names are Ernakulum mainland, Willingdon Island, Bolgatty Island, Vypin Island and Fort Kochi among others. In addition to this, tourists can pay a visit to Athirappily Falls, Paliam Palace, Cherai Beach and Bhoothathankettu. Onam Festival, Cochin Carnival Festival, Fireworks Festival and Shiva Temple Festival are celebrated at various times of the year. During Cochin Carnivals and Christmas, various colorful rallies and competitions are conducted.

Munnar Tourist Destinations

A popular hill station situated in the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala, Munnar is quite famous for its enchanting beauty and salubrious climate. The hill station is quite famous for its eco-tourism. The place has a vast expanse of tea plantation, immaculate valleys, rich wildlife heritage and balmy winds containing aroma of spices.  The beauty of this hill station lies in its verdant green slopes, scenic landscapes, tea & spice plantation and diverse collection of flora and fauna. Eravikulam National Park is the topmost attraction of this place as it houses a large variety of wildlife and bird species. Many couples prefer to visit this place for honeymoon and love to explore every aspect of nature.

Thekkady Tourist Destinations

Thekkady is one of the most popular wildlife tourist destinations of Kerala. The region houses the famous ‘Periyar National Park’ which is one of the most popular wildlife reserves in Kerala. The national park is a home to a large variety of rare and endangered varieties of flora and fauna. As per government census, this wildlife reserve is the home of 40 tigers, 20 leopards, 900 elephants and 180 species of birds. The boat safari is the best way to explore the beauty of this region. Other places of interest around Thekkady include Mangala Devi Temple, Chellar Kovil, Anakkara and Murikkady.


Kovalam Tourist Destinations

Located 7 kilometers away from Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is one of the most popular destinations of Kerala. Kovalam is divided into three crescent shaped beaches- Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach and Hawah Beach. The mesmerizing beaches with swaying palm trees, the immeasurable sky, the lashing waves, ubiquitous sights of fisherman catching fish and houseboats floating above backwaters together promise you a holiday full of pleasure and beauty. Skiing, swimming, surfing and kayaking are some popular water sports activities that can be enjoyed here. Of late, Kovalam is gaining popularity as a popular Ayurvedic destination among Indian and overseas travelers.

This completes the list of top Kerala Tourist destinations. Each name in the list is often featured in most Kerala holiday tour packages. All these destinations will familiarize you with different aspects of holidays in Kerala such as wildlife, beaches, backwaters, hill stations and temples among others.