Tourist Attractions in Kerala


Being a coastline State Kerala has a long western border with Arabian Sea. There are beaches of all types :- wet and wild hilly shores, long promenades, beaches adjoining backwaters and the sea .

Famous Beaches

  • Kovalam
  • Varkala
  • Bakel
  • Alapuzha
  • Cherai
  • Kollam
  • Calicut
  • Kappad

It is a network of rivers, lakes and inlets interconnected by canals forming 900 km of waterways on the west coast of South Kerala. A number of towns among this serve as points for starting and ending cruises.

Beauty of Backwaters

  • Alapuzha
  • Kumarakom

Kerala slopes from Western Ghats to Arabian Sea; as a result the eastern terrain is hilly and there are a number of evergreen hill stations amidst the ranges.

Top Hill Stations

  • Munnar
  • Thekkady
  • Vagamon
  • Lakkidi
  • Gavi
  • Ponmudi

Kerala also has some beautiful waterfalls across the state. Here are few of the most beautiful waterfalls which are worth a visit.

Beautiful Waterfalls

  • Athirapally
  • Vazhachal
  • Palaruvi
  • Thommankuthu
  • Soochipara
  • Aruvikkuzhi

Dams are built for irrigation and hydro-electric projects, but they are also beauty spots where visitors can enjoy the view and the various activities associated with reservoirs. There are comfortable lodgings, hotels and resorts for tourists nearby. There are 53 dams in Kerala.

Scenic Dam Reservoirs

  • Malampuzha Dam
  • Idukki Arch Dam
  • Parambikulam
  • Neyyar Dam

A Bird Sanctuary is an ecologically significant zone. Several species of birds, both forest birds as well as the water birds, visit the sanctuaries.

Bird Sanctuaries

  • Thattekad
  • Kumarakom
  • Mangalavanam
  • Pathiramanal

Nestled in the elaborate forest of the Western Ghats or Sahyadri Ranges in Kerala has a number of wildlife Sanctuaries. Wildlife in Kerala ranges from tigers to wild elephants, bisons, deers and monkeys.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

  • Parambikulam
  • Thekkady
  • Periyar Tiger Reserve
  • Idukki
  • Wayanad
  • Chinnar

There are many ancient temples where devotees throng across the state. Here are few of the important temples in Kerala.

Prominent Temples

  • Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple
  • Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
  • Srikrishna Temple at Guruvayoor
  • Chottanikara Temple
  • Rajarajeswra Temple
  • Sabarimala Shastha

It has been considered that St.Thomas, one of the apostles of Christ had visited Kerala in 52 AD and that he introduced Christianity to India.

Famous Churches

  • Malayattoor St.Thomas Church
  • Parumala Church
  • Niranam St.Thomas Church
  • Edappally St.George's Forane
  • Manarkad St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church

Kerala also has some ancient mosques with rich history and tradition. These mosques have also played an integral part in weaving the Kerala culture.

Important Mosques

  • Cheraman Juma Masjid
  • Kanjiramattom Mosque
  • Madayi Mosque
  • Pazhayangadi Mosque
  • Beemapally Mosque

The art and culture of Kerala portrays various dance forms and martial arts performed with the accompaniment of vocal and instrumental music. All these art forms are performed during some celebration or festivity.

Art and Culture

  • Kathakali
  • Kalaripayattu
  • Vallamkali
  • Thiruvathirakali

Kerala is a treasure trove of historical sites, architectural monuments and heritage centres that silently stand in majesty reflecting the glory of the past. And Ayurveda is a therapy that promises holistic wellness.

Traditions and Heritage

  • Ayurveda
  • Sadhya
  • Thrissur Pooram
  • Heritage Homes