Do you know that Kerala is known as “god’s own country” ? and do you know why it is known as that ? The reason is the most enthralling biodiversity hotspots in India with timeless nature’s bounty , year round foliage , huge zones of no man’s land , crystal clear kind of beaches , and an amazing landscape of western ghats. Kerala is not only one of the best tourist places of India but also the place of birth of Ayurveda , this state sits on the Malabar coast of India. So let us now explore Kerala's famous places , keeping in mind the wellness and greenery this state inherits.
Why is Kerala One of India’s Most Preferred Travel Destinations ?
Kerala is perched on the western coast of India , which makes its geographical location unique. It is one state of India which has a high literacy rate , and also it is tourist-friendly and supports eco tourism by providing treehouse stays and boathouses. Kerala has a diverse culture and is enveloped in traditions. Kerala's famous places not only have unfiltered beauty but alluring landscape views like tea gardens in Munnar and Wayanad.
Best 10 Tourist Places in Kerala You Must Visit
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Munnar - south kashmir
Munnar is one of the best tourist visiting spots of Kerala and is also popular for its renowned tea gardens, Mattupetty Dam, and Eravikulam National Park which gives us closer experience to nature. This place has a magical effect on people due to captivating topography making tourists feel joyful and refreshed. Surrounded by beautiful waterfalls coming down the slopes , their soft murmurs harmonize with the philharmonic of nature. These attractive landscapes make them look more like a fairy tale when thick mist covers its hills.
2. Alleppey - east venice of India
It is insanely popular for its houseboat experience and honey-colored back waters which makes it one of the unique places to visit in Kerala. The greenery of Alleppey and stillness of the water , makes this feel like a reverie. The houseboats available here are more like a hotel on a boat and what makes it the experience of a lifetime is the surrounded lush paddy fields and moving coconut palms while passing through picturesque villages.
3. Kochi - cultural hub
Kochi is a mixture of ancient and modern , it is also known as “queen of the Arabian Sea” , kochi acts as a bridge connecting the present and the past. A walk through the old-fashioned streets of the fort Kochi amplifies colonial-era buildings still standing tall, acting as a strong pillar to the rich-cultural heritage. The timeless of the Chinese fishing nets as they effortlessly enrich the waterfront.
4. Wayanad - land of paddy fields
When in Wayanad , you completely get lost in nature and climb to high waterfalls coming down the green hills , inviting you to jump in for a swim. It is a good choice if you want to explore coffee farms , rice field gardens , nut trees and bamboo forests. Don’t miss the top spots here like Edakkal caves , muthunga wildlife sanctuary and Soochipara waterfalls .
5. Thekaddy - spice capital of India
You can basically explore everything of Kerala here from seeing asian elephants to witnessing Khathakali and Kalaripayattu performances , thekaddy’s wildlife sanctuary periyar is one of the best places to get close to the unfiltered side of the animal kingdom. As you travel into this place , you’ll be greeted by the ruling of the leaves , and the triumphing sounds of the elephant and the soft chirping of the birds.
6.Varkala - high vertical cliffs
It is the only place in Kerala that rests on the top of the cliffs that overlook the blue Arabian Sea , the endless sand , the humming of the seagulls soaring overhead. Varkala is one of the coastal diamonds that captures the beauty of the visitors with spiritual aura and unfiltered beauty. The old Janardhana Swamy Temple , where the chants of the devotees create an unreal atmosphere. It is a sanctuary where the tired mind finds stoppage and the restless heart finds peace.
7. Kovalam - exotic escape
Imagine a place where the amber-hued sand meets the blue sky , palm trees dance to the rhythm of the sea breeze and the sun paints the sky in a rainbow of colours , that’s kovalam. The town has three beautiful beaches – Lighthouse, Samudra, and Hawah Beach all with a distinct temptation! The soulful seafood and the ayurveda massages is something we should not miss out on .
8. Thrissur - cultural capital
Explore the rich cultural , traditional , musical and artistic side of this state at its cultural capital , this city is known for its numerous temples and religious sanctums. But you should visit this city in summer to enjoy to the fullest , the whole city is enveloped into colours , traditional music and festivities. It is a crusade for many believers and sheer faith devotees.
9. Kannur – land of theyyam
This place is situated between the Arabian Sea and the western coast known as western ghats. Land of theyaam because it is popular for its serene beaches , st.Angelo fort , and rich greenery. Paithalmala and Aralam wildlife sanctuary are also one of the top spots for close nature experiences and trekking lovers.
10. Kumarakom - the bird paradise
If you are tired in the middle of the trip you should head to Kumarakom, one of the top places to visit in Kerala. Situated on the banks of the lake Vembanad , this place has a bird sanctuary too which is a home of a variety of birds , situated amidst the peaceful backwaters. Primarily focused on the houseboats which are leisurely enjoyed by the tourists , the scenic sunsets and the swaying of coconut palms makes it feel so unreal.
Best time to visit kerala
There is no best time to visit Kerala. When you feel like life feels stuck and heavy give yourself a trip to Kerala and change the pace of life. The winter is a pinnacle season for visiting this place mostly from October to March , ideal for exploring beaches.
Also, the monsoon season for ayurveda and romantic experiences , and if you are bounded by the budget you should explore Kerala during summers to visit the hill stations and as these places are underrated there is less crowd and less hustle-bustle and also which makes it the best time to visit Kerala according to the wise financial choice.
Kerala different places for types of travellers
For honeymoon couples
- Munnar
- Alleppey , because of the houseboat experiences
- Kovalam
For family travels
- Thekkady
- Kochi
- kumarakom
For adventure loving tourists
- Varkala water places
- The wildlife safari of Periyar
- The wayanad trekking
Famous food you must try if you are visiting Kerala
Karimeen Pollichathu
The classic dish of Kerala , steamed in banana leaf and the pearl spot fish enveloped in spices giving you the real south Indian experience.
Sadya
It is a traditional dish , classically served on a banana leaf including alan which is mixed veggies , olan , thoran which is stir fry.
Appam and stew
Appam is the most light snack , can be eaten as a breakfast and it is made in a kadai. It is mostly required to pair it up with stew , which can be either vegetarian or a mixture of both chicken or beef and veggies according to your taste.
Kerala Parotta with Beef/Chicken Curry
The soul smoothening parotta , paired with chicken curry includes spices , flavours and small pieces of chicken dipped in gravy. Making it taste like a heavenly meal , and if we eat parotta with beef curry it is the most exquisite , with that aromatic and soulful gravy.
Kerala prawn curry
It is one of the popular dishes found in the region of Malabar. This dish includes a vast variety of seeds , and kundampali or brindleberry is the core ingredient. The prawns are marinated in the spices and kept aside. Later on are mixed with the drumsticks to give you the unique sour and tangy flavour.
Why should you visit Kerala ?
The serene and unfiltered beauty of this place , the classic cuisines like prawn curry or the malabar parotta with chicken curry and cherry on the top is the cultural diversity and ethnicity that makes it one of the best places to visit in India. The Munnar’s beauty is enough to encourage me to visit Kerala , and as i’m nature lover i love visiting places which brings me closer to it and trust me if you are like me you should plan your trip to kerala soon cause the fixation of mind and restless heart needs peace and kerala is the best place for this.