Kerala is a region located in the southeast of the country that is characterised by its tropical climate and lush vegetation that covers everything. Throughout the 550km-long territory we see different landscapes such as plains, wetlands, canals and mountainous areas riddled with forests. In addition, there are several national parks home to a wide variety of animal species. But that’s not all, there’s so much more to see in Kerala, so if you’re planning a trip to India, pay attention, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Kerala is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country for its paradisiacal beaches and tropical landscapes; a real haven of peace and tranquillity compared to the rest of the country. In this post we tell you what to see in Kerala, where to stay, how to get there and recommend some of the best restaurants. The region is large, so it’s important to prepare your trip in detail to make the most of your time. Ready to find out more about Kerala? Read on!
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What are the best places to see in Kerala?
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
1. Fisherman’s boat ride on the Backwater
One of the most spectacular sights to see in Kerala are the Backwaters, a series of navigable rivers and canals that cut through the wilderness. The best way to visit them is by barge. These are traditional boats that were once used for fishing or to transport coconuts. Nowadays, they are used for tourism, and you can even spend the night in them. The Backwaters are a haven of tranquillity and peace that’s a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the country.
2. Kovalam and Varkala, the beaches to visit in Kerala
Kerala has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and most of them are located in the Kovalam area. At the end of the last century this area began to gain international fame for its stunning scenery, so today it is a very touristy and well-equipped area with accommodation to suit all budgets and a multitude of restaurants.
The beach in Varkala Municipality is another good option, especially if you’re travelling with your family, as it’s a large white sandy beach with little surf. It’s the perfect place to practice yoga or watch the sunset.
3. Tea plantations of Kerala
In the interior areas of the region, we find acres of tea plantations established by the British during the colonial era. The best areas for trekking are Coorg, Munnar, Thekkady and Wayanay. The activity is offered from hotels in the area and can also be arranged from Kochi. It is a perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and learn about tea cultivation in the midst of nature.
4. Kochi, the city to see in Kerala
The city of Kochi is one of the most important cities in the country because of its port, the country’s commercial centre for importing and exporting spices. The city, built on a small archipelago, has a lot to offer in terms of tourism. There are palaces, churches and synagogues. It’s a great place to start your trip as it’s well-connected to the rest of the country. And you can book tea plantation tours from here.
5. Wayanad, the scenery to see in Kerala
Around the Wayanad district lie 7 mountains with some of the most spectacular scenery in India. It is a mix of semi-tropical savannahs, lush forests and tea and coffee plantations. The surrounding area is also home to the nature reserves of Muthanga and Tholpetty, which make up the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the best places to see elephants.
What to see around Kerala?
1. Bangalore, India’s most modern city
The region of Kerala is large and will give you several days. But if you plan to move around the country, we recommend that you follow the route through Bangalore, one of the most striking cities in India for its modernity. The best way to get there is by plane, which takes just 1 hour. You can also travel by road, but the journey can take up to 9 hours.
In Bangalore, don’t miss Begaluru Palace and Sultan Tipu’s Palace in Bangalore, the Bull Temple, Krishnarajendra Market and Cubbon Park. The city is relatively quick to see, but because of the distances you’ll have to spend the night there.
2. Kayakumary, the end of India
Kayakumary is the southernmost town in India, located on Cape Comorin. The most spectacular thing about the city are the views of the seemingly endless blue ocean. The city is perfectly integrated with the sea and is one of the most pleasant places in India.
Some of Kayakumary’s sights include the Vivekananda Rock Monument, an islet 100m from the shore, the 3000-year-old Kanyakumari temple, or the Gandhi Mausoleum, which is the first place in the country to be bathed by the sun at sunrise.
What to see in 7 days in Kerala?
Kerala is a vast region, so if you want to see everything, you’ll need at least 7 days. Here is an idea of a one-week route with the main points of interest in the region. So, you won’t miss anything to see in Kerala.
- Day 1 and 2: Start your journey in Kochi, a city made up of a cluster of islands and famous for its port where spices were traded.
- Days 3 and 4: 120km from Kochi are the tea plantations of Munnar, where you can learn about tea cultivation and go trekking in its forests, nature parks, lakes and mountains.
- Day 5: Don’t miss Periyar Lake, where you can see tigers in the wild from the safety of your boat.
- Day 6: A must-see stop in Kerala is Allepey and the Backwaters, long canals in the middle of the forest for boating.
- Day 7: Kumarakom is the best place to end your trip, a benchmark in sustainable tourism.
Where and what to eat in Kerala?
The cuisine in Kerala differs somewhat from traditional Indian cuisine due to the region’s tropical climate, where fruits such as coconut are abundant. Traditional dishes include olan(pumpkin, bean and coconut stew), nendarangai chips(fried plantain), aviyal (spiced vegetable mix). It’s a marvellous contrast to the cuisine of the north or centre of the country, so we recommend a stop at one of these restaurants:
- The Rice Boat- Vivanta: is one of the best places to eat quality seafood, freshly caught on the day. It’s common to see locals eating there, which is always a good sign. Don’t miss the crab or the coconut prawns.
- Cruce Malabar: is a cosy restaurant located in a garden with live music. They specialise in local Kerala food, and we recommend ordering the Thali, for a taste of everything.
- Restaurant Arca Nova: is a restaurant that combines traditional local dishes with Latin cuisine. The flavours are a little less spicy than normal in the country, so it can be an interesting option if you’re not a fan of spice or heat.
Where to stay in Kerala?
Kerala is one of India’s most beautiful regions, so be prepared to see accommodation located in paradisiacal settings and with all kinds of amenities. If you’d rather go backpacking, though, there are also cheaper options that will allow you to get the most out of the experience and meet other travellers from around the world. The region is large, so if you want to see it all, you’ll need to stay in different places. Here are some of our favourite places to stay:
- Boating in the Backwaters: The Backwaters are a collection of navigable rivers and canals where single and multi-day cruises are organised. Booking the whole boat can cost up to €500, so it is best to go with more people. The price includes all meals.
- Taj Bekal Resort & Spa: This is the most luxurious hotel in the region. The price per night is around 200€, but if you go in low season the prices are more affordable. The hotel has a swimming pool, garden, spa, restaurant and incredible views.
- Kalpavanam Heritage Resort: It’s a beautiful, simple resort with wooden cottages nestled in the trees. It’s in the middle of nature and is the ideal place to go with a family as they offer family rooms for €50 a night.
How to get to Kerala?
There are 3 international airports in the Kerala region, but none of them are connected to Spain, so you will have to make stopovers in other European and Asian cities. From all airports there are different ways to get to the centre, the most common being by bus or taxi. You can also book a transfer from your hotel.
If you’re travelling from another Indian city, you have the option of flying, train and bus. The plane from Mumbai costs €30. If you start your journey from the north, you’ll need to fly to Mangalore Airport, which is two hours from Bekal.
The train is also a good option as Kerala is well connected to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras.
What should I consider before travelling to Kerala?
- A visa is required to travel to Kerala. It can be obtained online and is usually granted in less than a week. The cost is around €70.
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
- The city is safe, but be careful and watch out for your belongings.
- The official currency of India is the rupee.
- The traffic is crazy, if you can avoid it, don’t drive.
- Driving is part of everyday life, so be prepared.
- Best to avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
- Don’t try to see the whole country in one trip, India is huge. If you have to choose, it’s best to start in the north.
- The climate varies a lot from one area to another. If you’re going to the mountains the best time is summer, but for the rest of the country, travel is recommended between December and March.
- Beware of scams, they are very common.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Kerala?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Kerala.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Kerala
The best time to travel to Kerala is from October to March, as temperatures are milder and sightseeing is more pleasant.
Kerala is a safe city, but beware of scams, which are very common in India. Be careful with your belongings and be wary of last minute changes.
Some of the dishes not to be missed on your trip to Kerala are olan (pumpkin, bean and coconut stew), nendarangai chips (fried plantain) and aviyal (spicy vegetable mix).
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