Tourist destination in South Kerala

Discover the Serene Charm of South Kerala

South Kerala is renowned for its scenic beauty, tranquil backwaters, and vibrant cultural heritage. Home to the world-famous Kovalam Beach and the spiritual Varkala Cliff, this region offers breathtaking coastal landscapes. The backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam provide a serene houseboat experience, while the lush hill station of Ponmudi offers scenic treks and cool mountain air. The capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, is rich in history with the majestic Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Napier Museum, showcasing Kerala’s cultural legacy. South Kerala is a harmonious blend of relaxation, spirituality, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for all types of travelers.

State wise important tourist places of Central Kerala are given below:

Top destinations in Alappuzha

Alleppey Backwaters

Explore the serene backwaters of Alleppey on a houseboat cruise or a traditional Kettuvallam. Enjoy the scenic views of lush green paddy fields, coconut groves, and quaint villages along the backwater canals.

Punnamada Lake

Another picturesque lake in Alleppey, Punnamada Lake offers opportunities for boating and sightseeing. You can also witness the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on this lake.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Located nearby, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers. Spot various species of migratory birds, including herons, egrets, kingfishers, and more, amidst the lush mangrove forests and waterways.

Pathiramanal Island

Embark on a boat trip to Pathiramanal Island, a scenic island on Vembanad Lake. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, offering opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and tranquil walks amid nature.

Vembanad Lake

Enjoy a serene boat ride on Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala. Marvel at the vast expanse of water, dotted with small islands, fishing villages, and lush greenery.

Marari Beach

Just a short drive from Alleppey, Marari Beach is a pristine stretch of coastline ideal for relaxation and water sports. Experience the laid-back charm of this secluded beach destination.

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Explore the historical St. Mary’s Forane Church in Champakulam, one of the oldest Christian churches in Kerala. Admire its impressive architecture and serene ambiance.

St. Mary's Forane Church, Champakulam

Pay a visit to Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, an ancient Hindu temple known for its architectural grandeur and religious significance. Don’t miss tasting the famous sweet milk porridge, ‘palpayasam,’ served as an offering.

Perunthenaruvi Waterfall

A natural waterfall with captivating surroundings is situated on the banks of the River Pamba. The fall is 60 to 100 ft deep which pours down on a rocky bed. The place is a favourite picnic spot among locals as well as tourists.

Gavi

Gavi is situated some 14 km away from the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve and is heaven on Earth, quite literally

Thriveni Sangamam

As the name suggests this place is famous for the meeting point of the three rivers. It serves as the halting point for those on their way to Sabarimala.

Kaviyoor Rock Temple

Carved on a massive rough rock, Kaviyoor Rock Temple is a spectacular architectural structure. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple glorifies the town’s rich culture and historical roots. If you are a history buff or spiritual seeker, there’s no way you can miss a visit to this Kaviyoor Rock Temple during your Pathanamthitta trip.

Aranmula

Aranmula is a place mainly known for its expert craftsmanship and snake boat race organized on the final day of Onam Festival. The most renowned art of metal mirror of Aranmula Kannadi has its roots originated from this place.

Konni Forest Reserve

This place is considered to be the equivalent to an elephant’s cage. The reason being is that the main attraction of the region is a massive wooden cage where elephant are trained.

Manjinikkara Church

Another significant Syrian Christian’s pilgrim center, Manjinikkara Church is placed in Manjanikkara on the top of a hill about 6 km from Pathanamthitta.

Sabarimala

One of the major religious hubs of South India, Sabarimala houses Sastha Temple situated about 80 km from Pathanamthitta town. Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, this temple is situated in the lap of nature amid the dangerous hills of Western Ghats.

Ashtamudi Lake

According to the native Malayalam language, Ashtamudi means “eight coned”. The name of the lake alludes to its multifaceted structure. Famous for its resorts and houseboats, the lake serves as a portal to Kerala’s backwaters.

Thangassery Light House

Tangasseri Lighthouse or Thangassery Lighthouse is situated at Tangasseri in Kollam city of the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the two lighthouses in the Kollam Metropolitan Area and is maintained by the Cochin Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.

Kollam Beach

Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala. Kollam Beach is the first ‘Beach Wedding Destination’ in Kerala.

Jatayu Nature Park

Jatayu Nature Park is a rock-themed park which got launched on November 25, 2017. The tourist centre was constructed with a 6D theatre, digital audio-visual room, cable car, and ayurvedic cave retreat to attract those interested in mythology and adventure travel.

Thirumullavaram Beach

An unexplored beach of Kerala where golden sand surrounds clear blue water and the serene seashore is embellished by coconut and palm trees. The delightful view of sun-soaked sand, soothing blue sea, and lush green palm never fail to attract tourists.

Kollam Adventure Park

Asramam Adventure Park is an urban park in the core Kollam city of Kerala state. It was opened after 1980, on 48 acres of city-owned land. Located beside the Kerala’s pride, backwaters of Ashtamudi, this place popularly known as Asramam Picnic Village. It is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam city.

Palaruvi Waterfalls

Palaruvi Falls is a waterfall located in Kollam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the 32nd highest waterfall in India. Palaruvi falls from a height of 300 feet and is situated at Aryankavu in the Kollam district of the south Indian state of Kerala.

Sasthamcotta Lake

Sasthamcotta Lake or Sasthamkotta Lake, also categorized as a wetland, is the largest fresh water lake in Kerala, a state of India on the south of the West Coast. The lake is named after the ancient Sastha temple located on its bank.

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam is a beach and seaside resort in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. Kovalam is located 12.6 km (7.8 mi) southeast of the city center. The beaches around Kovalam are popular vacation destinations for both domestic and international travellers.

Padhmanabhaswamy Temple

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Vishnu, in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state of Kerala, India. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred abodes of Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. It is widely considered as the world’s richest Hindu temple.

Shankhumugam Beach

Shankumugham Beach is a beach in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, south India. The beach is on the western side of Thiruvananthapuram and is very close to Trivandrum International Airport. Shanghumugham beach is considered as the ‘Arattukadavu’ of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan – the presiding deity of the city.

Napier Museum and Zoo

The Napier Museum is an art and natural history museum situated in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The Museum is grounds to the Trivandrum Zoo, one of the oldest zoological gardens in India. The zoo was established in 1857 over 55 acres of land.

Agasthyakoodam

Agastyaarkoodam is one of the peaks in the Western Ghats of Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala, near to the border of Tamilnadu, India.

Poovar Island

Poovar is a tourist town in Neyyattinkara in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, South India. This village is almost at the southern tip of Thiruvananthapuram while the next village, Pozhiyoor, marks the end of Kerala.

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is a hill station in the Peringamala gramapanchayath of Trivandrum District of Kerala in India. It is located 22km west of Vithura town, 53 km north-east of Trivandrum City, 78 km south-east of Varkala town and 69 km north-east of Kovalam Beach at an altitude of 1,100 m.

Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasham Beach is a beach situated in Varkala Town of Varkala Municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. The beach skirts the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian Ocean.