I am organising a Kerala trip for my parents for their wedding anniversary. As everything will be in my hands and they won't know much, I want to have everything for them, from hotel bookings to sightseeing. So that they don't get too tired on the holiday I have decided that they should see the maximum of two places in one day or one place in one day. They will be Kerala for 14 days out of which ten days I would like them to go and see some tourist places and the other four days just relax. To make life a bit easier, I would like to know what the top 10 tourist places in Kerala are?
I would say, from personal experience, that a river trip on the backwaters is wonderful. There are a lot of temples and villages along the way, and the river itself is lovely. There is a lot to see, from jellyfish in the water to people living near the river going about their day, and of course the beautiful foliage growing everywhere. I stayed at an ashram for most of my time so I didn't do the whole "tourist" stereotype, but there is a lot to see just driving around in an autorickshaw on on a riverboat.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! Kerala is a vast state and has many places that tourists can explore. It is best known for its backwaters which attract a throng of tourists all-year round. But aside from its backwaters, Kerala also has hill stations, forests, wildlife, plantations and beaches that you can visit. Thus, if you only have a limited time in the country, one of the best destinations for you would be Kerala. The people here are also extremely warm and hospitable which can make your stay more pleasant. The drama/theatre performance named Kathakali and various dances like Mohinattam and Koodiyattam, are also great testaments of the diversity of the culture and arts of the region. Here are the must visit places in Kerala: Top Ten Places to Visit in Kerala 1. Alleppey - Although Alleppey is best known for its backwater cruises, there are also some attractions in the village itself. Of course you can start your journey to Alleppey through a backwater cruise, which is one of the most touristy activities in the region yet a must do still. It's a great way of witnessing the rural life, wildlife and natural habitats in the region. Then, you can venture further to explore the different attractions in Alleppey like its beaches and temples. Some of the best beaches here are the Marari Beach, Alappuzha Beach and Thottapally Beach. A visit to Alleppey won't be complete with going to the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, famed for its delicious payasam. There are also a few churches here that you can visit like the St. Mary's Forane Church and the St. Andrews Basilica. All these attractions can be covered in a day or two so even a short trip to Alleppey is fine. Must visit places - Marari Beach, Alappuzha Beach, Thottapally Beach, Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, St. Mary's Forane Church and St. Andrews Basilica. Related threads - Activities in Alleppey, Alleppey Travel Guide & Alleppey Houseboat Rates 2. Thekkady - For nature and wildlife trips, there's nothing better for these than Thekkady. The Periyar National Park is the main attraction here where you can spot animals like elephants, sambars, giant squirrels and wild buffalos. You can opt for a boat safari which can be very tranquil and relaxing amidst the Periyar Lake. You can also opt for nature trailing or elephant riding while touring the national park. With its wide variety of flora and fauna, the Periyar National Park can easily take a whole day to explore. Excursions outside of the national park can be at Mullaperiyar Dam and Mangla Devi Temple. Lastly, when in Thekkady, it's a must to visit the Kadathanadan Kalari Centre and witness in person the martial art form of Kalaripayattu. Its proximity to Munnar, at about 100 kilometres away, is a good reason to combine a visit to Thekkady with the former. Must visit places - Periyar National Park, Mullaperiyar Dam, Mangla Devi Temple and Kadathanadan Kalari Centre. Related thread - Best Places to Visit in Kerala for a One-Day Trip 3. Munnar - With its numerous natural attractions and wildlife, Munnar is one of the most visited destinations in Kerala. The surrounding tea plantations add to the amazing landscape of the hill station. Once you visit Munnar, it's really difficult to leave the place as it's quite a paradise on Earth. When in Munnar, don't forget to visit the view points of Top Station, Echo Point and Pothamedu. The waterfalls worth visiting here are that of Lakkam and Attukal. You can also indulge in adventure activities like trekking and paragliding in the hill station. For something more serene, a boat ride amidst the Kundala Dam Lake is highly recommended. A visit to the many tea plantations here is also recommended and don't forget to take home some fresh tea for your loved ones. Must visit places - Top Station, Echo Point, Pothamedu, Lakkam Waterfalls, Attukal Waterfalls, Kundala Dam Lake and Tea Plantations. Related thread - Munnar Travel Guide 4. Kovalam - One of the most popular beach destinations in Kerala is Kovalam. Lined with plenty of beaches like the Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach, you are spoiled for choices in this destination. However, the first two beaches can also get very crowded especially during peak tourist season. For something more serene and secluded, then Samudra Beach would be the best choice for that. Some of the water sports activities that you can indulge in these beaches are surfing, jet skiing and boating. Being a highly commercialised region, you won't find a shortage of accommodation or dining options in the region as well. You can also visit other attractions like the Neyyar Dam and the Vellayani Lake near to Kovalam. Must visit places - Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach, Samudra Beach, Neyyar Dam and Vellayani Lake. Related thread - Places to Visit in South India 5. Cochin - Once a trading port by the British, Cochin has a long history behind it. It was even conquered formerly by the Dutch and the Portuguese. These rich historical pasts have influenced the city and it is evident with the numerous churches and monuments here built in the typical Portuguese and British styles of architecture. So if you're someone who enjoys cities with historical pasts and would like to indulge in sightseeing in such places, then Cochin is a perfect destination for you. Some of the must visit colonial era structures here are the Santa Cruz Basilica, Saint Francis Church and Saint Joseph Church. For the devout Hindus, there are also plenty of temples that you can visit here like the Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Poornathrayesa Temple and Ernakulatthappan Temple. For a glimpse of the royal era, there's the Mattancherry Palace and the Tripunithura Hill Palace. For excursions out of the city, there's the Fort Cochin Beach, Cherai Beach and Vypeen Island. Since Cochin is one of the main cities in Kerala, it's highly progressive and has many infrastructures for tourists. Hotels are abound here as well as numerous cafes and restaurants. Must visit places - Santa Cruz Basilica, Saint Francis Church, Saint Joseph Church, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Poornathrayesa Temple, Ernakulatthappan Temple, Mattancherry Palace, Tripunithura Hill Palace, Fort Cochin Beach, Cherai Beach, Vypeen Island and many more. Related thread - Places to Visit in Cochin 6. Wayanad - One of the most pristine hill stations in the country is Wayanad. With its unending green landscapes and pleasant climate, it's also one of the must visit destinations in Kerala. Wayanad has plenty of natural attractions to keep the tourist busy like the Soochippara Waterfalls, Meenmutty Waterfalls and Pookot Lake. For the adventure seekers, a visit to the Edakkal Caves is truly worth it. Here you can find ancient carvings that can be traced back to over a thousand years ago. The peaks of Chembra and Lakkidi are also worth a visit to enjoy the panoramic views of the valleys below and the surrounding mountains. Wayanad is less commercialised so there are no hoards of tourists here unlike in other destinations. Most of the attractions remain untouched by modernity so they have remained virgin and quite beautiful. Must visit places - Soochippara Waterfalls, Meenmutty Waterfalls, Pookot Lake, Edakkal Caves, Chembra Peak, Lakkidi Peak and many more. Related thread - Places to Visit in Wayanad 7. Bekal - Although very much a small town, Bekal is quite a change of environment as compared to the chaotic destinations in Kerala. Its serenity and uncrowded areas is best for couples seeking some isolation in Kerala. When in Bekal, it's a must to visit the beaches of Kappil and Hosdurg, along with the Bekal Beach itself. The Bekal Fort, situated near the beach, is also worth visiting. The fort was built around the 16th century and is known for its keyhole-shaped structure. If ever you'd like to avoid the touristy areas of the backwater cruise, then you can opt for the Valiyaparamba Backwaters, which is more remote yet still so beautiful. Must visit places - Bekal Beach Fort, Kappil Beach, Hosdurg Beach and Valiyaparamba Backwaters. Related thread - Kerala Travel Guide 8. Vagamon - Although relatively unknown as a tourist destination, Vagamon is one of the best offbeat places to visit in Kerala. Everything here is quite untouched by commercialism, from its forests, meadows and bodies of water. Thus, if you're someone who enjoys such places where everything is pristine and quite rural, then consider Vagamon. There's not much to do here but sightseeing. In fact, you can pretty much cover the main attractions here in a day. Some of the best places to visit here are the Vagamon Pine Forests, Barren Hills, Vagamon Lake and Vagamon Waterfalls. However, there are only a few hotels in the hill station but they're quite affordable. If you're looking from a time and distance away from the modernities of life, then Vagamon won't disappoint you. Must visit places - Vagamon Pine Forests, Barren Hills, Vagamon Lake and Vagamon Waterfalls. Related thread - Places to Visit Near Trivandrum 9. Trivandrum - A visit to the state capital is a must when in Kerala. Trivandrum is best known for the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, possibly the richest temple in the country and in the world. Its imposing golden facade and high shikhara is quite easy to spot on the city. There are also other religious places that you can explore here like the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple and the Aazhimala Shiva Temple. The city also has its fair share of historical attractions like the Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Kuthiramalika Palace. All these structures portray the rich and grand architectural styles of the bygone era. An excursion from Trivandrum to reach Poovar Island is well worth it. Here you can indulge in activities like boating, horse riding and tasting the local cuisine. Must visit places - Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Aazhimala Shiva Temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kuthiramalika Palace and Poovar Island. Related thread - Places to Visit in Trivandrum 10. Idukki - One of the best attractions in Idukki is the Idukki Dam. It's one of the largest arch dams in Asia and draws tourists all over the country and the world. Since cameras and mobile phones are prohibited in the dam, you can only enjoy its views but these are sure to be etched in your memory forever. Trekking is a favoured activity in the region and you can partake in treks around Mount Kalvari and Ramakkal. You can also enjoy the natural attractions here like the Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Valara Waterfalls and Sita Devi Lake. Although a very small town, Idukki has plenty of attractions to keep the tourist busy and what's more interesting is that these attractions are yet to be polluted by modernisation. It's definitely worth a visit especially for those seeking something different aside from the usual destinations in Kerala. Must visit places - Idukki Dam, Mount Kalvari, Ramakkal, Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Valara Waterfalls and Sita Devi Lake. Related thread - Kerala Travel Guide There you go, I hope this helps you! And good luck on your parents' trip to Kerala, hope they enjoy it.
Planning a trip to Kerala for your parents' wedding anniversary is a thoughtful and wonderful idea. Kerala is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Here are the top 10 tourist places in Kerala that your parents might enjoy: Munnar: Known for its lush tea plantations, this hill station is perfect for a relaxed start to the trip. The scenic beauty and cool climate are ideal for couples. Alleppey (Alappuzha): Famous for its backwaters and houseboat rides, it's a romantic destination. They can enjoy a serene backwater cruise and savor traditional Kerala meals onboard. Kochi (Cochin): This historic port city offers a mix of history, culture, and modernity. The Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi, and the vibrant art scene are worth exploring. Thekkady: Home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, it's a great place for nature enthusiasts. Your parents can enjoy a boat ride in the Periyar Lake. Wayanad: It's a beautiful place with lush greenery, waterfalls, and wildlife. The Banasura Sagar Dam and Chembra Peak are must-visit spots. Kovalam: With its beautiful beaches, it's a great place for relaxation. The Lighthouse Beach is the most popular among the three beaches in Kovalam. Varkala: This quiet and less crowded beach town is famous for its pristine beaches and the stunning cliff. Your parents can unwind and watch breathtaking sunsets. Kumarakom: It's another backwater destination with serene landscapes. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a treat for bird lovers. Poovar: Located near Trivandrum, it's known for its estuaries, backwaters, and beaches. Your parents can take a boat ride along the estuaries. Guruvayur: For a spiritual experience, Guruvayur is famous for the Guruvayur Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Your parents can attend a traditional temple festival. In between these places, you can plan their relaxation days. Consider booking Ayurvedic massages and spa treatments at a tranquil retreat or a beachside resort. To make their trip more enjoyable, you can book accommodations and transportation in advance, so they can travel hassle-free. Kerala offers a diverse range of experiences, and this itinerary should provide a blend of relaxation and exploration. You can also have a read through the thread best places to visit in Kerala.
