10 places to visit in Kerala

If God himself has chosen a spot to reside, it is going to be worth a visit! 

Kerala, also known as God’s own country, is the greatest example of cultural diversity, beautiful backwaters, heavenly hillsides, and delightful cuisines. A backpacker’s paradise, a honeymooner retreat, a family's choice, Kerala is the pick of the week, any time of the year. 

The coastal culmination of scenic views and sociable people is the biggest draw of the state. A trip to Kerala is an entrance into a new world of joy and calmness that you can bring back with you and cherish for years. 

Nitsa Holidays has gathered a list of the top 10 places to Visit in Kerala and it will be your guide throughout your planning process for a Kerala tour package

Alleppey

This place has also topped the itinerary of any Kerala Travel Package and for all the right reasons! Bragging the title of ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey is the hub of houseboats. Explore the coastal goodness on these luxurious boats whilst savoring the sights of coconut trees and paddy fields. The Palaces and museums of Alleppey will give you a glimpse of its wholesome history!

Best Time to Visit: September - May

Munnar

Colonialists left us with a scar but there is a silver lining to this story, the tea plantations of Munnar. Covering the whole of the hill station in green goodness, the sights of Munnar are ethereal. The pleasant weather is the perfect choice for trekkers and campers, the breathtaking waterfalls are a photographer's fantasy. 

Best Time to Visit: October - May

Kovalam

The golden glory of Kovalam’s beach is enchanting. Offering the freshest seafood, adventurous water activities, and breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, this place is the perfect spot for every visitor! Do not miss the iconic lighthouse at any cost. 

Best Time to Visit: September - May

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is the literal gateway to heaven! Crowned as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, travelers will witness a world of beauty, history, and cultural delight. The museums, churches, and temples of this place are all works of art in the truest sense. 

Best Time to Visit: September - March

Wayanad

Housing over 50 tribes, breathtaking caves, and wonderful waterfalls, Wayanad is the land of wonders. The greenest place in the state, visitors can enjoy an adventurous hike, capture the most stunning photos, or stay in a treehouse, every child’s dream! 

Best Time to Visit: October - May

Kozhikode 

As difficult as the pronunciation of the name is, so beautiful is the town of Kozhikode. Nestling the beautiful blend of cultures, telling the glorious history of the town, and showcasing the beauty of the places are Kozhikode’s waterfalls, museums, temples, and churches.

Best Time to Visit: September - May

Kumarakom

Located near the Vembanad lake is the heavenly hamlet of Kumarakom. Another spot to explore is the houseboats of Kerala, it is lined with tall coconut trees, paddy fields, and multiple species of birds.

Best Time to Visit: September - May

Thrissur 

Possibly the best display of Kerala’s culture and heritage is in the city of Thrissur. The ‘Cultural Capital of Kerala hosts the most colorful festivals and is believed to be one of the oldest sites of human settlements. 

Best Time to Visit: September - May

Thiruvananthapuram 

The capital city of Thiruvananthapuram is thriving with spiritual bliss and fascinating histories. Housing the holy temple of Sree Padmanabha Swamy, this place is a beautiful reminder of Kerala’s diversity. 

The beautiful backwaters and delectable food brings a smile to everyone’s faces.

Best Time to Visit: October - February 

Varkala

A must-visit on your trip to Kerala, Varkala is the spot where the iconic red cliffs are adjacent to the Arabian Sea. The scenic views of Varkala are much better while paragliding over them.

Best Time to Visit: October - March

How to reach Kerala?

There are multiple airports in Kerala such as the Kochi Airport, the Kannur Airport, the Calicut Airport, and the Trivandrum Airport. These airports are connected to all the other cities of India and it is very easy to reach. If you prefer, you can also choose to take a bus, a train, or a taxi to reach Kerala depending on wherever you are coming from. 

How to travel in Kerala?

When inside Kerala, you can opt for multiple ways of traveling such as the public commute like buses, trains, and taxis or you can even rent two-wheelers and cars for yourselves.

How long should you spend in Kerala?

The number of days required for you to explore Kerala, learn about its culture, see the most beautiful sites, and try the best adventures would require a minimum of seven days to ten days.

What is the budget required to go to Kerala?

The minimum budget for one person to spend seven days in Kerala would come up to about INR 15,000/-

What is the best time to go to Kerala?

The best time to go to the state of Kerala is during the winter season. The temperature is not excessively humid but it is pleasant and comfortable enough to explore the lagoons, the coffins and tea plantations, spice gardens, and much more. Nitsa Holidays recommends you go to Kerala during the months of September to March.

Tips to remember before going to Kerala

• A lot of villages and backward areas will not have online payment systems so it is not mandatory but recommended to carry cash along with you.

• If you are in Kerala during the summer season, it can get pretty hot and humid so remember to carry light clothes along with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.

• If you wish to try the famous Ayurvedic treatments of Kerala, remember to only go to the certified centers.

• Whilst visiting the worship centers or religious establishments, dress modestly.

Where should you stay in Kerala?

Kerala is a very beautiful place, the people are very broad-minded, welcoming, and accepting, and even if a lot of them cannot speak English or Hindi very fluently, you will still feel very welcome and very much at home when you are in Kerala. The hotels and accommodations in Kerala are available at various rates, budgets, and locations however, all of them offer amazing services and facilities. They provide you with beautiful views of the state and they also serve you top-notch food. Here is our list of some of the best hotels to choose from when you are traveling in Kerala:

Allepey- Sterling Lake Palace Allepey, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Ramada by Wyndham Alleppey, Plumeria Lake Resort and Spa Alleppey

Munnar- Chandys Windy Woods Munnar, The Leaf Munnar, Gokulam Park Munnar, Blanket Hotel and Spa Munnar, Munnar Tea Hills Resort

Kovalam- Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Resort Kovalam, Taj Green Cove Resort and Spa Kovalam, Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach Kovalam, The Leela Kovalam- A Raviz Hotel

Cochin- Trident Hotel Kochi, Novotel Kochi Hotel Infopark, Fort Kochi Beach Inn, Casino Hotel CGH Earth Kochi, Kochi Marriott Hotel, Crowne Plaza Kochi

Wayanad- Great Trails Wayanad, Taj Wayanad Resort and Spa, Morickap Resort Wayanad, Sterling Wayanad, Mountain Shadows Wayanad

Kozhikode- The Raviz Kadavu Kozhikode, The Gateway Hotel Kozhikode, Hotel Park Residency Kozhikode, KPM Tripenta Hotel Kozhikode 

Kumarakom- Backwater Ripples Kumarakom, Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Kumarakom, Coconut Lagoon- CGH Earth Resort Kumarakom, Taj Kumarakom Resort and Spa

Thrissur- Hyatt Regency Thrissur, Joys Palace Thrissur, White Palace Hotel Thrissur, The Garudas- Hotel and Resort Thrissur, Hotel Niya Regency Thrissur

Thiruvananthapuram- Vivin Luxury Suites Thiruvananthapuram, Windsor Rajadhani Thiruvananthapuram, Hyatt Regency Thiruvananthapuram, Hilton Garden Inn Thiruvananthapuram 

Varkala- Clafouti Beach Resort Varkala, Elixir Cliff Beach Resort and Spa Varkala, Urban Cliff Resort Varkala, S Cliff Beach Resort Varkala

Where should you dine in Kerala? 

The food and cuisine of Kerala is very unique and very scrumptious as well. Most of us know South Indian food as Idli and Dosa but when you are in Kerala, you will understand how much more depth the Malayali cuisine has to itself. From amazing seafood, finger-licking non-vegetarian cuisine, unbelievably delicious vegetarian meals, tropical flavors, and praiseworthy spice utilization, every corner and every restaurant in Kerala displays a wide array of delicious goods. Here are some of our top recommendations to try:

Alleppey- Cassia, Hassan's Family Restaurant, Dreamers Cafe and Restaurant, Mushroom, Halais Restaurant 

Munnar- Parakkat Spice Merchant Restaurant, Arabian Grills, Saravana Bhavan, Tea Tales Cafe, Sree Kumaran Hotel

Kovalam- Crab Club, Taste of Kerala, Bait, Malabar Bites, Naadan Thattukada, Steam Pot Restaurant 

Cochin- Malabar Cafe, Chariot Restaurant, Ceylon Bakehouse, Zoka, Ginger House Restaurant 

Wayanad- Wilton Hotel and Restaurant, 1980s- A Nostalgic Restaurant, The Coffee Grove Restaurant, Jubilee Restaurant, Clayhut- A Village Restaurant 

Kozhikode- Paragon Restaurant, Rahmath Hotel, Keraleeyam Restaurant, Mayflower Restaurant, Samudra The Meal House

Kumarakom- Vembanad Kumarakom Lake Resort, Karma Waterside Restaurant, Fisherman Cafe, Currymeen, Cocobay Restaurant 

Thrissur- ROASTOWN- Global Cuisine Restaurant, Hotel Bharath, Thomson’s Casa, Pisharody’s Restaurant, Telicacy Restaurant 

Thiruvananthapuram- Villa Maya, Paragon Restaurant, Cafe Jade, Silver Gate Restaurant, Azad Star Restaurant 

Varkala- Varkala Cliff, An Elephant Eatery, Inda Cafe, Clafouti, Coffee Temple, True Thomas

Which activity should you try in Kerala?

Kerala is a very wonderful place that is deeply enriched with culture and traditions. It is a place where you will find some of the most enchanting and breathtaking hill stations, luscious green forests, magical tea and coffee estates, and very scenic beaches. All of these places house some exciting adventures and activities that you must try, be it with your family, friends, or your partner. Your trip to Kerala will include some sightseeing but it should also include experiencing some adventures as well and here is our list of some unmissable ones for you to see and try when in Kerala. 

1-Elephant and Jeep Safaris in the wildlife parks and sanctuaries.

2-Houseboat rides in the backwaters.

3-Water sports such as parasailing, scuba diving, swimming, boating, jet skiing, and rafting. 

4-Hiking, Trekking, and camping in the mountains and jungles of Kerala. 

5-Tea making process and tea tasting. 

6-Scenic train rides through the countryside.

7-Ayurvedic Treatments and Spas

8-Watching Kathakali performances and shows.

9-Catching a glimpse of the Theyyam Ritual.

10-Enjoying a daunting show of the infamous martial art of Kerala- Kalaripayattu.

11-Watching an exciting Snake Boat Race.

12-Attending the temple festivities.

Why should you choose Nitsa Holidays as your travel guide?

Kerala is packed full of exciting adventures, mesmerizing locations, and many things to do. It can be a little overwhelming when somebody who hasn’t been to Kerala tries to do it by themselves. The task of finding the right place, the right accommodation, the right mode of transport, and a reliable guide to help you along is a little difficult and to make your lives easier and your Kerala trip worthwhile, Nitsa holidays can be your right and trustworthy partner.

Nitsa Holidays is a travel and tour agency based out of Delhi and we have expertise in creating customized tour packages in and around India as well as foreign countries. We know and understand very well the needs and requirements of Indians and all of our packages have been created accordingly. We can assure you that your trip will be full of fun, adventures, and enjoyable moments. But it will also be very comfortable, safe and reliable. Our packages are accommodative of group travels, family travels and couples travels as well and whatever your budgetary preference is, we ensure that we stick to it. If you have made up your mind to go to the most amazing place in the entirety of India, you can leave all your worries of planning and plotting for the Nitsa holidays. Our tour packages of Kerala include Kerala group tour packages from Delhi, Kerala family tour packages from Delhi, and Kerala couples tour packages from Delhi. You can choose the package that fits your requirements perfectly and leave the rest to us. 

Start packing and preparing for what is going to be one of the most memorable, cherishable, and enjoyable adventures of your life. Kerala awaits your arrival.