KERALA - GOD'S OWN COUNTRY
The God’s Own Country, Kerala has some extremely beautiful tourist destinations to hold the attention of global tourists. There are hill-stations, backwaters, commercial cities, hamlets, and much more to explore. Rich culture and heritage of Kerala also attracts nature lovers from all over the world. Once you set foot in the beautiful paradise, all other things seem inconsequential.
1. Alleppey – The backwater hot spot
Alleppey tops this list of best tourist places in Kerala with pictures. Its backwater trips, houseboat stays, and serene beauty attract a fair number of people to its territory. In fact it is the most popular place to experience Kerala’s backwaters. Lord Curzon’s depiction of Alleppey as the Venice of the East is not a hyperbole. A houseboat vacation is what people look for on their visit to Alleppey. There are expanses of paddy fields, quaint chapels, interesting fishing villages, lakes filled with water lilies which make for some of the best places to see in Kerala.
Popular tourist attractions: Alappuzha Beach,Krishnapuram Palace, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Marari Beach, Revi Karunakaran Museum, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Pathiramanal, and Sri Krishna Temple in Ambalappuzha. The Snake Boat Race in Alleppey is another crowd puller.
Best time to visit: September to mid-May.
2. Munnar – Perfect for a romantic honeymoon
A very popular one among hill stations in Kerala, Munnar is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Once the summer capital for British, the gradient and alignment of hills were particularly designed for tea farming. With about 80,000 miles of tea plantation, an equal measure of aromatic vegetation, misty valleys, and low-flying clouds, Munnar is a hill station that has become one of the best places to visit in Kerala for honeymoon.
Popular tourist attractions: TATA Tea Museum, Meesapulimala, Blossom Park, Pothamedu ViewPoint, Life of Pi Church, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Top Station, Marayoor Dolmens, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Kundala Lake, Lockhart Gap, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, and Eravikulam National Park.
Best time to visit: October to March
Nearest airport: Kochi Airport, at a mere distance of 143 km from the hill station.
3. Kumarakom – One of most tranquil places to visit in Kerala
Situated near Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a quiet little hamlet with alluring sceneries, ever pleasant weather and exotic flora and fauna; making it one of the loveliest places to see in Kerala. You get a mix of everything here – backwaters, authentic Kerala food, uber fresh air, warmth of Keralites, and deliciously fresh coconuts. There is a lot to do; choose from boating, cruising, houseboat stay, and fishing .
Popular tourist attractions: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Backwaters, Aruvikkuzhi waterfall, Juma Masjid, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Vembanad Lake, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Valiyapally, Cheriyapally, Kumarakom Beach, and Pathiramal Island.
Best time to visit: September to May
Nearest airport: Kochi Airport is 85 km away from Kumarakom
Wayanad means the land of paddy fields in Malayalam. Wayanad is one of the greenest places to visit in Kerala. Enriched with godly beauty, serene atmosphere and rich culture, Wayanad is a perfect mix of nature and man-made heritage. After all, the place is famous for its richness in cultures, traditions and tribal heritage. Small, unnamed waterfalls, that line the city haphazardly, add to the place’s charm.
Popular tourist attractions: Besides top 10 tourist places in Wayanad, there are Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Thirunelli Temple, Banasura Hill, Lakkidi View Point, P Kuruvadweep, Puliyarmala Jain Temple, Kabini, Papanashini River and Padinjarathara Dam.
Best time to visit: October to May; adventure enthusiasts should visit during the monsoon months of July and August to enjoy the perks of trekking and other adventure activities.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport at Calicut is just 95 km away.
5. Thekkady – For the love of wildlife
Thekkady is simply a heaven hidden in thick forests and wild vegetation. You get to see the near extinct species of animals including tigers, sambars, gaurs and lion tailed macaques. Also, there are elephants, lions, deers, bisons, boars, and the Great Indian tigers. Probably, the most favored among the Kerala’s tourist places, Thekkady boasts of abundant beauty and exotic wildlife. Its trekking path from Moozhiyar to Thekkady Gavi is one of the most popular trails in South India. Boating and wildlife observation are two of the favorite pastimes in Thekkady.
Popular tourist attractions: Besides 9 must visit places in Thekkady, there are Periyar Lake, Kadathanadan Kalari Centre, Elephant Junction, Deepa World Spice and Ayurvedic Garden, Kumily, Ramakkalmedu, Mullaperiyar Dam, Periyar Tiger Trail, Mudra Cultural Centre, Vandiperiyar, Chellarkovil, Murikkady, and Vandanmedu.
Best time to visit: November to early-May.
Nearest airport: Madurai Airport is just 136 km away.
Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station is 114 km away.
6. Kovalam – For some beach fun
Kovalam beach, one of best beaches in Kerala, is famous for its New Year celebrations, deep strong massages, Ayurvedic treatments, sunbathing fests,
and water sports like parasailing. It has a crescent shaped coastline which is always buzzing with activities. People from different countries, cultures, and states come together and add to the beauty of the place.
Popular tourist attractions: Lighthouse Beach , Hawah Beach, The Lighthouse, Samudra Beach, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, Halcyon Castle, Akkulam Lake, Vizhinjam Fishing Harbor, Kovalam Jama Masjid, Vellayani Lake, Karamana River, Aruvikkara, Rock Cut Caves, and Valiathura Pier.
Best time to visit: September to May
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport is mere 15 km away.
Nearest railway station: Trivandrum Railway Station is just 14 km away.
