Kerala is a place that is popular not only among the Indians but also the tourists worldwide. The place is abundant of hill-stations, backwaters, commercial cities, hamlets, and much more making it the ultimate destination for exploration. Once you set foot in the beautiful Arcadia of India, you can feel the rich vibe of Kerala’s culture and heritage becoming a part of you. Kerala is suitable for all groups of people from family, friends to the honeymooners. With so many places to explore, here are some of the top places that you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Kerala.

Top 6 Places in Kerala

Kerala is full of amazing places that are diverse in nature. Each place is charming and beautiful in their own way. All the hill stations, temple towns, backwaters will make you fall in love with the place and you can’t stop thinking about coming back to the place. Read on to know about the top 6 places in Kerala that you should visit and what makes them special.

1. Munnar – The Cosy Hill Stay

Munnar is a very popular Hill station in the country and is worthy of spending at least 2 days with friends and family especially for honeymooners. The place was once considered as a Summer capital by British. The hills are very rich with their flora and with all the 80000 miles of tea plantation, the place is filled with greenery. As you journey towards the top of the hill, you can come across beautiful valleys and the clouds that seem to be floating near you.

The mountains and backdrops in Munnar — Photo by Arindam Saha on Unsplash

The best time to visit Munnar is between the months of October and March. There are many attractive places throughout the hill station such as Meesapulimala, Blossom Park, Pothamedu ViewPoint, Life of Pi Church, Attukal Waterfalls and much more. If you have time, you can also visit Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Top Station, Marayoor Dolmens, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Kundala Lake, Lockhart Gap and Mattupetty Dam.

2. Wayanad – The Refreshing Beauty

Wayanad literally means Paddy fields in Malayalam and is one of the greenest place tourist place in the country let alone country. The place is filled with righteous grace, calm environment and a rich aroma. Wayanad is a perfect blend of natural excellence and culture. The place is also popular for its traditional practices and tribal heritage. Wayanad is filled with many green lush cultivations throughout making it one of the most refreshing places in Kerala. In addition to that, there are also small waterfalls present all over the place adding to the beauty. Don’t miss out on doing Bamboo Rafting and Boating while you are there.

Road in Wayanad, one of the top places in Kerala — Photo by YADU KRISHNAN K S on Unsplash

The ideal time of the year to visit the place is from October to May. If you are an adventurous person, then you can visit Wayanad during the monsoon season in July and August. You can enjoy trekking and other adventurous activities during this time of the year.

3. Alleppey – The Land of Backwaters

Alleppey is definitely one of the top places to visit in South India, and not only in Kerala. The place is famous for its backwater trips, houseboat stays, and tranquil appeal. It just attracts thousands of tourists with its charm. The place is called the Venice of the East and it will never be an exaggeration. Allepey is a beautiful work of nature and the Alleppey houseboat vacation is all you need to take your steam off. Adding to the beauty, there are stretches of paddy fields, picturesque chapels, fishing villages, and lakes filled with water lilies. The best time to visit Allepey is between the months of September and May.

Alleppey, one of the top places in Kerala — Photo by kyran low on Unsplash

4. Kozhikode – The one for the Foodies

The other name for Kozhikode is Calicut and it is one of the most vibrant commercial cities in Kerala. Even though it lacks in natural excellence as other places, Kozhikode compensates exceedingly with its culture, ancient sites, educational institutions, and culinary experiences. You can feel the strong influences of the Dutch and the British in the architectures present around the city. One more thing that makes Kozhikode popular is its Malabar Cuisine. The food in Kozhikode is authentic and something that you should taste at least once in your life. Don’t miss out on the signature dishes like Dum Biryani, Kallummakkaya, Chatti Pathiri, and Dal Halwa when you are in Calicut.

Kozhikode Beach in Kerala — Photo by fazil abi on Unsplash

5. Varkala – The Seaside Paradise

Varkala is a multidimensional city and one of the best seaside places in the region. The coastline with cliffs and the lush greenery makes it a beautiful place for all the tourists to spend an awesome time. There are also water activities such as boat riding, surfing, parasailing, jetting, horse-riding. All these activities make the beach a happening hub. During the sunset, the place heightens its beauty to a whole new level as the tints of colourful rays make for a surreal ambience.

A bird view of the coastline in Varkala — Photo by Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash

The best time of the year to visit Varkala is between the months of August and May. Varkala is also an important place in Hindu culture and filled with many Hindu temples. Due to which there are many religious travellers and heritage admirers visit Varkala in large numbers. Apart from the beach, the other major attractions are Papanasam Beach, Janardan Swami Temple, Vishnu Temple, Anjengo Fort, Sarkara Devi Temple, Varkala Tunnel, and Kaduvayil Thangal Darga.

6. Idukki – The Hidden Gem

Idukki is a perfect place for having an offbeat experience in Kerala. With all the verdant hills and luxurious forests, Idukki is a perfect place for you to rejuvenate and relax. Many travellers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers come here to enjoy this beautiful atmosphere. There are also aromatic tea and spice plantations adding to the natural heritage of the region. There are two periods of time in year perfect for travelling here. One from June to August and the other one is from November to January. You can experience Trekking, Camping, Paragliding or have an astounding stay at the Misty Mountain Resort. Additionally, there are other major attractions in Idukki are Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Thommankuthu Falls, Kalvari Mount, Idukki Arch Dam, Cheeyappara Waterfalls and Kalvari Mount.

Idukki, one of the top places in kerala — Photo by Mohamed Jasir on Unsplash

With all these diverse wonderlands spread across the region of Kerala, there are also many hidden treasures in Kerala you can explore. Kerala is filled with a rich heritage, stunning landscapes, amazing delicacies and wonderful people. Start crafting your very own adventure to God’s own country and have a spectacular vacation to Kerala.

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