35 Best Tourist Places in Kerala

Perched at 1,600m in the Western Ghats, Munnar is famous for rolling emerald tea plantations, crisp mountain air, misty peaks, and serene high-altitude views.

Home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and the majestic Anamudi peak (highest in South India). Famous for the cyclical blooming of Neelakurinji flowers.

A storage concrete gravity dam surrounded by lush green hills, tea gardens, and misty reservoir waters. Popular for motorized speedboating and peaceful lake strolls.

Nestled at the confluence of three mountain streams, Echo Point is renowned for its natural acoustic echo phenomenon against the serene backdrop of mist-covered hills and placid lake waters.

One of India’s premier wildlife sanctuaries, featuring scenic boat cruises on Periyar Lake amidst sunken tree stumps to observe wild elephants, bison, sambar deer, and exotic water birds.

An offbeat, tranquil hill station famous for pine forests, rolling velvet meadows, tea gardens, and misty ravines. Perfect for quiet weekend getaways away from commercial crowds.

Known as the "Niagara of South India", Athirappilly is an 80-foot high, 330-foot wide thundering cascade tumbling down the Chalakudy River amidst dense Sholayar rainforests.

Located just 5 km upstream from Athirappilly, Vazhachal features sloping rapids rushing through dense evergreen forests with riparian flora and endemic Western Ghats species.

A historic seaside quarter steeped in Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial history, famed for cantilevered Chinese Fishing Nets, centuries-old churches, and vibrant art cafes.

Also known as the Dutch Palace, this 16th-century royal landmark features exquisite Hindu murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, ceremonial royal palanquins, and historic portraits.

A pristine 15 km crescent coastline on northern Vypin Island where the calm Arabian Sea meets tranquil backwater lagoons. Famed for dolphin spotting, gentle swimming waves, and seafood shacks.

A popular coastal destination featuring an iconic 150-year-old sea pier jutting into the Arabian Sea, a historic striped lighthouse, seaside promenade, and evening cultural festivals.

The Venice of the East: an interconnected maze of canals, lagoons, and emerald paddy fields. The ultimate setting for traditional Kettuvallam luxury overnight houseboat cruises.

Spanning 14 acres along Vembanad Lake, this sanctuary is an ornithologist’s paradise hosting resident egrets, darters, herons, and migratory visitors like Siberian Cranes in winter.

The longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala. Heart of the famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race and surrounded by world-class luxury lakefront pool villa resorts.

Perched at 1,200m on Ambukuthi Mala, these prehistoric natural rock shelters showcase pictorial petroglyphic engravings dating back over 6,000 years to the Neolithic era.

A scenic natural freshwater lake shaped remarkably like the map of India, surrounded by evergreen forests, blue water lilies, and rolling hill slopes.

The largest earthen dam in India and second largest in Asia. Impounds the Karamanathodu tributary with a picturesque archipelago of submerged forested islands.

Also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, this three-tiered cataract cascades 200 meters into a natural cliffside pool amidst tea estates and dense montane rainforest.

Famous for dramatic red laterite cliffs standing directly beside the Arabian Sea. Renowned for spiritual holy dip waters (Papanasam), yoga retreats, cliffside sunset cafes, and surfing.

An internationally acclaimed crescent beach featuring the iconic 118-foot red-and-white striped Vizhinjam Lighthouse, calm swimming bays, Ayurvedic health centers, and luxury cliffside resorts.

An architectural masterpiece blending Dravidian and Kerala styles, featuring a 16th-century 100-foot gopuram, padmatheertham sacred pond, and the world-renowned sanctum of Lord Vishnu in Ananthasayanam posture.

Home to the world’s largest bird sculpture (200 ft long, 150 ft wide, 70 ft tall) resting atop a 1,000 ft rocky hill. Features an aerial cable car (ropeway), museum, and adventure park.

An enchanting cluster of eight small river islands at the confluence of the Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River. Famous for intimate country canoe canal tours under low bridges and mangrove canopies.

Translating to "Stream of Milk", Palaruvi is a 300-foot horsetail waterfall cascading down sheer granite cliffs in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary buffer zone, renowned for pristine Ayurvedic bathing pools.

The largest and best-preserved sea fortress in Kerala, sprawling across 40 coastal acres. Built in the 1650s, its towering observation post, sea-lapped ramparts, and keyhole bastions offer magnificent views.

The longest drive-in beach in Asia and ranked among the top 6 in the world by BBC. Spans 4 km of hard-packed golden sands where vehicles can be driven directly along the breaking ocean waves.

A triangular sea-facing laterite fortress built in 1505 by Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India. Features cannons facing the Arabian Sea and historic views of Mopla Bay fishing harbor.

A historic city coastline that welcomed spice traders from across the globe. Features two century-old piers reaching into the sea, a marine aquarium, sunset crowds, and iconic Malabar culinary spots.

A tranquil Blue Flag certified beach of historical prominence where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed on 20 May 1498, establishing the sea route from Europe to India.

One of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests in India, home to the largest viable population of the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque along the Kunthi River.

Known as the "Poor Man’s Ooty", this serene hill station is famous for sprawling tea, orange, and cardamom estates, dramatic cliff drops, and the scenic drive past Pothundi Dam.

A well-protected ecological haven nestled in the Anamalai sub-cluster of the Western Ghats, famous for the world’s oldest and largest teak tree (Kannimara Teak) and eco-friendly jungle safaris.

A pristine forest village nestled inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve buffer zone. Famous for deep wilderness jeep drives, boating on Gavi lake, and sightings of elephants, gaur, and the Nilgiri Marten.

A historic forest sanctuary and elephant camp in operation since 1892, featuring massive wooden kraals (cages), elephant interaction experiences, and coracle boating on the nearby Achankovil river.