Alleppey
Cruise through the Alleppey backwaters and Vembanad Lake, then visit Pathiramanal Island, Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Krishnapuram Palace, Alappuzha Beach and Marari Beach.
Tourist Attractions in Kerala
Kerala brings together tea-covered hills, backwaters, wildlife reserves, beaches and historic towns. Explore Munnar and Wayanad for the hills, Alleppey and Kumarakom for backwaters, Kochi for heritage, Thekkady for wildlife, and Varkala or Kovalam for the coast.
Attractions by Region
Attractions by Destination
Bekal
Explore Bekal Fort, relax at Bekal Beach and add Valiyaparamba Backwaters for a quieter north Kerala experience.
Idukki
See the Idukki Arch Dam, Hill View Park, Kalvari Mount, Ramakkalmedu and Thommankuthu Waterfalls across Kerala’s high ranges.
Kasaragod
Combine Bekal Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Ananthapura Lake Temple, Ranipuram, Kappil Beach and the backwaters of northern Kerala.
Kochi
Walk through Fort Kochi, see the Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace, Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town, then spend the evening around Marine Drive.
Kollam
Explore Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Island, Jatayu Earth Centre, Thangassery Lighthouse, Palaruvi Falls and Thenmala.
Kovalam
Spend time at Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach, with the Vizhinjam Lighthouse providing one of the coast’s best viewpoints.
Kumarakom
Enjoy the backwaters of Vembanad Lake, visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, take a boat trip towards Pathiramanal Island and slow down at a lakeside resort.
Munnar
Explore Eravikulam National Park, tea estates, Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Attukad Waterfalls and Kolukkumalai.
Periyar
The main draws are Periyar Tiger Reserve, Periyar Lake, spice gardens, Pullumedu and Mangala Devi Temple.
Thekkady
Combine Periyar National Park and Lake with Kumily’s spice plantations, nature walks and Kerala cultural performances.
Thiruvananthapuram
Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace, Napier Museum and other landmarks of Kerala’s capital, with nearby nature excursions available for longer stays.
Thrissur
Explore Kerala’s cultural heart through Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thekkinkadu Maidan, Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Guruvayur Temple and nearby Athirappilly and Vazhachal waterfalls.
Varkala
Walk along Varkala Cliff, relax at Papanasam Beach, and visit Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sivagiri Mutt and nearby Kappil Beach and Backwaters.
Wayanad
Discover Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, Pookode Lake, Chembra Peak, Soochipara Falls, Thirunelli Temple and Wayanad’s forest landscapes.
Kerala Highlights
Attractions that shape a first Kerala itinerary
Munnar Tea Hills & Eravikulam National Park
Kerala’s signature hill experience, combining tea-covered slopes with protected Western Ghats scenery.
Alleppey Backwaters
Cruise through canals, lagoons and Vembanad Lake by houseboat or smaller country boat.
Fort Kochi
Explore colonial streets, churches, Chinese Fishing Nets and the heritage quarter around Mattancherry.
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Kerala’s best-known wildlife region, with forest walks, lake experiences and chances to see elephants and other wildlife.
Athirappilly Waterfalls
One of Kerala’s most impressive waterfalls and a major nature attraction near Thrissur.
Varkala Cliff & Papanasam Beach
A distinctive cliff-backed coast combining beach time, sunset views and spiritual sites.
Kovalam Lighthouse Beach
Kerala’s classic beach destination, known for its crescent-shaped coast and landmark lighthouse.
Edakkal Caves
Wayanad’s best-known heritage attraction, with prehistoric rock engravings and a hill setting.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A peaceful birding stop beside Vembanad Lake that works well with a relaxed backwater stay.
Bekal Fort
A large coastal fort overlooking the Arabian Sea and one of northern Kerala’s defining landmarks.
Ashtamudi Lake & Munroe Island
Explore quieter backwaters, village canals and island landscapes around Kollam.
Idukki Arch Dam
One of Kerala’s major engineering landmarks, surrounded by reservoirs, forested hills and viewpoints.
Best Time for Sightseeing
Best overall windowSeptember to March
Pleasant weather
easier sightseeing
easier sightseeing
BestOct–FebComfortable weather for beaches, backwaters, cities, wildlife and hill stations.
GoodMar–MayBest suited to Munnar, Wayanad, Idukki and other hill destinations. Coastal Kerala becomes hotter.
RainyJun–SepKerala is at its greenest, but heavy rain can affect beaches, trekking and outdoor sightseeing.
How to reach Kerala
Main gatewayKochi & Thiruvananthapuram
Air + rail arrival
road onward
road onward
By airKochi works well for Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Alleppey. Thiruvananthapuram is convenient for Kovalam and Varkala, while Kozhikode and Kannur serve north Kerala.
By railMajor railheads include Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.
By roadPrivate road transfers are the easiest way to combine Kerala’s hill stations, wildlife areas, backwaters and beaches in one itinerary.
Your festival, your journey
Planning a Kerala trip? Get a customised tour built around your plan
Tell us whether you want hills, wildlife, backwaters, beaches or heritage. Our travel experts can connect the right destinations into a Kerala itinerary that suits your dates and preferred pace.
Kerala City Tour Packages
Explore tours around the places you want to visit
Alleppey Tour Packages
Choose Alleppey for houseboats, backwaters, village waterways and relaxed coastal stays.
Cochin / Kochi Tour Packages
Explore Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, heritage streets and Kerala’s historic port culture.
Kollam Tour Packages
Combine Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Island and quieter south Kerala backwaters.
Kottayam Tour Packages
Use Kottayam as a gateway to central Kerala’s backwaters, plantations and countryside.
Kovalam Tour Packages
Choose Kovalam for Lighthouse Beach, coastal relaxation and easy access to Thiruvananthapuram.
Kozhikode Tour Packages
Explore the Malabar coast, Kozhikode’s heritage and the flavours of north Kerala.
Kumarakom Tour Packages
Stay beside Vembanad Lake for backwater cruises, birdwatching and slower-paced resort stays.
Periyar Tour Packages
Choose Periyar for wildlife, forest activities, spice plantations and lake experiences.
Thekkady Tour Packages
Combine Periyar wildlife with spice gardens and cultural experiences around Kumily.
Varkala Tour Packages
Plan a relaxed coastal stay around Varkala Cliff, Papanasam Beach and wellness experiences.
Wayanad Tour Packages
Explore caves, peaks, waterfalls, dams and forest landscapes in north Kerala.
Kerala Tour Packages
CURATED ITINERARIES
Best of Kerala
Cochin – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum
Price on request View itinerary
Scenic Kerala
Cochin – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum
₹23,499 View itinerary
Romantic Kerala Tour
Cochin – Munnar – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum
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Why IndianHoliday
Why Travelers Choose IndianHoliday
Kerala trips often combine hills, backwaters, wildlife and beaches. We focus on sensible routing so you spend more time experiencing the destination and less time making unnecessary road transfers.
Experience that improves the route
Indian Holiday has planned journeys since 1990, giving our team the experience to build routes around real travel times—not just points on a map.
A trip shaped around your pace
Tell us your dates, interests and preferred pace. Our travel experts shape the itinerary around them instead of forcing you into a fixed template.
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Answers for planning what to see in Kerala
Which are the most famous tourist attractions in Kerala?
Munnar, Alleppey backwaters, Fort Kochi, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Wayanad, Kumarakom, Varkala, Kovalam, Athirappilly Waterfalls and Bekal Fort are among Kerala’s best-known attractions.
Which places should first-time visitors prioritise?
A first trip usually works well with Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey, followed by Kovalam or Varkala if you want a beach stay.
How many days are enough for Kerala sightseeing?
Around 6–8 days works for a classic hills, wildlife and backwater route. Allow 9–10 days if you also want beaches or additional destinations.
Which Kerala attractions are best for families?
Munnar, Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kochi, Kovalam and the easier sightseeing areas of Wayanad work well for family trips.
Which attractions are best for wildlife and nature?
Prioritise Periyar Tiger Reserve, Wayanad, Eravikulam National Park, Athirappilly Waterfalls and the hill landscapes of Idukki.
Which places are best for backwaters?
Alleppey and Kumarakom are the classic choices. Ashtamudi Lake and Munroe Island near Kollam work well for travellers looking for a quieter alternative.
Which Kerala beaches are worth including?
Varkala, Kovalam, Marari and Bekal offer four different coastal experiences, from cliff views and resort beaches to quieter stretches of sand.
Can Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey be combined in one trip?
Yes. They form one of Kerala’s most practical circuits, combining a hill station, wildlife and backwaters without requiring travel across the full length of the state.
Want to turn Kerala’s attractions into a comfortable route?
Tell us the places you want to see and how many days you have. We can build a Kerala itinerary around the experiences that matter most to you.