We usually talk about vacations or a weekend, at least when it comes to travelling. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a one-day trip from Kerala, Delhi, Bangalore, or any other destination, for that matter? After weeks and months of tedious work schedules, running between office and home, working for extended hours, and whatnot, everyone likes even the thought of a day off. Right? It takes you away from your regular schedule and rejuvenates your body and mind.
The best part is that it won’t hurt your pocket or pose problems at your workplace. Here are the best places to visit in Kerala for a single-day trip that can help you unwind and escape your stress and workload for a day.
Top 10 incredible places to visit in Kerala for a one-day trip
1. Alleppey

Best time to visit Alleppey: Between September and February
Honestly! When it comes to taking a one-day trip in Kerala, most people think of a place that would take them away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One place that ticks all the checklist boxes is Alleppey. Often referred to as “India’s Venice”, Alleppey is one of the finest tourist destinations in Kerala, drawing tourists throughout the year. For those seeking a peaceful destination on the west coast of Kerala, this can be an ideal choice. You can come here in the morning, relax and rejuvenate in the pleasing environment of the city, and head back to your place by evening. A perfect one-day trip in Kerala, isn’t it?
| Best Places to Eat in Alleppey | Best Tourist Attractions in Alleppey | Things to do during your visit to Alleppey |
|---|---|---|
| Vembanad Restaurant Harbour Restaurant Kream Korner Thaff Restaurant | Alleppey Beach Krishnapuram Palace Ambalapuzha Temple Backwaters Arthunkal Church Marari Beach Kuttanad | Travelling through a paddy field Kayaking Relaxing at Sreekrishna Ayurveda Centre Walk through the Alappuzha Shoreline Night Stay in a Houseboat |
2. Wayanad

Best time to visit Wayanad: Throughout the Year
Some people love to rest and enjoy the peacefulness of nature, while others love to spend their “day off” doing something thrilling, such as trekking a mountain or rock climbing. If you look through the list of tourist places in Kerala offering various adventure activities, Wayanad would likely be placed near the top. A fantastic destination for adventure-loving people planning a one-day trip to Kerala. From exploring caves to clicking pictures in front of a beautiful waterfall, Wayanad has a lot of things to offer. This will give you a recreational break and a day to enjoy what you love the most, “Adventure”. But that doesn’t mean people who admire nature cannot visit here for a break. They, too, can share the space with the adventure junkie in this breathtakingly beautiful travel destination in Kerala.
| Best Places to Eat in Wayanad | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| The Bungalow Clayhut A Village Restaurant Cafe Qatar Restaurant Jubilee Restaurant Food Lounge | Edakkal Caves Chembra Peak Banasura Sagar Dam Meenmutty Waterfalls Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Soochipara Falls | Bamboo Rafting Boating in Pookode Lake Trekking Hiking Cycling Exploring Edakkal caves Ziplining |
3. Kumarakom

Best Time to Visit Kumarakom: Between November and February
Considering Kumarakom as your next destination won’t be a wrong choice, because one of the most important offerings of this beautiful tourist destination in Kerala is its serene spots. A one-day trip you would be taking is more or less like a day where you keep aside all your stressful things and enjoy the moments, isn’t it? To your surprise, there are numerous places where you can do this. Another notable aspect of Kumarakom is that it offers a variety of delicious meals. Excited? Choose any of the Kerala one-day tour packages, and let us take care of the hassle of deciding what to do and where to visit in Kumarakom.
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| Cocobay Restaurant Granary Restaurant Baker’s Gourmet House Lakesong Restaurant Lakshmi Restaurant | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Vagamon Pathiramanal Island Vembanad Lake Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple | Sailing in a houseboat Bird Watching Taking an Ayurvedic spa Watching a Kathakali performance Trekking to the waterfall Watching the boat race |
4. Thrissur

Best Time to Visit Thrissur: Between November and February
Thrissur is undoubtedly one of the finest places to visit in Kerala for a single-day trip owing to its beautiful location. The town is beautifully tucked away on a hill and has many mesmerising places for city dwellers to visit. Not only are the places to visit here beautiful, but they are also a bit less chaotic than the cities. There are several religious sites throughout the town, and people usually come here to seek the Lord’s blessing. Whether it be the ancient and beautifully designed church or the impressive historic temples, Thrissur can be your ideal destination in Kerala for a rejuvenating holiday.
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Tastes Waffle Chef Bharath Hotel (Pure Veg) ROASTOWN-Global Cuisine Restaurant Pisharody’s Restaurant | Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Thrissur Zoo Punnathur Kotta Shakthan Thampuran Palace Vilangan Kunnu Athirappilly Waterfalls | Take a stroll in the tea garden Hike to the waterfall Visiting the Eravikulam National Park Photography from Top Station Visiting Blossom International Park |
5. Munnar

Best Time to Visit Munnar: Between October and March
Although visiting the prime attractions of Munnar takes more than one day, this beautiful hill station serves as a perfect destination for a holiday. You will find many tourists visiting here throughout the year, but compared to other hill stations, Munnar is a bit less crowded. One of the ideal hill stations to visit in Kerala – Munnar – has an entirely different charm and offers several unique places to visit and things to do. When planning a single-day trip in Kerala, Munnar is an ideal choice for several compelling reasons. There are a sufficient number of places for every kind of traveller, so fret not; travelling to this town won’t be a bummer.
| Best Places to Eat in Munnar | Best Tourist Attractions in Munnar | Things to do during your visit to Munnar |
|---|---|---|
| Tea Tales Cafe Hotel Gurubhavan Saravana Bhavan Arabian Grills Rapheek Restaurant Butler’s Creek Winter Heaven Cottage The Silvertips | Eravikulam National Park Echo Point Mattupetty Dam Top Station TATA Tea Museum Attukad Waterfalls Blossom International Park | Take a stroll in the tea garden Hike to the waterfall Visiting the Eravikulam National Park Photography from Top Station Visiting Blossom International Park |
6. Kalpetta

Best Time to Visit Kalpetta: Between October and March
Many people looking for a single-day trip in Kerala prefer visiting a small town that is less chaotic and more serene. This keeps them away from the stressful chaos and unnecessary noise, allowing them to loosen up in quieter and more peaceful places. If this is how you wish to spend your day, then Kalpetta can be the ideal destination for you in Kerala. Although the best time to visit Kerala is during the winter, people still visit the town throughout the year. This is mainly due to its fantastic year-round weather.
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s A Nostalgic Restaurant Green Gates Hotels Thalassery Food Court Majestic Bakes and Bistro Lunch House Spicy Hut Restaurant | Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary Wayanad Heritage Museum Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathi Temple Koottamundu Glass Temple Karapuzha Dam Meenmutty Falls | Trek to the Chembra Peak Spend some time at Soochipara Falls Try to visit the Edakkal Caves Enjoy the beauty at Meenmutty Falls Explore the beautiful and ancient Thirunelli Temple Witness the diversity of flora & fauna at Kuruvadweep |
7. Kannur

Best Time to Visit Kannur: Between July and March
Kannur is a small yet picturesque town located on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. It is one of those places with several beautiful attractions and many things to do. Although it is a small beach town in Kerala, it remains one of the most incredible places in the state. You get to explore several ancient ruins, enjoy the beautiful and clean beaches, and witness monuments that speak the stories of the bygone colonial era. So, if you are wondering if it’s a good choice for your solo day trip in Kerala, then this is a good option.
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| MVK Restaurant Chifonets Cool Land Pepperpot Restaurant Barka Restaurant Kannur Foodies Foodcourt Kannur | Palakkayam Thattu Payyambalam Beach Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Vismaya Water Park Baby Beach Ezhara Beach St Angelo Fort Muzhappilangad Beach | Take a stroll at Payyambalam Beach Drive along the Muzhappilangad Beach shoreline Explore the St Angelo Fort Enjoy the Snake Park Relax at the Baby Beach Visit the Arakkal Museum |
8. Thekkady

Best Time to Visit Thekkady: Between November and March
Are you a wildlife enthusiast living somewhere in Kerala and looking for an enchanting destination for your single-day trip? Look no further because Thekkady is one of the best destinations in Kerala for wildlife lovers. Thekkady is famous for the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the largest reserve in India. Not only do you get to spend some time with these wild cats during your Periyar safari, but you also get to witness the diversity in flora and fauna. One of the best things about this small, mesmerising town is that it never gets old on you. (This means, however many times you visit here, you won’t get bored with it.)
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Garden – Rooftop Restaurant Bamboo Cafe Ebonys Cafe Restaurant Peppervine Restaurant Pizza Max | Murikkady Periyar National Park Kadathanadan Kalari Center Pandikuzhi Vandanmedu Mangla Devi Temple | Seek blessings at Mangla Devi Temple Enjoy the panoramic view from Chellarkovil Enjoy the natural beauty at Pandikuzhi Safari at Periyar park |
9. Kottayam

Best Time to Visit Kottayam: Between September and February
Kottayam is one of those “comparatively offbeat” destinations in Kerala that can take you back in time. In addition to being one of the most surreal destinations in Kerala, Kottayam holds significant cultural importance for the entire state. One of the achievements of Kottayam is the 100% literacy rate, from which it derived its nickname ‘Akshara Nagari’. The city of Letters is a profound place for many things, and what has defined it best is the picturesque landscapes and the natural beauty of the town. The peaceful environment and mild weather, along with its stunning views, make it a wonderful place to visit in Kerala for a one-day trip.
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| Theos Restaurant 12 to 12 Bar-Be-Que The Punjabi Restaurant Kottayam Company Wheels Restaurant | Nadukani Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple Island of Pathiramanal Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Illikkal Kallu | Admiring the secluded beauty Enjoying the picnic spot Offer prayers at the temples Birdwatching at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary |
10. Kochi

Best Time to Visit Kochi: Between September and March
One of the best destinations in Kerala during winter, Kochi might not be a quiet place, but you surely can spend some time amidst nature. Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi, is also an excellent destination for those seeking a break. It is a serene place and one of the finest beach destinations in Kerala—the history of this city and its legacy trace back to the first colonisation era. Kochi has beaches, museums, temples, monuments, and many other unique places that delight every traveller. Make sure to keep your camera or mobile device charged for the day.
| Best Places to Eat | Best Tourist Attractions | Things to do during your visit |
|---|---|---|
| Leman Cafe & Restaurant Rasoi Fort Kochi The Asian Kitchen by Tokyo Bay Kashi Art Café Fort House Hotel | Mattancherry Palace, Indo-Portuguese Museum, Ernakulam, Shiva Temple, Santa Cruz Basilica, Paradesi Synagogue, Kodanad Elephant Training Centre | Take a stroll on the Marine Drive Spot elephants at the Elephant Centre Enjoy a Ferry Ride Watch the Kathakali Performance Explore the Kochi Fort |
How Does IndianHoliday Help You Plan the Perfect Kerala Day Trip?
With over 36 years of experience, Indian Holiday makes your one-day trip to Kerala seamless and memorable. Whether you want to cruise Alleppey’s backwaters, trek through Munnar, or explore Kochi’s colonial charm, we’ve got you covered.
What We Offer:
Custom 1-day itineraries tailored to your travel style
Private transfers with local guides
Flexible pick-up and drop-off timing
Insider access to Kerala’s best-kept experiences
24/7 on-trip support
Want a perfect day in Kerala? Let us plan it for you; just show up and enjoy.
Conclusion
Are you now prepared to roll in Kerala’s beauty? Then, it’s time if all you’ve been waiting for is a trip to Kerala. These top Kerala tourist attractions will surely come in handy wherever you go! All you need to do is book the package from Indian Holiday, and you will get master surprises in the packages. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us!
Suggested Read:
Top 10 Honeymoon Places in Kerala
Top 10 Backwater Destinations in Kerala that You Can’t Miss
10 Pristine Beaches in Kerala that you must include in your Kerala Trip
FAQs
Q: What are the best places to visit in Kerala for a day from Kochi?
From Kochi, top one-day trip destinations include Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Athirapally Waterfalls, all under 3 hours away.
Q: Can I visit multiple destinations in Kerala in one day?
Yes, popular combos like Munnar + Mattupetty or Alleppey + Kumarakom are possible with early start times and private transfers.
Q: What’s the ideal time of year for a Kerala day trip?
October to March is ideal for sightseeing due to cool, pleasant weather and better visibility for outdoor activities.
Q: Are there Kerala day trips for couples or families?
Absolutely! Destinations like Munnar and Kumarakom are ideal for romantic getaways, while places like Wayanad and Thekkady are suited for families and adventure lovers.
Q: How can I plan a hassle-free one-day trip in Kerala?
Use a customised Kerala one-day tour package by IndianHoliday to cover major spots with expert guidance and transport.

