Top 10 Tourist Destinations in Kerala

Kerala, regarded as the "God's Own Country", has a large number of tourist spots including some major pilgrimage destinations. Kerala itself is one of the top 10 travel destinations in India.

The major attractions in this southern Indian state are the backwaters, hill stations, wild life tours, beaches, ancient forts and palaces, temples, churches etc. Alappuzha, Munnar, Thiruvananthapuram, Guruvayur, Wayanad, Kovalam, Kochi, Thekkady, Silent Valley National Park, Athirappally-Vazhachal Waterfalls etc are some of the places worth a visit in Kerala.

Kerala is a major destination of ayuvedic treatment and tourism also.
 

Here, we present to you, the top 10 Tourist destinations in Kerala. The listing is not based on any rankings.

1. Thiruvananthapuram and Kovalam :
Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is a must visit site for every tourist who visit this land. The capital of Kerala has a number of tourist spots one will like to visit on a trip to this place. Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, Government Arts Museum, Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Observatory, Science and Technology Museum, Priyadarsini Planetarium, Kowdiar Palace, Chacha Nehru Museum, Shanghumugham Beach, Akkulam, Veli, Kuthiramalika, Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Parasurama Temple Thiruvallam, Varkala Sivagiri, Aruvikkara, Neyyar Dam, Koikkal Palace, Peppara, Ponmudi, Agasthyakoodam, Tropical Botanical Garden, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thumba, and Bay Watch are the places of tourist interest in Trivandrum.

Some websites which will give you information on Trivandrum Tourist places are here:

Zonkerala Tourist Places : Details about the major tourist spots in Trivandrum district of Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram.net : The complete information provider of thiruvananthapuram,or trivandrum, Kerala, local information. This site includes all the details about Thiruvananthapuram. 

Thiruvananthapuram Tourism in Wikipedia :  The entire tourism package of the state such as hill stations, back waters, beaches, lagoons, and wild life sanctuaries are present in Thiruvananthapuram district, reflects the beauty of the state Kerala. Foreign tourists flock to Thiruvananthapuram, a destination for chartered flights to India for Medical tourism, as there are more than hundred recognised Ayurveda centres in and around the city.

2. Kumarakom : Beautiful Backwaters and Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Guide : Kumarakom, especially the mangrove and coconut trees. Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), the 'Chemeen' (Prawns) and the 'Konju' (Tiger Prawns).    

Hotels in Kumarakom : Kumarakom, an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad lake, in this small water world you'll come across plenty of traditional country Crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake.

 
3. Munnar : Beautiful Hill Station in Kerala

Munnar.org :  Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in South India. Munnar's mesmerising greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year.

Munnar.com : Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air.

Munnarweb.com : Munnar is Kerala’s premium hill station. A hill station transcending excellence. Munnar is surrounded by gently undulating hills swathed in the soothing green of vast tea estates makes it perfect tourist destination in south India.  


4. Thekkady : Fascinating Wild Life Sanctuary

Thekkady.net : India 's largest wildlife sanctuary is a dream destination for any tourist visiting India . The 120 years old 'Surki' dam built across Peryiar, Poorna in Vedic parlance, is a major tourist attraction.

Keralagreenery Thekkady Information :  The pride of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady.

Thekkady Photos : Best traveler photos of Thekkady from Flickr, hand-picked by experts. Thekkady offers immense potential to various adventurous activities. Nature walking programmers are arranged regularly covering various trekking routes around 4 to 5 km. 

5. Alappuzha : Venice of the East

Alappuzha Photos : A large collection of Alappuzha District Photos. Photos clicked at Various spots in the Alappuzha district.   

Kerala Greenary Alappuzha Information : Alappuzha or Alleppey  is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes.  Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala  as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips.  

Alappuzha Online :   The ultimate updated web site and online resource on the internet on Alappuzha (Alleppey )District, Kerala state in India. They offer online reservations for hiring houseboats for trips/ rides in the backwaters of alappuzha a.k.a alleppey, vembanad lake, punnamada lake  and kumarakom in kottayam district of Kerala state.  

House Boats in Alappuzha Backwaters : Beautiful Houseboat Pictures.

6. Kochi : Queen of Arabian Sea

Cochin.org : Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.

Kochi Tourism : One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as Cochin has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Kerala's prime tourist destination, it spreads across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and Backwaters.


Ghumakkar.com : A beautiful site describing Kochi Tourism experience with many photos.


7. Athirappally and Vazhachal : Nature's Bounty

Athirappally.com :  Athirappally is an 80ft high waterfall which literally takes your breath away. Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, this waterfall is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the "Picturesque"...not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural.

Athirappally and Vazhachal  Waterfalls : Athirappally falls is a beautiful sight and one cannot miss these places on a trip to Thrissur district. During the lean water seasons, people used to cross the river, but it is advisable to stay away from that type of adventure.


8. Thrissur : The Cultural Capital of Kerala
Thrissur is another major tourist destination in Kerala. The place is famous for Thrissur Pooram.

Wikipedia Entry on Thrissur : Thrissur city is built around a beautiful hillock atop which the Vadakkumnathan temple which has Shiva as the presiding deity is built. It is the cultural and spiritual centre, offering an array of festivals, historical and natural sights as well as religious experiences. It is famous for the Thrissur Pooram festival, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival in Kerala. The festival is held near the Vadakkumnathan temple, in April or May. It has a large number of well-known temples which include the Thiruvambady temple, Vadakkumnatha temple and Paramekkavu temple, and two churches of note, the Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours. 

Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Thrissur :  Abode of Sri Guruvayoorappa, one of the most popular temple destination in Kerala. Guruvayur, is located 29 kms north west to the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur.

9. Wayanad : Nature at her best

Wayanad is one of the most beautiful places in Kerala,largely unexplored. You can get information about this beautiful place from the following websites.

Wayanad. net : Wayanad is one of the districts in Kerala that have been able to retain its pristine nature. This green paradise is nestled among the mountains of western ghat and is located at a distance of 76 km from the nearest sea-shore of Kozhikode. The leading tourist centres of South India like Ooty, Mysore, Bangalore, Coorg and Kannur are around this region.

Wayanad Information : Chembra Peak, Edakkal Cave, Kuruva Island, Lakkidi, Pakshipathalam, Pazhassi Raja Tomb, Pookot Lake, Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, and Soochippara Waterfalls are some of the important tourist spots.

Wayanad Photos from Zonkerala.com :   Beautiful pictures of Wayanad.


10. Silent Valley National Park : This is one of the best tourist spots in Kerala.

Here are some websites providing information on Silent Valley National Park in Kerala.

Kerala Tourist Spots.com :  Located 40 km from Mannarkkad, Silent valley is Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests lying above the equator and the forest strip which causes the summer rains in Kerala.  The Silent Valley National Park has an area of 90 sq km is located in the north eastern corner of the district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the north and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the south.

Wikipedia on Silent Valley National Park  : Silent Valley National Park is located in the Nilgiri Hills, Coimbatore - Palakkad districts in South India. The park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats montane rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. Birdlife International lists 16 bird species in Silent Valley as threatened or restricted. There are at least 34 species of mammals at Silent Valley including the threatened Lion-tailed Macaque, Niligiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Peshwa’s Bat (Myotis peshwa) and Hairy-winged Bat. There are nine species of bats, rats and mice.