100 Top Tourist Places To Visi...

Kerala is known across the world for its beautiful landscapes and awe-inspiring tourist destinations. Kerala, which consists of fourteen districts, has hundreds of noteworthy tourist locations strewn all over. With the Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, Kerala is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Asia. It has sprawling beaches, lush hill stations, tranquil backwaters, breath-taking waterfalls, plantations of tea, rubber, cardamom and coffee and paddy fields. In fact, Kerala has everything that a holiday maker who looks forward to spending a peaceful and tranquil vacation with his family wants to have in his wish-list.

It is said that wherever you go in Kerala, you will find a tourist destination nearby. Hence, you do not have to travel a lot to see some beautiful places once you are in Kerala. This small state is crowded with lots of attractive places. Here is a list of the 100 vacation spots in Kerala. For the convenience of travellers, the places are described here on the basis of the districts where they are located. Here are some top tourist places to visit in kerala

Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is a district in Kerala. It is known for its tranquil backwaters and fishing harbours. Hundreds of houseboats operates through Alleppey backwaters and attract thousands of tourists from all over the world to this place every year. Alappuzha will be among the top results if you search online for 100 famous tourists spots Kerala.

Alappuzha has got beautiful beaches as well. Among them, the most popular one is the Alappuzha beach. A beautiful park is located next to the beach making it more appealing for the holiday makers coming over here to spend their vacation.

Kuttanadu, the place known as the rice bowl of Kerala, is located in Alappuzha district. Kuttanadu is located below the sea level. A good way to explore this place is to go around it hiring a houseboat. You can find many houseboats operating here at affordable price.

The internationally reputed Hindu pilgrim centre Mannarasala temple is located in Alappuzha. The serpent god Nagaraja is worshipped by the devotees here. Like other snake temples in India, this temple too is situated among the lush of trees. It is said that Mannarasala temple is the biggest snake temple in Kerala. The devotees, especially females, believe that worshiping Nagaraja will bless them with children. Men also come to worship at this temple to get their wishes fulfilled.

Light house Alleppey is located in Alappuzha’s costal town. Built in 1862, the light house attracts many visitors. The visiting time to the light house is between 3 p.m and 4.30 pm on every weekday. Prior to 2007, the public was not permitted to visit the lighthouse.

Alappuzha has long been known for its several coir factories. It is the biggest exporter of coir in Kerala. In fact, majority of the coir industries in Kerala are operated from Alappuzha.

Known as snake boat race among the foreign nationals, the Nehru trophy boat race is among the top reasons for Alappuzha’s huge popularity. The boat race is held every year in Lake Punnamada. Different types of boats are used for the competition. However, it is the chundan vallam (snake boat) race is that attracts everyone to this place.

Ambalappuzha temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. Records say that it has been built in the 15th century by Chembakasserry Thampuran, the then local ruler. Parthasarathi with the sacred conch on the left hand and whip in the right hand is the idol worshipped at this temple.

Wayanad is located in the north-east part of Kerala. It is one of most rural districts in Kerala with great hills in the northern part and flat open areas towards the east. Being part of Western Ghats, Wayanad has got very cool climate. A large area of the district consists of coffee and tea plantations. The district has rare species of wild trees such as rose-wood, erthrina (mullumurikku) and artocarpus (anjili).

There are many attractive tourist destinations in Wayanad that are worth visiting.

Edakkal caves are situated at Edakkal, a remote location lying about 25 km far from Kalpetta. Edakkal stands 1,200 above the sea level. There are several pictorial writings inside the caves which are dated back to 6,000 BC. In fact, these writings tell a lot about the prehistoric settlements in and around Wayanad.

Muthanga forest lies close to Karnataka’s Bandipur forest and Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai forest. It is one of the few forests in India that has got rich bio-diversity. Muthanga wildlife sanctuary deserves special mention forest. The government of Kerala should be appreciated for taking special care and interest to protect the wildlife. The tribal people living in and around the forest would avail a rare experience for the visitors. Wild elephants and tigers are frequently spotted roaming around freely in this forest. The forest serves as adobe for a vast variety of birds, monkeys and deer species as well. The best way to explore the beauty of Muthanga forest is to take a drive along the road to the forest. The forest department of Kerala arranges elephant rides for the interested tourists.

Thirunelli temple is an ancient temple situated in Wayanad. About 32 km away from Manathavady, Thirunelli is located on the side of the famous Brahmagiri hill. It is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains; the temple offers a real extravagance for the visitors. Lord Maha Vishnu is the deity worshipped here.

Situated almost 15 km away from the district headquarters Kalpetta, Pookodu Lake is a beautiful freshwater Lake in Wayanad. It flows down the mountain slopes and through evergreen forests creating an ocular extravaganza.

When it comes to the tourist destinations in Kerala, Idukki is doubtlessly one among the top 100 Kerala travel destinations. The second largest district in Kerala, more than 95% of its area is covered by lush green forests and rugged mountains. Idukki is bordered by three districts of Tamil Nadu (Theni, Dindigul and Coimbatore to the east) and four districts of Kerala-Trissur to the north, Ernakulum to the northwest, Pathanamthitta to the south and Kottayam to the southwest. Like Wayanad, Idukki can be accessed only by road.

The district accommodates a few among 100 vacation places in Kerala such as Munnar, Wagamon, Idukki dam and Eravikulam national park, for instance.

Ervikulam national park is one of the largest national parks in Kerala which sprawls over 97 km. It is situated along the Western Ghats. The records say that it is the first park in Kerala to obtain the national park status. UNESCO is considering this park to be one of the World Heritage Sites.

Ramakkalmedu has both historic relevance and touristic attractiveness. From this hill station, one can get a breath-taking view of the towns and villages in Tamil Nadu. The statue of Kuravar and Kurathi is a special attraction of Ramakkalmedu. According to mythology, Rama set his feet at the tip of this mountainous place in search of Sita whom Ravana had abducted. Thus the place got its name Rama-kal-medu or the place/stone where Rama kept his feet.

A trip to Kerala without visiting Idukki dam wouldn’t be complete. Constructed across two mountains, Kuravanmala and Kurathimala, Idukki Dam is the third tallest arch dam in the world. It supports electricity generation at an Indo-Canadian hydroelectric power station situated at Moolamatton, a small town in Idukki.

Sita Devi Lake is also known as Devikulam Lake. Legend says that the goddess Sita, who is mentioned in epic Ramayana, took bath in this lake. It lies amidst green hills. The water in the lake is believed to have curative powers owing to its mineral contents. Close to the lake are large tea plantations and the famous Pallivasal waterfalls.

Idukki has cooler climate than most other districts of Kerala. More than half of the district remains socked in snow throughout the year. Going to Panchalimedu, one can get a panoramic view of the beautiful hills and valleys. Panchalikulam is a prime attraction here where it is believed that Panchali, the mythological character of Mahabharata took a bath. You will also see a small Bhuvaneshwari temple at Panchalimedu. The relics of shivalingas, naga idols and thrishool etc. invokes interesting curiosity in visitors here.

You can spot lush green tea plantations in almost all parts of Idukki districts. But Anayirankal is little different from the other tea plantations. Here, the Anayirankal Dam is located amidst the tea plantations and forests. Located about 22 km away from the Munnar, Anayirankal is a must-visit place in Idukki.

Munnar is a popular hill station and town which is a part of the Idukki district. Located at about 1,600 meters above the sea level, Munnar lies along the Western Ghats Mountains. Munnar has the coolest climate in Kerala. Beautiful lakes, plantations and mountains make Munnar an admirable tourist destination. Munnar is located about 105 km away from Cochin International Airport. The nearest Railway station is located at Aluva, almost 140 km away.

It is located at the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is known for its spice trading centres. Madurai airport is located about 125 km away from the town. Thekkadi wild life sanctuary is located close to Kumily.

Pathanamthitta is a district located in central part of the Travancore. Sabarimala, one of the most popular Hindu pilgrim centres in India, is situated in this district. Due to this, the district is also considered as ‘Pilgrim capital of Kerala’. Pathanamthitta borders with Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kollam districts of Kerala. There are a few attractive tourist locations in Pathanamthitta.

Sabarimala hosts one of the biggest annual pilgrimages in the world. Reports indicate that more than 50 million people visit the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple every year. Situated at the Periyar Tiger Reserve along the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1535 ft. above the sea level, Sabarimala is surrounded by dense forest and mountains. There are temples in every mountain that surrounds Sabarimala. According to the legend, Lord Ayyappa meditated at Sabarimala after slaying the demon named Mahishi.

It is one of the 108 Vishnu temples revered by Alwars, the 12 poet saints. It is situated near to the village called Aranmula dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple is located to the banks of Pampa River. Aranmula vallamkali is the oldest river boat festival in Kerala where the chundan vallams progress in pairs to the beat of yelling crowd excitedly watching the fiesta. Another most important event conducted here is the Aranmula Vallasadya where racing team members are served Sadya at the temple premises and nearby auditorium and dining hall.

The hilly town Konni is one of the few places in India that has elephant cage. It is surrounded by rubber plantations and forests. Tourists coming over here take trekking and safaris through the forest ranges. Konni forest reserve is a must-see place to visit during your trip to Kerala. Konni Eco Tourism Project and Elephant museum are other relevant places that deserves mention.

Gavi is easily accessible from Kumily. It lies about 32 km from Kumily. Situated inside the Ranni reserve forest, Gavi is a beautiful place that attracts hundreds of tourists every year. Visitors can stay in forest tent camps or resorts. The best time to visit the place is between November and March.

A dam site in Pathanamthitta, Mozhiyar is known for its religious harmony. You can see lots of temples, mosques and churches in the town. People gather for the annual festivals held at these religious places irrespective of their differences. The Chandanakudam festival conducted at the mosque in the town is a major event that attracts many tourists.

Trivandrum, known as Thiruvananthapuram in the local language, is the capital of Kerala. Situated on the west coast of India, Trivandrum lies close to the southernmost tip of the mainland. The father of India, Mahatma Gandhi once called Trivandrum “the evergreen city of India.”

The main fascinations of Trivandrum embrace busy trade lanes and low shoreline peaks. Trivandrum is one of the fastest developing cities in Kerala and is one of the major IT hubs in South India.

The name Thiruvananthapuram was derived from word thiru-anatha-puram which means the city of Lord Anantha. The famous Sri Padmanabhaswami temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located in the city and is its landmark. As the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum is home to several central and state institutions and lots of reputed educational and research centres. The city has many tourist spots as well. This includes pilgrim centres, beaches, wild life sanctuaries, and hill stations. Obviously, visiting Trivandrum is worth the effort and money if you are planning a trip to Kerala.

The Pazhavangadi Ganapathi temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh and located to the heart of Trivandrum at a distance of nearly1 km from Thampanoor KSRTC Central Bus Station. This temple is very close to the Sri Padmanabhaswami temple. The Attukal Bhagavathi temple is another pilgrim centre known for the yearly held Attukal Pongala festival. Thousands of women gather at this temple for the Pongala festival every year.

The palace is currently situated in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. However, it is very close to Trivandrum, just 52 kms from the central junction, Trivandrum. This earlier belonged to Martanda Varma Maharaja and remained the capital till it was shifted to the present day, Trivandrum. People visiting Trivandrum should never miss this place.

Constructed in Dravidian style, this temple is the landmark of Trivandrum and is doubtlessly one of the top 100 places to visit in Kerala. It is perhaps the richest Hindu temple in the world because of the large collection of precious stones and gold in the temple. The idol can be seen resting on the holy serpent named Anantha. You can have darshan only through three doors- the face, belly portion and feet through south, middle and north doors respectively. As the aura surrounding the deity is colossal, three doors can’t be simultaneously opened.

Ponmudi is one of the few hill stations that the district has got. It lies at a distance of about 55.2 km towards the north east and at a height of about 1,100 meters above the sea level. It belongs to the Western Ghats mountain ranges. Ponmudi is known for its tropical forests and places that are enriched by natural beauty and scenic splendour.

Kovalam which literally means grove of coconut trees is a beach town located by the Arabian Sea in Trivandrum. True to its name, the villages in Kovalam have hundreds of coconut trees. Kovalam beach is one of the most popular beaches in Kerala. Poovar Island is another place of attraction that people visiting to Trivandrum should not dare to miss out.

It lies over the southeast part of Western Ghats and sprawls across a large area of about 128 km. The efforts to conserve the wildlife here were begun in late 1980s.

It is located along Peppara Dam near Trivandrum. This wild life sanctuary is a habitat for varied species of flora and fauna. You can surely enjoy great sightseeing experience if you are an admirer of natural diversity.

Kasaragod is located at the northern part of Kerala and shares border with Karnataka. Kasaragod town is 52 km from the state of Karnataka. The district consists of many notable places or landmarks which have historic, touristic and religious significances. This includes Bekal Fort, Malik Deenar Mosque, Madhur Temple, Chandragiri Fort, etc.

Bekal Fort is just about 67 km from Mangalore, the nearest city in Karnataka. Sprawling over 40 acres, it is the largest fort in Kerala. Significant features of this fort includes tunnel opening diverted to the south, arsenal for storing ammunition, observation tower and broad steps to reach there. From the Observation tower, one can get a clear view of nearest towns like Uduma, Kottikkulam, Bekal, Pallikkara and Kanhangad.

Chandragiri puzha (river) has got historic significance because it is believed to be the boundary between Malayalam region of Kerala and the Tulu Nadu. Chandragiri Fort which was built in the 17th century lies on the bank of this river. There are two main tributaries for this river namely payaswani and chandragiri.

One of the major tourist attractions in Kasaragod, Valiyaparamaba backwaters is located along the Arabian Sea. It can be an ideal picnic spot, especially for families.

Among the backwater attractions of Kerala, Padanna backwaters are special because of its tranquillity. and the oyster farming done here. On the bank of these beautiful backwaters is a serene village called Thekkekavu.

Madhur temple has lord Ganesh as its deity. Initially, it was dedicated to lord Siva. The temple was rededicated to Ganesh when a lady named Madaru from a low caste found an Udbhava Murthy (original idol) there. There are many other legends associated with this magnificent temple. The temple also has historic significance as there is a mark of sword by Tipu Sultan that can been seen inside the sanctum sanctorum. The invasions by him wrecked this temple to certain degree. It is believed that the sanctified theertham from this temple is capable of curing all kinds of diseases.

Ranipuram is said to be the “Ooty of Kerala.” A beautiful hill station situated in Kasaragod, Ranipuram lies at an altitude of 2,460 ft. above the sea level. It is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and dense forest and is ideal for family trekking. There are many trekking paths in and around Ranipuram. Visitors are required to get special permission from the forest department in order to take certain routes.

Kochi, also known as Cochin, is the largest city and biggest commercial hub in Kerala. Kochi being the most industrialized city is often called the commercial capital of Kerala. Ernakulum is the district which Kochi belongs to.

Kochi is nicknamed as the “Queen of Arabian Sea.” Kochi has a history of long colonisation. The Portuguese occupied it in 1503 followed by the Dutch and the British. According to some foreign surveys, Kochi is the sixth best tourist locations to visit in India.

There are several tourist places, pilgrim centres and shopping malls in and around Kochi. Take a look at some of them below.

Surrounded by backwaters, it is located at the south-western region of Kochi. Fort Kochi is also referred to as West Kochi or Old Kochi. Close to Fort Kochi lies Mattancheri. Both Fort Kochi and Mattancheri have historically relevant places such as churches, synagogues, trade centres, etc. Once you are in Fort Kochi, you can arrange a ferry service to sightsee around the town. Coconut trees and city scrappers lining up the lake waters is an amusing sight to experience in Fort Kochi.

Hill Palace Tripunithura is a major attraction in Kochi. It was built in AD 1865 by the then Kochi Rajas as their administrative office. The palace which spreads across about 54 acres of land is built in traditional archaeological style and consists of 49 buildings. The palace complex consists of a heritage museum, a deer park, an archaeological museum, a children’s park and a pre-historic park. Definitely, it is a place worth visiting.

Jew town is located in Mattancheri and is known for its several antique shops.

Vypeen Island is an integral part of Kochi. Vypeen consists of a group of small islands. The 27 km long island is connected to Kochi by several bridges.

These are the two major attractions in Kochi. Bolgatty palace was built by Dutch colonials in 1744 and is said to be one of the oldest Dutch palaces located outside Holland.

Backwaters in Kochi deserve special mention because they are one of the main attractions that draw tourists to this city. There are several ferry/boat services operating through Kochi backwaters. They are available at nominal fee.

It is located at Edappalli in Kochi. Lulu Mall is said to be the largest shopping mall in India. You can find products of almost all national and international brands here. Lip-smacking cuisines are also available.

Formerly known as Desinganadu, Kollam is a district in the southern part of Kerala. It is one of the oldest trade centres and seaport in Kerala. Kollam city, the district headquarters of Kollam, is situated on the bank of Ashtamudi Lake. Some of popular tourist spots in Kollam are discussed below.

It is the major attraction of Kollam and among the most visited backwater tourist spots in Kerala. The wetland ecosystem around the lake is listed under wetlands of international importance.

It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage centre located in Kollam. The temple is situated in Thirumullavaram, about 6 km north to Kollam city. Hundreds of devotes reach eher every year.

Said to be the 32nd highest waterfalls in India, Palaruvi is situated in Kollam. The name ‘pal aruvi’ attributes to the milk like water flowing here.

Founded by Matha Amritanandamayi, it is an internationally reputed spiritual centre located at Paryankavu in Kollam. Also called Amrithapuri, the ashram is at a distance of 130km from Cochin and 110 km from Trivandrum. Some people have belief in Amritanandamayi and they frequent this place.

Sasathamcotta lake got its name from Sasathamcotta temple located on its bank. The temple is surrounded by this fresh water lake on three sides. You can see a lot of monkeys here. They once occupied the surrounding woods and are believed to be the followers of Dharmasastha, the deity here. Devotees feed them with fruits and nuts.

Hanging bridge Punalur is of a different kind of attraction in Kollam. It is built across the Kallada River. Erected in 1877, it is the only suspended deck-type bridge in South India and that is the main factor bringing fame to it.

It is situated almost 28 km away from Kollam city and the nearest town to Jatayu Para is Kottarakara which is 20 Km from here. The place consists of huge black rocks which is fascinating to look at. There are many interesting mythologies associated with this place.

It is a popular Hindu pilgrim centre. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala which is open to worship for everyone irrespective of religion. Here in a round stupa, Lord Shiva deity stand facing east, Lord Ganapathi South and Parvathy Devi faces west. Other deities here are Naga, Subramanya and Sastha. You will get Kottarakara unniyappam here which is very famous.

Kannur, known as Cannanore during British rule, is a northern district in Kerala. This largest region in north Malabar has a number of attractive tourist destinations. If you are in quest of the best 100 vacation places in Kerala, you can surely find some great options here.

It is located parallel to NH 66 (National Highway 66) and has a length of 4 km. It is said to be the longest drive-in beach in India.

Located 2 km away from Kannur town, this is really a stunning beach. There is a garden close to this beach that makes it even more appealing.

Popular mainly because of Parassinikadvu Muthappan temple here, the place is a must visit if your tour itinerary has Kannur in it. The temple which is at a distance of 20kms from Kannur is dedicated to Sree Muthappan and there is a large inflow of devotes throughout the year. Rituals carried out here are really interesting. One among them is an art form named theyyam where impersonation of God is done and the concerned person speaks in the divine language. It is probably the only temple where dogs are regarded as divine; there are idols of dog at the entrance of temple, one at each side.

It is situated almost 3 kms away from the Kannur town. It stands on the bank of Arabian Sea facing it.

Madayi Para is situated in Madayi. It is a hillock with flat top. Picnic group would surely love this place.

The hill that is claimed to have a height of 286 meters, is situated close to the town Payyanur in Kannur. Ezhimala Naval Base here deserves a special mention.

Kottayam is known as “Aksharanagari” which means the city of letters. The district is said to be the first city/district in India to gain 100% literacy. Kottayam has picturesque lakes, backwaters, mountains, rubber plantations etc. which makes it visually alluring. There are many pilgrim centers as well.

It is a beautiful hill station and is located about 1,000 meters above the sea level. Records say that the place was discovered by the British during their rule. Wagamon is listed under 50 most attractive places to visit by National Geographic Traveller. It is thus obvious that the place will be among 100 best tourist destinations in Kerala.

This temple is believed to be one of the most powerful Siva temples in Kerala. Devotees believe that praying at this temple before Ucha Pooja (noontime worship) will fulfill their wishes.

Malliyoor Maha Ganapathi Temple is located in Kottayam. Devotees testify that they really experience the divine presence of Lord Ganesh here.

It is perhaps one of the most mentioned tourist destinations in Kerala. Resting in the backdrop of Lake Vembanad, Kumarakom is known for its backwater tourism. It is situated almost 16 km away from Kottayam city and can be easily accessed.

It is a lovely hill station which is located on the border between Idukki and Kottayam. Three beautiful hillocks surround this place.

It can make your picnic trip really amazing. The water falling down here in five steps is of different lure. Your camera will surely go restless here.

It is located at Bharanganam, a small town in Kottayam. It is a famous Catholic pilgrim centre in Kerala.

Palakkad is a district in Kerala. It is the largest district in Kerala. Like most other districts of Kerala, Palakkad also has diverse landscapes including hill stations, backwaters, lakes etc. Here are some must visit places in Palakkad.

Malampuzha garden and dam are located in Palakkad. The dam which has a height of 355 feet is built across the Malampuzha River. The Malampuzha garden which is situated adjacent to the dam has several beautiful and rare plants.

Doubtlessly among the 100 must visit places in Kerala, Silent Valley National Park is located in the Nilgiri Hills of Palakkad District. It is the largest national park in Kerala with an area of 236.74 square kilometers.

It was constructed by Hyder Ali, the erstwhile ruler of the region. The fort lies at the centre of Palakkad Town.

Known for the annually conducted Kalpathy Ratholsavam (chariot festival), the temple would bestow you a great spiritual experience. The ten days of chariot festival is observed at the temple in honour of Lord Siva and Parvathi.

It is town in Palakkad which is well-known for its cultural heritage. The town has an entirely different culture from the rest of the district that separates it from the herd.

Parambikkulam wildlife and Nelliampathi hills are attractive tourist spots in Palakkad. The wildlife sanctuary at Parambikkulam which is about 285 square kilometres is located amidst the Nelliampathi hills.

Malappuram is the most populous city and also one of fastest developing cities in the state. It is the only district in Kerala that has got beaches, highlands and flat lands in almost equal proportion. There are many attractive spots worth visiting in Malappuram.

Kottakunnu is a hill garden, best known as the Marine drive of Malappuram. There is a park at Kottakkunnu that consists of open air auditorium, water theme park, helipad and a Lalitha Kala Academy art gallery.

Trikandiyur Siva Temple is one of the popular Hindu pilgrim centres in the Malabar region. The legend says that Parasurama, the creator of Kerala, installed the idol of the main deity worshipped here.

Thirunavaya is another place of importance for the Hindu pilgrims. It is also known as the Kashi of south India.

Valiya Jumamajid Malappuram is one of the most popular and oldest mosques in the Malabar region. It is located on the Kozhikode-Nilambur-Gudallur road.

Kottakkal is situated about 12 km south-west of Malappuram. It can be easily accessed from Tirur Railway station which is located about 12 km from the place.

Nilambur lies close to Nilgiris range of the Western Ghats region. The town is situated on the bank of Chaliyar River. It is a place of tourist attraction due to its thick groves of bamboo trees, rosewood and teak.

Adayanpana waterfalls is located in Nilambur taluk of Malappuram district. It stands different from other waterfalls because of its cascading nature.

Kozhikode is a district located in the Malabar region of Kerala. The headquarters of the district is also known by the name Kozhikode and is one of the fastest growing commercial hubs in Kerala. In the past history of Kerala, Kozhikode was known as Samoothirinadu which means the kingdom ruled by Samoothiris. Records say that Kozhikode has been a major trading centre for centuries. Arab, Portuguese and British merchants used to do trading with the local merchants here. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was said to land at Kozhikode in 1498 and opened the trade route between Malabar and Europe.

Kozhikode has several attractive tourist locations and is one of the top 100 must visit places in Kerala for tourists.

Kappad Beach is said to be the place where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama set his foot first. After his arrival, it served as the main route for many European merchants. Today, it is a popular beach that attracts several tourists from all over the world.

Mananchira square is located around Manachira Lake, a man-made lake. The lake was built during the period of Samoothiri reign

Thusharagiri waterfalls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kerala. The land surrounding the waterfalls here has extraordinary attraction and offers a wonderful experience for trekkers.

Pazhassi Raja Museum and art gallery are located in Kozhikode. The museum boasts to have a rich collection of centuries old antique items and historical artefacts, some of them dates back to 1000 BC.

Tali temple serves as the symbol of Kozhikode’s history and culture. This Siva temple is said to have been built by the Saamoothiris, the erstwhile rulers of Kerala in 12th century.

Kadalundi bird sanctuary is located on the border between Malappuram and Kozhikode. The sanctuary lies along a group of islands. The Kadalundi River flowing into the Arabian Sea is of special attraction here.

Beypore is a municipality town located in Kozhikode and is one of the ancient port towns in India. After invading the town, Tippu Sultan named it after Sultan Pattanam.

Thrissur, originally known as Thrissivaperoor, is the cultural capital of Kerala. The headquarters of this district is also known by the name Thrissur. Known mainly for the hospitality of people and religious harmony prevailing here, the district has several popular temples and attractive tourist destinations.

Athirappalli waterfalls is situated on the southwest coast of Athirappalli in Thrissur district. Also called the Niagara of India, Athirappalli waterfalls is the largest waterfalls in Kerala with about 24-meter height. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Kerala.

Vadakkumnathan and Paramekkavu temples are integral part of Thrissur’s culture. The Vadakkumnathan temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and is among the 100 must visit places in Kerala. The Paramekkavu Bhagavathi temple takes part in Thrissur Pooram against Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple.

Guruvayoor Temple is the second most popular temple after Sabarimala in Kerala. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is frequented by thousands of devotees every year. Many would refer it as “Bhuloka Vaikunta” which means the Holy Abode of Lord Vishnu on earth.

Kerala Kalamandalam is a reputed university nestled to the banks of Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthi where students with keen interest in arts from all over India enrol to explore the endless dimensions of performing arts. Here special emphasize is provided to art forms introduced in Southern part of India.

Sakthan Thampuran Palace is a Kerala-Dutch style palace located in Thrissur town. The palace is said to have been constructed by Ramavaram Thampuran, popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran, of the Princely State of Cochin. Currently, it is a museum and is protected by the Archaeological department of Kerala.

Vilangan Hills is a laterite hummock with a radius expanding to 8 kilometres. Having a height of 80 metres and top area exceeding 5 acres, it earlier served as a military base during Second World War. Today the hill remains open for tourists from 7.00 am in the morning to 7.00 pm. and houses a children’s park, open air theatre, Trekkers club, Kudumbashree canteen and a medicinal garden named Ashokavanam Samiti.

Kerala in all sense is God’s own country. However your experience of tourism here is significantly impacted by the tour service providers you choose and resorts you stay.

So, please do proper queries and research before packing your bags.