Best Places to Visit in Kerala: Top Destinations for Every Kind of Trip

Kerala packs a surprising amount of variety into one state. You can wake up surrounded by tea-covered hills in Munnar, spend a day drifting through the backwaters of Alleppey, explore the old streets of Kochi, head into the forests of Thekkady and Wayanad or slow down by the sea in Varkala and Marari.

With so many different places to choose from, deciding where to go can be harder than it looks. The right destinations depend on what you want from the trip, whether that means mountain views, wildlife, backwaters, heritage or beaches. Choosing a few places that match your interests also makes for a more relaxed trip than trying to fit everything into one itinerary.

Which Are the Best Places to Visit in Kerala?

The best places to visit in Kerala include Munnar, Alleppey, Kochi, Thekkady, Wayanad and Varkala. Munnar is best for tea plantations and mountain scenery, Alleppey for backwaters and houseboats, Kochi for heritage and culture, Thekkady for wildlife and spice plantations, Wayanad for forests and nature and Varkala for beaches and cliffside views.

10 Best Places to Visit in Kerala

1. Munnar

Munnar is one of the best places in Kerala for tea plantations, mountain scenery and cooler weather. It is a strong choice for nature lovers and couples who want to spend a few days in the hills.

Key experiences include Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam and the tea estates around Munnar. Kolukkumalai is another popular excursion for travelers looking for high-altitude tea landscapes.

Ideal stay: 2–3 nights

Munnar Travel Guide

2. Alleppey

Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is one of Kerala's best destinations for backwaters and houseboat experiences. A traditional Kettuvallam takes you through waterways surrounded by villages, paddy fields and coconut palms.

Punnamada Lake is another important part of the area's backwater landscape and is particularly known for its boat-race setting.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

Alleppey Travel Guide

3. Kochi

Kochi is the best choice in Kerala for heritage, history and culture. Its historic neighborhoods reflect the city's long maritime and trading history.

Explore Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry and Jew Town, including the Paradesi Synagogue. Kochi also works well as the starting point for many Kerala trips.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

Kochi Travel Guide

4. Thekkady

Thekkady is a strong choice for wildlife, forests and spice plantations. The destination is home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, where visitors can explore the surrounding protected forest through activities such as boat safaris.

The Kadathanadan Kalari Centre also offers an opportunity to experience Kerala's traditional martial art.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

Thekkady Travel Guide

5. Wayanad

Wayanad is ideal for travelers looking for forests, hills and outdoor experiences. Its landscape offers a different experience from Kerala's coastal and backwater destinations.

Popular places include Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam and Chembra Peak. Wayanad is particularly suitable for travelers who want to spend more time surrounded by nature.

Ideal stay: 2–3 nights

Wayanad Travel Guide

6. Varkala

Varkala is one of Kerala's most distinctive beach destinations, known for its clifftop setting, sea views and relaxed atmosphere.

The North Cliff is the main area for cafes, restaurants and accommodation, while Papanasam Beach sits below the cliff. Varkala works particularly well for travelers who want a scenic beach destination with a lively yet relaxed atmosphere.

Ideal stay: 2 nights

Varkala Travel Guide

7. Kumarakom

Kumarakom offers a quieter way to experience Kerala's backwaters. Located along Vembanad Lake, it is better suited to travelers who prefer a relaxed stay surrounded by waterways and nature.

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary adds a wildlife and bird-watching experience to the destination.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

8. Kovalam

Kovalam is a well-known Kerala beach destination for travelers looking for beach resorts and a relaxed coastal holiday.

Its main beaches include Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach, making it easy to combine beach time with a resort-focused stay.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

9. Marari

Marari is best suited to travelers looking for a quieter beach experience away from busier tourist areas. The destination is more about relaxing by the coast than moving between major attractions.

Marari Beach is the main draw, with resorts and homestays located close to the shoreline.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

10. Thrissur

Thrissur is worth considering for travelers interested in Kerala's culture, temples and festivals. The city is centered around the historic Vadakkunnathan Temple and is particularly famous for Thrissur Pooram.

It is a good addition for travelers who want a cultural stop rather than another beach, hill or backwater destination.

Ideal stay: 1–2 nights

Which Is Better for Kerala Backwaters: Alleppey or Kumarakom?

Alleppey is the better choice for travelers who want a classic houseboat and backwater experience, while Kumarakom is better suited to those looking for a quieter, resort-focused stay around Vembanad Lake.

For a first Kerala trip, Alleppey is usually the more practical choice because it fits naturally into the classic Kochi–Munnar–Thekkady–Alleppey route. Kumarakom is a better alternative if you have more time or prefer a slower backwater holiday.

Which Beach Destination Is Better: Varkala or Kovalam?

Varkala is better for travelers who want cliffside views, cafes and a distinctive beach setting, while Kovalam is better suited to travelers looking for established beach resorts and a relaxed coastal holiday.

Choose Varkala if you want to combine beach time with cliffside walks, cafes and a more varied coastal experience. Choose Kovalam if your priority is spending time at a beach resort with easy access to established beaches.

How Long Does It Take to Travel Between Popular Kerala Destinations?

Kerala's main tourist destinations are spread across different parts of the state, so some popular combinations involve several hours of road travel. Knowing the approximate travel times can help you choose destinations that fit comfortably into your trip.

These are approximate journey times and can vary with traffic, road conditions, weather and stops along the way.

Which Places Should You Visit on Your First Kerala Trip?

For a first Kerala trip, Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey make the most balanced combination. Together, they cover heritage, hill landscapes, wildlife and backwaters without requiring you to choose between too many similar destinations.

If you have limited time, focus on fewer destinations rather than trying to cover the entire state. With more days available, Wayanad, Kumarakom, Kovalam or Marari can be considered depending on your interests.

Plan Your Kerala Trip

Choosing the right destinations is the first step to planning a comfortable Kerala trip. Once you know whether you want mountains, backwaters, wildlife, beaches or a mix of experiences, the next step is putting them together into a practical route.

If you want help planning the route, accommodation, transfers and sightseeing, explore our Kerala tour packages and find an option that fits your trip.