Hello, wanderlust! If you’ve ever dreamt of exploring the Top 10 tourist places in Kerala, imagine a place where rivers become liquid highways, emerald hills kiss fluffy clouds, and the air smells of possibility and spice. For you, my friends, that’s Kerala! To be honest, organizing my Kerala tour was like opening a treasure trove of uncut gems.
And you know what? I simply had to share my top ten favorite tourist destinations in Kerala—the ones that made me sigh, squeal, and fall deeply in love with Kerala travel. This is going to be a colorful, lush ride, so fasten your seatbelt!
Hello, wanderlust! Have you ever imagined a place where rivers become liquid highways, where emerald hills kiss fluffy clouds, and where the air smells of possibility and spice? For you, my friends, that’s Kerala! To be honest, organizing my Kerala tour was like opening a treasure trove of uncut gems.
And you know what? I simply had to share my top ten favorite tourist destinations in Kerala—the ones that made me sigh, squeal, and fall deeply in love with Kerala travel. This is going to be a colorful, lush ride, so fasten your seatbelt!
2. Munnar’s Tea Gardens
Alright, visualize countless undulating hills blanketed in the most exquisite, vivid green velvet you can think of. Munnar is that! It was like entering a huge, aromatic cup of tea when you walked into those tea plantations.
The air is cool and crisp, with a subtle earthy and sweet scent. I strolled through the rows, discovered the fascinating process of turning tea leaves into cups, and simply marveled at the beauty.
Viewpoints that offer heart-stopping panoramas, waterfalls cascading down rocky cliffs (like Attukal and Lakkam), and the mist clinging to the hills Munnar is a popular tourist destination in Kerala for those who enjoy mountains and ethereal, mystical scenery. For the senses, it is pure romance!
3. Kochi (Cochin)
From the calm of the backwaters to the lively commotion of Kochi! This port city is a gastronomic melting pot. It was like turning the pages of history as you strolled through Fort Kochi.
The Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the sunset captivated me; it’s such recognizable Kerala tourism imagery! I strolled through Jew Town, admiring the Paradesi Synagogue’s moving history and its winding lanes lined with antique stores.
The gorgeous Santa Cruz Basilica, the colorful and fragrant spice markets, the colonial architecture… Any Kerala tour would benefit from Kochi’s ideal blend of culture, art (look at those incredible street murals!), and cosmopolitan charm. Don’t miss this Kathakali performance—the facial expressions are incredible!
4. Wayanad
Adventurers and nature lovers, unite! Kerala’s tourist jungle paradise is Wayanad. Beautiful waterfalls (Soochipara and Meenmutty are especially beautiful!), enigmatic caves (like Edakkal with its ancient carvings!), lush, dense forests, and wildlife sanctuaries where you might even see elephants, deer, or a timid leopard!
My heart raced as I hiked to Chembra Peak, partly because of the ascent and partly because of the view of the heart-shaped lake. Encircled by hills, the Banasura Sagar Dam resembled a scene from a movie. Wayanad feels untamed, wild, and completely thrilling. It gives your Kerala tour a wonderful sense of adventure.
5. Kovalam Beach Vibes
Sometimes all you need is the sea after all the hills and history! The crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam are the epitome of Keralan leisure.
Golden sands and the rhythmic crash of the Arabian Sea can be found at Lighthouse Beach (with its famous red-and-white lighthouse!), Hawah Beach, and Samudra Beach. In addition to enjoying some incredibly restorative Ayurvedic massages, I also spent wonderful days sunbathing and sampling fresh seafood at beach shacks (grilled lobster, please!).
It was enchanted to watch the fishermen bring in their catch at first light. After an amazing Kerala tour, Kovalam is the ideal place to relax, think, and let the sea breeze caress you.
6. Thekkady’s Wild Encounter
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is what Thekkady is all about! This is the most exciting part of your Kerala tour. The sight of a herd of elephants playing and bathing in the water right there during my exhilarating boat safari on Periyar Lake will never be forgotten! With sambar deer, gaurs, langurs, and numerous birds, the dense forests are brimming with life.
It’s worth it to see the lake surrounded by wooded hills, even if you don’t see any tigers (they’re shy!). Kerala tourism is so varied because of Thekkady’s thrilling connection to nature. The neighboring spice plantations are also a fragrant treat!
7. Kumarakom’s Serene Backwaters
Even though Alleppey is well-known, Kumarakom provides a more tranquil, quieter backwater experience that is just as stunning! It’s all about peaceful surroundings and amazing wildlife, particularly at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which is tucked away on the shores of Vembanad Lake, India’s longest lake.
I woke up to the sound of birdsong and water while staying at a stunning lakeside resort. It felt so private and serene to kayak through small canals lined with palm trees.
On your Kerala tour, Kumarakom is a must-see if you’re looking for an opulent, serene haven where you can concentrate on the whispers of nature. Kerala tourism at its most tranquil.
8. Varkala’s Dramatic Cliffs
My heart was stolen by Varkala! It’s an experience rather than just a beach. Imagine breathtaking red laterite cliffs that plunge sharply down to the Arabian Sea and a lengthy stretch of golden beach.
It is pure bliss to stroll along the North Cliff, a cliff-top path dotted with cafes, stores, and guesthouses with views worth a million dollars.
Here, I witnessed the most breathtaking sunsets that were painted across the sky. It has a very calming, spiritual, and bohemian vibe. It was unusual to swim in the natural spring at Papanasam Beach, which is thought to contain sacred waters. Varkala gives any Kerala tour a unique, slightly unusual, and breathtakingly beautiful coastal dimension.
9. Thrissur
Do you want to experience Keralan culture firsthand? Go to Thrissur! It is lively and dynamic and is referred to as the cultural capital. If you can schedule your Kerala tour around the Thrissur Pooram festival, I had the good fortune to visit.
It’s sensory overload in the best way possible—the sheer size, the magnificent gold-adorned elephants, the thrilling percussion (chenda melam), the fireworks! The Vadakkunnathan Temple, a magnificent example of Kerala architecture, is breathtaking even when it is not festival season. A look into royal history can be found at the museum of Shakthan Thampuran Palace. Kerala tourism is so rich in culture, and Thrissur exemplifies its grandeur and spirit.
10. Poovar Island
My amazing journey came to an end when I found Poovar, a remote paradise. Here, the sea and backwaters converge to form a distinctive island ecosystem that can only be reached by boat.
serene backwaters ideal for boating, golden sand beaches rimmed with coconut palms, and a general sense of blissfully being cut off from everything.
It was unreal to wake up surrounded by water while staying in a floating cottage! The ideal, peaceful way to end my Kerala tour was to watch fishermen in traditional canoes while savoring fresh seafood outside. In terms of Kerala tourism, Poovar feels like a hidden paradise.
Why You NEED a Kerala Tour
Oh, phew! I can’t wait to pack my bags and visit these tourist destinations in Kerala again! The wild heart of Thekkady, the historic charm of Kochi and Thrissur, the beach bliss of Kovalam and Varkala, the misty hills of Munnar and Wayanad, the idyllic backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, the secret tranquility of Poovar, and more. There is a reason why Kerala is referred to as God’s Own Country. With its rich culture, warm smiles, soul-nourishing experiences, and the finest threads of nature, Kerala tourism offers an amazing tapestry.
My Kerala tour was more than just a journey; it was an emotion. It was the sight of an elephant family in the wild, the sound of waves crashing on golden sand, the taste of spicy coconut curry, the smell of rain on tea leaves, and the overwhelming sense of tranquility that came from gliding through emerald waterways. Long after you’ve left, it remains with you.
So, my dear dreamer, pay attention to your heart if it is calling for adventure, leisure, culture, or just the beauty of nature! Begin organizing your own tour of Kerala. Explore Kerala tourism’s enchantment. Explore these amazing tourist destinations in Kerala to find your own slice of paradise. Trust me, you’ll come back with a camera full of pictures, a suitcase smelling of spices, and a heart full of Kerala love! Go get lost in its beauty! xx