Kerala Accommodation & Holidays Guide
India, South Asia
Kerala is extremely popular with holidaymakers, and is one of India's most visited regions. The area is a narrow strip down the south-west Indian coastline and, as you'd expect, has plenty of great beaches. But you should also check out the mountains, temples, national parks, forts villages and bustling cities. Explore the Keralan Backwaters, a network of canals and rivers that are crucial to the economy of the area. The food is excellent too – fish curries with coconut milk feature heavily, and the area is particularly noted for its healthy and tasty breakfasts. Kerala is also the most relaxed state in India when it comes to alcohol consumption.
Map of Kerala Asia
Kerala – Regions or Cities to Visit
Kerala Holidays Planner
Kovalam, has some excellent beaches, which are some of the best in the subcontinent. Here you can surf and go on cruises, or just lie back with a book. Thiruvananthapuram is the region's capital and can be reached as a day trip from Kovalam – come here to see temples, museums and galleries. Further north, visit the backwaters of Alappuzha, a city criss-crossed with canals – take a cruise along the waterways on a houseboat. If you'd rather head inland, the mountainous Silent Valley National Park has tigers, monkeys and elephants. You can base yourself in nearby Mukkali and take a jeep tour of the park.
Varkala Beach
Highlights and Icons
Kochi is the largest city of the region – come here to see the enormous Chinese fishing nets and the Pepper Exchange, where the spice is traded. Kochi also has some of the best nightlife in the region. Many of the historical sights in Kerala are in Malabar, the northernmost district of the region. The enormous and impressive Bekal Fortress is one key sight. You can see mysterious caves and rock foundations at Sultan’s Battery, which also has temples and waterfalls. As well as nature reserves, the Keralan inland has tea plantations and hill stations where the British used to spend the hot summers. These are generally great destinations for walking, pony trekking and boating.
Travel Tips
Backwaters Houseboat
Tea Plantation
Kerala Holiday Tips