Most Amazing Tourist Places in Kerala

Kerala serves as a perfect reflection of the South Indian region. It is a state of full of diversity as seen in the culture, religion, geographical landscape, and historical backgrounds. Tourism is a vital part of the state which brings tourists from all over the world on a regular basis. Many tourist places in Kerala strengthen tourism further to attract the people.

With the incredible geographical and climatic conditions, there are a number of beautiful locations that boast of spectacular views. Kerala is also the natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna that can only flourish in such conditions.

Tourist places in Kerala have no shortage of possibilities as it can cover all required aspects. Whether you seek adventure, peaceful silence, or experiences that celebrate nature and wildlife, Kerala is the place to be. Here are some of the top tourist places in Kerala for those embarking upon a journey to the God’s own country.

Houseboats in Alleppey

Houseboats in Kerala are iconic of the state which is why it is one of the places to visit in Kerala for all those going on corporate outings. Alleppey is as famous as it is because of the beautiful backwaters and lakes.

The houseboats in Kerala are an experience to have because of the placid backwaters and the aesthetics of the houseboat. Usually manned by a crew of three men, it is ideal for a group on a corporate outing, as it has up to three rooms which can house a number of people each. Perfect for a quiet getaway with plenty of opportunities for family or friends reunion, the quiet backwaters of Alleppey is definitely one of the top places to visit in Kerala for corporate outings.

Fort Kochi

Part of the beautiful town in Kerala, Kochi (Cochin), Fort Kochi is a local seaside area that was one of the first townships to be set up by the Europeans who settled in this area, making it one of the top places to visit in Kerala for corporate outings.

Making for a highly informative experience, this region is steeped in history, as it has been under a number of rulers across the centuries, including the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British under the East Indian Company. Great Indian rulers to have made their presence known here, and the various cultures are all given their due importance at Fort Kochi.

The famous Vasco da Gama was temporarily buried at the beautiful St. Thomas Church which was built by the Portuguese. Some of the other places worth visiting in this region are the Dutch Cemetery, the Indo-Portuguese Museum, the Santa Cruz Basilica, and the Mattancherry Palace. For any group on a corporate outing, the historical value of this region combined with its picturesque landscape ensures that it remains one of the places to visit in Kerala.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Named after its location in the Kumarakom area of the Kottayam district in Kerala, and situated on the beautiful still waters of the Vembanad Lake, this is definitely one of the top places to visit in Kerala. It is currently managed by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, and some of the main attractions include the waterfowl, Siberian crane, owl, flycatcher, and egret, showcasing the mix of migratory and local birds.

Corporate outings in this region can cover a number of activities including bird watching, boating, and picnic locations, ensuring that you enjoy the time there. It is well and truly one of the best places to visit in Kerala for groups who are on corporate outings.

Cliff beach in Varkala

Providing the rare opportunity to experience a Kerala beach with seaside cliffs in view, the Varkala Beach is one of the most popular tourist places in Kerala due to its unique features, welcoming climate and beautiful sights. With the alternate name of Papanasham, which means the washing away of sins, the beach is also popularly believed to be a location where the waters can wash away all the sins of life.

The beautiful view, particularly at sunset, alongside the beautiful waters which welcome swimming, and the sandy beaches that are ideal for sunbathing, ensure that every member of a group that visits here will leave satisfied. An ideal location for team outings, Varkala also happens to be one of the best places to visit in Kerala.

Periyar National Park

Located in South India near the border between states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, one of the most famous places to visit in Kerala is the Periyar National Park, located in the region of Thekkady. In the Idukki district and around 257 km from the state capital Trivandrum, this location is famous for being one of the main tiger reserves in the country.

It is home to a number of wildlife species, and one of the 48 tiger reserves in the country of India. With varied vegetation that ranges from evergreen forests, grasslands and dense woods of deciduous forests, it shelters a wide range of fauna and also acts like an elephant reserve.

Amongst the wildlife attractions, the journey driving up to Thekkady as well as the boat ride to the National Park is a truly memorable experience as well. With the surrounding Cardamom Hills providing adequate geographical conditions, it is also a hotspot for the growth of natural spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove.

A number of rare plants and insects can be seen here, including the largest butterfly species in South India, alongside the many wildlife attractions that include the Indian giant squirrel, the Nilgiri thrush, the Sri Lanka frogmouth, the Periyar trout and the channa barb. This picturesque location is a wonderful experience for adventure enthusiast and nature lovers alike, making it one of the top tourist places in Kerala.

Tea Plantation Munnar

A characteristic feature of the hill stations seen in the southern regions of India is the vast green plantations that make up the majority of the landscape of these areas, and one of the most famous such locations is the quaint and spectacularly beautiful hill town of Munnar.

Therefore, these tea plantations are definitely one of the top places to visit in Kerala, particularly for those looking for a productive team outing. A variety of spices can be grown in plantations, but the primary ones in this region are tea and coffee, with the tea cultivation being the pride of the region.

The history of tea in this region goes back to the 19^th century when in 1857, a British settler named John Munro came to the area and set up the first plantation when he realized the ideal climatic and geographical conditions of the region.

It now even has its own Tea Museum, the first of its kind, and one of the most famous locations in Kerala. Any Indian will know the importance of tea in the Indian culture, and therefore the tea plantations, which is also the main source of income to the region, and therefore, this picturesque and unique location is one of the top places to visit in Kerala.

Kerala Backwaters

One of the key features of the geography of the state of Kerala lies in the existence of a parallel coast of sorts to the Arabian Sea, which constitutes what is known as the Kerala Backwaters. This chain of water bodies, mainly lagoons, and lakes that are fed by up to 38 rivers, is one of the main attractions of the state and remains one of the best places to visit in Kerala.

Made due to the presence of structures both manmade and natural, this popular tourist location passes through major regions including Alleppey and Kozhikode. Groups that visit here on team outings can make use of the many facilities available, including the ferries and houseboats, or choose to simply enjoy the serenity of the location itself. A beautiful, quiet getaway from the busy city life, this is definitely one of the top tourist places in Kerala.

Athirappilly waterfalls

Serving as the origin point for the Chalakudy River, the Athirappilly waterfalls are one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Kerala. With a number of attractions to satisfy all sorts of tourists, it is no surprise that this location is considered one of the best in the state.

From awe-inspiring landscape to magnificent wildlife including tigers and elephants in the region, there are a number of options available to engage the visitors to this location. For the more adventurous members of the group, there are facilities of river rafting and trekking. It is also a beautiful location, particularly during monsoon, for picnics and team building exercises. It is definitely one of the ideal places to visit in Kerala post monsoon.

Lighthouse Beach

Located in the Kovalam district, the beautiful sight of the tall lighthouse atop a cliff overlooking the coast of the Arabian Sea has earned the name of this picturesque location, making it one of the best places to visit in Kerala.

Particularly famous for the magnificent views that can be witnessed from the top of the lighthouse, accessible through a steep staircase of almost 150 steps within the structure, it is a popular location for various groups, who can enjoy the views as well as the splendid beach experience. Amongst the many activities available here, parasailing, and surfing are some of the most sought after. All these combined ensure that this 30-meter high lighthouse on the beach of Kovalam is one of the top places to visit in Kerala.

Kathakali Center

One of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Kerala is the classical Indian dance form that is known as Kathakali, and therefore exploring this is a must when in the state. The Kerala Kathakali Center is one of the best places to do so, making it one of the top places to visit in Kerala.

This centre welcomes guests from all over to come and witness the spectacular dance forms that reflect the essence of the state. Kathakali was initially designed to be an individual dance form and later on evolved into a group performance.

Often regarded to be the pride of the state, and one of the highlights of dance in India, the Kerala Kathakali Center is rightfully one of the top tourist places in Kerala.

The Possibilities in Kerala

Kerala takes great pride in displaying a number of picturesque locations that are tourist attractions. The historical background of the region ensures that visitors can feel the presence of the contribution of the many rulers who have influenced the region. The influence range from the local rulers to the European powers such as the Dutch, the British and the Portuguese.

From peaks perfect for adventurous trekking experiences to quiet backwaters ideal for relaxing and unwinding, from the roar of the many wildlife species of the region to the many monuments of great historical value, there are truly a number of destinations which provide for interesting tourist places in Kerala.