31 Best Sights in Kerala, India

Built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century as a gift for the Rajas of Cochin, this two-story structure reflects elements of traditional design while still looking colonial. It was extended by the Dutch when they took control of the area. The rajas, in turn, added some of India's best mythological murals—the entire story of the Ramayana is told on the walls in a series of bedchambers, which also have inviting window seats. In the ladies' ground-floor chamber, you can see a colorful, mildly erotic depiction of Lord Krishna with his female devotees. The coronation hall near the entrance holds a series of portraits of monarchs (that interestingly show continuous familial resemblance) and some of the rajas' artifacts, including maps, swords, and a fantastic palanquin covered in red wool. The palace has rare, traditional Kerala flooring; it looks like polished black marble, but it is actually a mix of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices, and egg whites.

At Azhimala Beach, a nearly 18-meter-tall statue of Lord Shiva towers over the emerald waters of the Arabian Sea. Mounted on a rock jutting out of the sea, the intricate concrete sculpture depicts the god holding another Hindu goddess, Ganga, in his hair. It adjoins a colorful and revered Aazhimala Shiva Temple, which is believed to date back to the 8th century.

The pristine Anchuthengu beach, 12 km (7½ miles) south of Varkala, is the location of a lighthouse and the ruins of the British Anjengo fort, built in 1695, which at various times was under Dutch and Portuguese attack. Anchuthengu ("Five Coconuts"), was the site of the first trade settlement of the East India Company, and therefore the beginning of British India. It was also the site of the first rebellion against the British, when locals, unhappy with the conduct of the British traders, banded together to oust them. All that remains of the 1695 fort is its four walls and a few tombstones from the adjacent cemetery. Like many other areas of southern and central Kerala, the sea pleasantly merges with the backwaters here.

The precarious-looking bamboo and wood structures hovering like cranes over the waterfront are Kochi's famous Chinese fishing nets. Although they've become identified with the city, they're used throughout central Kerala. Thought to have been introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th century, the nets and their catch can be easily seen from Fort Kochi's Vasco da Gama Square. There's lots going on at the square—cooking, hawking, gaping (by tourists)—and don't miss the artistically decked-out tree in the center with tiger face, clowns, and fish painted on it. You can watch the fishermen haul up the nets around 6 am, 11 am, and 4 pm. They're particularly striking at sunset or at any time when viewed from the deck of a boat.

This wildlife sanctuary in the Annamalai Hills, which spreads 90 square km (35 square miles) across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is considered a better place to spot elephants and wild oxen (gaur) than Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. You also can look out for leopards, spotted deer, the Nilgiri tahr, yellow-throated bulbuls (songbirds), grizzled giant squirrels, crocodiles, sambar deer, langurs, and the bonnet macaque (both kinds of monkeys), and even an occasional tiger or a Manjampatti white (albino) bison. The entry fee is for the trekking program: paths lead along the Pambar and Chinnar rivers and past the mighty Thoovanam waterfalls, which are most impressive during the monsoons. Buses take you into the park, but you also can opt to stay in three-bed tree houses or four-bed log houses by booking in advance with the forest department. Bookings can be made at the wildlife warden's office in Munnar or online with an Indian credit card; it's about 90 minutes and 60 km (38 miles) from Munnar.

This well-maintained 97-square-km (24,000-acre) sanctuary, 15 km (9 miles) northwest of Munnar, is home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), an ibex-like goat that inhabits the highest, wettest reaches of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has lost numbers to poaching and shrinking habitat, leaving a population of just 700--800 in the park, roughly half of the world's total number. Here you can get quite close to this endearingly tame creature, pushed to the brink of extinction in part because of its utter lack of suspicion of humans. There are often long lines in season to buy your ticket, so it's a good idea to book in advance, or head early. From the entrance a park bus takes you about 7 km (4½ miles) into the hill, from which you can walk nearly 1½ km (1 mile) farther, to a higher lookout point. No vehicles are allowed in the park, so be prepared to walk along the trails and footpaths. The craggy mountain views and gushing waterfalls in the monsoon add to the allure of this park.

The sanctuary is closed for about 90 days during the calving season, roughly from February to April (check ahead of time) and occasionally for a day or so during the monsoons if it rains heavily.

Known as Dakshin Kashi, or the Varanasi of the south, Varkala is a major center for the worship of Vishnu. At the Janardhana Swamy temple, you can see what happens at a popular Hindu pilgrimage destination—the prayers; the morning and evening aarti (devotions), when the gods are feted with oil lamps; and the customs of the devotees. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the inner sanctum, but you can certainly view the architecture and soak up the atmosphere of this pretty and very busy 2,000-year-old temple.

Photographs of the deity are not allowed, and there may be a charge for using a camera outside.

At one of the only museums of its kind in India, you can learn about the history of local tea growing and view the antique furnishings of an estate manager's bungalow. Another highlight is the 2nd-century-BC urn found at one of the tea estates nearby. You also can sample this area's famous blends in the tasting room. There's also a demo factory here.

The Kanhirode Weaving Cooperative is strewn with yarns of all colors, set out to dry after dyeing. You can watch the weavers at their giant, clackety-clacking looms, making bedsheets and upholstery for export as well as brightly colored saris. Cloth is available for purchase.

At this sprawling village, you can watch artisans craft a range of goods---from pottery to musical instruments---made from local materials like wood, bamboo, cane, coconut husk, and more. The large emporium has eye-catching handicrafts that are more reasonably priced than in the private stores outside of the village. There's also an art gallery and a café.

The former home of the Parishith Thampuran Museum now houses the Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi Gallery. There's not much here by way of explanation, but the traditional tile-roof building is cool and airy, and the interesting collection features contemporary works by Indian artists.

The 18th-century Kuthiramalika (Puthen Maliga) Palace Museum, or Horse Palace, built by the king of Travancore, has carved rosewood ceilings and treasures of the royal family, including an ivory throne, weapons, paintings, and gifts from foreign dignitaries. Life-size Kathakali figures stand in the dance room. Carved horses, for which the palace is named, line the eaves of an inner courtyard. Only one-third of the enormous compound is open to visitors; the entrance fee includes a knowledgeable guide. Also note that you must remove your shoes upon entering.

At this heritage tea-making factory set among rolling tea plantations, you can witness how tea was produced in an earlier era. Here, the six-stage process starting from the drying of the tea leaves to packaging the final product is still done on old-school machines that whir and hum as they produce an impressive 2,200 kg (4,850 pounds) of tea daily. Complete the tour with a tea tasting session of black, green, and white tea---the last has medicinal properties. There is also a small souvenir shop where you can purchase the teas.

In an 80-acre park at the north end of M.G. Road are the many attractions of the Museum and Art Gallery Complex. Each part of the complex requires a special ticket. At the Natural History Museum, head to the second floor to see an interesting model of a traditional nalakettu home (the traditional home of the Nairs, a warrior clan), complete with costumed figurines and a full explanation. The art museum's collection of local arts and crafts—including bronze and stone sculptures, ivory ornaments, and musical instruments—is as noteworthy as the building itself, with its almost Cubist pattern of gables, European-style minarets, and a decorative interior. Built in 1874, it was designed by Robert Chisholm, a specialist in Indo-Saracenic design, and was named after Lord Napier, the governor of Madras. Memorabilia donated by the royal family, including a golden chariot used by the Maharaja of Travancore, is displayed in the tiny Sree Chitra Enclave. On the opposite side of the park, the Sree Chitra Art Gallery has an eclectic collection of paintings, including works of the Rajput, Mogul, and Tanjore schools as well as those of India's most famous oil painter, Raja Ravi Varma; copies of the Ajanta and Sigirya frescoes; and works from China, Japan, Tibet, and Bali, along with canvases by modern Indian painters.

Sparkling Odayam, the next beach north of Varkala, is considered part of the town but is about 2 km (1 mile) away. It's quieter and even prettier—well worth visiting for an afternoon of sun or to watch a spectacular sunset. Thiruvambady Beach, still more tranquil, is a black-sand beach a climb down from the Cliff. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

The grand Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, has a seven-story gopuram (entrance tower) that's as wide as it is tall to accommodate an unusual reclining statue of a very dark-skinned Vishnu (Padmanabha), lying in eternal slumber on a five-headed serpent. The date of its original construction has been placed at 3000 BC; legend has it that it was built by 4,000 masons, 6,000 laborers, and 100 elephants over the course of six months. In the main courtyard there's an intricate granite sculpture, supplemented by more stonework on the nearly 400 pillars supporting the temple corridors. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple or inner sanctum but are welcome to view the impressive structure from the outside. The hours of opening reflect the eccentric uniqueness of this magnificent-looking and much revered house of worship: 3:30 am–4:45 am, 6:30 am–7 am, 8:30 am–10 am, 5 pm–6:15 pm, 6:45 pm–7:20 pm, and a viewing of Vishnu can be booked online. The timings may vary so it is best to check online before visiting. You'll have to take off your shoes, photography is prohibited, and women should wear appropriate clothing (i.e., no shorts or sleeveless or revealing tops). There are shops nearby selling handicrafts.

The first migration of Jews to Kerala is thought to have taken place in the 6th century BC, followed by a much larger wave in the 1st century AD, when Jews fleeing Roman persecution in Jerusalem settled at Cranganore (on the coast about 26 km [16 miles] north of Kochi). In the 4th century, the local king promised the Jews perpetual protection, and the colony flourished, serving as a haven for Jews from the Middle East and, in later centuries, Europe. When the Portuguese leader Afonso de Albuquerque discovered the Jews near Cochin in the 16th century, however, he destroyed their community, having received permission from his king to "exterminate them one by one." Muslim anti-Semitism flared up as well. The Jews rebuilt in Mattancherry but were able to live without fear only after the less-belligerent Dutch took control in 1663.

The rather small synagogue, built in 1568, houses four scrolls of the Torah kept in cases of silver and gold and is topped by an attractive clock tower that was added in 1760. Admire the collection of antique colonial Indian lights hanging from the center and the blue-and-white Chinese tiles on the floor (a gift from a Jewish businessman in the 18th century); no two tiles are alike. Also on view are the 4th-century copperplates that detail, in Malayalam, the king's decree that allowed the Jewish community to live in his kingdom. Before you enter the main synagogue there is a collection of paintings on the left highlighting the Jewish story in India. Photography and videography are not allowed in the synagogue.

In the vicinity of Thekkady, the Periyar National Park is one of India's best animal parks for spotting elephants, bison, wild boar, oxen, deer, black-faced Nilgiri langurs, and lion-tailed macaques (two kinds of monkeys), as well as many species of birds. The best viewing period is March and April, when other watering holes have dried up and wildlife, including leopards and tigers, is forced to approach the lake to drink. Still, you have a good chance of seeing animals resident October through May.

Lake Periyar, its many fingers winding around low-lying hills, is the heart of the nearly 303-square-km (117-square-mile) sanctuary. Forget exhausting treks or long safaris. At this sanctuary, unlike any other in India, you lounge in a motor launch as it drifts around bends and comes upon animals drinking at the shores.

On a quiet trip, elephants hardly notice the intrusion, although younger pachyderms will peer at you out of curiosity and then run squealing back to their elders when your boat comes too close. If you're brave-hearted, you can spend a night doing a night trek, staying overnight in a jungle lodge. If you do go out in the forest, be prepared for leeches on the ground, especially during the monsoon. It is best to book a safari through your hotel.

This Gothic-looking basilica, set in spacious grounds, has an interior that's colorfully painted with scenes and decorations. The king of Cochin granted the Portuguese permission to build a fort and later a church in 1505 for their assistance in defeating the Zamorins of Calicut. For a while that structure was used as a Dutch armory. It was razed by the British in 1795, and in 1904 the current structure was completed, with a pillar of the original church within. Pope Paul IV elevated the church to a cathedral in 1558, and Pope John Paul II made it a basilica in 1984.

This unusual temple, one of the largest shrines of its type, sits on the bank of the Valapattanam River at Parassinikkadavu, 18 km (11 miles) from Kannur. It's devoted not to a Vedic god, but to Sree Muthappan, a folk deity of the Thiya community. One school of Hindu thought claims that he is a combined manifestation of both Shiva and Vishnu, another believes he is simply another avatar of Shiva in the form of a tribal hunter. Several colorful legends about him exist. Worship does not take the form of paying homage to an idol but to enactment of the lord's life: the temple hosts such Theyyam performances almost every day of the year. Though it's not as colorful as traditional outdoor festivals, you can at least get a taste of this mystical local form of dance. Because Sree Muthappan is usually pictured with a hunting dog, there is a statue in honor of dogs on the premises; friendly mutts roam the sanctuary, and offerings at the shrine take the form of bronze dog figurines. The temple is also unusual for the fact that toddy (fermented palm sap) and fish are both offered to Sree Muthappan. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the temple but must dress modestly---shoulders and knees should be covered and no footwear is allowed inside.

At Arthunkal, 20 km (12 miles) north of Alleppey on the way from Kochi, stands the ancient St. Andrew's Basilica. The church makes for an interesting break. Made out of wood and coconut fronds, it was built in 1581 by Portuguese missionaries, in honor of Jesus's disciple Andrew. A few years later the church was rebuilt in stone. When it was erected, St. Andrew's Basilica was considered holy by Hindus as well the missionaries; even the area's Hindu king visited the shrine. It's one of the oldest and more impressive churches in a state where you can spot a startling-looking church every few miles.

In 1505 the Portuguese built St. Angelo Fort, with the consent of the ruling Kolathiri Raja, in order to protect their interests in the area. After passing into Dutch and then British hands, it's now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. There are still a few British cannons intact, and lovely views of the fishing activity in Moppillah Bay.

This stately church is the first European house of worship in India. The Portuguese flag first appeared in Fort Cochin in 1500, and Vasco da Gama arrived in 1502. The following year, Afonso de Albuquerque came with half a dozen ships full of settlers—he built the fort, and five friars in the crowd built this church in 1510. Da Gama returned in 1524 (his third trip) as Portuguese viceroy of the Indies, died that same year, and was buried in this church. You can still visit his gravestone inside the church, but his remains were shipped back 14 years later to Lisbon in 1538.

The church's history reflects the European struggle for colonial turf in India. It was a Catholic church until 1664, when it became a Dutch Reform church; it later became Anglican (1804–1947) and is now part of the Church of South India. Inside are beautifully engraved Dutch and Portuguese tombstones and the doep boek, a register of baptisms and marriages between 1751 and 1894; you can view a photographic reproduction—the original is too fragile. The first Portuguese was buried in 1562 and the first Dutch in 1664—their epitaphs are on view.

You can see weavers working on giant handlooms here, and Tasara also hosts programs for artists-in-residence. Many different handloom products are also for sale. Call ahead to arrange a visit.

Take a drive to see the highest lookout points around Munnar, which offer great views of the tea estates below—one of the best is Top Station, 32 km (20 miles) and 40 minutes from Munnar town and 1,700 feet above sea level, across the border in Tamil Nadu, in the Kanan Devan hills. It gets its name from once being the highest point of a ropeway from which tea from Munnar was sent down to the town of Kottagudi.

A pristine strip of sand backed by a steep cliff, this is probably one of South India's prettiest yet most happening beaches. Unlike many Goan beaches, its beauty has not been marred by overdevelopment, such as hotels that are too close to the water. At what's also known as Papanasam beach, which means "to wash away your sins," a dip here may be a chance to dissolve your life's regrets in the Arabian Sea. You are bound to see plenty of pilgrims doing just that. Plenty of vendors will also come by, offering coconut water or slices of fresh pineapple. There are a few rip currents in these waters, so obey the signs. From the beach you can climb up to the Cliff for some souvenir hunting or to have a bite or a cool drink from the dozens of thatched shacks. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Kathakali and Mohiniyattam performances take place here during the busy season, 5–7 pm. Come early to see the elaborate preperformance makeup being applied.

A favorite hangout for artists and young tourists, Fort Cochin's Kashi Art Café is about as funky as Kerala gets. The front room hosts rotating exhibitions, primarily of South Indian contemporary art, and light Continental fare and Western-style coffee is served in the garden café at the rear. The real treat is to experience this tiny little pocket of Kerala subculture.