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Kerala Travel Guide
Located in the south-western region of the country, Kerala is one of the most beautiful places to explore for tourists. Also known as “God’s Own Country”, it is home to pristine beaches, serene backwaters, and tropical vegetation. Kerala is an ideal place for families as well as honeymooners. It is divided into 3 distinct regions, which are Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar. All these regions comprise 14 districts, which offer the tourists a unique experience. Apart from the lush surroundings, Kerala is also known for its tea plantations and spices.
Best Places to Visit in Kerala
Some of the worth-seeing places in Kerala are as follows:
Munnar
Situated in the Idukki district of Kerala, Munnar is immensely popular for its lush greenery and winding roads. It is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after destinations, which is quite popular among honeymooners. The tourists visit this place to explore a variety of flora and fauna. Other attractions you can explore here include the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, the Eravikulam National Park, and tea plantations.
This place is famous for the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom here in 12 years. It is an ideal place for camping, paragliding, trekking, and boating. Do not miss the Jeep Safari once you are here. It will provide you with the experience of a lifetime. People who visit Munnar also visit other popular places of Kerala such as Thekkady and Alleppey.
Kochi
Kochi or Cochin is another must-visit place in Kerala. It is a port city that was used for trade in ancient times. Best known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Cochin is the commercial, industrial, and financial capital of Kerala. People from diverse regions, such as Gujaratis, Konkinis, Jews, and ethnic communities, reside here. Kochi is a perfect mixture of islands, beaches, backwaters, and plain terrains.
You will find the best stores, heritage homes, and art galleries in Kochi. If you are a history buff, you must visit the museums in Cochin to know more about the city and its culture. Apart from the tourist attractions, Kochi is also one of the famous tourist places to get the best Ayurvedic massages. You can also see the dance and martial art forms of Kerala here. If you are an art lover, do not forget to visit an art exhibition here, such as the Kochi Muziris Biennale, etc.
Varkala
Situated in the southern region of Kerala, Varkala is one of the best places to explore in Kerala. Situated at 50 kilometers north of Trivandrum, Varkala provides a perfect mixture of spirituality, natural beauty, and cultural charm. This location is extremely famous for its hippie culture and Janardana Swami Temple. Varkala Cliff is one of the attractions that you can visit here. Apart from it, this place is home to beautiful hills, natural fisheries, and lighthouses. You will also find affordable resorts, clean beaches, and ayurvedic spas here.
If you are an adventure lover, you will love visiting Varkala. This place offers you a plethora of activities to enjoy, such as swimming, paragliding, surfing, boat rides, etc. If you are interested in exploring the culture of Kerala, you can visit the Sivagiri Mutt. It is a famous pilgrimage center established by Sree Narayana Guru. You can also visit ancient Janardanaswamy Temple here, which is a testament to the spiritual heritage of this region.
Wayanad
Located at an elevation that ranges from 700 to 2100 meters, Wayanad is highly popular for its wildlife and spice plantations. This region attracts numerous people from all over the world due to its beautiful waterfalls, mist-covered hills, and dense forests. The word ‘Wayanad’ is derived from ‘Vayal Nadu’, which means the ‘land of Paddy Fields’. Wayanad is home to a wide range of flora and fauna, which includes Indian bison, leopards, elephants, etc.
It is a haven for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. They can enjoy their best time here. If you are a nature lover, you can enjoy the beauty of Meenmutty and Soochipara waterfalls here. Wildlife enthusiasts can explore Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and spot the Royal Bengal Tiger and Malabar Giant Squirrel here.
Shopping in Kerala
Some of the best shopping destinations in Kerala are as follows:
Jew Town, Kochi
It is one of the best shopping areas in Kerala which is quite popular for its antique shops. You can buy ancient artefacts and intricate jewellery here. Shopping in Jew Town will be a great experience for the shopaholics as each item here reminds you of the past. This makes it a must visit destination for the shopaholics. Do not forget to buy souvenirs for your friends once you are here.
Lulu Mall, Kochi
Located in Kochi, Lulu Mall is one of the best shopping destinations to explore by the shopaholics. You will find every single brand in this mall. The ambience of the mall is inviting and it offers an enjoyable shopping experience to the shopaholics. Lulu Mall houses multiplex cinemas, food courts, play areas, etc. Thus, when you are in Kochi, do not forget to visit Lulu Mall for a great shopping experience.
Munnar Market, Munnar
Located in Munnar, this vibrant shopping zone offers you an excellent shopping experience. Visitors can buy a wide range of tea, spices, and souvenirs here. You can also buy textiles, handmade crafts, and woven shawls from this market.
Aranmula Mirror Showroom
This is one of the most unique shopping destinations in Kerala. This showroom is home to a unique craft known as Aranmula mirror. Tourists can see this art from first-hand while they are here. Shopping at this place will be a fun-filled experience for you. The Aranmula mirror is made with the help of a secret alloy. The artisans use unique techniques to make this mirror. Thus, an Aranula mirror is not just a mirror, but it reflects the skill, artistry, and dedication of local craftsmen. The showroom sells a variety of exquisite mirrors and offers information about their history and creation.
MG Road, Thiruvananthapuram
This is another vibrant market of Kerala and is a perfect mixture of tradition as well as modernity. You will find a large number of shops here that offer you a wide range of goods. You will get the latest clothing, accessories, and footwear in this market. There are many handicraft stores that showcase the rich heritage of the state. If you are a food lover, you can enjoy delectable street food here.
Kovalam Beach Market
This market offers the tourists a unique experience. Here, you will find a diverse range of items such as traditional clothing, handicrafts, and souvenirs. This market has something for everyone. From local artefacts to beachwear, Kovalam Beach Market is a must-visit destination for all tourists who visit Kerala.
How to Reach Kerala?
You can reach Kerala with the help of the following transport methods:
How to Reach Kerala by Air?
You can easily reach Kerala by flight as 3 main airports are located in this state. The Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are international airports while the airport in Kozhikode offers domestic airlines.
How to Reach Kerala by Train?
Kerala is also well connected to other cities of the country. There are direct trains from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, etc. Thus, you can easily catch a train irrespective of the place you are coming from.
How to Reach Kerala by Road?
Kerala is connected with 3 highways which are NH 47, NH 17, and NH 49. This state is also connected with other surrounding states through a good road network. There are many private and government buses that can take you to your destination conveniently. You can also hire taxies to reach any place from any major city.
Getting Around Kerala
You can get around Kerala with the help of following means of transport:
Local and Passenger Trains
Tourists can catch local and passenger trains to get around Kerala. They are most convenient means of transport within Kerala. Apart from providing a comfortable journey, these trains offer amazing views of Kerala’s landscapes. However, you should keep in mind the schedule charts and other important details regarding any train.
Auto-rickshaws and City Buses
One of the best means of transport in Kerala is ordinary buses of KSRTC and private buses. Another good option is the auto-rickshaw which you can pick at any time of the day. These autos are best if you want to reach any narrow street or busy shopping areas in Kerala. All autos are unmetered so choose this means of transport wisely. You can get advice of the local people before choosing autos. It is advisable to bargain with the driver before booking the auto.
Kochi Metro
If you want to explore Kochi, you must choose Kochi metro for moving from one place to another. This metro service was started in the year 2017 and is providing comfortable journey to the residents of Kochi.
