Kerala lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats on India's south-west coast. In a single trip you can sleep on a houseboat in Alappuzha, walk through the tea estates of Munnar, spot elephants in Thekkady and end the day on a beach in Kovalam or Varkala. Ayurveda, temple festivals and seafood cooked in coconut make it one of India's most loved holiday states.
Important things to know
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Districts: 14
- Language: Malayalam; English is widely understood.
- Airports: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur
- Best time to visit: September to March. The monsoon (June to August) is quieter, cheaper and good for Ayurveda treatments.
- Getting around: Trains run along the coast; KSRTC buses and taxis reach the hills.
- Festivals: Onam (August–September), Thrissur Pooram (April–May) and the snake-boat races on the backwaters.
Top experiences
- Houseboat cruise on the Alappuzha and Kumarakom backwaters
- Tea gardens and viewpoints in Munnar
- Wildlife at Thekkady (Periyar) and the forests of Wayanad
- Beaches at Kovalam, Varkala and Marari
- Fort Kochi’s colonial streets and Chinese fishing nets
- Athirappilly waterfalls and the temples of Thrissur and Guruvayur
Pick a district below to see its attractions, stays and traveller stories.
