Islands in Kerala

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.