Kerala: An A to Z guide to God's Own Country

Kerala is more than a destination.
It is a mood. A breath. A melody in monsoon.
From the tea-wrapped hills of Munnar to the cliffside hymns of Varkala, from Periyar’s wild depths to Alleppey’s calm waters — Kerala is a journey painted in every shade of life.

This guide is your complete A–Z encyclopedia of Kerala, crafted for travellers who want depth, detail, poetry and authenticity.

⭐ A. TRIVANDRUM (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM) — Kerala’s Royal & Spiritual Capital

A harmonious blend of temples, beaches, museums and cliff wonders.

Major Attractions

• Padmanabhaswamy Temple — world’s richest temple

• Napier Museum

• Kuthiramalika Palace Museum

• Veli Tourist Village

• Akkulam Tourist Village

• Shankumugham Beach

• Magic Planet

• Kanakakunnu Palace

• Neyyar Dam & Safari Park

• Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium

Azhimala Region — One of Kerala’s Most Iconic Sites

• Azhimala Shiva Temple

• Azhimala Gangadhareswar Statue — breathtaking cliffside 58-ft sculpture

• Azhimala Cliff & Secret Beaches

• Chowara Beach

Ganesh Temples in Trivandrum

• Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

• Sree Mahaganapathy Temple – Puthenchantha

• Ganapathy Temple – East Fort

⭐ B. KOVALAM — Waves, Lighthouse & Nightlife

• Lighthouse Beach

• Hawa Beach

• Samudra Beach

• Vizhinjam Lighthouse

• Surfing schools

• Ayurvedic spas

⭐ C. KOCHI (ERNAKULAM) — The Cultural Harbour of Kerala

A mix of colonial history, art, food and waterfront charm.

Top Places

• Fort Kochi

• Mattancherry Palace

• Jew Town & Synagogue

• Fort Kochi Beach

• Marine Drive

• Lulu Mall

• Bolgatty Palace

• Cherai Beach

• Willingdon Island

• Vallarpadam Basilica

Museums

• Kerala Folklore Museum

• Museum of Kerala History

• Indian Naval Maritime Museum

• Vintage Car Museum

⭐ D. MUNNAR — The Green Kingdom

Tea mountains. Misty mornings. Waterfalls and wild orchids.

Tea Museums & Tea Factories

• Kannan Devan Tea Factory

• Kolukkumalai Tea Factory (highest in the world)

• Lockhart Tea Factory

• Sevenmallay Tea Estate

• Tea Museum

Scenic Points

• Eravikulam National Park

• Top Station

• Echo Point

• Mattupetty Dam

• Kundala Lake

• Pothamedu Viewpoint

• Lockhart Gap

• Photo Point

Waterfalls

• Attukad Waterfalls

• Lakkam Waterfalls

• Nyayamkadu Waterfalls

⭐ E. THEKKADY — The Jungle Heart

• Periyar National Park

• Periyar Tiger Safari (boat ride)

• Bamboo rafting

• Spice Plantation Walk

• Night Jungle Trek

• Kadathanadan Kalari Centre

⭐ F. ALLEPPEY (ALAPPUZHA) — Venice of the East

• Houseboat Cruise

• Kuttanad Backwaters

• Alleppey Beach

• Marari Beach

• Pathiramanal Island

• Snake Boat Race (Nehru Trophy)

⭐ G. KUMARAKOM — Peace on Water

• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

• Vembanad Backwaters

• Canoe rides

• Luxury lake resorts

⭐ H. VARKALA — Cliffs, Cafes & Arabian Sea Magic

• Varkala Cliff

• Papanasam Beach

• Black Sand Beach

• Kappil Lake

• Janardanaswamy Temple

• Sunset cafés

• Surfing

⭐ I. KOLLAM — Sculptures, Beaches & Lakes

• Ashtamudi Lake

• Jatayu Earth Center (world’s largest bird sculpture)

• Thangassery Lighthouse

• Kollam Beach

• Munroe Island

⭐ J. THRISSUR — Cultural Capital of Kerala

• Guruvayur Temple

• Athirapally Waterfall

• Vazhachal Waterfall

• Thrissur Zoo

• Vilangan Hills

⭐ K. WAYANAD — Forests of Mystery

• Edakkal Caves

• Soochipara Waterfalls

• Meenmutty Waterfalls

• Chembra Peak

• Banasura Sagar Dam

• Pookode Lake

• Thirunelli Temple

⭐ L. PALAKKAD

• Silent Valley National Park

• Malampuzha Dam

• Ropeway

• Palakkad Fort

• Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

⭐ M. IDUKKI

• Idukki Arch Dam

• Kalvari Mount

• Hill View Park

• Panchalimedu

• Anamudi Peak

• Gavi Forest

⭐ N. KASARAGOD — Forts, Lakes & Beaches

• Bekal Fort

• Bekal Beach

• Ananthapura Lake Temple

• Ranipuram Hills

• Kappil Beach (North)

⭐ O. MALAPPURAM

• Kottakkunnu Park

• Teak Museum (Nilambur)

• Nedumkayam Rainforest

⭐ P. KOZHIKODE (CALICUT)

• Kozhikode Beach

• Mananchira Square

• Beypore Harbour

• Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

• Sweet Street (SM Street)

⭐ Q. KANNUR

• Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach

• St. Angelo Fort

• Kannur Lighthouse

• Theyyam Ritual Performances

⭐ R. ALL MAJOR WATERFALLS IN KERALA

• Athirapally

• Vazhachal

• Palaruvi

• Soochipara

• Meenmutty

• Attukad

• Lakkam

• Nyayamkadu

• Thoovanam

• Keezharkuthu

• Thommankuthu

⭐ S. ALL IMPORTANT MUSEUMS

• Napier Museum

• Kuthiramalika Palace Museum

• Kerala Folklore Museum

• Tea Museum, Munnar

• Indian Naval Maritime Museum

• Museum of Kerala History

• Wayanad Heritage Museum

• Natural History Museum

⭐ T. TEMPLES OF KERALA (MAJOR ONES)

• Padmanabhaswamy Temple

• Azhimala Shiva Temple

• Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple

• Guruvayur Temple

• Sabarimala Temple

• Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple

• Chottanikkara Temple

• Janardhana Swamy Temple

• Ananthapura Lake Temple

⭐ U. BEST BEACHES

• Kovalam

• Varkala

• Cherai

• Marari

• Fort Kochi

• Bekal

• Kappad

• Payyambalam

• Thottada

• Alappuzha Beach

⭐ V. NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE

• Eravikulam National Park

• Silent Valley National Park

• Periyar National Park

• Pampadum Shola

• Mathikettan Shola

• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

⭐ W. HILL STATIONS

• Munnar

• Wayanad

• Vagamon

• Ponmudi

• Gavi

• Peermade

⭐ X. ACTIVITIES

• Houseboat Stay

• Jeep Safari

• Paragliding (Vagamon)

• Backwater Kayaking

• Surfing

• Bamboo Rafting

• Tea Tasting

• Wildlife Safari

• Ayurvedic Spa Therapy

⭐ Y. BACKWATERS

• Alleppey

• Kumarakom

• Kollam (Munroe Island)

• Kuttanad

• Kochi (Vembanad Lake)

⭐ Z. CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

• Kathakali

• Kalaripayattu

• Theyyam

• Temple Festivals

• Ayurveda & Panchakarma

• Snake Boat Races

Kerala is where every sunrise feels sacred, every river carries stories, and every path invites you to wander a little more.
This A–Z guide ensures you won’t miss a single gem in this green paradise.
Let Kerala hold your heart the way it holds its mist — gently, endlessly.