Visiting Kerala? Here are the top 5 holiday destinations in Kerala you need to see. The list includes my favourite places in Kerala that I’ve explored during my 5+ years of full-time travel blogging career.
Kerala holds enough charisma with its stunning beaches on the Malabar Coast, green patches of coffee and tea plantations in the east, and the many intertwining backwater canals that can be found all across the state.
And for some quick assurance, here are my personal favourite holiday destinations in Kerala:
Also read: Best places to visit in India
Top 5 Holiday Destinations In Kerala
Rich in heritage, abundant in wildlife and tropical charm, Kerala will give you that relaxing, laid-back vacation, that you are looking forward to. So let’s start with my first favourite out of the top 5 holiday destinations in Kerala, and that is…
Bekal
Located in the Kasargod district on the west coast of Kerala (about one and a half hour’s drive from Mangalore) Bekal boasts many scenic attractions and offbeat holiday experiences.
Attractions like the Bekal Fort, a feisty beach and calm backwaters moreover always add to the experience. Enjoy the sun-kissed beaches from Bekkal Cliff and coconut palms that sway in the breeze with a view of the emerald ocean on the horizon. And if you’re planning a short visit only, look no further than staying at Taj Bekal.
Spread across 26 acres of beautiful open space, with an amazing view of the sea & backwaters, Taj Bekal is a visual delight. I have stayed there once and loved the experience. So yea, Bakal, and Taj Bakal remain one of my top favorite holiday destinations in India
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Thekkady is home to Kerala’s largest tiger reserve. The Periyar Tiger Reserve is also home to the Indian elephant, deer, wild boars, and lion-tailed macaques.
Enjoy the popular boat rides in this park and stock up on spices and herbs when you pass by the spice town of Kumily. The reserve is known for its treks and walks as it encompasses most of Thekkady.
Amundi
Third, on my list of the top 5 tourist destinations in India is Anamudi.
In Kerala’s Idukki district and at 2,695 meters above sea level, the mountain of Anamudi happens to be the highest peak in South India.
The hillside is filled with several flowers, shrubs, and wildlife that are unique to the region. The view at the top is breath-taking with large amounts of tropical forests that deck the landscape. Tigers, leopards, macaques, and langur are found in this region.
Alleppey Backwaters
A stop-over at the backwaters at Alappuzha will take you through a large expanse of paddy fields and beaches.
Travel by a typical Kerala houseboat through the maze of canals and lakes. In Alappuzha, you can also enjoy the beaches and rivers that dot the region. The district is famous for boat races, coir products, and its thriving marine industry.
Beck in 2016, when I visited Alleppey for the first time, it became my top favorite in Kerala. But with the growing crowd, the town has lost a bit of charm and a bit of ranking too in this list of top 5 tourist destinations in Kerala.
Read about my first visit, here: Alleppey Backwaters
Munnar
The thing that any blog on Kerala cannot end in just 700 words, I want to add another destination that I happened to visit during my recent Delhi to Bangalore road trip in January 2020 (that I later extended and visited Kerala too). And that is – Munnar.
Home to sprawling tea estates and bucolic sunrises, Munnar is a must-not miss place when you are in Kerala. It is one of the most visited top tourist destinations in Kerala, with most movies being shot in Munnar than in any other destination. Just like Alleppey backwaters, read any blog on the internet and you will find repeated mentions of Munnar.
What makes it even better a destination – other than natural beauty and mountain-like landscapes – is the weather. Where the rest of Kerala remains too hot and humid throughout the year, in Munnar the temperature remains around 15 degrees Celcius most of the time of the year.
It is moreover very easy to travel to Munnar from Bangalore or from Kochi with regular bus services, which further adds to every idea of visiting Munnar.
And now…
A Bonus Holiday Destinations In Kerala
Last on the list of favourite 5 tourist destinations in Kerala is Wayanad which translates to the ‘land of paddy fields’ and is known for its waterfalls, plantations, and wildlife. The district lies in the Western Ghats at a height of 2100 meters. It is home to indigenous tribes.
There are several Wayanad Resorts in the region that would spoil you for choice and help you experience local cuisine, music, and dance. Savour Chemeen Biriyani, appams and stew, Puttu with Kadala curry and Pattri with vadas and gravy, and sweets like Halwa.
Kerala never fails to surprise you with its white sandy beaches, tropical paradises, rich historical treasures, green scapes, and spice plantations. Here’sś our list of the 5 must-see places in God’s Own Country which will give you a glimpse of the best of Kerala on your next trip!
That’s all in this blog on top holiday destinations in Kerala. I also suggest you check the Kerala tourism website for more tips on what to see and do there. This website includes all the necessary information you may need for planning a trip to Kerala.
You may also be interested in reading my Kerala Travel Guide for more tips on what to see and do there.
If you have anything to add to the list of top holiday destinations in Kerala, please share it in the comments below.
Also Read: Must-See Places In Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala is such a beautiful place. Every tourist should visit it once.