Kerala holidays

What to do in Kerala

From brilliant beaches and fascinating museums to national parks teeming with exciting wildlife, Kerala holidays offer plenty to keep you busy.

Kerala Kathakali Centre, Kochi

In the historic fort city of Kochi, or Fort Cochin, the Kerala Kathakali Centre offers the ultimate cultural night out.

Kathakali is a storytelling and dance tradition, derived from ancient Hindu temple rituals, in which elaborately costumed performers with striking make-up and terrifying masks tell folk tales. Here, you can catch their unforgettable performances daily, and if you arrive early, you’ll even see them applying their incredible transformative make-up.

Varkala Beach

If beach time is what you’re after, Varkala is the place to go. A famously popular backpacker destination, this naturally beautiful part of the Keralan coast has towering 15m-high (50ft) ochre-coloured cliffs and tall coconut palms overlooking the warm Indian Ocean.

Buzzy beach bars and restaurants vie for travellers’ attention on the north cliff, alongside souvenir stalls touting world music and baggy trousers. Grab a room in one of the beachfront resorts for the best experience.

Periyar National Park

You’ll have to be incredibly lucky to see tigers in Periyar National Park – there are fewer than 40 of them – but it’s well worth the effort if you do. For the best experience, book an overnight trekking trip through the park.

As well as tigers, Periyar is teeming with other exciting wildlife, including elephants, bison and wild boar. Take a lake cruise to see deer, otters and plenty of birdlife, or book a guided walk to get up close and personal with the animals here.

Munnar

Home to some of the world’s highest tea estates, Munnar is a beautiful escape from the hot humidity of the lowlands and coast of Kerala. Stay amid tea plantations and watch the clouds pass over the mountains and hillsides.

The country’s first ever museum dedicated to tea can be found at the Nallathanni Estate, while Dream Catcher Plantation Resort has treehouses for guests to sleep right above the tea itself.

Alleppey’s backwaters

The epitome of idyllic, creaking palms lean over the serenely still waters of Kerala’s backwaters while small homesteads and spice plantations hug the banks. This gorgeous network of waterways is one of India’s most picturesque sights, and you shouldn’t miss a cruise here in one of the traditional kettuvallam house boats.

Opt to stay overnight on one for the full experience, or simply take a day cruise and enjoy lunch served on banana leaves.

Where to stay in Kerala

For families

Kerala is an ideal place to take the kids for a family holiday, but some regions are more suited to family trips than others. Periyar National Park will wow the children with its plentiful wildlife and colourful birds, plus the opportunity for bamboo rafting and elephant spotting.

Fort Cochin is a delightful place to introduce the children to a new culture too, with opportunities for temple visits, Chinese fishing net demonstrations and traditional Keralan theatre performances.

For travellers on a budget

Cheap Kerala holidays aren’t always easy, as this region isn’t known for its budget-friendly accommodation. But there are plenty of things to do for free across the state. If you’re on a budget, avoid towns like Kochi and coastal hubs like Varkala and opt for the lesser-visited cities such as Thrissur – famous for its sacred sites and festivals – and Palakkad.

Or base yourself in off-the-beaten-track beach destinations such as Kannur. Accommodation in the hill stations of the Western Ghats is also often cheaper than those in the main tourist towns.

For food and drink

The picturesque coastal town of Varkala is by far the region’s best place for foodies, with a huge variety of food and drink on offer. In keeping with Kerala’s reputation as a laidback state, the scene here is rather subdued compared to Goa further north, with understated food shacks serving fresh seafood curries and Keralan specialties.

For those with a penchant for tea, head to the estates of Kolukkumalai or Munnar to see it growing and sample it fresh from the fields.

For nightlife

With complex liquor laws, Kerala isn’t the most thriving place in India for nightlife. Generally, hotels and restaurants are the best places to find beer and wine, and nightclubs tend to be few and far between.

The main tourist town of Kochi, or Fort Cochin, is the most likely place for a night out. Plenty of hotels have their own bars that fill up with non-residents in the evenings, and the occasional pub buzzes with visitors come nightfall.

For culture

Kochi, or Fort Cochin, is one of Kerala's cultural hubs. Home to the Kerala Kathakali Centre and the state’s much-photographed Chinese fishing nets, its old town and smattering of excellent museums make this city a brilliant cultural getaway.

Colonial buildings from the Dutch, Portuguese, and British eras now house hotels, restaurants and bars, and the main tourist area is known for its craft shops and art galleries. The region’s Jewish history can be explored in Jew Town, where you can tour an old synagogue or barter for antiques in the numerous shops.