Kerala Tourist Places

Alappuzha

Popularly attributed for decades as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha is one of the most attractive and green backwater destinations in Kerala, South India. Take a houseboat cruise on the tranquil backwaters of Alapuzha and you can feel the marvelous and exotic charm of the nature.

Alappuzha offers a visitor unique opportunity to enjoy his stint with nature in perfect seclusion, and the beauty and loveliness of the Alappuzha tourist attractions will create a positive effect on all his senses.

Now a days, Alappuzha is widely known as a famous tourism spot and as a backwater tourist centre. Alappuzha also known as Alleppey is attracting thousands and thousands of tourists each year to Kerala. Alappuzha is wel-known for its kerala marine products, coir industry, charming beaches, boat races and boat houses.

Cochin
Marine Drive
The one place in Kochi where one is sure to love is Marine Drive. It is located in the heart of the city, probable the most posh area. Marine drive is almost one Km long along the lake over looking the wharf. It is a very calm place totally unaffected by the disturbances of the city. It is really the best place in Ernakulam to relax during the evenings. There are two beautiful rain bow bridges across the backwaters along the walk way.
Wellington Island
This is a manmade island constructed by the British and name after the erstwhile Viceroy Lord Wellington. The island is a place of great strategic and commercial importance. It has the Southern Naval Command-Kattari Bagh, the Port Trust head Quarters, offices of many trading companies international hotels etc You can reach the island either through road or by boat.
Jewish Synagogue
This synagogue was built in 1568 AD. It is the oldest synagogue in common wealth countries. This is located at Mattanchery.In the synagogue one can still find the scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates which are preserved with great care.
St. Francis Church Fort Kochi
It is located in Fort Kochi. Vasco da Gama - the first European Navigator who landed in India was buried in here in 1524. The church was initially built in wood.
Santa Cruz Bascillica Fort Kochi
This Roman Catholic Church is really a supreme example of the Portuguese architecture of the 15th century. It is a specimen of portugese architecture built in 1503. Murals done with watercolors on wet plaster - Frescoes -decorate the interior parts of the church, even the ceilings.
Bhoothathankettu
Bhoothathankettu is situated 50 Kms from Ernakulam city. The reservoir with it fearsome name is located in a dense forest. The Salim Ali bird Sanctuary is located nearby. The boating through the reservoir is more than a rejoicing experience which you should never miss.
Cherai Beach
It is the most famous beach in Ernakulam district. The calm and shallow beach with its beautiful landscapes and nearby paddy fields provides the best place for relaxing and rejuvenating. Recreational activities like boat cruising, cultural event etc are the other specialties of this place. Excellent accommodation facilities of international standards are available in Cherai Island.
Bolghatty Palace
Bolgatty Island could be accessible by boats from the Marine drive. It is 3 kms from the main land. The main attraction here is the palace built by Duth in 1774 and later it was the seat of the British resident of Kochi.The palm trees and golf course together adds beauty to this place.
Parikshit Thampuran Museum
It is located near the Darbar Hall Road, Cochin. The museum has a wide collection of paintings of 19th century, old coins, mural paintings, other sculptures etc.
Hill Palace Thripoonithara
Hill palace, located 13 kms from the cochin city is the house of many royal icons. Epigraphies in dried palm leaves, majestic beds paintings, etchings, weapons and carvings can be seen here.
Kalady
It is the birth place of the great Advaita Philosopher - Adi Shankaracharya. There are three important temples here.
Malayattoor
The most important Christian Pilgrim center of Kerala. The St.Thomas church, the imprint of the foot of the Apostle and the great well believed to have healing effect are the main attractions here. Kovalam Kovalam is a world-famous beach resort, which has been a favorite spot for tourists since 1930s. This beach has lovely coconut palms fringe the golden sands. Foreigners throng Ayurvedic parlors, yoga and meditation centers, that have sprung up all over the place. There are a number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a Muslim shrine. It was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists (mostly European) even now the glory of this beach attracting more and more tourists(western). Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a slew of Ayurvedic treatments for the tourists. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. There are two main beaches at Kovalam, separated by a high cliff. There is small light house in the Eve's beach. The normal tourist season is from November to March.