Varkala Tourism | Places to Visit | Things To Do

Hidden on the south coast of God’s own country Kerala is a small town Varkala. With red cliffs guarding the beach on one side and brilliant blue water swaying on the other, Varkala is definitely a wanderer magnet. The cliffs are dotted with a large number of restaurants, resorts, and bazaars that sell jewelry, bags, harem pants, kurtas and stoles.

Varkala is usually thronged by tourists. However, it leaves a lasting impression that of a quaint little village with its calm, quiet and serene existence despite being a sea side city. The characteristic cliff strewn beaches have several natural water springs believed to have medicinal and curative properties.

If you’re looking for a short getaway that offers cultural knowledge, traditional delicacies and some adventure, stop right here. 50 km from the state capital Trivandrum, Varkala is the ultimate place for a weekend getaway. During the peak season from December to March, both the beach and the cliffs can be seen teeming with tourists and prices reaching an all-time high. In the off season, the beach is less loaded, with prices plummeting down and one can completely be at peace savoring its charm.

Apart from this, Varkala is also bestowed with temples like the 2,000-year old Janardana Swami Temple, the Sivagiri Mutt, (established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru), backwaters and estuaries attracting a mix of tourists. As basic and simple as a place can be, Verkala is all about the famous Cliff, watersports, a 2000 year old pilgrim shrine, more temples, boating and fishing, Ayurvedic healing, a magnificient lighthouse, a fort, backwaters, lonely beaches and islands.

Varkala is the type of place for a budget traveler who wants to explore locals in their raw forms. The city is home to the very famous Janardhanaswamy temple which is believed to be more than two thousand years old.