Introdution to Varkala
Do you want to know what are the best places to visit in Varkala? This is a coastal town in Kerala, which is famous for its cliffs. These cliffs are located near the beach and makes Varkala so unique. You can visit Varkala with our Kerala Tour Packages. Varkala is also a spiritual destination and there are tales from the Hindu epics which mention the origins of Varkala. But the thing that Varkala is most famous for are the beaches. These golden sandy beaches are the reason why Varkala has established itself as a beach destination in Kerala. Varkala is also the place where the famous Janardana Swamy Temple is located. The temple is so sacred that it is sometimes called as Dakshin Kashi.
Best Places to Visit in Varkala at a Glance
| Place | Best For | Suggested Time |
| Varkala Beach | Beach & sunset | 2–3 hours |
| Varkala Cliff | Views, cafés & sunset | 2–3 hours |
| Janardhana Swamy Temple | Spiritual experience | 1 hour |
| Sivagiri Mutt | Spiritual & cultural visit | 1–2 hours |
| Kappil Beach | Nature & relaxation | 2 hours |
| Kappil Lake | Backwaters & boating | 1–2 hours |
| Odayam Beach | Quiet beach experience | 1–2 hours |
| Edava Beach | Peace & photography | 1–2 hours |
| Ponnumthuruthu Island | Backwaters & nature | Half day |
| Varkala’s cliff area | Cafés & shopping | 2–3 hours |
Do you want to know the best places to visit in Varkala? This is a coastal town in Kerala, which is famous for its cliffs. These cliffs are located near the beach and make Varkala so unique. You can visit Varkala with our Kerala Tour Packages. Varkala is also a spiritual destination, and there are tales from the Hindu epics that mention the origins of Varkala. But the thing that Varkala is most famous for is its beaches. These golden sandy beaches are the reason why Varkala has established itself as a beach destination in Kerala. Varkala is also the place where the famous Janardana Swamy Temple is located. The temple is so sacred that it is sometimes called Dakshin Kashi.
15 Best Places to Visit in Varkala
Varkala Beach – The Most Popular Place to Visit in Varkala
Varkala Beach, Kerala, is one of the best places to visit in Varkala. The main beach in Varkala is known as Papanasam Beach. It is also another name for Varkala Beach. The name of this beach is unique in its own way. It is called Papanasam because devotees can get freedom from their sins. ‘Papa’ means sins and ‘nasam’ means destroy. This is the reason why people scatter the ashes of their deceased members at Papanasam Beach. Janardana Swamy Temple is close to this beach, and this is what makes Varkala Beach so very spiritual.
Varkala Cliff – The Iconic Landmark of Varkala
The Varkala Cliffs are the most scenic sight in Varkala. These cliffs are directly located near the Varkala Beach and offer scenic views. These are 80-foot-high cliffs that date back millions of years. Due to the unique features of these cliffs, they are a geological site. The cliffs are only present in Varkala and at no other place in Kerala. You can visit cafes, shops, and walk on the promenade on these cliffs. The sunset views from these cliffs are particularly scenic.
Janardhana Swamy Temple
The temple known as Janardana Swamy Temple is one of the best Varkala tourist places. This is an ancient temple, which is over 2000 years old. The temple deity is Lord Vishnu, and he is worshipped here in the form of Janardana Swamy. This temple is an immensely spiritual place, which is also known as Dakshin Kashi. The temple is located very close to Varkala Beach, and its proximity is also the reason why Varkala is considered to be very holy. Devotees come here to perform ancestral rites and purify themselves of sins.
Sivagiri Mutt
One of the spiritual places in Varkala is Sivagiri Mutt. This is a Samadhi, or the final resting place of Sree Narayana Guru. He was a saint and social reformer of the 19th century. Sivagiri Mutt was established in 1904 and is one of the unique places to visit in Varkala. Inside, there is a temple of Shaada Devi. Sivagiri Mutt is not just a spiritual destination, but also a cultural and educational institution. It has a museum where you can view the various photos and belongings of Sree Narayana Guru.
Kappil Beach
One of the best beaches in Varkala is the one known as Kappil Beach. The beach is famous for its scenic sunsets and golden sands. Kappil Beach is also unique as the ocean and backwaters meet here. It is more of a secluded place, where you will not see many tourists. Kappil Beach Varkala is also known for its coastal road, which ranks among the most scenic roads in Kerala. You can go for boat rides here and view scenic sunsets.
Kappil Lake and Backwaters
One of the best things to do in Varkala is to visit the Kappil Lake. This is not a lake, but an estuary meeting the ocean. The still waters of the backwaters look like a lake. It is a very scenic place and one of the best tourist places in Varkala. A 1 km coastal road runs parallel to the beach and offers unparalleled views of the beach and Kerala backwaters. Varkala backwaters are a place to watch birds and scenic sunsets. You can go for a boat ride here and view the lush green surroundings.
Odayam Beach
One of the best places to visit in Varkala is Odayam Beach. It is more secluded than the touristy Varkala Beach. This is the best beach in Varkala for sunsets. You can view the local fishing community on this beach. Odayam Beach offers privacy due to its location and therefore is best for honeymoon couples, yoga, and meditation. You can visit a herbal massage center on this beach and receive an Ayurvedic massage. The natural scenery of this beach is amazing, and the golden sunsets are a wonderful sight to watch.
Edava Beach
Edava Beach is one of the unique places to visit in Varkala. This is a place where the Kerala backwaters meet the blue ocean. A narrow piece of land separates these water bodies and makes a scenic landscape. Edava Beach is a place for surfing and enjoying the pristine natural beauty of Kerala. The Edava-Nadayara backwater lagoon is a scenic sight; there is a 1 km road that runs on a narrow piece of land that separates the backwaters from the beach. You can visit the Pandakasaala, a 17th-century colonial warehouse near the beach.
Ponnumthuruthu Island
One of the most impressive tourist places near Varkala is an island called Ponnumthuruthu Island. The island is also called Golden Island due to its association with the Travancore queens. It is said that the queens hid their gold in secret locations on this island; therefore, the name Golden Island came into being. Ponnumthuruthu Island is famous for its scenic vistas, backwaters, and the heritage temple of Shiva Parvathi. You can reach this island by a short boat ride from Varkala. The Shiva Parvathi Temple is located in the midst of palm trees and lush greenery.
Varkala North Cliff
Varkala North Cliff is the most scenic place in Varkala. This is a place where you can view high-rising cliffs towering over Varkala Beach. If you want to plan all the places to visit in Varkala for 2 days, then you can plan a trip to the North Cliff. A promenade is built high on the cliff and offers panoramic views of the setting sun and the ocean. This is also the place for shopping, relishing Kerala street food, practicing Yoga, and enjoying the social nightlife.
Varkala South Cliff
If the North Cliff is the more popular spot in Varkala, the South Cliff is much quieter and more secluded. You will find the atmosphere quite serene and relaxed at the South Cliff. However, there are Yoga studios, wellness therapy, and boutique resorts here.
Black Sand Beach
The Thiruvambadi Beach in Varkala is popularly known as Black Sand Beach. The black sands are the unique feature of this beach, and it is also the reason behind the name of the beach. These streaks of black sand are rich in minerals. Black Sand Beach is a more secluded beach in Varkala. The waters here are calmer and not rough. It is best for photography or unwinding in nature.
Varkala Cliff Cafés
The most striking thing about the cafes in Varkala is that they offer the most scenic views of the sunset and Varkala beaches. They have a laid-back vibe about them and a relaxed feeling. You can enjoy uninterrupted views of Varkala from these cafes. They serve continental dishes and have an ambience that supports lively interaction among visitors. They organize live music nights, and this makes the nightlife in Varkala even more exciting. The most famous cafes are Darjeeling Café, Cafe Trip is Life, and Cafe Sarwaa, among others.
Ayurveda and Wellness Experiences
Varkala is very famous for its Ayurvedic and wellness experiences. You can go for traditional Kerala therapies like Shirodhara, Sarvanga Dhara, and others. People come from all over the world to Varkala to revitalize their bodies and minds. Varkala is one of the top destinations for wellness tourism in India. Among the wellness therapies are oil treatments, Yoga, Panchakarma, among others. There are popular Ayurvedic wellness centers and ashrams where you can receive these treatments.
Jatayu Earth’s Center – A Day Trip from Varkala
Jatayu Earth Center is just 30 km from Varkala. You can visit Jatayu Earth Center on a day trip from Varkala. It is one of the famous tourist places near Varkala where you can unwind on your Varkala trip. This is a giant structure of Jatayu, the mythical vulture who was killed by Ravana when he tried to save Sita from being taken away by Ravana. Jatayu Earth Center is recognized as the world’s largest bird sculpture. The museum inside the sculpture has decks for viewing stories from the Ramayana. The cable car here is the only cable car in Kerala. Kids will have fun here with ziplining, rappelling, rock climbing, and obstacle courses.
FAQ
Varkala Beach, Kappil Lake, Black Sand Beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sivagiri Mutt, and Anjengo Fort are the best places to visit in Varkala.
2 to 3 days are enough to visit Varkala and do sightseeing in major Varkala tourist places.
Varkala is famous for its beaches, tall cliffs, café culture, and pilgrimage center of Janardana Swamy Temple.
Papanasam Beach, Black Sand Beach, Kappil Beach, and Odayam Beach are the best beaches in Varkala.
Kappil Beach, Anjengo (Anchuthengu) Fort and Lighthouse, Ponnumthuruthu Island and Jatayu Earth Center are the various places to visit near Varkala.
October to March is the best time to visit Varkala.
Varkala is 42 km from Trivandrum, and it will take around 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Trivandrum by car.
Yes, you can include Varkala in the Kerala Tour Package.
Plan Your Kerala Holiday with Varkala
Varkala is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. You can plan a Kerala trip itinerary and include Varkala in it. Varanasi Excursion offers one of the best Kerala Tour Packages, and this includes sightseeing and hotel stay in Varkala. Our Varkala tour package for 3 days is ideal for this, and you can visit every major place in Varkala on this trip. We can also include Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey, and Kovalam in this trip. So if you have never visited Varkala before, then this is the right time to do so with Kerala Travel Packages.