11 Unique Places to Visit in Kerala
Last Updated: 05 Jan 2024

Kerala is a paradise for all those who love nature and adventure. You can visit this Indian State to enjoy water sports, relaxing holidays at Ayurvedic resorts, or others. This article discusses a few unique places instead of wide publicity. If you plan your trip to Kerala, these 11 places should be on your bucket list.

So let's look at the top 11 unique places to visit in Kerala.

1. Houseboat

You can have a houseboat cruise through the backwaters to explore the beautiful places around it. You can feel the natural beauty around you. You can experience staying in a houseboat that moves slowly through the waterways and canals. The trip will be peaceful and serene as you are away from city life. You can see the village life of Kerala by cruising through it. The journey will be more exciting if you travel with your family or friends. During your stay on the boat, you will be served delicious local food cooked by a chef who is on board with you..

2. Kolukumalai trekking

The second unique tourist place in Kerala to visit is Kolukkumalai trekking is one of the most adventurous treks in India, and it is a real treat to travel lovers, trekkers, and explorers. The place is located near Munnar and is famous for its tea estates. These tea estates are situated in the highest tea-producing place in the world. You will love to explore the beauty of this place because it is full of fresh air, lush greenery, and beautiful landscapes.

Kolukkumalai trekking is comparatively more complex than other places because it has steep trails and high altitudes. This trekking can be done from the Idukki district, around 150 km from Munnar. The best time for this trekking is monsoon season because it becomes more adventurous.

3. Aymanam Village

Located in the Kottayam district, the third unique place to visit, Aymanam village is a small village with about 20,000 people. It was the setting for Arundhati Roy's Booker Prize-winning novel, "The God of Small Things," and was selected as the location of the film's premiere.

This idyllic village has also been written about by Vasco Da Gama, who said that Aymanam was one of the largest and most important towns in India.

4. Padmanabha Swamy Temple

As one of the most famous temples in Kerala with a vibrant history, this one is one of the most revered temples in the country. Due to its traditional style of architecture, it is immensely popular. In this temple, the Lord Vishnu appears as Padmanabha (the Lord who lies on the serpent Anantha or Adisheshan in the form of Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Padmanabha). To reach the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, we have to climb 18 sacred golden steps. The temple has 100 pillars in its hall. There are 108 Divya Desams - holy abodes of Vishnu in Kerala - and this temple is considered to be one of the finest.

5. Kovalam

The southern Indian beach resort of Kovalam is one of the best-known in the country. It is said that Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees, and the village offers the sight of a huge variety of coconut trees true to its name.

The Maharaja of Travancore was responsible for bringing Kovalam to the public's attention. At the beginning of the 1930s, the European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered that Kovalam beach was a potential tourist spot.

Gradually, Kovalam developed into a hub of international tourism. One can find tourists from all over the world enjoying their holidays in Kovalam. Kovalam is known as the 'Paradise of the South.' It also serves as a wellness hub of India (Ayurveda, Yoga Meditation). Kovalam is a unique place in Kerala for wellness tourism.

6. Bambo Rafting Thekkady

Thekkady is a border town of Kerala, and it is famous for its wildlife sanctuary and Periyar Lake. The place is named after the Periyar river, which originates from the Western Ghats.

Bambo rafting in the Periyar river is an adventurous activity, and you can enjoy the beauty of nature at the same time. You need to travel 2 km from Thekkady to reach Panchalimedu, and then you will arrive here. You can also enjoy zip line trekking, nature walk, and bamboo rafting tours.

8. Theyyam

Theyyam is one of the most famous ritual arts in Kerala. It is performed in the temples of North Malabar and is known as the "dance of gods" or "dance with god." The word Theyyam means god, and it is a form of worship performed by devotees who believe that the spirit of a deity possesses them.

Theyyam can be described as a Hindu tribal dance form called Kaliyattam. The dancers wear elaborate costumes and perform to traditional music using drums, cymbals, and other instruments. The faces of the dancers are painted in different colors, resembling their particular deity.

Theyyam has been passed down through generations and is an integral part of daily life in northern Kerala. Each village has its own Theyyam season, and visitors flock to see the performances.

The most famous Theyyam spot is in the Kannur district, where more than 27 different Theyyams are performed each year from October to April. Theyyam is unique opportunity for photographers to capture the best photography.

9. Backwaters

The next unique place to visit in Kerala is the great Backwaters of Kerala most popular tourist attraction. The backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and lakes parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (the Malabar Coast).

As a result of the action of waves crashing against the shore and the street currents running along the coast, backwaters were formed that formed low barrier islands across the mouths of the numerous rivers that flow down from the Western Ghats range.

Numerous backwater cruises are offered from Kerala's main tourist towns; some are simple day trips, while others vary from two or three days at a relaxed pace to a week-long journey. Most cruises leave from Alleppey or Kollam (Quilon). However, there are also excellent backwater cruises out of Kochi.

10. Kayaking at Kavayi Island

There's something special about Kayaking on Kavayi island. It is such a pristine place, with very few people around. The calm water makes it easy for beginners to pick up the sport and go on their own kayaking trip.

Kavayi Island is surprisingly rich in birdlife, and it is a great place to spot a variety of birds and butterflies. The Forest Department currently controls the island, and they have been working hard to conserve it. They have also been trying to promote kayaking to explore the island.

The kayaking trip will take you to explore the mangroves and salt marshes around the island. It gives you a chance to appreciate the life that flourishes in these environments. This is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to contact nature.

11. TreeHouse at Wayanad

TreeHouses at Wayanad are one of the famous Tree houses in Kerala. Tree houses are available in Thekkady, Munnar, Wayanad in Kerala. . Also, the Tariff starts from Rs. 5000 to 25000 per night. This treehouse is the perfect destination for nature lovers. The Tree House has a simple interior design with all modern amenities to care for your comfort needs. Also, there are options for sightseeing and trekking facilities around the property.