Royal grandeur meets nature’s elegance in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, has a perfect geographical location to the envy of many cities. What makes the city stand out is its exceptional connectivity, allowing you to travel to any destination around the world without any hassles. A person visiting the city is greeted by the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum, the Kowdiar Palace, the Pazhavangadi Temple and the ‘Kuthiramalika’. The decked-up Kanakakunnu Palace and the museum in the festive season are a sight to behold. And Thiruvananthapuram is also the right place if you want to shop till you drop. The age-old Chalai market can satisfy your craving for local shopping, and if you have a fad for well-known brands, the Lulu Mall and the Mall of Travancore are right there waiting for you.

World-renowned beaches
The list of breathtaking beaches that adorn the long coastline of the Thiruvananthapuram district is pretty long and includes Poovar, Adimalathura, Azhimala Cliff, Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Valiyathura, Shangumugham, Veli and Varkala. Shangumugham beach, located near the Thiruvananthapuram airport, is a popular tourist destination, alongside Vettukad Church, Veli tourist village, and Anchuthengu. Though you can visit Shangumugham beach throughout the day, the best time to be at the beach is when the sun goes down on the western horizon. The Veli tourist village is a must-visit spot in Thiruvananthapuram. 

Kovalam Beach 
Kovalam beach, located 15km from the city, is one of the country's most famous hang-out places. Interestingly, the beach attracts more foreign tourists than domestic travellers. The pristine beauty of the beach goes a notch higher with the presence of coconut trees on the shoreline. Watching the sun set from the sandy beach is indeed a moment to relish. Another attraction of the beach is the plethora of opportunities to try out different cuisines at the food outlets that line the beach. A 3km drive from Kovalam will take you to Vizhinjam, which is a port gifted by nature. 

Vizhinjam International Seaport 
The all-weather Vizhinjam International Seaport is the country’s first deep-water and transhipment port. As the port has natural deep water, it can accommodate large vessels with great ease. Moreover, the distance between the port and the shipping route is less compared to other ports in the country. Vizhinjam is known not only for its beach and natural port, but also for the first rock-cut temple in South India. 

The international shipping route is just 10 nautical miles from the port, and the natural sea depth of 18m helps in handling large container ships. The second phase of the port is expected to be completed by 2028, and Vizhinjam is bound to become a transhipment hub of the country. 

Varkala Beach, Cliff and Sivagiri 
The popular Varkala Cliff Beach, which is 51km away from Thiruvananthapuram, attracts tourists from 
far and wide in droves. Varkala, which is replete with Ayurveda resorts and temples, besides the beach, is dotted with many hotels and restaurants. The main places of interest include Sivagiri Mutt, Vishnu Temple and the ashram. Another main attraction of Varkala is the Janardhanaswamy Temple, which is believed to be 2,000 years old. 

Places of Worship 
Thiruvananthapuram has many places of worship such as the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Temple, Vizhinjam Cave Temple, Beemapally Dargah Shareef, Palayam Juma Masjid, Vettukad Church, Palayam St. Joseph Church, Sivagiri Mutt and Attingal Kaduva Mosque, among others. 

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple 
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the prominent Vaishnavite temples in the country. The temple, which was built in the Dravidian style, literally stands tall with a towering seven-storey ‘gopuram’ and is known for its exquisite stone carvings and murals. It may be noted that only Hindus can enter the temple. The temple is a stone’s throw away from the Putharikandam maidan. 

Picnic spots 
Zoo
The zoo, which houses a number of wild animals, birds and snakes, sports an expansive lake, and is one of the essential zoos in the country. 
Manaveeyam Veedhi
It’s a cultural corridor near the museum. The street flaunts cultural interactions, plays, exhibitions and art festivals conducted under the aegis of various art and cultural organisations. 

Sree Chitra Art Gallery
The gallery boasts a vast collection of works by Raja Ravi Varma, Roerich, and Svetoslav, besides paintings from the Rajput, Mughal and Thanjavur style of art. It also has paintings originating from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. 
Observatory
The observatory, which is situated at the heart of the city, is 60m above sea level. You can get a bird’s eye view of the city from the facility, which also has a wonderful garden. It’s one of the oldest observatories in the country. 

Poovar
A well-liked beach destination that is 12km from Kovalam. 
Priyadarshini Planetarium
This facility in the city centre helps you to reach out to the stars. The planetarium offers exciting shows that help children learn about planets and stars. 

Magic Planet
This is a museum that logs the history of magic. It’s located at the Kinfra Film and Video Park in Kazhakuttam. 
Veli Tourist Village
The village is an important picnic spot in Thiruvananthapuram. It opens the gate to the lake-sea confluence, boating, the park and the floating bridge. The facility is 12km from the city. 

Shangumugham Beach
This beach, which is 8km from the city, is near the airport. The main attractions are an indoor recreation club, a star-shaped hotel and a traffic training park for children. 

Varkala Papanasam
Tall hills stand face-to-face with the sea at this magnificent place. A natural spring with mineral values is a crowd puller. The 2000-year-old Janardhanaswamy Temple is near Papanasam Beach, which is 45km from Thiruvananthapuram city. 

Chenkal Shivalingam
This is the tallest Shivalingam in the world. 
Muthalapozhi
You can see the beautiful natural phenomenon of lakes merging with the sea in Perumathura. 
Agasthyakoodam
This is the second-tallest peak in Kerala and part of the Western Ghats. Agasthyakoodam is a nature’s bounty that is situated at a height of 1,890m above sea level. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise and dotted with medicinal herbs. If you are a trekking freak, then don’t look beyond Agasthyakoodam. 

Aruvikkara Dam
The dam is 16km from the city, and you can also find an old Durga temple near the dam. 
Vizhinjam Aquarium
The aquarium, located 14km from the city, is home to rare marine fish and other creatures. It’s a gold mine for research students. 

Padmanabhapuram Palace
The palace was the administrative headquarters of the Travancore kingdom. The murals and wooden carvings make the palace unique on the art front. The palace is situated in Thuckalay, which is 54km from the city on the way to Kanyakumari. Though the palace is situated in Tamil Nadu, it can be added to the must-visit list while touring Thiruvananthapuram. 

Lakes
The Thiruvallam Lake and the Kadinamkulam Lake are perfect examples of heritage tourism. 

Santhigiri
Santhigiri Ashram is a spiritual and pilgrimage centre in Pothencode. 

Madavoorpara
Madavoorpara, which is an ancient cave temple near Kattaikonam, is a popular tourist destination. The highlights are the Shiva Temple and the view of the sea. Take the Thiruvananthapuram-Sreekaryam-Chempazhanthy-Kattayikonam-Madavoorpara route to reach this amazing place. 

Panayil Kadavu
Panayil Kadavu oozes with the rustic beauty of a village, and this coastal hamlet is an amalgam of the charm of the lake and the sea. Anchuthengu and Varkala beaches are nearby. 

Azhimala Temple and beach
Though there is a certain degree of danger lurking, the beach provides mesmerising vistas. The temple with the popular Shiva statue could also be found at Azhimala. It is better not to enter the sea and step onto the slippery rocks. 

Aruvippuram
Aruvippuram, which is on the shores of the Neyyar River, is the place where Sree Narayana Guru consecrated a Shiva idol and established a Shiva temple. 

Sai Gramam
It’s a perfect model for the development of villages in the country. 

Vallakkadavu
This place houses a biodiversity park. 

Akkulam Adventure Park
It’s one of the best spots to unwind in Thiruvananthapuram. The boat club at the park, which is 9km from the city, has speed, safari and pedal boats to the glee of the visitors. The park, which is open from 7 am to 5.30 pm, also boasts a children’s playground and a music fountain to entertain the tourists. Moreover, there are many sports activities for children and adults who love adventure. You can also take a splash in the swimming pool. 

Anchuthengu 
The coastal village of Anchuthengu was the first prominent base of the British in Kerala. The houses near the sea, coconut groves and lakes make this hamlet paradisiacal. The iconic Anchuthengu fort, where history sleeps, is a treat for your eyes. The fort is drenched in memories of the Attingal rebellion, which 
was the first uprising against the British. A huge lighthouse could be seen near the fort. The queen of Attingal gave land for the construction of the fort. 

Land of Palaces
The indelible marks that reflect the rich history of Travancore include the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, ‘Kuthiramalika’, the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Nedumangad Koyikkal Palace and Koyikkal Palace in Kilimanoor, which is the birthplace of Raja Ravi Varma. These historical spots should be visited by any person stepping into the Thiruvananthapuram district. 
Kowdiar Palace
This palace, which has 150 rooms, was the official residence of the Travancore royal family. It’s noteworthy that the palace’s architecture has many admirers. The entry to the palace is restricted as it was the private property of the royal family. 

Kanakakunnu Palace
The Kanakakunnu Palace is situated near the Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram. Presently, the palace hosts many art and cultural programmes. The Tourism Department conducts the All India Dance Festival here. 
Koyikkal Palace
The Koyikkal Palace was constructed for Ummayamma Rani of the Venad royal family. The palace is in 
Nedumangad is 18km away from the city. The palace houses a folklore museum, which comes under the Archaeology Department, and a collection of coins belonging to different eras. The entry is from 9 am to 5 pm. 

Sunil’s Wax Museum
The museum, located near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, features wax statues of film, sports, and political personalities. 
Asan Smarakam (Kayikkara, Thonnakkal) 
The cultural centre is dedicated to the highly celebrated poet Kumaran Asan for his contributions to Malayalam literature and societal and cultural awakening. 
Madhava Madom CVN Kalari 
It’s a hub of traditional Ayurveda treatment, and 5km away from Thiruvananthapuram Central. 

Museums galore 
The museum, art gallery, zoo, Priyadarshini Planetarium, Sunil’s Wax Museum, Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Vellar and the museum of the Archaeology Department provide loads of knowledge besides entertainment. 
Napier Museum 
It’s a museum that helps you take a peek into the past with jewellery belonging to the royal family, chariots, and age-old sculptures and equipment. 

Kuthiramalika Museum
Swathi Thirunal Maharaja constructed this palace near the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It has the stamp of Travancore architecture and enthrals the visitors with well-crafted carvings. Presently, the palace houses the priceless belongings and paintings of the erstwhile royal family. 

Keralam Museum
The Keralam Museum, which is an initiative of the state Tourism Department and the Archaeology Department, is a blend of history and heritage in equal measure. It’s a modern museum that displays Kerala’s cultural and historical legacy from prehistoric to medieval times through artefacts, multimedia presentations and galleries. 

Thrill of waterfalls 
Kalakkayam Waterfalls 
The crystal water, verdant forest and adventurous trekking path make Kalakkayam waterfalls, which are situated amidst the Agasthyakoodam biosphere, a must-visit destination. While visiting the waterfalls, tourists can escape the madding crowd and enjoy the raw beauty of nature with great tranquillity. The gushing waterfall is part of the Mankayam stream. 

Vazhvanthol Waterfalls 
This enchanting waterfall is tucked away in the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s on the Thiruvananthapuram-Bonacaud route, and 46km from the city. 
Meenmutty Waterfalls 
The sight of foamy white water caressing the rocks is indeed refreshing. Many people come to watch nature’s spectacle in the monsoon season. 

Mankayam Waterfalls 
Mankayam waterfall, which is situated on the north-east side of Thiruvananthapuram, is a popular tourist destination in Ponmudi. The Mankayam River is part of the Chittar River, which originates from the mighty mountain ranges of Chemungi. The river that flows through the dense forest has two waterfalls – Kalakkayam and Kurishadi. You can trek from the waterfalls to Varayadumotta. The entry is from 8 am to 4 pm. 

Mountains calling 
What about spending your holidays in serenity, shrouded in cool air? Irresistible, isn’t it? The sought-after hill station of Ponmudi offers a range of experiences and more, making it the perfect destination for quality time with nature and loved ones. Even the journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Ponmudi is something you will cherish as the route is decked up in green vegetation and riddled with mind-blowing vistas. Ponmudi, which is 61km from Thiruvananthapuram and 1,000m above sea level, is also an ideal spot for trekking. 

Here’s a list of some of the amazing spots you should never miss while travelling to Ponmudi. 
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve 
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is situated at a height of 1868m above sea level and in the Western Ghats. The reserve is home to 2,254 species of plants, and wildlife sanctuaries such as Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney are part of it. A visit to the reserve is bound to rejuvenate your mind and body. 

Golden Valley 
The heavenly Golden Valley is replete with brooks with crystal clear water, lush green vegetation and mist-covered hills. Eye-catching gold-coloured stones could be found in Golden Valley, which is on the shores of the Kallar River. There are many trekking paths originating from the valley that would lead you to the nearby hills. 

Varayadumotta 
Varayadumotta, which is considered the highest summit in the Ponmudi mountain range, is the habitat of the endangered Nilgiri tahr. It stands at a height of 1,100m and can be reached via Ponmudi or Mankayam check post. Trekking through the region is arduous due to the steep climb. A forest guide will accompany the tourists while trekking. 

The Wild Side 
Neyyar Safari Park 
This is the only crocodile park in Kerala. The cages are structured in such a way that visitors can stand 
next to the crocodiles. There are more than 20 crocodiles in the park. 

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary 
Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts would love to be at the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. The flora and fauna of the sanctuary, which is spread across 53sqkm, are very diverse to the delight of nature lovers. The sanctuary is quite distinct with its right mix of evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Many tourists travelling to Ponmudi take some time off to step into the sanctuary.

Moreover, the best trekking option in Thiruvananthapuram is the trekking route between the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and Vazhvanthol. It’s better to plan an itinerary that touches places such as Peppara dam, Vazhvanthol waterfalls, Meemutty waterfalls and Ponmudi in one go. 

Neyyar Dam 
Neyyar Dam is one of the main tourist spots in the Thiruvananthapuram district. You can go on a boating spree in the dam for Rs 250 and also get to know more about crocodiles at the crocodile park. If you pay Rs 500, you can go to the Kottur elephant sanctuary from the Neyyar dam. 

Now, let’s a quick look at the tourist centers that be covered in one day in Thiruvananthapuram. As many of the places of interest are water-centric, be cautious while visiting these spots. You should make it a point to heed the instructions and guidance of the local people and forest personnel. Heavy rains in the forest can result in a sudden rise in water level, floods and landslides. The different facets of Thiruvananthapuram city is reflected in places such as Kadambupara, Peyad, Mankayam ecotourism, Vellanikkal para, Kizhakkumala para, Kathirmudi, Neyyar Kombai, Neyyar Meenmutty and Kottur elephant sanctuary, among others.