10 Tourist Places to Visit in Trivandrum

A world of astounding beaches, fine cuisines, radiant backwaters, electrifying festivals and a dynamic culture, Kerala is truly a reflection of God's Own Country. It is a destination that is embellished with all the fundamentals required to make your Kerala tourism package an extraordinary one. Thiruvananthapuram is easily one of the richest cities in the country in terms of places with historical relevance.

Trivandrum has few premium hotels which all have exotic restaurants that offers fine dining experience. Apart from the popular tourist spots such as the Napier Museum, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Sivagiri and Padmanabhapuram Palace, there are a number of lesser-known palaces, temples and monuments that can offer tourists interesting ideas about the history of Travancore.

Out of many offbeat places to visit in Kerala that throngs with tourists all year long, the cities of Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin are replete with all the natural and man-made wonders one could possibly imagine. There are many aspects that will make your trip memorable for a lifetime and we have listed down the best things to experience on a sightseeing expedition in these cities.

The Academy for Mountaineering and Adventure Sports in Trivandrum is a haven for all adventure junkies to pump up their adrenaline. The AMAS offers the opportunity to engage in many adventurous activities such as rafting, paragliding, scuba diving, bungee jumping and other air activities as well. They also run various training camps and have state-of-the-art equipments for all kinds of adventure sports.

Ammaveedu has a very huge history. It was the first Dutch Manor to be constructed in Trivandrum by Dutch officials in the court of Travancore. When the Dutch left Kerala, this property was taken over by Travancore Royal Household and granted to Arumana family, a Nair Noble house.

The manor was constructed in traditional Kerala-Dutch architecture in traditional Ettukettu concept (traditional Kerala houses with 2 courtyards) and well maintained by the family which was then sold Muthoot Pappachan Group who renovated it. Instead of converting into a boutique hotel, the group converted into an exclusive fine dining restaurants theme on Travancore Royalty and their traditional imperial banquet halls concept.

Padmanabha Puram palace, Kanyakumari, Munnar, Ponmudi, and many waterfalls such as Tirparappu are easily reachable by car from Trivandrum. Throughout the journey, the greenery keeps rejoicing you and so will be the destination.

Here are the best places to visit in Trivandrum:

1. Scuba Diving in Kovalam Beach

Beaches in the city, including Kovalam and Shankhumukham are the best places to hang out in the afternoons. Best known for its three crescent-shaped beaches, Kovalam still retains some of its relaxed culture with days that start rather late and activities that continue into the night. Kovalam seems to have something for everyone.

A dip or a surf lesson, an herbal body massage or a cultural program - choose your selection and everything is there. Kovalam has gone a long way from being a sleepy fishing village to being one of the best surfing destinations in India. The Vizhinjam Lighthouse is here.

2. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

As notable tourist attractions in Ponmudi we can highlight the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, and various trekking points. Travelers can find a deer park and stone and wood cabins. About one and a half kilometres from the mountain station are the Ponmudi Falls. The Sanctuary, located on the outskirts of Ponmudi, has a wide variety of wild animals such as the Asian elephant, leopards, lion-tailed macaques.

It is ideal for those who are looking for an offbeat destination. It has year-round rivulets and waterfalls.

There can be nothing more thrilling than to be close to nature and inhale its beauty. The Neyyar wildlife sanctuary is a must to explore 12,000 hectares of natural vegetation. It is a picturesque picnic spot for friends and families and boasts of a stunning Watch Tower, a Deer Park, a Crocodile Rehabilitation centre and much more. You should undertake Lion safaris in Kerala and explore the family places to visit in Kerala.

3. Napier Museum

If culture and history are what excites you, the museums in this town are just the place for you. Visit the Napier Museum or the Natural History Museum that are located in the central part of the city and are easily accessible. These museums showcase a glimpse of Kerala's rich cultural heritage. They are also home to some rare and unusual collection of archaeological and historical artifacts.

4. Space Museum

To get an idea in the history of space exploration of the country you can visit the Space Museum, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, which is open Monday through Saturday.

5. Koyikkal Palace

Palaces and monuments are worth experiencing. As the seat of power of ancient Travancore, the areas of the city and adjacent are full of historical monuments, palaces, fort, museums and ancestral temples. The Koyikkal palace with its numismatic museum and folklore (about 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram) and the 2000 year old Janardanaswamy Temple in Varkala are some of those spots.

6. Shangumugham Beach

You will never get tired of the beauty of Kerala beaches. Be it Varkala or Shangumugam, they make a perfect place for a family outing on the weekend. The Beach is very near to Trivandrum airport. Entry into the sea is not allowed here due to safety reasons, but one can enjoy the sunset and the calm atmosphere by sitting on the shore.

7. Thiruvananthapuram Zoo

Trivandrum zoo is another beautiful weekend spot for families.

8. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple

Attukal Bhagavathy temple and Padmanabha temple are the most famous in Thiruvananthapuram. The vibrations in these temples are to be experienced personally. You also find Bhagavathy temples at every corner of the streets. The oil lamps, the temple construction, premises, and decoration of the idol and the rituals offer eternal happiness to your soul.

9. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Temples in Kerala have been of prime significance in the history and culture of India. The architecture and structuring of some temples are so splendid that it is talked about and appraised globally. Majority of the temples are a fusion of the great Keralite and Dravidian cultures from ancient India. The must-visit temples in Trivandrum include the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple.

East Fort is part of original Trivandrum fort built around Sree Padmanabha temple which housed the original residences and offices of chieftains of Venad and then later as the capital of Travancore, the fort almost crumbled completely leaving few remains of walls here and there.

What all exist is the massive East Fort Gate, the main entrance to the original fort, which got redesigned to European fashion in the 1900s and now serve as the first level of security gates to the temple of Sree Padmanabhaswamy and its inner city.

10. Chalai Market

The Chalai market is set in the heart of the city. In contrast to the quaint streets of Trivandrum is this busy and bustling marketplace that is famous for its unending range of products. You can shop for bargains and be ensured on the availability of almost all products ranging from spices to clothes, footwear, home appliances, antiques and also furniture. It makes for a good experience to breathe in the local atmosphere.

Where else will you get such serenity to behold? Get going and enjoy everything that Kerala tourism has to offer.