Varkala travel guide
Cliffside beaches, spiritual sites, and yoga retreats.
Varkala is a coastal gem in Kerala, known for its breathtaking cliffs, pristine beaches, and spiritual significance. It is the only place in Kerala where cliffs meet the Arabian Sea, creating a unique and picturesque landscape. The town is a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation, making it a must-visit destination for beach lovers and spiritual seekers alike.
Best time to visit Varkala
Dec–Mar is the main season: dry and sunny, with the cliff cafes open. Apr–Oct is hot, thundery or wet, with a rough sea from Jun to Sep.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | best | 22–30 °C | 35 mm | high | Dry and sunny; cliff cafes busy, with crowds easing after the first weeks |
| February | best | 24–32 °C | 15 mm | medium | Dry and sunny; quieter than Dec–Jan, with the cliff scene still open |
| March | good | 26–33 °C | 50 mm | medium | Hot and humid; the cliff season winds down by the end of the month |
| April | mixed | 27–32 °C | 120 mm | low | Hot, humid and thundery; many cliff cafes are shut |
| May | mixed | 27–30 °C | 230 mm | low | Heavy showers and thunderstorms; sea turning rough; few cafes open |
| June | avoid | 26–28 °C | 230 mm | low | Monsoon rain on most days; rough sea, swimming unsafe; most cliff cafes shut |
| July | avoid | 25–28 °C | 190 mm | low | Rain and a rough sea; swimming is unsafe |
| August | avoid | 25–28 °C | 160 mm | low | Rain continues and the sea stays rough |
| September | mixed | 25–28 °C | 210 mm | low | Rain eases, but the sea is still rough for swimming |
| October | mixed | 25–28 °C | 280 mm | low | Thundery showers from the retreating monsoon; the season has not yet begun |
| November | good | 24–28 °C | 240 mm | medium | Showers fade; cliff cafes start to open late in the month |
| December | best | 23–29 °C | 80 mm | high | Mostly dry and bright; the busiest month, with pilgrim crowds at year end |
How many days to spend in Varkala
Two days cover Janardhana Swamy Temple, Papanasam Beach and the Varkala cliff walk; more days add Edava and Kappil beaches, Anjengo Lighthouse and Anjuthengu Fort.
How to reach Varkala
- By air: Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) — 44 km, about 1–1.5 h by road
- By train: Varkala Sivagiri (VAK) — 2 km, about 5–15 min by road. Autos and taxis run from the station to the cliffs and beaches
- By road: From Thiruvananthapuram — 41 km, about 1–1.5 h. Nearest big city, to the south
Getting around
The cliff area is walkable along the cliff-top path, and autos link it with the station and town. Scooters can be hired for the ride to Kappil; autos or taxis suit Anjengo and Anjuthengu.
Things to do in Varkala
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple — Ancient temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Arikkadamukku Mookkunni Mala Road — Sacred peak
- Alleppey Beach — Sandy beach (2 h · Free entry)
- Attukal Bhagavathy Temple — Devi temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Gavi Eco Tourism — Eco paradise (5 h · Paid entry)
- Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary — Nature zone (3 h · Paid entry)
- Marari Village Beach Resort — Serene shore (3 h)
- Shangumugham Beach — City beach (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Chettikulangara Bhagavathi Temple — Famous temple (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Napier Museum — Heritage museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Ponmudi Hill Station — Hill retreat (3 h · Free entry)
- Thirparappu Waterfalls — Scenic fall (1.5 h · Paid entry)
- Mullaperiyar Dam — Historic dam (1 h · Free entry)
- Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Alappuzha — Famous temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Kuthira Malika — Horse palace (1 h · Paid entry)
- Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple — Serpent shrine (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Kanakakunnu Palace Road — Royal palace
- Veli Lake Tourist Village — Water park (2.5 h · Paid entry)
- Kappil — Peaceful lake (2 h · Free entry)
- Kavalam Agencies — Scenic backwater
- St. George Forane Church | Edathua Church — Pilgrimage site (1 h · Free entry)
- Mathoor Aqueduct — Tall bridge (1 h · Free entry)
- Sri Kulathupuzha Bala Sastha Temple — Sacred site (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Arch — Famous temple (1 h · Free entry)
- Padmanabhapuram Fort Post Office — Historic fort (2 h · Paid entry)
- Alappuzha — Historic tower
- Amalagiri View Point — Eagle rock (1 h · Free entry)
- Krishnapuram Palace — Historic palace (1 h · ₹10)
- Kallar Meenmutty Waterfalls — Wild falls (3 h · Paid entry)
- Kalloorkad St. Mary's Basilica — Ancient church (1 h · Free entry)
- Kuttikkanam — Cool getaway (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Paravur - Varkala Road — Calm waters
- Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary - Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu — Wildlife zone (3 h · Paid entry)
- St. Mary's Forane Church (Valiyapally) Pulinkunnu — Historic church (45 min · Free entry)
- Omanappuzha Beach — Scenic beach (2 h · Free entry)
- Panchalimedu — Sacred hill (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Muttom Beach — Quiet beach (2 h · Free entry)
- Thiruvambadi Black Beach Varkala — Quiet beach (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Karumadikuttan (Buddha Statue) — Ancient Buddha (30 min · Free entry)
- Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Vithura — Forest zone (3.5 h · Paid entry)
- Market Road — Bustling market
- Chitharal Jain Temple ( Malaikovil) — Rock carvings (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Anjengo Light House — Historic light (1 h · ₹30)
- Achankovil River — River view
- Ulakkai Aaruvi Sellum Paathai — Hidden falls (2 h)
- pandavan para — Mythic caves (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Pechiparai Reservoir — Scenic dam (1.5 h)
- Vijay Park — Family park (1.5 h · Paid entry)
Food to try in Varkala
- Fresh fish and seafood — Pick from the day's catch shown outside cliff-top restaurants and have it grilled or fried to order
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Varkala?
Dec–Mar is the main season: dry and sunny, with the cliff cafes open. Apr–Oct is hot, thundery or wet, with a rough sea from Jun to Sep.
How many days are enough for Varkala?
2–4 days. Two days cover Janardhana Swamy Temple, Papanasam Beach and the Varkala cliff walk; more days add Edava and Kappil beaches, Anjengo Lighthouse and Anjuthengu Fort.
How do I reach Varkala?
By air: Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) — 44 km, about 1–1.5 h by road. By train: Varkala Sivagiri (VAK) — 2 km, about 5–15 min by road. Autos and taxis run from the station to the cliffs and beaches. By road: From Thiruvananthapuram — 41 km, about 1–1.5 h. Nearest big city, to the south.
What are the top things to do in Varkala?
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Arikkadamukku Mookkunni Mala Road, Alleppey Beach, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Gavi Eco Tourism, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Plan your Varkala trip
Open Guide My Holiday to turn these places into a routed, day-by-day itinerary and book a cab that follows it.
Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store
Guide checked on 2026-10-06.