Things to Do in Kerala: 12 Experiences Worth It

Quick answer

The best things to do in Kerala are an overnight houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters, tea-estate walks and Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, a spice-plantation tour and lake boat ride in Thekkady, Fort Kochi's Chinese nets and a Kathakali show, sunset on Varkala cliff, and an Ayurveda treatment. Six days covers four of these comfortably.

12 things worth your time in Kerala

01
Overnight houseboat, Alleppey
Experience
Drifting through the backwaters with a cook on board, past paddy fields and village churches, is Kerala's signature experience. The evening calm after the boat anchors is what day cruises miss.
About 21 hours (noon to 9 am)About ₹4,500–10,000 per person, twin sharing, with meals
Confirm air-conditioning hours in writing; some boats only run AC at night.
02
Fort Kochi and Mattancherry
Landmark
Chinese fishing nets on the shore, St Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was first buried, the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town and the Mattancherry Palace murals tell 500 years of trading history within a few kilometres.
Half dayFree; small fees at Mattancherry Palace and the synagogue
The synagogue is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, and the palace on Fridays.
03
Kathakali performance, Kochi
Culture
Fort Kochi's small theatres stage short Kathakali performances with an explanation of the gestures, which makes Kerala's classical dance-drama accessible to first-timers.
2 hoursAbout ₹400–600 per person
Arrive an hour early to watch the elaborate make-up being applied.
04
Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
Nature
Home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr, which graze close to the path, with views of Anamudi, South India's highest peak.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹125–200 for Indian adults, including the park bus
Usually closed in February and March for calving. Take the first slot of the day.
05
Tea estates and the Tea Museum, Munnar
Experience
Rolling KDHP estates, a working factory demonstration and a small museum explain how Munnar became a tea town under British planters.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹150–250 museum entry
06
Periyar lake boat ride, Thekkady
Nature
The forest department's boats cruise the reservoir inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, where elephants, gaur and sambar come to drink. Tigers are rarely seen.
1.5 hoursAbout ₹300–500 per person including entry
The first sailing at about 7:30 am has the best wildlife odds; tickets go fast.
07
Spice plantation walk, Thekkady
Experience
Guided walks through cardamom, pepper, clove and coffee explain why traders sailed to Kerala for centuries. Buy spices here at fair prices.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹300–500 per person
08
Varkala cliff
Beach
Red laterite cliffs above a sandy beach, lined with cafés, guesthouses and yoga studios. Sunset from the North Cliff is one of the best in Kerala.
Half dayFree
Currents are strong; swim only where lifeguards are posted.
09
Ayurveda treatment
Wellness
Kerala is the home of classical Ayurveda. A single Abhyanga massage is relaxing; proper treatments need a doctor's consultation and at least seven days at a certified centre.
1 hour to 21 days₹1,500–3,000 for a massage; ₹6,000–20,000+ a day for residential programmes
Look for Kerala Tourism's Green Leaf or Olive Leaf certification.
10
Theyyam in north Kerala
Culture
Ritual performers in towering headdresses become deities for the night in village shrines around Kannur. Raw, intense and nothing like a staged show.
Overnight performancesFree
Season runs roughly November to May; local hosts know the nightly schedule.
11
Kalaripayattu show
Culture
Kerala's martial art, with sword, shield and flexible urumi blades, is performed nightly in Thekkady and Munnar. Short, energetic and good for children.
1 hourAbout ₹300–500 per person
12
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Landmark
Thiruvananthapuram's great Vishnu temple, with its seven-storey gopuram, is one of the richest temples in the world and central to the city's identity.
1–2 hoursFree
Hindus only. Men must wear a mundu and go bare-chested; women a saree or long skirt. Phones are not allowed inside.

How do you fit Kerala's highlights into one trip?

Kerala is long and narrow, about 580 km from north to south, and road speeds are slow: 40–50 km/h is a realistic average on hill and town roads. Most first trips run as a loop from Kochi: Fort Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and back, over five or six nights. Beaches like Varkala and Kovalam are further south, best added if you have eight days or more and can fly out of Thiruvananthapuram.

What's worth it and what isn't?

Worth it: an overnight houseboat rather than a day cruise, a guided spice-plantation walk, a Kathakali performance with make-up viewing, and Eravikulam early in the morning.
Skip or keep short: elephant rides and "elephant bathing" stops on the Thekkady road, which raise real welfare concerns; crowded photo points in Munnar; and generic massages at roadside spas.
Ayurveda: a single Abhyanga massage is pleasant, but real treatment needs time, a doctor's consultation and a certified centre.

What should you know about temple visits?

Many Kerala temples, including Sree Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram and Guruvayur, admit only Hindus and enforce a strict dress code: men in a mundu, bare-chested; women in a saree or long skirt. Phones are often left at a counter outside.

Book Kathakali seats a day ahead in peak season and arrive early. Watching the make-up go on is half the experience.

Plan the route with the best time to visit Kerala, the Kerala trip cost guide and what to eat in Kerala. For more detail on the hills and backwaters, see things to do in Munnar and things to do in Alleppey.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need to see Kerala?

Six days, or five nights, covers the classic loop: Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and an Alleppey houseboat. Add two or three nights for a beach at Varkala or Kovalam, or for a short Ayurveda programme. Trying to squeeze the loop into four days means long drives and very little time at each stop.

Is a day houseboat cruise enough in Kerala?

It gives you a taste, but an overnight trip is much better value. Day cruises run roughly 11 am to 5 pm and miss the quiet evening after the boat anchors, the sunset and the early-morning light. If you're short on time, a two-to-three-hour canoe ride through narrow canals is a good alternative to a day houseboat.

Can non-Hindus enter Kerala temples?

Many major Kerala temples, including Sree Padmanabhaswamy and Guruvayur, admit only Hindus, and staff may ask about your faith. Smaller temples vary. Where entry is allowed, men usually wear a mundu and remove their shirt, and women wear a saree or long skirt. Ask at the entrance or your hotel before visiting.

What is the best Kerala experience for older parents?

An overnight houseboat is ideal: no walking, all meals served, and the landscape comes to you. Choose a single-bedroom boat with an attached bathroom on the same deck. Fort Kochi by car, a Kathakali show and a gentle spice-garden visit also work well. Skip Kolukkumalai jeeps and long Munnar treks.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.