Let me paint a picture for you. You are walking on a rusty pathway, now picture this pathway on top of a red cliff with sparkling blue sea and palm trees on one side and cute cafes, resorts and local handicraft stores on the other, That is Varkala for you in a nutshell!
Varkala is a hidden gem in Kerala. It is a non-commercial place with amazing views of the Arabian sea, food, home stays/resorts and yoga centers.
Varkala it is the perfect destination for people of all ages and it is one of my most favorite places I've visited in India so far.
How To Reach Varkala
The nearest airports to Varkala are Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. You can commute by cab, local train or bus to Varkala. Thiruvananthapuram to Varkala is 45 minutes by train / 1 and a half hours by cab. Kochi to Varkala is 4 hours by train / 5 hours by cab.
I flew down to Kochi and took a direct train to Varkala from a local train station in Kochi.
Where To Stay In Varkala
I would recommend staying on the Varkala cliff. The whole cliff is a stretch of 3km. There are many home-stays/resort options. North side of the cliff is a little commercial, south side of the cliff is relatively quieter and more reasonably priced.
You could opt for a place with the view of the sea as most of the resorts and home stays are sea facing.
This picture was taken at Rajdhani 5th Season during my stay there
Best Time To Visit Varkala
Varkala has hot and humid summers and heavy rains. The best time to visit would be between Mid-October to March.
Things To Do In Varkala
1) Take A Stroll Along The Varkala Cliff
The Cliff road is a 3 Km stretch which is very picturesque and dreamy, and walking on the cliff is a great experience with the view of the Arabian Sea on one side and cute cafes, resorts and local stores on the other.
2) Visit Varkala Beach
From the north side of the cliff there are steps that directly lead to the Varkala beach. Although the sea is a little rough and you can't go too deep, the whole view of the cliff and the Arabian sea is incredible making this beach a must visit! You could also take surfing lessons here..
3) Have Breakfast With A View At ABBA Restaurant
Wholesome breakfast with a beautiful view of the sea at ABBA restaurant is #goals. Do visit this place when you're in Varkala, in the north side of the cliff.
4) Visit The Black Sand Beach
This is one of the most picturesque beaches in Varkala with black sand, plenty of coconut tress, greenery and dreamy views. I went here during sunset and spent a good 2-3 hours just admiring the picturesque scenery around me.
5) Unwind At Darjeeling Cafe In The Evening
Darjeeling Cafe is a great place to unwind in the evening. It has good music, giant dream-catchers, candlelit tables with flower petals and amazing food. This place is a must visit if you're in Varkala.
More Places To Visit
Anjengo Fort, established in 1696 – this fort was East India Company's first permanent post on the Malabar Coast.
Kappil Beach and backwaters – the perfect blend of sea and backwaters! You can enjoy boating in the backwaters as well.