5 Places You Should Definitely Visit in Kerala

It is not for nothing that Kerala is called God's own country. The exotic state in Southern India is incredibly beautiful and has countless beautiful sights. You will find the famous backwaters, tropical jungles, endless tea plantations, beautiful game parks and much, much more. When you travel through Kerala, you must not skip these 5 places.

Here are five places that you shouldn't miss when in Kerala:

1. Kochi

This old trading town on the coast of Kerala is full of palm trees, colonial buildings and atmospheric restaurants. Due to the relaxed atmosphere and lively streets, Kochi is a popular destination and especially the Fort Kochi and Jew Town districts are definitely worth a visit.

In Kochi you will also find the famous Chinese fishing nets, wooden platforms more than ten meters high, that were built by Chinese traders in the fourteenth century. And since Ayurveda - traditional Indian medicine using natural ingredients - comes from Kerala, Kochi is also the ideal place to book a wonderful Ayurvedic massage.

2. Munnar

Munnar is best known for the vast tea plantations, which were planted by the British in the nineteenth century and cover the hills surrounding the city. The area around the hill station is breathtakingly beautiful and you can perfectly fill your days just by driving through the area - you'll be amazed!

In addition, Munnar is also the perfect base for walking through the hills and forests and with a bit of luck you will even encounter wild elephants. You will also find beautiful waterfalls near Munnar and you can visit the Eravikulam National Park, where the rare Nilgirithargeit lives.

3. Thekkady

Thekkady in itself is not that special, but because it is the gateway to the Periyar National Park, it cannot be missed. Periyar is South India's most popular wildlife park and the 925 km2 nature reserve includes tigers, bison and elephants.

There are different ways to explore the wildlife sanctuary; you can take a boat on the lake, trek through the jungle for a full day, raft bamboo and even spend one or more nights in the park. Because the nature reserve is really a tourist attraction, it is smart to book your tour on time.

4. Alleppey

When people think of Kerala, they soon think of the idyllic backwaters; a river system with narrow canals, the banks of which are completely covered with palm trees. This place should certainly not be missed on your schedule, because a visit to Kerala is not complete without a boat trip through "the Venice of the East".

The best known way to explore the backwaters is with a houseboat. This is just pretty pricey, so instead of a houseboat, you can also go on the water with a canoe, motorboat or shikara. If you have a small budget, you can also sail through the canals for less than half a euro for a few hours .

5. Kovalam

Near the capital Trivandrum is Kovalam. Once this was a quiet fishing village, nowadays it is one of the most popular seaside resorts of Kerala - although it is still quiet and laid back. The three beaches of Kovalam are located in a beautiful bay and from Light House Beach you have a beautiful view of the famous red and white lighthouse. By the way, it is highly recommended to climb it; from the tower you have a great view over the town and the surrounding area.

Because of the clear water and the numerous palm trees, Kovalam is also called "Paradise of the South". And I totally agree with that; it is one of the most beautiful and relaxed places i have been to in india. Therefore, do not forget to include Kovalam on your list when you make a trip through Kerala.