Most people arrive in Varkala for the sand and end up staying for everything else. The red cliff rises above the Arabian Sea, cafes line its edge, and by evening the whole coastline glows orange. But the beach is only the opening scene.
Places to visit in Varkala also include a temple believed to be around 2,000 years old, a spiritual centre on a quiet hillside, a fort with a nearby lighthouse, and backwaters where the river meets the sea. Plenty of travellers leave after one sunset and miss all of it, which is a shame. This guide shows you what to see, in what order, and when to go, so your Varkala holiday feels full from the first morning.
Why Is Varkala Worth Exploring Beyond Its Beach?
Begin with the cliff. It alone justifies the journey, and it tops any list of places to visit in Varkala for good reason. This red laterite wall runs along about 7.5 km of the Arabian Sea coast, a rare sight on Kerala's otherwise flat shoreline. The Geological Survey of India declared it a National Geological Monument in 2014, and in 2025 it entered UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. Spend one evening here, and you will see why a single sunset is never enough.
Varkala is also a living pilgrimage town. Families come to Papanasam Beach to perform ancestral rites, and the temple above it is still used daily. That mix of sea, faith and slow cafe mornings is rare on the Kerala coast, and it feels best before the crowds catch on.
What Are the Best Places to Visit in Varkala for First-Timers?
Start with the classics. These five cover the cliff, the sea, the faith and the history, and each one fits neatly into a morning or an evening.
Place | Known for | Time Needed |
Varkala Cliff | Sea views, cafes, sunset walks | About 2 hours |
Papanasam Beach | Swimming, sunrise, ancestral rites | 1 to 2 hours |
Janardhana Swamy Temple | A Vishnu shrine thought to be 2,000 years old | 30 to 45 minutes |
Sivagiri Mutt | The samadhi of reformer Sree Narayana Guru | 1 to 1.5 hours |
Anjengo Fort | A 17th century fort with a lighthouse nearby | 1 to 1.5 hours |
The cliff, the beach and the temple sit within walking distance of each other, which makes day one easy. Of all the places to visit in Varkala, these three are the simplest to combine. The mutt and the fort need an auto or a scooter, so group them into a second outing. The name Papanasam roughly means the washing away of sins, which is why the temple stairs and the shoreline feel so connected. A quiet half hour here before the cafes open explains why people return year after year.
Tribe Travel Tip: Dress modestly for the temple and the mutt, and carry a light scarf or shawl. You usually take off your shoes at the entrance, so wear sandals that slip on easily.
Which Are the Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Varkala?
Light does most of the work here. Mornings are quiet and golden, and evenings pull everyone to the cliff to watch the sun sink into the sea. Time your visits well and the same spot looks completely different from one hour to the next.
Spot | Best Time to Go | What you Will See |
Varkala Cliff | Sunset | The sea stretching out below the red edge, cafes glowing behind you |
Papanasam Beach | Early morning | Soft sunrise light, early swimmers and the temple above |
Kappil Beach and Lake | Late afternoon | The Arabian Sea, the Kappil river and still backwaters meeting in one view |
Ponnumthuruthu Island | Early morning or late evening | Kingfishers, herons, egrets and a Shiva Parvati temple reached by boat |
Among the places to visit in Varkala, Ponnumthuruthu is the Golden Island, about 20 km away, and it suits a slower, quieter day. Many visitors skip Kappil, and it is the one they talk about afterwards. Add a short boat ride or a slow walk along the water, and you will see why. Give each spot a full hour instead of a quick photo stop. The ones you stay at a little longer tend to be the ones you remember.
Tribe Travel Tip: Reach the cliff about an hour before sunset. The tables with the best views fill up early, and the path is easier to walk in daylight.
Which Places to Visit in Varkala Kerala Are Worth a Short Drive?
A few of the best stops sit outside the cliff area, and each one adds a different layer to your day. Think of them as the second half of your holiday.
Place | Distance from Varkala | Why You Should Go |
Sivagiri Mutt | Close to town | A peaceful hilltop spiritual centre. The Sivagiri Pilgrimage brings thousands here in late December and early January |
Anjengo Fort | About 12 km | A 17th century fort with sea views and a lighthouse close by |
Kappil Beach and Lake | A short drive | Sea, river and backwaters in one spot, with kayaking popular on the water |
Ponnumthuruthu Island | About 20 km | Birdlife, calm backwaters and a temple reached by boat |
You can cover Sivagiri, Kappil and the fort in one day if you start early, which keeps your list of places to visit in Varkala moving. Rent a scooter or hire an auto for the day, since public options between them are limited. Add Ponnumthuruthu on a separate morning, because the boat ride and the birdlife deserve an unhurried schedule. Mapped this way, your days split neatly into walkable ones and driving ones.
Tribe Travel Tip: Check the fort's opening hours before you leave. Listed timings vary by source, and you do not want to travel 12 km to a locked gate.
What Else Can You Do Once the Sightseeing Is Done?
Varkala is as much about slowing down as ticking things off. Add one or two of these between the main places to visit in Varkala to keep the pace easy, and you will notice how quickly the days fill up. Some of the best plans here happen on a whim.
Activity | What to Expect |
Yoga and Ayurveda | Morning classes and massage centres, a big part of the town's appeal |
Water sports | Parasailing at the beach and kayaking at Kappil |
Cliff cafes | Seafood dinners and long chai breaks with the sea in view |
Coir shopping | Bags, baskets and home decor made from coconut fibre |
A sunrise yoga class followed by a late breakfast on the cliff is a good template. It leaves your afternoon free for stops that take a bit more energy, like the fort or the island, and keeps your day from feeling like a checklist.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Varkala?
The best time to visit Varkala is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and mostly dry, though October can still see some showers. Temperatures usually range from about 20°C to 36°C all year, so the main difference between seasons is the amount of rain and the number of visitors, not the heat.
Season | Months | What to Expect |
Peak | October to March | Dry weather, lively cafes, and stays that fill up early |
Summer | April and May | Warm afternoons, so plan outings for mornings and evenings |
Monsoon | June to September | Heavy rain and rougher seas, with a quieter, greener coast |
Winter also suits the beaches, the fort and the backwaters, so the places to visit in Varkala all feel good at once. In any season, plan outings for mornings and late afternoons, and keep the middle of the day free for a long lunch.
Tribe Travel Tip: Book your stay early for late December, when the pilgrimage crowds and holiday visitors arrive together.
How Do You Reach Varkala and Get Around?
Varkala has its own railway station, and the nearest airport is in Thiruvananthapuram, about 50 km away. There are no direct flights to Varkala itself.
Option | Details |
By air | Land at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) ,then take a taxi. Allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours |
By train | Get off at Varkala Sivagiri station and take a short auto ride to the cliff |
By road | About 46 km from Thiruvananthapuram and around 30 km from Kollam |
Local travel | Walk between the cliff, beach and temple. Use autos or scooters for everything else |
Plan to land or arrive early so you can start visiting Varkala before the afternoon heat sets in.
Is Varkala Worth Adding to Your Holiday List?
Yes, and for more reasons than the beach. Cliff sunsets, an ancient temple, a hilltop mutt, a quiet fort and backwaters at the edge of the sea make Varkala a place you will want to return to. Every stop is close enough to cover comfortably, yet each leaves you wanting a little more time.
If you would like help turning this guide into a smooth holiday, Holiday Tribe is a trusted platform to book and customise your Varkala plan, from stays to local transfers. Share your dates with us, and we will help you cover the places to visit in Varkala and still reach that cliff in time for the sunset.
