The Only Varkala Travel Guide You Need To Plan Your Next Trip

With a carefully planned Kerala tour package or the best Varkala travel packages, you can easily make this dream come true. 

Out of all the places to visit in Kerala, Varkala is the place you’re looking for! Beaches lined with palm trees! Like a perfect beach destination where you’ll get “Goa” vibes in Kerala. That’s why Kerala is called the “God’s Own Country” because here you have everything that nature has to offer.

Varkala is a beautiful town in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It’s on the Arabian Sea and known for Varkala Beach, lined up by palm-covered red cliffs and believed holy waters, attract Hindu pilgrims. Varkala also attracts tourists with its yoga schools, Ayurvedic centers, and souvenir shops.

Just hearing about it is getting you excited, right? Do you want to know more? Well, here we are to provide you with a comprehensive Varkala travel guide so that you don’t get stuck anywhere and can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, covering all the major aspects. So let’s take a look at what things to do, what places to visit, Varkala cuisine, the best time to visit, and some travel tips mentioned in our detailed Varkala travel guide!

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Best Time to Visit Varkala

• Varkala Best Time to Visit (October-February, Peak Season): Weather is pleasant with clear skies and temperature ranges from 21 to 25 degrees Celsius. This is the best time to visit Varkala, perfect for enjoying the beaches, cliffs, and outdoor Varkala activities to do.
• Varkala Best Time to Visit (March-May, Moderate Season): During this time, it gets really hot and humid, with temperatures going up to 40°C. It might not be the best for sightseeing, but it’s a good option if you opt for budget travel to Varkala because there are fewer people and prices are lower.
• Varkala Best Time to Visit (June-September, Off Season):  During the monsoon season in Varkala, there’s heavy rainfall. Although the greenery is beautiful, swimming at the beaches isn’t great, and outdoor Varkala activities to do might be disrupted by the rain. But if you’re okay with the rain, you can find good deals on hotels and flights during this time.

Suggested Read: Hidden Gems: 10 Unconventional Kerala Backwaters

How to reach Varkala

• By Air: Fly to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (60 km from Varkala), then take a taxi or rideshare for an hour-long trip to Varkala and it is the fastest way to reach Varkala.
• By Train: Varkala has its own railway station with trains from major cities. It’s cheaper but takes longer than flying and it is a suitable option for budget travel to Varkala.
• By Bus/Road: If you opt for budget travel to Varkala. Regular buses run from major cities in Kerala and South India, though the journey can be long and uncomfortable. Varkala is connected to Trivandrum and Cochin or Kochi (176 kilometres) via NH47.

Additionally, accommodations in Varkala are plentiful, ranging from budget guest houses to luxury resorts, ensuring a comfortable stay for every traveller. Sometimes, train or plane tickets for arrival and departure are included in our Varkala travel packages, offering added convenience.

Suggested Read: 5 Best Airports In Kerala

Top Attractions and Things to Do in Varkala

1. Chill out at the beaches and cliffs

1. Papanasam Beach: Hindus consider this beach holy and often come here for purification rituals. Legend says Lord Vishnu cleansed his sins in these waters. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Varkala.

2. Varkala Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches in Varkala, known for its long stretch of golden sand, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

3. Edava Beach: A quiet getaway located north of the cliffs, offering peaceful surroundings and beautiful natural scenery. This is one of the most amazing beaches in Varkala.

4. Kappil Beach: Found south of Varkala, this beach provides stunning views and a relaxed atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. This is one of the most famous beaches in Varkala.

2. Discover historical and religious sights

1. Janardhana Swamy Temple: This ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Vishnu, offers stunning views from its steps.

2. Sivagiri Mutt: A memorial and ashram honoring social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, where visitors can explore the samadhi and learn about his teachings of equality.

3. Saint Sebastian’s Pilgrim Church: A beloved church is known for its annual festival, attracting devoted worshippers.

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3. Enjoy the best Ayurvedic treatments.

1. Thanal Ayurveda Home: This place in Varkala Beach offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments. They provide massages, bloodletting procedures, and shirodhara, along with accommodation and organic food for a complete wellness experience. 

2. Namasthe Ayurvedic Mission: This place provides traditional Ayurvedic treatments like massages and detox programs. Led by experienced practitioners, they offer personalised wellness plans for a holistic approach to health.

4. Go for peaceful yoga sessions

1. The Clafoutis Yoga School: Known for its diverse range of classes, workshops, and teacher training programs.

2. Dhanwantari Yoga School: Focused on promoting health and well-being through yoga practices.

3. Purnashakti Yoga Shala: Offers traditional Hatha yoga sessions in a peaceful environment.

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5. Don’t miss out on shopping in Varkala

1. Varkala Cliff Market: Along the cliffside, you will find many shops selling local souvenirs, beach essentials and handcrafted items.

• Famous thing to buy: Handmade seashell jewellery

2. Varkala Beach Market: You can buy all sorts of beach essentials including caps and sarongs along with local handicrafts and textiles.

• Famous thing to buy: Handmade crafts

3. Janardhana Swamy Temple Street Market: You can find traditional Kerala spices, Ayurvedic products, textiles, and souvenirs here.

• Famous thing to buy: Traditional Kerala spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves

3. Sivagiri Mutt Market: Located near the Sivagiri Mutt, this market offers a variety of religious items, books, incense, and souvenirs related to the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru. It’s a unique shopping destination for spiritual seekers.

• Famous thing to buy: Books on the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru

4. Tibetan Market: Explore stalls filled with Tibetan items like prayer flags, musical instruments, and jewellery. Don’t forget to try delicious momos for a shopping break.

• Famous thing to buy: Tibetan prayer flags

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Great Spots to Try Varkala’s Local Cuisine

• Must-try dishes: Kerala Prawn Curry, Swedish Meatballs

2. Darjeeling Cafe: If you’re craving North Indian favourites, Darjeeling Cafe is the place to go. They offer hearty curries, fluffy naans, and steaming momos, along with delicious pancakes for dessert.

• Must-try dishes: Butter Chicken, Malai Kofta, Chicken Momos, Masala Dosa

3. Coffee Temple: For Kerala’s famous coffee in a relaxed atmosphere, head to Coffee Temple. This cafe serves a variety of coffees, light snacks, and international dishes.

• Must-try dishes: Espresso with Cardamom, Banana Fritters

4. Trattorias: Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine with a stunning ocean view at Trattorias. Enjoy pizzas, pastas, and fresh grilled seafood dishes which is the most famous Varkala cuisine to eat that is cooked to perfection.

• Must-try dishes: Margherita Pizza, Spaghetti Carbonara, Grilled Red Snapper

5. Cafe Del Mar: For a casual meal with a beautiful beach backdrop, Cafe Del Mar is the spot. Their menu features a mix of Indian and international dishes, along with refreshing drinks.

• Must-try dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, Fish & Chips

Suggested Read: A Gastronomic Journey Of The Best Dishes In Kerala Cuisine

Conclusion