What Is Kerala Famous For? Top Attractions, Culture & Experiences

Discover what Kerala is famous for – from backwaters, beaches, and Ayurveda treatments to spices, traditional dances, and hill stations. Explore God’s Own Country!

Kerala, fondly known as “God’s Own Country”, is one of India’s most beautiful and culturally rich states. Located in the southern part of India, Kerala is famous for its lush green hills, tranquil backwaters, pristine beaches, exotic spices, traditional art forms, and world-class Ayurveda treatments.

From houseboat cruises in Alleppey to spice plantations, temples, and vibrant cultural dances, Kerala is a land of endless experiences. Let’s explore the most famous things in Kerala that make it a top tourist destination. Kerala tourism is renowned not only in India but in the world

1. Traditional Dances and Art Forms

Kerala is home to more than 50 classical and folk dance forms that showcase its rich cultural heritage. Some of the most famous are:

• Kathakali – A classical dance-drama combining opera, ballet, and pantomime, performed with colorful costumes and painted faces.
• Mohiniyattam – A graceful solo dance performed by women, known for its elegant movements.
• Theyyam – A sacred folk dance performed in North Kerala villages, often regarded as a divine ritual.
• Thiruvathirakali, Ottamthullal, Chakyar Kothu, and Koodiyattam – Popular traditional dances performed during festivals.

Famous dancers from Kerala include Kalanilayam Balakrishnan, Deepti Bhalla, and Kalamandalam Bindulekha.

2. Ayurveda Treatments

Kerala is considered the birthplace of Ayurveda and is the only Indian state where Ayurveda is still practiced as mainstream medicine.

• Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort – Awarded multiple times as Kerala’s best Ayurvedic center.
• Ayurvedic Therapies – Treatments for stress relief, joint pain, weight loss, skin issues, insomnia, and spinal problems.
• Wellness Packages – Includes yoga, meditation, panchakarma, and organic food tailored for healing.

Pro Tip: Ayurveda treatments are cheaper in summer compared to the peak tourist season.

3. Beaches in Kerala

With a 600 km Arabian Sea coastline and 34 pristine beaches, Kerala is a paradise for beach lovers. Some of the most famous beaches include:

• Kovalam Beach – World-famous for its crescent-shaped coastline.
• Varkala Beach – Unique cliffs adjoining the Arabian Sea.
• Alappuzha Beach – Gateway to Kerala’s backwaters.
• Marari Beach – Perfect for relaxation in Alappuzha.
• Bekal Beach – Known for scenic views near Bekal Fort.
• Cherai Beach – One of the cleanest and longest beaches in Kerala.
• Kappad Beach – Historic spot where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498.

4. Backwaters of Kerala

The Kerala backwaters are a network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. A houseboat cruise here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Popular backwaters include:

Thiruvallam Backwaters – Unique interconnected canals and lagoons.

Alappuzha (Venice of the East) – Best for overnight houseboat cruises.

Kumarakom Backwaters – Famous for bird watching on Vembanad Lake.

Kuttanad (Rice Bowl of Kerala) – Lush green landscapes and paddy fields.

Kollam & Ashtamudi Backwaters – Perfect for long houseboat stays.

5. Lakes in Kerala

Kerala has 34 serene lakes, each adding charm to its natural beauty.

• Ashtamudi Lake – A Ramsar site and popular for houseboats.
• Vembanad Lake – Kerala’s longest lake, ideal for bird watching.
• Periyar Lake – Famous for boat safaris through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Sasthamkotta Lake – Largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
• Vellayani Lake – A peaceful retreat in Thiruvananthapuram.

6. Houseboats in Kerala

Kerala’s houseboats (Kettuvallams) are luxurious floating homes that offer a unique way to experience backwaters.

Top houseboats in Alleppey include:

• Friend Cruise
• Soma Houseboat
• Exotica Cruise Houseboat
• Blue Lotus Houseboat

They come with modern facilities like bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining areas, ranging from budget to luxury stays.

7. Hill Stations in Kerala

Kerala’s hill stations are surrounded by tea gardens, spice plantations, and cool climates – perfect for holidays.

• Munnar – Famous for tea estates, waterfalls, and national parks.
• Wayanad – Rich in wildlife, waterfalls, and trekking trails.
• Vagamon – Meadows, pine forests, and adventure sports like paragliding.
• Thekkady – Home to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Ponmudi, Vythiri, Athirappilly, and Lakkidi – Scenic getaways with rich flora and fauna.

8. Famous Temples in Kerala

Kerala has over 100 ancient temples, many dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, or Devi. Some famous temples include:

• Guruvayoor Temple – Dedicated to Lord Krishna.
• Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram) – Known for its treasure vaults.
• Sabarimala Temple – Famous pilgrimage site for Lord Ayyappa.
• Vadakkunnathan Temple (Thrissur) – Ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

9. Spices of Kerala

Known as the “Land of Spices”, Kerala produces cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, clove, and turmeric.

• Cochin – Best place to buy fresh spices.
• Spice Plantations – Spread across Wayanad, Thekkady, and Munnar.
• Spices are used in food, Ayurveda, and medicine.

10. Cuisine of Kerala

Kerala cuisine is a delightful blend of spices, coconut, and rice-based dishes.

• Vegetarian dishes – Sambar, Avial, Erissery, Puttu, Idiyappam.
• Non-vegetarian dishes – Fish curry, chicken roast, Malabar biryani.
• Appam with stew & Sadya – Traditional meals served on banana leaves.

11. Eco-tourism in Kerala

Kerala offers a rich eco-tourism experience featuring diverse trekking, wildlife viewing, and stunning natural landscapes. Important eco-tourism destinations are
• Gavi- It is in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, known for natural beauty, rich wildlife like Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque.
• Wayanad– famous for dense forest and spice plantation, offers eco-friendly homestays and activities like trekking and exploring tribal villages
• Kumarakom- paradise for bird watchers and backwater lovers.
• Kumbalangi – First integrated tourism village in India with attractions like Chinese Fishing net, bioluminescence, and bird watching  
• Eravikulam National Park – Above 7000 feet, high elevation shola-grassland ecosystem
• Thenmala – Thenmala Ecotourism is India’s first planned eco-tourism destination at Thenmala, Kollam

12. Festivals in Kerala

Kerala celebrates vibrant festivals, like traditional festivals and cultural festivals. Famous festivals of Kerala are listed below

• Pooram Festival– An Annual festival is celebrated in the temple dedicated to goddesses Durga or Kali in Palakkad, Thrissur, Kannur, and Kasargod.
• Snake boat race– It is a traditional boat race primarily held during the Onam festival.  Thousands of spectators participate to show the rich heritage of Kerala.
• Onam festival– Annual harvest Hindu cultural festival celebrated predominantly by the people of Kerala
• Theyyam rituals– It is a Hindu religious ritual celebrated in the north Malabar region and
• Kerala village fair– also known as Gramam, the 10-day festival is celebrated in Kovalam
• Vishu – Celebrated as a Malayali New Year and symbol of prosperity, equality, and the arrival of spring.  

13. Tea plantation in Kerala

Kerala is famous for tea plantations. The famous tea gardens in Kerala are at

• Idukki – Idukki is famed for its tea plantation, backwaters, and majestic mountains
• Waynad– The tea estates like Priyadarshini, Vythiti, and Meppadi are located on the rolling hills of Waynad.
• Munnar– The Tea plantation in Munnar looks like a rich green carpet. From these gardens, you can see Sahya Mountain.
• Kottayam- Malankara Plantation Ltd is a famous tea company in Kottayam
Malappuram- The tea town bordering the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
• Palakkad– Nelliyampathy hills “Queen of Palakkad” is a stunning hill station famous for its lush tea garden.

14. Natural beauty of Kerala

Kerala is the state in south India known for its natural beauty due to the –

• Beautiful beaches
• Enchanting waterfalls
• Backwaters in Kerala
• Pristine lakes
• Houseboat- floating house
• Hill station with mountains
• Flowing rivers
• Tea and spices plantation
• Breathtaking landscapes
• Vibrant culture
• Wildlife sanctuaries
• Dense forests

 15. Wildlife of Kerala

Kerala has evergreen rainforests at lower heights that have more than 1000 species of trees. These forests provide shelter to the various forms of wildlife. The national parks in Kerala are must-visit places for all wildlife lovers. Notable wildlife species in Kerala are

• Royal Bengal Tiger
• Asian elephant
• Leopard
• Malabar giant squirrel
• Lion-tailed Macaque

Kerala has 14 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 tiger reserves. Some of the notable sanctuaries in Kerala are
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Parambkulam Wildlife Sanctuary
• Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

16. Unique Geography of Kerala

• Kerala is situated between the Lakshadweep Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east.
• Its coastal length is 590 km, and its width is 35 to 120 km.
• Kerala provides many hills, mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, backwaters, dense forests, and beaches.
• Coconut trees, paddy cultivation, and farming below the sea level are part of Kerala’s uniqueness.  
• The seasonal rains and tropical climates offer beautiful landscapes, water • bodies, rich biodiversity, and medicinal plants.    

Best time to visit Kerala

The best time to visit Kerala is during the winter season from December to February, when the weather is pleasant and best for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Worst time to visit Kerala – Kerala receives heavy monsoon rain during the monsoon season and extreme heat during the summer season, both of which are the worst times to visit Kerala

How to reach Kerala

You can reach Kerala by flight, road, train, or even by sea.

By flight– Kerala has three International airports

• Trivandrum International Airport
• Cochin International Airport
• Calicut International Airport.

By train – Kerala has many train stations, including Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode. These stations are connected to trains from Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai

• By road, Kerala is well-connected by national highways and state highways.  You can go to Kerala from the neighbouring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• By sea– from Lakshadweep Island for a unique experience

Kerala local transport

Local transport in Kerala is available through buses, taxis, cabs, and auto rickshaws.

• KSRTC buses are a very good way to connect the long-distance places and neighbouring states.
• Tourist taxis are expensive but comfortable and speedy, best for short distances.  For taxi booking, download the Kerala Savvari app.
• Auto rickshaw available throughout Kerala, best for within the city.

Accommodations

• General accommodations: Kerala state has a lot to offer, including classical and royal hotels like hotels, motels, hostels, B&Bs, resorts, villas, and apartments.
• Unique type accommodations: different types of accommodations from farm stays, plantation stays, estate bungalows, home stays, tree homes, and camping.
• Govt accommodations: KTDC Hotels and resorts are the official host to tourists in Kerala state.

Insider guide

From hidden backwaters to untouched hill stations to untouched beaches, uncover Kerala’s lesser-known gems for a peaceful experience.

Offbeat backwater destinations–

• Kumarakom is a charming peninsula on the Vembanad Lake, a major backwater stretch in Kottayam district.
• Nelliyampathy is a small, scenic, lesser-known place in India.
• Ponmudi- Kerala’s mist-covered gem of the Western Ghats, called Golden Peak
• Vegamon– known for lush green meadows, pine forests, and breathtaking landscapes.

Sustainable tourism -Explore the eco-friendly houseboat in Kerala’s backwaters

Hidden beaches

• Bekal beach– offering a picturesque landscape marked by golden sand and clear blue water.
• Marari beach– ideal for a leisurely walk, breathing sunset, and
• Kolavipalam– located near Vadakara in Kozhikode district, • Kizhunna Ezhara beach– two pristine beaches, located at a distance of 12 km from Kannur

• Tribal Heritage – En Ooru is the first tribal village in Kerala that offers a glimpse into tribal huts and an experience of the life of tribal people in Kerala. It is spread over 25 acres.

• Rice bowl – Kuttanad is a river delta landscape region known for its paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. It is in the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta.  

Travel tips for Kerala

• Book your accommodations well in advance, especially during the peak season.
• Choose destinations nearby near each other to avoid the hectic travel
• Prepare the best itinerary, including places to visit, night stays, and budget
• Carry sufficient cash, as the ATM has no guarantee to withdraw money
• Follow the rules while entering the temples

Conclusion

Kerala is famous for its natural beauty, backwaters, Ayurveda, houseboats, hill stations, beaches, temples, and spices. Whether you’re looking for a cultural escape, a wellness retreat, or a relaxing holiday, Kerala truly lives up to its title “God’s Own Country.”

FAQ

Q: Why does Kerala stand out?
Kerala offers lush hills, magnificent tea plantations, beautiful landscapes, the largest network of serene backwaters, beaches, lagoons, and pristine lakes. In addition to its natural beauty, warm hospitality, vibrant festivals, and religious tolerance are some of the reasons everyone loves Kerala.

Q: How safe is Kerala for girls?
yes, absolutely, but with some smart travel moves. Travelling as a girl in Kerala is safe with the necessary precautions and respect for the local culture. Kerala aims to become a safe and women-friendly destination.

Q: Why is Kerala different from the rest of India?
Kerala is different from the rest of India in its unique geography, climate, culture, natural beauty, and way of life. Its tropical backwaters, high literacy rate, and religious culture make it feel almost like a different country.

Q: Which God is famous in Kerala?
A large number of temples, nearly 2000 years old, most of which are dedicated to the Lord Ayyappa, Lord Shiva, and Vishnu. Vettakkorumakan is very popular daily worshiped in some parts of Kerala.  

Q: Which is the most powerful religion in Kerala?
Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam are the main religions in Kerala. The majority of the people are Hindus, then Muslims, and then Christians.

Q: Which goddess is worshiped in Kerala?   
Bhagavati, the goddess of prosperity and protection, is widely worshiped in Kerala.  

Q: Why is Kerala called the “God’s own Country”?
“God’s own Country” is the reflection of mythological origins, rich heritage, ancient trade history, and religious harmony. It has breathtaking natural history,