Tourist places in and around Kovalam
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach itself, partly reserved for the Ashok Beach Resort, is across the headland. Pleasant enough, the snag is that tour buses come down here, and especially at weekends it can be crowded. Ashok Beach Resort rent out a sailing dinghy and you can go windsurfing or water skiing here.Past the Hotel Samudra is a fishing village and quiet beach. Three kinds of boat ar used by the fishermen, the simplest being the true catamaran. The word catamaran derives from the Tamil kattu, to bind, and maram, tree; and in their simplest form the boats are just that, logs lashed together. Be careful about swimming, too; the beaches look gentle, but the currents treacherous. Check with the lifeguards on Lighthouse Beach.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
This is one of the most popular attractions near Kovalam built in true Travancore architecture. This is one of the few well-preserved palaces here and is marked by elaborate woodwork, complete with 108 rooms! The palace is especially noted for its bright murals, mahogany ceiling, coloured windows, Belgian mirrors and a four poster bed made of 67 different pieces of wood. Its special features are the black shiny granite floors and bright paintings of Lord Krishna that adorn the walls. Next to this impressive palace is an Archaeology Museum, which houses murals, manuscripts, stone inscriptions, arms, coins and metalware.Open from: 9.00 am-5.00 pm,
Koyikkal Palace
Located almost 18 km from Trivandrum, this is a traditional building complete with sloping roof and a wide inner courtyard. Once home to the erstwhile Venad royal family, today it is home to the Folklore Museum and Numismatics Museum. The Folklore Museum, as the name suggests, has artifacts typical of the area. These include rare musical instruments, household utensils, manuscripts, jewellery and fabrics. Among the most interesting exhibits are a percussion instrument, Chandravalayam, which you will not find in any other Kerala museum, and the Nanthuni, an instrument made of wood and strings. The Marayuri, a dress made of the bark of trees can also be found here, as are several forms of lamps like the Gajalekshmi and Kettuvillakku, which are lit during ceremonial occasions. The Numismatics Museum's exhibits include the oldest coins of Kerala. The most valuable of Indian coins, karsha, is also found here, which is said to date almost 2500 years. Other coins that you would find here are Rasi (also the world's smallest coins), the first modern gold coin, silver coin and Roman gold coins with imprints of gods and goddesses.Open from: 9.00 am-5.00 pm (Monday closed)
Kaudiar Palace
One home to Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma and his family, this is one of the most fascinating royal houses in Kovalam. Though it is not open to the public, you can take a walk around the courtyard.Anchuthengu Fort
Located some 40 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, this fort is one of the strongest surviving forts of the British. This colossal fort, built in sturdy English style was once an important trading station for pepper and coir for the British.Museums
The museums are Kovalam are possibly the best places to seek out the treasures of the state. Among these, the Napier Museum is one of the most popular, and houses a grand collection of traditional musical instruments, wood carvings, bronze sculptures, ivory wares, old ornaments and costumes. The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum houses paintings and artifacts dating to the era of the king of Travancore. This palace is especially known for its intricate carvings. Science & Technology Museum was established as an informative section and has galleries that offer facts on scientific elements.Open from: 10 am-4.45 pm (Tuesday-Sunday)
Veli Tourist Village
This is the place to try your hand in watersports. Pedal boats, rowboats and motorboats are available on hire. The area also has a couple of restaurants and cafés as well as landscaped gardens.Open from: 8.00 am-6.00 pm
Sankhumugham Beach
This popular beach is located almost 8 km from Trivandrum, close to the Veli Tourist Village. There is a children's amusement park here and several cafés providing a range of snacks. This beach is particularly noted for its star-shaped restaurant serving yummy multi-cuisine dishes. Its attraction also includes the 35 m high statue of Matsya Kanya or mermaid.Vellayani Lake
The only freshwater lake in Kerala, it is a haven for anglers. It is especially worth visiting on full moon nights. The lake is an active venue for the boat races held during Onam. It also houses a Devi Temple close to the lake, which is the site of the Vellayani Mahotsava celebrated once in 3 years.Valliathura Pier
This is most active during the monsoons, when fishermen, unable to venture to the sea, head to this pier. Worth watching is when they throw their catamarans from the pier and swim to them!Kovalam (12km):
The sheltered natural bay of Kovalam, flanked by two natural headlands is regarded as one of the finest beach resorts of the world. Its four famous beaches Samudra, Ashok, Eve's or Hawa and Lighthouse of Kovalam are located in close proximity and attract a large number of tourists from all over the world. The beautiful beaches are considered to be ideal for surfing and water-skiing. Kovalam is also a famous health and yoga centre.Neyyar Dam & Sanctuary (32km): The dam-site enroute to Ponmudi is noted for its scenic beauty. The Neyyar wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 128 sq.kms in the Western Ghats. There is also a Lion Safari park and a crocodile protection centre.
Ponmudi (61 km)
Ponmudi, an idyllic resort is known fot its bracing climate, tea plantations and scenic splendour. The deep forest trails are idel for hiking and trekking.Varkala (46km)
The charming sea-side resort and pilgrim centre is popularly referred as ‘Southern Varanasi'. There are a number of sacred shrines and beautiful beaches at Varkala. It is also an important nature care centre.About 40 km from Thiruvanathapuram is beautiful beach town of varkala. A major pilgrimage centre, it is known as the ‘Beach of Redemption' following sage Narada's direction.