Places to visit in Kovalam:
Kovalam is a place in Kerala. It is about 17 Km from Thiruvananthapuram. There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in Kovalam. We are giving details about some of the places as under. You can take a flight to Thiruvananthapuram and take a local cab from the airport to reach Kovalam. You can book your flight ticket through MakeMyTrip.com. Make My Trip offers MakeMyTrip Domestic Flight Offers at CashFry by which you can save a lot of money.
Here are the top 24 tourist attractions to see in Kovalam:
1.Kovalam Beach :
Kovalam Beach is one of the most popular places to visit in Kovalam. It is about 10 Kms from the airport. Kovalam beach is world-famous because it comprises of three adjacent crescent beaches.
As early as the 1930s many tourists, especially from Europe, have been visiting this beautiful beach, noted for its exhilarating sunsets and calm waters which is very well suited for sea bathing. You can book your flight and Hotel at Discounted Price with Yatra Coupon Codes at CashFry.in.
Kovalam became popular because the Queen of Travancore, Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, built a palace on the top of a rock near the beach and used it as her private residence. It was called Halcyon Castle. The next queen used this palace for her honeymoon with her husband, Prince G.B. Raja.
The prince realized the potential as a tourist destination and commenced promotion to develop the region as a tourist hub. Consequently, the beach became popular for European families living in Mumbai and Chennai. After independence, Indians also started visiting the beaches.
In 1970, the hippies started visiting the beaches in great numbers. Ever since the popularity of the beaches has grown. The beach complex has many budget cottages, shopping areas, Ayurvedic massage centers, etc. There are also five-star hotels at Kovalam serving a wide variety of excellent cuisine.
There is a Lighthouse beach comprising a lighthouse with a viewing platform from where tourists can have a spectacular view of Kovalam’s palm-fringed beaches. The other beaches are Hawa beach and Samudra beach. Towards the southern end of the beach, there is the Juma Masjid Mosque where one can see the busy fishing harbor. Pearl production technology can be seen at the Sagarika Marine and Research Aquarium.
Tourists visiting Kovalam beach enjoy many activities, swimming, surfing sunbathing beside boat rides on the catamaran – these ancient wooden boats are built with bamboo paddles and today offer joy rides for tourists. Sunset cruises are the most popular on these boats. In addition, tourist can also indulge in snorkeling. The beach has got a wide variety of sports activities.
Visitors also enjoy herbal massaging and can avail of Ayurvedic health resort facilities. A week at Kovalam for sheer relaxation and Ayurveda treatment is definitely recommended. Visitors can also visit the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) which has many attractions such as the Napier museum, the Padmanabhaswamy temple, and the Shri Chitra Art Gallery. The state has a handicraft emporium where many curious and gifts can be purchased.
2. Lighthouse Beach
There is a 35 meters tall Vizhinjam Lighthouse, that is why it is called Lighthouse Beach. It is situated on the top of the Kurumkal hillock. The lighthouse is made of stones and has been coloured in red and white bands. It has got a spiral staircase. Tourists click some bird’s eye view photos reaching the top of the lighthouse.
It is a perfect place for water sports activities. Tourists play volleyball on the beach. There are lush palm plantations all around the beach. It is easy to reach this place. You can enjoy a variety of food. Plenty of affordable lodging is there to add charm to this place.
3. Hawah Beach
You can see the magnificent sunsets on this beach and can capture the beautiful views in your camera. It is the second largest beach in Kovalam. Some people call it Eve’s Beach because it was the first topless beach in India but topless basking is banned now.
4. Halcyon Castle
Halcyon Castle is one of the most popular places to visit in Kovalam. It was built for the family of Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai. It is situated in Travancore in Kerala. This is an example of the traditional architecture of this area. There is a beautiful garden around the castle. Government of Kerala bought this Castle. Later it was bought by a hotelier. He converted the castle into a 5 star hotel. This hotel got sold to different people from time to time. It has always been the center of attraction for tourists from all over the world.
You can see the lovely sunsets from the windows of the hotel. There are rooms surrounded by coconut trees facing Kovalam Beach providing the lush green atmosphere all around.
5. Valiyathura Pier
This pier was used for transport cargos in 1950. Tourists love this site because it shows ancient bridge type structure in the sea. It is 703 foot long supported by 127 concrete piles. It is made of 571 tonnes of cement and 250 tonnes of steel. You can capture the beautiful sunset behind this pier.
6. Kovalam Art Gallery
Kovalam Art Gallery is a favourite tourist spot for the art lovers in Kovalam. You can see the paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Nicolas Roerich, and Svetlova at this mega art gallery.
7. Aruvikkara Dam
Aruvikkara Dam is situated on the banks of the Karamana river. You can bask in the sun there or can feed the fish at the dam. There are boat rides too.
One should not take a bath in the reservoir there because there is plenty of stones and sharp edges inside. There is Aruvikkara Devi Temple of Goddess Durga which you can visit. Also, you can enjoy the artificial fall at the dam.
8. Artificial Off Shore Coral Reef
Kovalam has got India’s first offshore coral reef which has been very popular. It is one of the most visiting tourist places. It has reduced the erosion level in the atmosphere significantly.
9. Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Parasurama. It is believed that this temple is 2000 years old and was visited by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It was rebuilt in the 12th century by the king Athiyaman Perumal. There is an idol of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Brahma.
10. Vellayani Lake ( Velliyani Kayal)
It is a freshwater lake. This water is used for irrigation and domestic purposes. There is a popular Vellayani Agricultural University which you must see if you are fond of agriculture. You can go around the lake and can soothe your eyes with the blooming lotus flowers.
It is a get-together place for the locals as well for the tourists. There is a big crowd of people during the Onam festival. There is a boat race from time to time. There is a myth that a beggar visited a saint when he was meditating near this place. The saint splashed a few drops of water. It is said that those few drops of water converted into a vast lake. Since then the lake is filled up with water.
It is among the popular places to visit in Kovalam.
11. Samudra Beach
Samudra Beach is one of the most popular places to visit in Kovalam for romantic couples. It is separated from other beaches by a giant promontory. This beach is not a crowded one and good for photography and shooting. This is a paradise for newly married couples. There are plenty of hotels, resorts, and homestays nearby.
12. Karamana River
This river flows through a small suburb called Karamana, therefore, it is known as Karamana River. There is beautiful tropical plantation alongside the river. You can enjoy various water sports like canoeing, kayaking, and houseboat cruises.
You can reserve houseboat for night stay. The serene atmosphere adds to the beauty of the river. This river has two dams, Aruvikkara dam, and Peppara dam.
13. Surfing at Kovalam
There is surfing Competition every year in October organized by the surfing federation of India at Kovalam. People who are fond of surfing can visit Kovalam in the month of October.
14. Veli Tourist Village
It is a popular picnic spot on the bank of the River Veli. There are plenty of activities such as speedboat, children’s park, horse rides and swimming pool. You can book boat rides and can play games, do horse riding and many other things.
There is a floating cafe worth visiting. You can see grass sculptures in the cafe area. There is a floating bridge too that connects to the Veli beach.
15. Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple
There is a Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple has got sculptures from the 8th century. There is engraved an unfinished statue of Lord Shiva holding a bow and Parvathi on either side on the gate of the cave temple.
16. Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium
Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium is located in one of the popular fishing harbors. It is situated about 2km from Kovalam near Theatre Junction. The official name of the aquarium is Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium. You can find some of the rare species such as squirrelfish, clownfish, moon wrasse, etc. There is a pearl production too.
17. Pozhikkara Beach
Pozhikkara is a beautiful beach in Kovalam with tall towering trees and healthy vegetation. You can swim and bask in the sun there.
18. Chowara Beach
This beach is popular for its fishing spots. There is Chowara Ayyappa Temple. It gives a hilltop picturesque view of the beach and the adjacent places.
19. Ashoka Beach
This beach is an extension of Samudra Beach. It is worth visiting for the newlywed and romantic couples. They can enjoy the ayurvedic spa there.
20. Vizhinjam Beach
Vizhinjam Beach is among the prominent beaches at Kovalam. This beach is also one of the largest ports of India.
21. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in Kerala state. It is a masterpiece of the Dravidian style of architecture with the tint of Kerala style. This is the richest Hindu temple in the world. It is Diety Vishnu Temple. There is a gold plated idol of God Vishnu in the eternal yogic sleep on the serpent Adhisheshan.
Must Plan a Trip to visit various Places in Kovalam in the Kerala State. You can also visit Thekkady Tourist Places in Kerala.
