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Alleppey - Top Place to Visit in Kerala in 3 Days

Top 5 Places to Visit in Kerala in 3 Days (2024)

Kerala, god’s own country, is no doubt a surreal destination where the morning begins with the rolling mist coming in from the Western Ghats, and the evenings end with the magic of the rays of the sun highlighting the golden sandy beaches. There is something for everybody in Kerala. Kerala is the place where the charm of the backwaters captivates one and all with their alluring silence. From mountains to waterfalls to golden beaches, Kerala is one of the best travel destinations to visit, especially if you want to pack in the best of everything in a short time.

Filled with backwaters, coconuts, and elephants, it is possible to see the best of Kerala in just a short time. If you are searching for a place for rejuvenation and spirituality, well then Kerala has that to offer as well.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Kerala in 3 Days

So without wasting any more time and trying to fit in the best of this beautiful state, here are the top places to visit in Kerala if you have just 3 days to spare.

1. Alleppey

If you want to experience the best of Kerala in 3 days, the first spot to head to is Alleppey. Fondly referred to as the Venice of the East, Alleppey is the land of backwaters, lagoons, and beaches.

The town of Alleppey is actually officially known as Alappuzha and is one of the biggest tourist draws of Kerala. The city is bordered by the Laccadive Sea and is famous for the beautiful vast network of palm-fringed interlinked canals known as the backwaters. Alleppey is also known for the many luxuries and budget-friendly Ayurvedic resorts.

What Is There To Do In Alleppey?

Alleppey is also the place to head to if you want to try out the houseboat life while in Kerala. There are many houseboat cruises that take you through the serene backwaters, giving you an up-close view of the stunning backwaters, green paddy fields, beautiful and unique avifauna of the region, choir-making activities, and also witness the local life in Kerala.

As you check out the shores of the Alleppey Beach, you get to witness the majestic Arabian Sea along the Malabar Coast. The Alleppey Beach is a big tourist attraction here, and many history buffs come here to visit the 137-year old pier located here.

The Vembanad Lake, Krishnapuram Palace, Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, and the Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple are some of the other places of interest to visit in Alleppey.

If you visit during the months of August and September, be sure to catch a glimpse of the traditional snake boat race that happens in Alleppey. To really revel in the local life, try out some toddy (Keralan palm wine) at a local toddy shop to complete your experience in Alleppey.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Alleppey?

The best to plan a trip to Alleppey is between October and February when the temperature here is moderate, making it ideal for exploring the city. The monsoon season hits Alleppey between June to September, and it is not advisable to visit during the monsoons.

It is also not recommended to visit Alleppey in the summers due to the extreme heat. Temperatures can even cross 40 degrees Celsius, making it nearly impossible to do any outdoor activities.

2. Munnar

Munnar is a well-known hill station in Kerala. This quaint little hill city is renowned for its tea plantations, lakes, and its breathtaking natural beauty. Located at an altitude of 1600 meters in the heart of the Western Ghats, you can find all shades of green in Munnar. You will be surrounded by blankets of mist and majestic peaks all around as you check out the beautiful tourist attractions of Munnar. This is also why Munnar is aptly called the Kashmir of South India.

What Is There To See In Munnar?

This beautiful green town in Kerala is located on the banks of three rivers – the Nallathanni, Periavaru, and Madupetti. There are many natural viewpoints that provide a glorious view of the entire Western Ghats. There are also many tea plantations from where you get a comprehensive view of the town.

The town of Munnar is divided into Old Munnar, and the newer part of the city is simply called Munnar. Most of the guest houses are located in Munnar, along with the bus station.

The places of attractions in Munnar include the Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Echo Point, Photo Point, Atukkad Waterfalls, Pothamedu View Point, Tata Tea Museum (also known as the KDHP Museum), Kundala Dam and Lake, Marayoor, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and many others.

What Activities To Do In Munnar?

Munnar is a well-known spot for trekking. Located atop the majestic peaks of the great Sahyadri Range, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are an entire plethora of trekking trails for the adventurous tourists to explore in Munnar. The entire Sahyadri range is covered in lush greenery, and the low slopes of the range are home to the world’s highest tea plantations and rainforests in entire India. You can choose from the many existing trekking routes here. While some of them are more popular, others are less well known and crowded. There are some trails that can be completed in a day and other longer routes that are interconnected and form a web of trek trails that are for the more experienced trekkers.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Munnar?

The best time to visit Munnar is between September to March because of the pleasant weather. Though you can visit this hill station at any time of the year, the summer months of April to June can be a little warm. The monsoon season, which lasts from July to August, experiences heavy rainfall, and you will not be able to do any kind of outdoor activities during this period.

3. Kumarakom

Kumarakom is another beautiful backwaters town in Kerala that is fondly referred to as Little Venice. Located just 16 kilometers from Kottayam, Kumarakom is situated on the banks of the largest lake in Kerala – the Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom is not just one city. It is a cluster of many small man-made islands that have been reclaimed from the lake.

What Is Kumarakom Known For?

Kumarakom is popular for its beautiful paddy fields, fishing, delicious local cuisine, the traditional houseboats known as Kettuvalloms, luxury and budget resorts, and of course, the serene backwaters.

While in Kumarakom, you must visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which is sprawled over 14 acres and is a favorite for bird watchers. The sanctuary is a favorite with migratory and domestic birds.

You can also enjoy taking a two-hour canoeing trip at sunrise or sunset to check out the beauty of Kumarakom.

There are also many backwater activities you can indulge in while in Kumarakom. You can spend an entire evening or a couple of days on a houseboat. While you are on the houseboat, you will pass through many beautiful locations that will make this trip a truly memorable one. You can also go fishing here.

If you visit Kumarakom during August and September, you can also witness the snake boat race that takes place in honor of the main festival of Kerala – Onam. Tourists from all over the country throng to Kerala to witness the amazing spectacle of this boat race.

Some of the other sites to visit in Kumarakom include:

  • Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall
  • Kumarakom Beach
  • St. Mary’s Church
  • Kumarakom Craft Museum
  • Pathiramanal

When Is The Best Time To Visit Kumarakom?

The best time to visit Kumarakom is from September to March. The summer months of April to June can be a little warm, with temperatures reaching well above 35 degrees Celsius. Many people like to visit Kumarakom during the beautiful monsoon season, primarily since it draws many migratory birds to the region. However, there is no backwater cruising allowed during the monsoons.

4. Wayanad

Wayanad is another very famous town in Kerala that is nature’s own abode, complete with historical caves, cascading waterfalls, and comfortable homestays and resorts. The city is renowned for the sprawling spice plantations and wildlife, and as you walk through the spice plantation, the heady smell of the spices makes you feel transported to a completely different world.

Where Is Wayanad Located?

Wayanad is part of a forest reserve that is situated on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This entire area is known for its lush greenery, hilly ranges, and bountiful wildlife that includes Tholpetty in the north, Muthanga in the east, Kalpetta in the south, Sulthan Bathery in the east, and the Mananthvadi in the northwest.

What Is There To Do In Wayanad?

From trekking to the pre-historic caves to check out the Banasura Sagar Dam, there is a lot of seeing and do in Wayanad. Some of the places of interest in Wayanad include the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chembra Peak, Edakkal Caves, the Soochipara Falls, Kuruva Dweep, Suthan Bathery, Pookode Lake, Kanthanpara Waterfall, Chain Tree, Thirunelli Temple, and the Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary.

Apart from visiting the top tourist attractions in Wayanad, trekking is another popular activity here. Wayanad is not only home to the wildlife reserve of Kerala but also the majestic Western Ghats and many lush green forests. The trek to the Chembra Peak is the most south after trekking route here. The Chembra Peak houses a beautiful natural heart-shaped lake known as Hridhayathadakam.

There are also trekking routes that take you to the Lakkidi viewpoint, commonly known as the Gateway to Wayanad. Trekking to the ancient Edakkal Caves is also a much sought-after route, along with the route to Neelimala Viewpoint. The trek to the Neelimala Viewpoint takes you through the famous Meenmutty Waterfall.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Wayanad?

Wayanad has a pleasant temperature around the year, but the best time to visit this place is between October and May. It is best to avoid the monsoon months as the hill station receives moderate to heavy rainfall.

5. Kovalam

Last but not least, Kovalam is just the place you want to squeeze into your 3-day visit to Kerala. Kovalam is known for its beaches, Ayurvedic resorts, delicious local cuisine, and shopping.

Where is Kovalam Located?

Kovalam is located just 25 kilometers from Trivandrum City in Kerala, 17 kilometers south of the center of the city. It is renowned for its three crescent-shaped shallow water and low tidal beaches.

To best way to reach Kovalam would be to reach Trivandrum in the morning and then travel to Kovalam by road. This way, you will reach Kovalam by noon and head on to the beaches by the afternoon.

What Is There To See In Kovalam?

Kovalam started off as a fishing village in the 1930s, and it became famous during the hippie decade of the 1970s. Tourists from Israel and Europe are common here. Kovalam is dotted with various resorts and Ayurvedic massage centers that offer many treatments and massages, with one of the most popular indulgences being yoga and meditation and some traditional cultural activities.

Some of the popular Ayurvedic massage centers in Kovalam include Lakshmi House Ayurveda and Spa, Ayur Kerala Ayurvedic Center, and the Chakra Ayurvedic Resort. The many Ayurvedic centers here offer many treatment options like body purification therapy, anti-stress treatment, rejuvenation therapy, and rheumatic therapy, among others.

In fact, some Ayurvedic massage centers even offer special exclusive packages for the monsoon season, which is considered to be the best season for availing these treatments.

After receiving your rejuvenating massages, take a trip down to the very famous Kovalam beaches. Some of the best beaches in Kovalam include:

  • Lighthouse Beach: This is the biggest beach in Kovalam that is named after the 30-meter high lighthouse situated on the beach. The lighthouse is also home to an observatory that can be reached through a lift or by climbing a flight of stairs. There are a total of 142 steps you need to take to reach the top of the lighthouse. The trip to the top of the lighthouse is well worth the climb up all those steps simply to check out the beautiful panoramic view of the beach.
  • Samudra Beach: Located in the northern part of Kovalam, this beach is one of the least crowded beaches in this region. This coastline is also preferred by fishermen for fishing, so if you visit the area towards the sunrise, you can many traditional fishing boats heading off into the waters.
  • Hawa Beach: If you are an adventure lover, you should head to this beach for the many water sports that are available. The Hawa Beach is also known for the beautiful palm groves that line the shore. There are many small restaurants that dot the beach where you can try out some delicious local cuisine. This is also the best place to view the sunset.

Some of the other places worth visiting in Kovalam include:

  • Vellayani Lake
  • Halcyon Castle
  • Karamana River
  • Veli Tourist Village
  • Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple
  • Valiyathura River
  • Kovalam Art Gallery
  • Aruvikkara Dam
  • Artificial Offshore Coral Reef
  • Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple
  • Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium

When Is The Best Time To Visit Kovalam?

The months of September to March are the best time to visit Kovalam when the weather remains pleasant. The monsoon season is marked by heavy rainfall, and no water sports take place during this time. However, if you want to rejuvenate with Ayurvedic treatments, then the monsoon season is perfect for visiting Kovalam.

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