Adoor
Adoor is famous for the Sree Parthasarathy Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Visitors flock to see its elephant pageant, the Gajamela, which concludes a 10-day festival at the temple every February. The place is also known for being the birthplace of renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. A bull race in nearby Anandapally is also popular. Other temples in the neighbourhood include the Peedikayal Devi Temple, Sree Mahadevar Temple and the Mannadi Temple.
How to Reach Adoor
Adoor is 85 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 62) and car (from Rs 1,400 round trip).Things to do: Sightseeing.
Helpline: Police - 04734 224829
Attingal
Attingal was closely related to the House of Travancore ever since two of its princesses were adopted by Udaya Marthanda Varma. It was at the palace here that an insurrection against the British took place in 1721. Today, Attingal is known for its Krishna Temple, Sarkara Devi Temple and the Nakramcode Devi Temple. The historic forts of Anjengo and Anchutheng are close by.
How to Reach
Attingal is 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 20) and car (from Rs 500 round trip).Things to do: Sightseeing.
Helpline: Police - 471 2331841
Kilimanoor
Located in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kilimanoor is known as the birthplace of the renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma. Visitors can see the Kilimanoor Palace, built in the traditional Kerala style, as well as his studio where he did much of his painting. Kilimanoor is also associated with revolts against the Dutch and the British. Meenmutty Falls is close by.
How to Reach
Kilimanoor is 38 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 25) and car (from Rs 600 round trip).Things to do: Sightseeing.
Helpline: Police - 0470 267 2226
Kollam
Once an important port, Kollam or Quilon was a centre of the spice trade and is located on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam was part of the kingdom of Travancore. It continues to be an important commercial hub for Kerala and is becoming increasingly popular for backwaters tourism. The Kollam Fest, which showcases the city’s culture, attracts many tourists every year. The President’s Trophy Boat Race, held in Ashtamudi Lake, is another popular attraction here.
Attractions in Kollam include Ashtamudi Lake, Ananda Valleeswaram Temple, Thirumullavaram Beach, British Residency, Thangaserry Lighthouse and the Kottarakkara Temple.
How to Reach
Kollam is 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 36) and train (from Rs 165).
Things to do: Houseboat cruising, watersports and fishing.
Helpline: Police - 0474 2764422
Nagercoil
Located in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Nagercoil was once part of Travancore. It is a busy and prosperous town located closest to Kerala. Fish net manufacturing and coir making contribute a lot to its economy. Attractions in and around Nagercoil include the beach, Udayagiri Fort, Padmanabhapuram Palace and Krishnacoil.
How to Reach Nagercoil
Nagercoil is 69 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by train (from Rs 50) and bus (from 44).
Things to do: Sightseeing.
Helpline: Police – 04652 230297
Palode
Set in the foothills of the Western Ghats, Palode is a feast for the eye with its abundant greenery. It is home to the Tropical Botanic and Research Institute. An ideal picnic sport, tourists can also visit Palode Falls, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Meenmutty Dam and Thenmala.
How to Reach Palode
Palode is 35 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 22) and car (Rs (600 round trip).Things to do: Sightseeing.
Helpline: Police - 0472- 2840260
Ponmudi
Famed for its cool weather and scenic beauty, Ponmudi is located at an altitude of 1,100 metres. The hill station is reached by a long winding road, with 22 hairpin bends, offering scenic vistas. Many tea gardens add to the area’s beauty. Notable attractions here include Golden Valley, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Echo Point, Deer Park, Agasthyakoodam Peak and Meenmutty Falls.
How to Reach Ponmudi
Ponmudi is 55 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 40) and car (from Rs 900 round trip).Things to do: Sightseeing and trekking.
Helpline: Police - 0472 2890222
Poovar
Poovar is popular for beach and backwaters. It was earlier known as Ophir. Ivory, sandalwood and spices were exported from Poovar.
How to Reach
Poovar is 28 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 18) and car (from Rs 500 round trip). It is 10 km away from NH 47.Things to do: Swimming and ayurvedic therapy.
Helpline: Police - 0471 2212100
Thenmala
Built as Kerala’s first purpose built eco-tourism destination, Thenmala attracts many nature lovers, trekkers and tourists. It is next to the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, which is its prime attraction. Thenmala incorporates a culture zone, adventure zone and a leisure zone which offer visitors an Eco Garden, Musical Dancing Fountain, Butterfly Safari, Sculpture Garden and an Elevated Walkway. Other attractions in Thenmala include Palaruvi Falls, Thenmala Dam and a Deer Rehabilitation Centre.
How to Reach
Thenmala is 72 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 40) and car (from Rs 2,400 round trip).Things to do: Trekking, biking, river crossing, rock climbing, rapelling and boating.
Helpline: Police – 0474 2450168
Thuckalay
Thuckalay is known as the location of the Padmanabhapuram Palace. Created entirely out of wood in the traditional Kerala style, it was originally built at the beginning of the17th century by the rulers of Venad. It is located within a fort in Kanyakumari district. The palace was rebuilt in 1750 by rulers of Travancore, who inherited it and lived here before moving to Thiruvananathapuram in 1795. The palace complex consists of many structures with interesting features. It also has a secret passage which the members of the royal family could use to escape. Udayagiri Fort and Nagercoil are close by.
How to Reach
Thuckalay is 53 km from Thiruvananathapuram and easily accessible by train (from Rs 45) and bus (Rs 38). The nearest railway station is at Eraniel.Things to do: Sightseeing.
Helpline: Police – 04651 250723.
Varkala
Popular for its sandy beaches and sedimentary cliffs, Varkala is fast emerging as one of Kerala’s top tourist destinations. Papanasam Beach is where everybody heads to in the evenings to enjoy the balmy breezes blowing in from the Arabian Sea. The Janardhana Swami Temple here and the hill top mausoleum of Sree Narayana Guru also attract many people. Ayurvedic therapy centres also draw many people to Varkala.
Other attractions in Varkala include the Varkala Tunnel, Edava-Nadayara Lake, Anjengo Fort, Sarkara Devi Temple, Kaduvayil Juma Masjid.
How to Reach
Varkala is 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram and easily accessible by bus (from Rs 36), train (from Rs 95) and cab (from Rs 800 round trip).Things to do: Swimming, paragliding, sightseeing and yoga.
Helpline: Police - 0470 2602333
