Varkala
Thiruvananthapuram district · 8.738° N, 76.716° E
A red laterite cliff above the Arabian Sea, with a temple town, surf and a long sunset.
Photo: Sunaina Pai and Susam Pal / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Best time
November to March. The monsoon brings rough seas and many cliff businesses close or reduce hours.
Suggested stay
2–3 nights
Daily budget
₹2,000–₹6,000
Crowds
Moderate · Moderate adventure
The guide
Why Varkala?
Varkala is unusual for Kerala: a beach backed by a crumbling red cliff, with a walkway of cafes and small hotels along the top. Below, Papanasam Beach is both a bathing place and a Hindu pilgrimage site, and the Janardanaswamy Temple sits at the northern end of the cliff. The combination of surf, yoga, seafood and ritual gives the town a character quite different from Kovalam.
The cliff is the social centre, but the real town inland is worth a morning: markets, schools, temples and ordinary Kerala life. Varkala is also a useful base for the backwaters at Kollam and the spa country around Kovalam. The sea can be dangerous, with strong currents and a steep drop-off in places; swim where locals swim and respect warnings.
Why go
Kerala's most dramatic beach setting, with a cliff walk, surf schools, yoga and a working temple town behind it.
What makes it different
The laterite cliff and the sacred beach below create a landscape and social mix found nowhere else on the Kerala coast.
Logistics
How to get there
By air
Trivandrum International Airport is about 55 km away, around 1.5 hours by taxi.
By rail
Varkala Sivagiri station is about 3 km from the cliff; autos meet most trains.
By road
Regular buses run from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam; the cliff is a short auto ride from the bus stand.
Nearest airport
Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), ~55 km
Nearest railway
Varkala Sivagiri (VAK), ~3 km
Autos are the main way up and down the cliff road. The cliff walk itself is pedestrian-only in parts.
What to do
Things worth doing
- 01Walk the cliff path at sunset and eat seafood above the sea
- 02Visit Papanasam Beach and the Janardanaswamy Temple
- 03Take a beginner surf lesson with a reputable local school
- 04Join a yoga class and check the teacher's credentials
- 05Day trip to Kollam's Ashtamudi backwaters
Keep going
Nearby, and worth the detour
BeachKovalamThiruvananthapuram
TemplePadmanabhaswamy TempleThiruvananthapuram
BackwatersAshtamudi LakeKollamAlso nearby
- Kappil Beach and backwater
- Anjengo (Anchuthengu) Fort
These are editorial suggestions, not verified attractions. Access may be seasonal or private; ask locally before setting out.
Context
Food, custom and a few words
What to eat
Fresh seafood, Kerala breakfasts and a surprisingly good international cafe scene on the cliff.
Custom & context
Papanasam is a pilgrimage beach; modest swimwear and respectful behaviour are appreciated. The temple has a dress code.
Money
What it costs, and what we assume
Per person, per day
₹2,000–₹6,000
Indicative, not a quotation.
Per person per day, excluding travel to Kerala. Assumes a cliff guesthouse, local meals and a surf or yoga session; sea-view rooms and peak season cost significantly more.
- · Excludes travel to Kerala and any international flights.
- · Assumes two people sharing; solo travellers usually pay more per person.
- · Peak season, festivals and luxury stays can multiply the upper figure.
Who it suits
Families, senior travellers and access
With children
Moderate. The cliff has unguarded edges and steep steps, and the sea can be rough. Better for older children.
Senior travellers
Moderate. The cliff walk is uneven and some hotels are reached by long staircases; check access before booking.
Accessibility
Poor. Steep steps, sandy access and cliff paths make wheelchair access very difficult.
Practical
Safety and weather
Read before you go
The sea has strong currents and a steep bottom in places; drownings occur every season. Do not swim at night or where red flags are flying. Keep back from the cliff edge, especially after rain.
Medical
Varkala has clinics and a taluk hospital; serious cases are referred to Thiruvananthapuram.
Police
Varkala police station is in the town.
Warm and humid, 24–32°C. The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain and rough seas.
Questions
Practical answers
Is Varkala good for swimming?
Only in calm conditions and in the areas used by locals. Currents can be strong and the drop-off is steep. Follow warnings and never swim alone.
Is Varkala better than Kovalam?
Varkala has more character and a cliff setting; Kovalam is more convenient for the airport and calmer for families. Many travellers visit both.
Sources & verification
Last editorially verified: 1 October 2026. Fees, opening hours, transport and access change; confirm important details with official sources before travelling.
- Kerala Tourism — official state tourism portal · checked 2026-10-01
- Indian Railways — station and train information · checked 2026-10-01
Editorial rating: 4.6 / 5. A strong choice for atmosphere and a longer stay. The cliff is touristy, but the town behind it is not. No visitor reviews are published for this destination yet, so no visitor rating is shown.
Next
Keep the route going.
Kovalam
Kovalam's three crescent beaches and the striped lighthouse are the classic Kerala introduction: calm water, ayurvedic resorts and a short drive from Thiruvananthapuram.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The capital's great Vishnu temple, a Dravidian landmark at the heart of the old city.
Ashtamudi Lake
A wide, eight-armed lake at Kollam, with houseboats, kayaks and quiet canal villages.