Varkala, a place so beautiful that it has become a photographer's muse. Situated at a two hours drive from Alleppey, Varkala woos one and all with its Tibetan shops, array of cafes, surfing spots, clean beaches and a very hippie culture. Varkala sits pretty atop a cliff that looks over the Arabian Sea. While these sedimentary cliff rocks are a rarity and attracts geologists from all around, Varkala also houses the 2000-year old Janardana Swami Temple. For those who are not particularly into geology or cafe hopping, Varkala has a few surfing schools. A perfect place to learn how to ride the waves. Photographers, too, can have a gala time here, for Varkala witnesses some really stunning sunsets.
Varkala Travel Guide
Picking a hotel in Varkala
Once a quiet seaside town, Varkala is now dotted with numerous hotels, homestays and resorts.
The best mid-budget hotels in Varkala
The mid-budget hotels in Varkala are more of a pleasant surprise for these are low on tariff yet surprisingly high on luxury. Some of the best options in the mid-budget category are Varkala Marine Palace, Vedanta Wake U...more
Ideal for romance: Villa Jacaranda
Encircled by a beautiful garden with a lily pond, Villa Jacaranda is a cosy option for lovebirds.
Ideal for sea views: Palm Tree Heritage
Located on the quiet Odayam Beach, this eco-friendly resort has lovely sea-facing rooms. It’s perfect for visitors who are looking for quick and unfettered access to the beach throughout the day.
Ideal for luxury: The Gateway
Set amidst coconut groves, this plush hotel is perched on top of a red cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea and close to the Kappil Beach.
A guide to Varkala’s best restaurants
If you could fall in love twice with a place, Varkala is most likely the candidate. Its picture perfect settings will woo you first, closely followed by the fact that it is home to some of Kerala’s hippest restaurants an...more
Tibetan Kitchen
While Tibetan food is a highlight at this wonderful rooftop entrance, there is a lot to savour. Tibetan Kitchen has quite a romantic setting with handmade lamps, Beatles-like music and a fascinating view of the ocean fro...more
Cafe del Mar
Another must-visit on Varkala’s North Cliff, Cafe del Mar is the in-house restaurant of Hill View Beach Resort. A multi-cuisine restaurant, it is a perfect place for breakfast. Walk in for fresh salads and juices, freshl...more
Trattorias
Though it is difficult to pick the best of all Varkala restaurants, Trattorias might just win the bet. The restaurant happens to specialise in Oriental cuisine but the chefs here can easily dole out fine smatterings of I...more
6 reasons to visit Varkala
With a medley of steep red cliffs, swaying palm trees and the deep blue Arabian Sea, it isn’t hard to imagine why Varkala is described as one of the most beautiful beaches in India.
Thiruvambadi Beach
If isolation is what you seek then this stretch of sand, also known as the Black Sand Beach, fits the bill to a tee.
Papanasham Beach
Synonymous with Varkala, this is the town's most popular beach. With waves lapping its sun-kissed white sands at one end and breaking against the imposing red cliffs on the other, Papanasham is quite a sight to behold.
Anjengo Fort
History buffs will find the 20-minute drive out of town to this fort, located in a fishing village, entirely worth the effort.
The coolest things to do in Varkala
Varkala, a tiny town, in Kerala is quite a charmer with a range of things to do. Though taking strolls on its cliffside beaches is perfect enough, you have a lot else to choose from.
Go surfing in Varkala
The lovers of sand and the Sun are in for a treat at Varkala as the waves are just right for surfers. Its cliffside location by the roaring sea in the southern fringes of India lures all the more with a good number of su...more
Shopping in Varkala
Shopping in Varkala is a surprising experience for its lanes house rows of outlets. A gold mine for souvenir hunters, the street markets in Varkala sell everything from hippie clothing, Indian wear, bamboo products, Kera...more
Try yoga in Varkala
Varkala houses some prominent institutes of yoga in Kerala such as Sharangati Yogahaus, Sakthi Yoga, Abhijna School of Yoga & Meditation and more. If wellness is what you are looking for, joining one of these institutes...more
Attend prayers at the Janardhana Swamy Temple
If witnessing rituals in a 2000 years old temple sounds like a fascinating idea, you just cannot skip a visit to Janardhana Swamy Temple. An architectural masterpiece in Varkala, it sees prayer ceremonies four times a d...more
Short trips from Varkala
If you love short, breezy drives amidst tea plantations, coastal roads or lush green forests, this guide to places to visit near Varkala is just the thing for you. While wildlife and nature lovers can hit the road to Way...more
Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, south India. Famous as an elephant and tiger reserve, the Park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady...more
Trivandrum
Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram, a city that celebrates its rich past with a fast galloping economy, lies at a drive of around four hours from Alleppey. Visit Trivandrum for the very splendid Padmanabhaswamy Temple, th...more
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