Kerala ·
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam, a fishing village in southern Kerala, is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. About from Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves.
Kovalam Beach at a Glance
Why Kovalam Beach?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Vellayani Devi Temple
- Satelmond Palace
- Pazhanchira Devi Temple
- Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
- Vellayani Lake
- Venkatachalapathy Temple
Kovalam Beach at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Kovalam Beach before planning your visit.
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Explore Kovalam Beach
Places to Visit
- Vellayani Devi Temple: The Major Vellayani Devi Temple is a highly revered shrine in Kerala, India, dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The shrine is situated in Vellayani 1.5 km west of Vellayani junction, 12 km southeast of Thiruvananthapuram on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake.
- Satelmond Palace: Satelmond Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India is one of the palaces that belonged to the Travancore Royal Family. It is situated in the Poojapura ward of Thiruvananthapuram city.
- Pazhanchira Devi Temple: Pazhanchira Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated between Ambalathara and Paravankunnu in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, India. It is about 3.2 km (2.0 mi) to the south of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple: The Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy temple is situated at East Fort in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala, India. The main Deity of the temple is Sri Mahaganapathy (Ganesha).
- Vellayani Lake: Vellayani Lake, or Vellayani Kayal, is the second largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala and is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Vellayani is known for its lotus blooms and is considered a little eco-haven.
- Venkatachalapathy Temple: Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi.
Things to Do
- Vizhinjam Cave Temple: The granite cave encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinadhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts unfinished reliefs of Shiva as "Tripurantakara" on the left and as "Nataraja" with Parvati on the right.
- Vizhinjam Harbour: Head down to the harbour at sunset for some spectacular shots of the area with the seaside mosque in the background. The atmosphere is quite lively with fisherman heading to and from the sea.
- Vizhinjam Lighthouse: The old lighthouse, at the southern beach is a local landmark, for being one of the oldest lighthouses of Kerala, guiding ships to the nearby Vizhnjam port. The lighthouse can be visited 3-5PM daily.
- Azhimala Shiva Temple: The Tamil-style koil is known for the tall Gangadhareshwara sculpture, the tallest Shiva sculpture in Kerala.
- Lighthouse Beach: The largest and southernmost beach of Kovalam, known for its 35-m-high lighthouse which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. Most of the foreigners stay on Lighthouse Beach.
- Hawa Beach: The second-largest beach of Kovala, and it takes less than five minutes to walk from Lighthouse Beach. It is named for the topless European women who used to throng there.
Sightseeing Places
- Vellayani Devi Temple: The Major Vellayani Devi Temple is a highly revered shrine in Kerala, India, dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The shrine is situated in Vellayani 1.5 km west of Vellayani junction, 12 km southeast of Thiruvananthapuram on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake.
- Satelmond Palace: Satelmond Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India is one of the palaces that belonged to the Travancore Royal Family. It is situated in the Poojapura ward of Thiruvananthapuram city.
- Pazhanchira Devi Temple: Pazhanchira Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated between Ambalathara and Paravankunnu in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, India. It is about 3.2 km (2.0 mi) to the south of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple: The Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy temple is situated at East Fort in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala, India. The main Deity of the temple is Sri Mahaganapathy (Ganesha).
- Vellayani Lake: Vellayani Lake, or Vellayani Kayal, is the second largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala and is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Vellayani is known for its lotus blooms and is considered a little eco-haven.
- Venkatachalapathy Temple: Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi.
Temples
- Vellayani Devi Temple: The Major Vellayani Devi Temple is a highly revered shrine in Kerala, India, dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The shrine is situated in Vellayani 1.5 km west of Vellayani junction, 12 km southeast of Thiruvananthapuram on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake.
- Pazhanchira Devi Temple: Pazhanchira Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated between Ambalathara and Paravankunnu in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, India. It is about 3.2 km (2.0 mi) to the south of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple: The Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy temple is situated at East Fort in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala, India. The main Deity of the temple is Sri Mahaganapathy (Ganesha).
- Venkatachalapathy Temple: Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi.
- Sreevaraham Lakshmi Varaha Temple: Sreevaraham Lakshmi Varaha Temple, locally known as Sreevaraham Temple, is a Hindu temple in Sreevaraham, Thiruvananthapuram, near to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The principal deity of the temple is Varaha, the third avatar of the god Vishnu.
- Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple: Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is a Hindu temple in Thottam, Manacaud P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is about 1.8 kilometres to the southwest of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city.
Places That Define Kovalam Beach
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Vellayani Devi Temple
The Major Vellayani Devi Temple is a highly revered shrine in Kerala, India, dedicated to goddess Bhadrakali. The shrine is situated in Vellayani 1.5 km west of Vellayani junction, 12 km southeast of Thiruvananthapuram on the eastern bank of Vellayani Lake.
Satelmond Palace
Satelmond Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India is one of the palaces that belonged to the Travancore Royal Family. It is situated in the Poojapura ward of Thiruvananthapuram city.
Pazhanchira Devi Temple
Pazhanchira Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated between Ambalathara and Paravankunnu in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, India. It is about 3.2 km (2.0 mi) to the south of Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple
The Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy temple is situated at East Fort in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala, India. The main Deity of the temple is Sri Mahaganapathy (Ganesha).
Vellayani Lake
Vellayani Lake, or Vellayani Kayal, is the second largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala and is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Vellayani is known for its lotus blooms and is considered a little eco-haven.
Venkatachalapathy Temple
Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple is a temple situated in Trivandrum, Kerala, about a minute walk from the southern gate of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is also known as Srinivasar kovil, Perumal Kovil, Iyyengar Kovil or Desikar Sannidhi.
Sreevaraham Lakshmi Varaha Temple
Sreevaraham Lakshmi Varaha Temple, locally known as Sreevaraham Temple, is a Hindu temple in Sreevaraham, Thiruvananthapuram, near to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The principal deity of the temple is Varaha, the third avatar of the god Vishnu.
Irumkulangara Durga Devi Temple
Irumkulangara Durga Bhagavathi Temple is a Hindu temple in Thottam, Manacaud P.O, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is about 1.8 kilometres to the southwest of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city.
Keleswaram Mahadeva Temple
Keleswaram Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the state of Kerala, India. The temple is situated in Keleswaram, a village in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala.
Valiyasala Mahadeva Temple
Kanthaloor Mahadeva Temple, Valiyasala is one of the ancient Trimurti temples in Thiruvananthapuram. Kanthaloor Sala, a famous university, was located here centuries back.
Mukkolakkal Bhagawathi Temple
The Mukkolakkal Bhagawathi Temple is a temple of the Hindu mother goddess Bhagawati at Sreevaraham, on the south-east of Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
Azhimala Shiva Temple
The Tamil-style koil is known for the tall Gangadhareshwara sculpture, the tallest Shiva sculpture in Kerala.
Explore Destination on Map
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Explore Kovalam Beach on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Kovalam Beach Your Way
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
All Itineraries
- 1 Day in Kovalam Beach: 1 days with detailed day plans
- 2 Days in Kovalam Beach: 2 days with detailed day plans
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 11 km from Kovalam Beach.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Nemom railway station, about 7 km from central Kovalam Beach.
- By Road: Buses to Thiruvananthapuram can also be caught from Kovalam Junction as well as Ambassador taxis and Autos to pretty much anywhere.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Kovalam Beach (Apr, May, Jun) averages 25–31°C with about 222 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Kovalam Beach (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 24–30°C with about 124 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Kovalam Beach (Oct, Nov) averages 24–29°C with about 299 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Kovalam Beach (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 22–31°C with about 40 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C.
Travel Tips
- Staying safe: Swimming in the ocean here can be dangerous and many people drown. The lifeguards mark different areas of the sea as dangerous.
- Getting around: Be very careful walking around the junction, especially at night, as there are no traffic lights (what's new?) and the street lighting is very minimal. The intersection can be busy.
- Heat: Daytime highs reach about 33°C in April; carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning.
- Rain: The wettest months are April, May, June, August, September, October and November; check road and site conditions before travelling.
Local Transport
- By taxi: Tourist taxis are the most convenient way to travel around attractions, especially while travelling in a group. Most airports and railway stations have tourist taxi services that would take you anywhere you would want to go.
- By motorcycle: A more adventurous option is to get a motorbike on hire. The highway is a pleasure to drive on, with the cool breeze and coconut palms lined along the way.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Kovalam Beach trip.
Spiritual & Religious
History
- Summary: Kovalam, a fishing village in southern Kerala, is famous for its beaches, among the most pristine in India. About from Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves.
- Overview: There is an official !dea mobile operator store up on a hill/junction ~1km walk / ~15 minutes. 9am-6pm, closed Sunday. ₹100 for SIM card (and they can help cut it to mini or micro SIM for ₹50 by going to the shop across from them; if you go, it will likely be ₹100 to cut). Bring a copy of passport + visa + passport photo and the mobile phone number of a person who will verify you (ask your hotel owner).
- Ancient History: Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter, the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew, the Maharaja of Travancore. The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potential of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. In the early 1970s, many hippies came on their way to Ceylon via the hippie trail, beginning the transformation of a casual fishing village in Kerala into a significant tourist destination.
Planning Guide
- Overview: There is an official !dea mobile operator store up on a hill/junction ~1km walk / ~15 minutes. 9am-6pm, closed Sunday. ₹100 for SIM card (and they can help cut it to mini or micro SIM for ₹50 by going to the shop across from them; if you go, it will likely be ₹100 to cut). Bring a copy of passport + visa + passport photo and the mobile phone number of a person who will verify you (ask your hotel owner).
- Accommodation: Many hotels have ayurveda and yoga available. Listed options include Devi Beach Resort, Green Valley Cottages and Hotel Sea Breeze.
- Best Way To Explore: Be very careful walking around the junction, especially at night, as there are no traffic lights (what's new?) and the street lighting is very minimal. The intersection can be busy.
The Sacred Heart of Kovalam Beach
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter, the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew, the Maharaja of Travancore.
Spiritual Significance
Kovalam first received attention when the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore constructed her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, here towards the end of the 1920s. Thereafter, the place was brought to the public eye by her nephew, the Maharaja of Travancore.
Pilgrimage Traditions
Kovalam is also one of the oldest tourist enclaves in India, a well known part of the tourist circuit since the 1930s. Kovalam shot into the limelight in the early 1970s with the arrival of masses of hippies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kovalam Beach is most comfortable in January, February, March, July and December, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is April (average high 33°C) and the wettest months are April, May, June, August, September, October and November.
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 11 km away. The nearest railway station is Nemom railway station, about 7 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Vellayani Devi Temple, Satelmond Palace, Pazhanchira Devi Temple, Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, Vellayani Lake and Venkatachalapathy Temple.
A stay of 2 days covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 29°C to 33°C over the year, with about 1824 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for Kovalam Beach
Your Kovalam Beach Journey Starts Here
Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.