Kerala ·
Varkala
A cliffside beach town where a dramatic red-laterite escarpment runs straight along the Arabian Sea, backed by yoga retreats, cafes and the ancient Janardanaswamy Temple. Varkala Cliff is one of the few places in Kerala where the coastline rises in sheer bluffs rather than flat sand, giving Papanasam Beach below it a striking backdrop and a reputation, per Hindu tradition, for washing away sins. The clifftop path is now dense with yoga studios, guesthouses and seafood cafes, while Kappil Beach and Lake just north offer a quieter backwater-meets-ocean alternative.
Varkala at a Glance
Why Varkala?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Varkala Cliff
- Janardanaswamy Temple
- Varkala Beach
- Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple
Varkala at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Varkala before planning your visit.
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Explore Varkala
Places to Visit
- Varkala Cliff: A dramatic 15-meter-high laterite cliff stretching along the coastline, lined with shops, cafes, and guesthouses. It offers panoramic ocean views and is the main promenade for strolling, especially at sunset.
- Janardanaswamy Temple: An ancient 2000-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, perched on a cliff near the beach. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and part of the 108 sacred Vishnu shrines, with a unique blend of Kerala and Dravidian architecture.
- Varkala Beach: A stunning beach backed by towering red cliffs, known for its spiritual significance where Hindu rituals are performed. The name "Papanasam" means washing away sins, and the sunset views here are spectacular.
- Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple: The Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. It is situated at Edava in Thiruvananthapuram District, India.
- Paravur: Not to be confused with North Paravur, which is approximately 175 km to the north. Paravur is in Quilon/Kollam district, Kerala, Southern Travancore, India.
- Kappil: Kappil is a town in Kerala, India. It is on the border between Thiruvananthapuram District and Kollam Districts, and five kilometers from the famous Varkala beach.
Sightseeing Places
- Varkala Cliff: A dramatic 15-meter-high laterite cliff stretching along the coastline, lined with shops, cafes, and guesthouses. It offers panoramic ocean views and is the main promenade for strolling, especially at sunset.
- Janardanaswamy Temple: An ancient 2000-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, perched on a cliff near the beach. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and part of the 108 sacred Vishnu shrines, with a unique blend of Kerala and Dravidian architecture.
- Varkala Beach: A stunning beach backed by towering red cliffs, known for its spiritual significance where Hindu rituals are performed. The name "Papanasam" means washing away sins, and the sunset views here are spectacular.
- Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple: The Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. It is situated at Edava in Thiruvananthapuram District, India.
- Paravur: Not to be confused with North Paravur, which is approximately 175 km to the north. Paravur is in Quilon/Kollam district, Kerala, Southern Travancore, India.
- Kappil: Kappil is a town in Kerala, India. It is on the border between Thiruvananthapuram District and Kollam Districts, and five kilometers from the famous Varkala beach.
Temples
- Janardanaswamy Temple: An ancient 2000-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, perched on a cliff near the beach. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and part of the 108 sacred Vishnu shrines, with a unique blend of Kerala and Dravidian architecture.
- Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple: The Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. It is situated at Edava in Thiruvananthapuram District, India.
Places That Define Varkala
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Varkala Cliff
A dramatic 15-meter-high laterite cliff stretching along the coastline, lined with shops, cafes, and guesthouses. It offers panoramic ocean views and is the main promenade for strolling, especially at sunset.
Janardanaswamy Temple
An ancient 2000-year-old Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, perched on a cliff near the beach. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and part of the 108 sacred Vishnu shrines, with a unique blend of Kerala and Dravidian architecture.
Varkala Beach
A stunning beach backed by towering red cliffs, known for its spiritual significance where Hindu rituals are performed. The name "Papanasam" means washing away sins, and the sunset views here are spectacular.
Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple
The Edava Palakkavu Bhagavathi temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. It is situated at Edava in Thiruvananthapuram District, India.
Paravur
Half Day
Kappil
Half Day
Explore Destination on Map
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Explore Varkala on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
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.
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 35 km from Varkala.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Varkala Sivagiri railway station, about 1 km from central Varkala.
- By Road: State Transport Buses are available from Trivandrum. Bus service available from Varkala to many parts of South Kerala and Kanyakumari Varkala is linked by state and national highways to all the major cities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Varkala (Apr, May, Jun) averages 25–31°C with about 241 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Varkala (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 25–29°C with about 181 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Varkala (Oct, Nov) averages 24–29°C with about 293 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Varkala (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 24–31°C with about 26 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 29°C and lows of 25°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Varkala trip.
Spiritual & Religious
Planning Guide
- Overview: Varkala is a town in the Indian state of Kerala, about 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram and is home of the popular Papanasam Beach. Also, the Samadhi of Kerala's saint Sree Narayana Guru is in this town, and has become a place of pilgrimage.
- Accommodation: If you are used to affordable and cheap beach shack rates like in Goa and other beach places, you will be disappointed at Varkala. Like the rest of Kerala, rates are set to deter bargaining backpackers used to 'beach hut' rates. Listed options include Aleema Beach Resort, Baby House and Bamboo Village.
- Best Way To Explore: The town of Varkala is about 5 km inland, centered around the train station, and can be reached via autorickshaw for ₹80 The resort area lies along two cliffs, north and south, overlooking the beach areas. The main Papanasam beach is between these, while less crowded Black Beach is to the north.
The Sacred Heart of Varkala
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
If you're looking for beaches and are fed up with the crowds and prices at Kovalam, then it's well worth checking out Varkala. The best times to go, are of course in the season, when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for 500 m.
Spiritual Significance
If you're looking for beaches and are fed up with the crowds and prices at Kovalam, then it's well worth checking out Varkala. The best times to go, are of course in the season, when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for 500 m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Varkala is most comfortable in January, February, March 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 May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 35 km away. The nearest railway station is Varkala Sivagiri railway station, about 1 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Varkala Cliff, Janardanaswamy Temple, Varkala Beach and Palakkavu Bhagavathi Temple.
A stay of 1 day covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 28°C to 33°C over the year, with about 1991 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for Varkala
Your Varkala Journey Starts Here
Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.