A quote about a beach reads “A walk on the beach soothes the soul”. Beaches always impress us. God’s own country Kerala, is not just the home for temples, backwaters and churches, but this nature-kissed land is the home for beaches as well. When talking about beaches in Kerala, Varkala Beach should never be missed out on.
Varkala- The beach city is the land that is painted blue by endless waters. Of course, the clear skies will grab your attention for sure. With a laid back vibe and exquisite surroundings, the little town of Varkala is worth more than a single visit.
Why Visit This Kerala Beach Destination?
You might have heard that Kerala is the home for many destinations with attractive backwaters. So, you might be wondering why you should plan your visit to this Kerala Beach destination Varkala. Here are a few reasons that I would like to share with you to reiterate the importance of a visit to Varkala:
Are you are a person interested in visiting a place with a chilled vibe? Then, Varkala Kerala is undoubtedly the best choice for you.
You can spend some quality time with your family in Varkala Beach Kerala. More than the beach, there are other things to explore in Varkala as well. Above all, the things to do in Varkala are plenty in numbers. So, you can expect some quality time for sure. Even, the interesting places to visit in Varkala attract tourists from different parts of India.
Further, the very location of Varkala makes it the best place to visit. Yes, Varkala is located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of the state of Kerala in India. The North Cliff of Varkala Kerala is perched right next to the Arabian Sea Coast. In turn, Varkala gets the most attractive natural setting right from dusk to dawn. Above all, you can expect the utmost peace at this spot away from the hectic life. It is one of the most peaceful and picturesque getaways that every travel enthusiast should visit at least once in a lifetime. Of course, once you visit Varkala, you will feel like planning your visit again and again to this spot.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Varkala?
The ideal time to visit this Kerala Beach destination is the winter season. The reason is that during this climate, the temperature in Varkala remains comfortable. In turn, you can conveniently explore the places to visit in Varkala be it Varkala Temple or Varkala Beach Kerala. So, make sure to plan your visit between October and March, which is the winter season in this spot of God’s own country.
How Many Days To Spend in Varkala?
You need three days to cover the things to do in Varkala and places to visit in Varkala. It means that you can spend two nights in this part of the world. I am sure that you will not feel like coming back from Varkala due to the peacefulness of the atmosphere.
The Best Beaches in Varkala:
Now, you know that Varkala is a beach spot. But, which beaches are the best beaches in Varkala to plan your visit. Let us find out here:
Visit the Kapil Beach and Kapil Lake:
If you get to the northern part of Varkala, you will get to see Kapil Beach and Kapil Lake. On one side you can see the golden sand beach, while on the other side, coconut trees line up attractively. Above all, the coconut trees side has Kapil Lake. Are you a person interested in water activities? You can get to see a lot of them here, Yes, you can go kayaking, boating and do not miss out on the Swim Adventure Water Sports in this spot.
The thing to remember when you visit Kapil Beach is that it is not commercialised. So, you will hardly find any good quality restaurants in Varkala in this part of Kerala. Of course, you can find local eateries.
Kapil Beach is located just at a distance of about 8 km from the main Varkala Beach. So, if you love to walk around, particularly if you love beach walk, you can start walking from one of these beaches and reach the other by walk. But, remember that the walk will take around 2 hours. In the middle of your walking in the coastline, you can also get to explore other unexplored beaches of Kerala, If you do not prefer to walk, you can hire a vehicle and can reach within 20 minutes from one beach to another.
Odayam Beach:
How about watching the sunset in a great beach atmosphere? Odayam Beach is another Varkala Beach you should not miss out on visiting. You can get the chance to dip in the sunset colours on this beach. This beach is located at a distance of about just one km from the North Cliff in Varkala.
Take a peaceful walk around Black Beach in Varkala:
When talking about the best beaches in Kerala, you should take a visit to the Black Beach. Have you ever seen a black sand beach in India? You can see this uniqueness in the Black Beach in Varkala. You can reach this beach within 15 minutes from the North Cliff of Varkala. You will not see much crowd in this spot of Varkala. It is away from the hustle and bustle and heavy crowd that you can generally find in Varkala Beach.
Varkala Beach:
Indeed, Varkala Beach is the main beach in Varkala and this beach is also called Papanasam Beach. The rustic red cliffs that surround this beach make it even more attractive. Apart from attracting tourists, swimmers and travellers, this beach is also considered to have religious importance among the locals. The reason is that they do offerings for the lost loved family members on this beach. When the north end is visited by explorers, the religious rituals are done at the other end of the beach.
Things To Do In Varkala Beach:
Now, you know about famous beaches in Kerala particularly Varkala. So, you might be thinking that there will not be any other things to do in Varkala other than watching beaches as it is a beach destination. But, this thought is just a myth as you can get plenty of things to do in Varkala:
Take a sunbathe:
Of course, Kerala is the home for many beaches. But, not all of them are ideal for sunbathing. But, this is not true in the case of the best beaches in Varkala. You can also find beach bars along the beaches of Varkala. Even, you can hire sun loungers. But, you will find many tourists sunbathing in the beaches in Varkala.
Practice yoga or go to an ayurvedic treatment:
Varkala is the home for many spas and ayurvedic treatment centres. You can get some relaxing therapies in this beach spot. Even, you will get the chance to learn yoga from one of these spas in Varkala.
Swimming:
You might not be a good swimmer to swim in beaches in Varkala. But, remember that the beaches in Varkala have waves that are big and not huge. So, if you know swimming, you can engage in swimming as one of the best things to do in Varkala.
Take a morning beach walk:
If you are from a city that does not have a beach, you will surely be impressed by a beach walk. Above all, in Varkala, one beach is located close to the other within walkable distance. So, you can start your morning walk in one beach and can reach another. After you reach one beach, you can relax enjoying the sea breeze.
Surfing in Varkala:
With lesser crowds, it will not be an overstatement to say that Varkala is a surfers’ paradise. Even, you can find professional schools to teach surfing if you are new to this water sport. Even, you can find courses that last for just three to six days. The Black Sand Beach in Varkala is popular for surfing. This beach is located just a blink away from the Zostel Varkala hotel.
Explore the local backwaters:
From Kapil Beach, you can hire a boat to explore the local backwaters. Even, hotels and travel agencies in this part of Kerela offer backwater trip to tourists. When you intend to explore backwaters, Golden Island or Ponnumthuruthu Island is a famous backwater destination. Even, you can visit a 100-year old temple for Lord Shiva standing tall on this island amidst thick coconut trees.
Places to visit in Varkala:
Now, you know the best things to do in Varkala. I know that this information is not enough; you will be interested in learning about the places to visit in Varkala. Here are some places that you should not miss out on visiting during your Varkala trip:
Get To The Varkala Cliff:
The red and brown cliff is what makes Varkala beaches special as compared to other beaches in Kerala. You can find Varkala cliff adjacent to the Arabian Sea when you visit Varkala Beach. Of course, you would have planned your visit to Varkala Beach, which is the main beach in Varkala. But, do not forget to get to the Varkala Cliff when you go to this beach. The reason is that a view from the cliff will help you get to see a long-distance beyond the usual beach shore.
You will be surprised to know that the North Cliff of Varkala is home to many cafes. People from different parts of India like Rajasthan, Kashmir have set up their store on the cliffs. You can buy many things here. But, you need not have to worry whether the place will be crowded. The place remains untouched by tourists.
Varkala Temple:
Apart from beaches, Varkala is the home of a 2000-year old temple for Lord Vishnu. However, the present structure of the Janardhana Swamy Temple dates back to the 13th Century. The reason is that the Pandya kings renovated this temple during the 13th century. The location of the temple is also good. Yes, it is close to Papanasam Beach. Only Hindus are allowed to get into the sanctum of this Varkala Temple. But, if you are a non-Hindu, do get a glimpse of the temple grounds. The reason is that you can get to see some eye-catching paintings. Even, you can find a bell donated in the 18th Century by a captain of the local Dutch Shipwreck. When talking about Varkala tourist places, this temple undoubtedly has a name.
Anjenjo Fort and Lighthouse:
Source: bluebirdtravels
When you travel around 12 km from the Varkala Cliff, you can get to the Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse. You will be surprised to know that this fort was built by the East India Company as England’s entry point into India from the Malabar Coast. Now, the archaeological department is effectively maintaining this fort with lush green lawns with Anjengo Beach at the backdrop. Do not forget to get to the lighthouse for a perfect aerial view of the entire area.
Where To Stay in Varkala?
Of course, you know that not just bikini beaches in India, Varkala is popular for the Varkala Cliff. But, where to stay when you visit Varkala will be your question. There are the best places to stay like Cliff Stories Varkala and Zostel Varkala. Of course, there are other places to stay. You can just book the right accommodation by comparing many of them. As you know, you should make the right choice based on whether you plan your visit with your friends or family. The quality of service and how the rooms are maintained are essential considerations when you choose an accommodation to stay in this part of Kerala.
Conclusion:
For many valid reasons, Varkala is a place that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. You can get a peaceful experience away from the crowds when you visit Varkala.
1 comment
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