Kovalam Tour & Travel Guide - Places to See in Kovalam

Beaches

The three crescent-shaped beaches that are separated from each other by rocky hills are the most remarkable features of Kovalam. Among these, the Lighthouse Beach, named because of the towering Vizhinjam Lighthouse, is the most popular. The Hawah Beach also finds a place on most tourists' itinerary, while the Samudra Beach is much quieter with fewer visitors. Set aside some time during your trip to relax and read on the golden sands, or frolic on the shores, letting the frothy waves curl over your toes.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Built in the signature style of Travancore architecture, this is a well-preserved palace with 108 rooms and intricate woodwork. The Padmanabhapuram Palace is known for its Belgian mirrors, coloured windows, mahogany ceiling, murals, paintings of Lord Krishna in jewelled hues and a four poster bed crafted with 67 pieces of wood. If you are visiting the palace, do pop into the Archaeology Museum next door to see the old coins, arms, stone inscriptions, manuscripts, murals and metal objects on display. It's open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Koyikkal Palace

This beautiful palace has been built in the traditional style with a wide inner courtyard and a sloping roof. Inhabited once by the royal family of Venad, it has now been turned into the Folklore Museum and Numismatics Museum. It has an interesting display of traditional artefacts like fabrics, jewellery, manuscripts, utensils and musical instruments. The museum boasts of one-of-its-kind musical instruments like the Chandravalayam and the Nanthuni, the kind of which are not found in any other museum in Kerala. You can also see the most valuable coins of Kerala, the karsha, as well as the world's tiniest coins, the Rasi, in this museum. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Mondays.

Kaudiar Palace

This lovely palace is home to Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma, and a well-known royal abode in Kovalam. This isn' open to the public, but you can walk around it if you wish.

Anchuthengu Fort

Situated about 40 km from Thiruvananthapuram, on the outskirts of the beach town, the fort built in the typical British style, is set amidst breathtaking coastal scenery. It was once an important bastion and trading centre of the East India Company and it will give you a whiff of the British Era when you step in here.

Villages

You can easily spend a day or two, exploring the nearby villages. A hamlet that you must visit is the Vizhinjam Village, known for its Cave Temple with unfinished sculptures of Shiva and Parvati. Do drop in at the Marine Aquarium to spend time with exotic marine creatures like giant turtles, lion fish, butterfly fish, and squirrel fish. Another small fishing village worth visiting is Chowara, which has the Analothbhava Matha Church, Pulinkudi Azhimala Shiva Temple and Chowara Ayyappa Temple.

Vellayani Lake

This freshwater lake is an angle's paradise. This place is also an important hub for boat races during Onam, and it's at the Devi Temple near the lake that the Vellayani Mahotsava is held once in three years.