Things to Do in Kerala: Experiences Worth Planning Around

The experiences most worth planning around in Kerala are a night on a backwater houseboat, the tea hills of Munnar, a boat ride or nature walk at Periyar, Fort Kochi's heritage and a Kathakali evening — with a beach and an Ayurveda session to slow down at the end. With a week, follow the classic loop and choose a few experiences in each place.

Kerala is best enjoyed slowly, with fewer bases and more time in each. This guide groups 18 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Kerala itinerary and Kerala cost guide.

At a glance

Kochi

1. Fort Kochi heritage walk. The Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Dutch Palace and colonial lanes, best early morning or at sunset.

2. Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue. Antique shops and one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth.

3. A Kathakali performance. Watch the elaborate make-up being applied, then the dance-drama itself. Suits everyone.

4. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale. A contemporary art festival held in some winters, with venues across Fort Kochi.

Munnar and Thekkady

5. Munnar's tea gardens and museum. Rolling estates, a tea factory and viewpoints.

6. Eravikulam National Park. Grasslands home to the Nilgiri tahr, and the Neelakurinji bloom in rare years.

7. A Periyar boat ride or nature walk. Wildlife on the lake shore and guided forest walks.

8. A spice plantation tour. Cardamom, pepper and vanilla on a guided walk in Thekkady.

9. Kalaripayattu. A demonstration of Kerala's traditional martial art in Thekkady or Kochi.

The backwaters

10. An overnight houseboat. Glide past villages, paddy fields and coconut groves, with home-style meals on board.

11. A canoe through narrow canals. Smaller boats reach where houseboats cannot. Calm and close to village life.

12. Kumarakom bird sanctuary. Herons, kingfishers and migratory birds on the shores of Vembanad Lake.

13. A village walk and toddy-shop lunch. Coir making, fishing and Kerala food on a guided walk.

Beaches and the north

14. Varkala cliffs. Red cliffs above the sea, with cafés and a pilgrimage beach.

15. Kovalam and Marari. Quieter beaches for a slow end to the trip.

16. Ayurveda. From a single massage to week-long treatments with a doctor's consultation.

17. Theyyam in Kannur. A ritual performance of trance and colour, mainly from November to April.

18. Bekal Fort and Wayanad. A seaside fort in the north and hills with waterfalls and caves.

Food experiences

A sadya on a banana leaf, appam with stew, Malabar biryani and fresh seafood are highlights. Vegetarian food is easy everywhere, and Jain meals can be arranged with notice. A cooking class in Kochi or on a plantation is a hands-on experience. Food lovers can follow A Culinary Portrait of Kerala.

Festivals

Onam in August or September brings boat races, flower carpets and feasts. Thrissur Pooram in April or May is famous for its elephant processions and fireworks. Snake-boat races on the backwaters take place in the monsoon months.

When to go

October to March is the main season. The monsoon from June to September is lush and quiet, and popular for Ayurveda.

On a rainy day

Kathakali, cooking classes, Ayurveda and museums in Kochi fill a wet day, and the backwaters are beautiful in the rain.

What you can safely skip

You do not need both Kovalam and Varkala, or a houseboat on both Alappuzha and Kumarakom. Choose one of each.

Getting between experiences

A car and driver links the hills and backwaters. Trains run along the coast. Public ferries in the backwaters are cheap.

Wildlife

Periyar, Eravikulam, Thattekad bird sanctuary and Wayanad offer wildlife and birding. Sightings are about patience and early starts.

Wellness and yoga

Many resorts offer Ayurveda and yoga. Choose centres with qualified practitioners, and allow at least a week for a structured programme, as at our Kerala Wellness Retreat.

Free and low-cost experiences

Walking Fort Kochi, watching the fishing nets at sunset, public ferry rides and beach evenings cost little.

Making the most of Munnar

Munnar rewards an early start. Watch the mist lift over the tea estates, visit a working factory to see leaves become tea, and walk through the plantations with a guide. Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Top Station offer views on clear days, and Anamudi, the highest peak in south India, rises above Eravikulam. Two nights let you see Munnar without rushing, and cooler evenings make a welcome change from the coast.

A day on the houseboat

Most houseboats board around midday, cruise through the afternoon and moor at dusk, as boats are not allowed to cruise at night. Lunch, tea and dinner are cooked on board, usually Kerala-style with fish or vegetarian dishes. Tell the crew in advance about vegetarian or Jain needs. In the morning, the boat returns after breakfast. Sit at the front in the late afternoon for the best light over the water.

Best views

Sunrise at Kolukkumalai near Munnar, sunset over the Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi, and the cliffs at Varkala at golden hour are the classic photographs. Ask before photographing people, especially at temples and Theyyam performances.

North Kerala

North Kerala is quieter and less visited. Kannur and Kasaragod are the heartland of Theyyam, Bekal has a seaside fort, and Wayanad has forests, waterfalls and the Edakkal caves with ancient carvings. The beaches are less developed and the food — Malabar biryani and Moplah dishes — is distinctive. It suits a second trip or a longer stay.

How to choose

With a week, follow Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters, as in our Serene Kerala Escapade. For the north and Theyyam, see The Sacred Flames of Kerala.

For families and parents

Children enjoy houseboats, boats at Periyar and beaches; parents may prefer fewer hotel changes and an air-conditioned houseboat.

For couples

Couples often favour a private houseboat, a plantation stay and a quiet beach resort.

Practical tips

Dress modestly at temples, some of which restrict entry to Hindus. Carry insect repellent and rain gear in the monsoon. Read our Kerala planning guide for more.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Kerala?

For most first-time visitors, an overnight houseboat on the backwaters of Alappuzha or Kumarakom, followed closely by a morning in Munnar's tea gardens.

Which Kerala experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy the houseboat, a Periyar boat ride, the Eravikulam National Park for Nilgiri tahr, elephant-free spice plantation walks and the beaches of Marari and Kovalam.

When can I see Theyyam?

Theyyam is performed in north Kerala, around Kannur and Kasaragod, mainly from about November to April. Dates vary by shrine, so local guidance helps.

How many days do I need?

A week covers Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters with a beach night. Ten days allows north Kerala or a longer Ayurveda stay.