Varkala Beach: Places to Visit and Things to Explore
Red cliffs, a sacred beach, an ancient Vishnu temple and quiet backwaters: here is everything worth doing in Varkala, with a ready-to-use itinerary for travellers starting from Coimbatore.
Most beach towns give you sand and sea. Varkala gives you a cliff. The laterite headland rises straight out of the Arabian Sea, and the walkway along its edge is lined with cafés, yoga shacks and small shops, while the beach sits far below. It is one of the very few places in southern Kerala where cliffs and sea meet like this, and the Geological Survey of India has recognised the formation as a geo-heritage site.
Varkala is also a pilgrimage town. Papanasam Beach and the Janardhana Swamy Temple have drawn devotees for centuries, so a single day here can mix sunset views, temple visits and a boat ride on a lake. If you are planning the journey from Tamil Nadu, read our Coimbatore to Varkala travel guide for distance, bus and train details, and our Coimbatore to Varkala tourist places page for a shorter overview of the area.
Varkala at a Glance
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, on the Arabian Sea coast |
| Known for | Cliff-top walkway, Papanasam Beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, yoga and Ayurveda |
| Best season | October to March (calm sea, dry weather) |
| Nearest railway station | Varkala Sivagiri, a few kilometres from the cliff |
| Nearest airport | Thiruvananthapuram International Airport |
| Ideal stay | 2 nights for a relaxed trip, 1 night if you are short on time |
Distances and timings vary with traffic and season, so confirm before you travel.
Top Places to Visit in Varkala
1. Varkala Cliff (North Cliff)
This is the postcard view of Varkala. A walkway runs along the edge of the red cliff, with cafés, craft stalls and yoga studios on one side and the open sea on the other. Go an hour before sunset, grab a table facing west and stay until the sky changes colour. The cliff gets crowded in peak season, so early mornings are the quiet window for photos and a calm walk.
2. Papanasam Beach
The main beach below the cliff is also a sacred spot. Devotees believe a dip here washes away sins, and families come to perform ancestral rites, especially during the Karkidakam new moon in July or August. Visitors swim here too, but only where lifeguards are on duty and the sea is calm. Treat it as a place of worship first and a beach second, and dress modestly during rituals.
3. Janardhana Swamy Temple
A short walk from Papanasam Beach, this Vishnu temple is believed to be around two thousand years old. Its annual festival, usually in March or April, fills the town with processions and music. Follow the temple dress code and check darshan timings locally. If temple trips are your thing, our guide to temples and spiritual places in Coimbatore is a good companion read.
4. Sivagiri Mutt
The hill-top mutt holds the samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru, the social reformer who is deeply respected across Kerala. The atmosphere is quiet and simple, which makes it a good stop after the busy cliff. Lakhs of pilgrims arrive for the annual Sivagiri Pilgrimage between late December and early January, so expect heavy crowds then.
5. Kappil Beach and Kappil Lake
North of Varkala, Kappil is where a backwater lake meets the sea, which gives you calm water on one side and surf on the other. It is far less crowded than the cliff, and boating on the lake is a gentle way to spend a morning. Local boat operators set their own rates, so agree the price and duration before you step in.
6. Odayam Beach
A short drive from the main cliff area, Odayam is a quieter stretch of sand where you can walk without the café crowds. It suits travellers who want a slower pace, and it is a good sunrise stop. Swimming conditions change with the season, so check with locals first.
7. Anjengo Fort and Ponnumthuruthu Island
Anjengo (Anchuthengu) was an early trading post of the British East India Company, and the old fort still stands by the sea. Nearby, Ponnumthuruthu, often called Golden Island, is a small island in the backwaters with a Shiva-Parvathi temple, reached by boat. Both are half-day add-ons if you have your own vehicle, and ferry timings should be confirmed on the day.
Things to Do in Varkala
| Activity | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Sunset on the cliff | Free, unhurried and the best-loved activity in town |
| Yoga and meditation | Drop-in classes and longer retreats; compare options in our guide to yoga training in Coimbatore if you want to start practising before the trip |
| Ayurvedic massage | Many centres along the cliff; pick licensed, well-reviewed places and ask for a price list first |
| Cliff-top cafés | Kerala meals, seafood, fresh juices and coffee with a sea view |
| Backwater boating | Kappil Lake and the Anjengo backwaters are the calmer choices |
| Shopping | Handicrafts, cotton clothes, spices and coconut-shell items; bargain politely |
| Adventure sports | Paragliding is sometimes offered in season; only book with a certified operator |
A Simple 2-Day Varkala Itinerary
Arrive and check in near the cliff. Visit Papanasam Beach and the Janardhana Swamy Temple in the late morning, then lunch at a cliff café. Spend the afternoon at Sivagiri Mutt, return for a massage or yoga session, and end the day with sunset on the North Cliff.
Start early at Odayam Beach, then drive to Kappil for a lake boat ride. If you have a vehicle and the energy, add Anjengo Fort in the afternoon. Return to Varkala for a last cliff walk, souvenirs and dinner before your journey home.
How to Reach Varkala from Coimbatore
Most travellers from Coimbatore choose between the train and a road trip. By rail, you can board at Coimbatore Junction and travel through Palakkad and Kerala's coastal belt towards Varkala Sivagiri; check current train timings and availability on the official railway booking channels.
By road, the route runs through the Palakkad Gap, the natural break in the Western Ghats that makes the Tamil Nadu to Kerala crossing so easy; you can read more in our explainer on the Palakkad Gap. Families and groups often prefer a Coimbatore taxi rental or a driver-on-call from our cab drivers in Coimbatore list, and confident drivers can compare self-drive car rentals. For a one-way trip, a drop taxi such as Sathura Taxi can work out cheaper than a round-trip booking.
Varkala sits well beyond Kochi, so many people break the drive with a stop. Our guide to Coimbatore to Kochi is useful for planning that halfway point, and Cherai Beach makes a pleasant sea-side detour on the way. If you want to build a longer Kerala loop, add Athirapally Falls or Sabarimala to the plan.
Where to Stay and What to Eat
Stays in Varkala range from simple homestays and hostels to boutique resorts along the cliff. Book early from December to January, because the cliff fills up fast. For tips on choosing between hotels, service apartments and resorts before you travel, browse our hotels and accommodations directory.
Seafood is the star: fish curry meals, grilled catch of the day, prawn fry and Kerala parotta with beef or vegetable curry are standard menu items. Fresh coconut water and filter coffee are everywhere. Vegetarian travellers will find thalis and plenty of options at most cafés; if you want a taste of home before leaving, see our picks for veg restaurants in Coimbatore or browse the full food and dining section.
Safety and Travel Tips
Varkala's sea can have strong currents and rip tides. Swim only where lifeguards are posted, follow their flags, and avoid the water completely during the monsoon season from June to September. Never swim after dark, and keep a close watch on children.
- Cliff edges are unfenced in places. Stay on the walkway and be extra careful at night or after rain.
- Dress with respect. The cliff is relaxed, but temples and Papanasam Beach during rituals call for modest clothing.
- Carry cash and a power bank. Some small shops and boat operators prefer cash, and signal can be patchy at the edges of town.
- Agree prices first. This applies to autos, boats and massages.
- Travel with a local contact. If you are booking a package, compare options from verified travel businesses in our directory.
Best Time to Visit Varkala
| Season | What it is like |
|---|---|
| October to March | Best weather, calm sea, busiest period. Book early for December and January. |
| April to May | Hot and humid, but fewer crowds and lower room rates. |
| June to September | Monsoon: rough sea, heavy rain, some cafés close. Good for Ayurveda treatments, not for beach time. |
More Trip Ideas from Coimbatore
Varkala works best as a long weekend or a four-to-five-day Kerala trip. If you would rather stay closer to home first, our weekend getaways from Coimbatore list has shorter options, and waterfalls near Coimbatore make a nice contrast to a beach holiday. Hill-country lovers can look at Wayanad, and the full travel guides hub covers every destination we have written about so far.