Best places to visit in Varkala
Best places to visit in Varkala
Varkala, perched on dramatic red laterite cliffs above the Arabian Sea in Kerala, is unlike any other beach destination in India — a bohemian clifftop promenade of yoga centers, Ayurvedic treatment centers, seafood restaurants, and beach boutiques overlooking the strikingly beautiful Papanasam Beach below. According to Hindu belief, a dip in the Papanasam Beach's waters washes away sins, and the ancient Janardhanaswamy Temple overlooking the sea adds deep spiritual significance to this natural paradise. Varkala's unique clifftop character, the mesmerizing Arabian Sea sunsets, and the availability of traditional Kerala Ayurveda make it one of South India's most distinctive beach destinations.
Varkala Cliff (North Cliff)
→Varkala Cliff (Helipad Cliff) is Kerala's most iconic beach destination — a dramatic 15-metre laterite cliff running 2 km above the Arabian Sea, lined with yoga studios, restaurants, Ayurvedic spas, and boutique shops. The cliff-top path offers spectacular sea views and spectacular sunsets, while the beach below is a sacred bathing spot. One of South India's top backpacker and wellness destinations. The combination of sea, cliff, sunset, and Ayurveda makes Varkala uniquely Kerala.
Papanasam Beach
→Papanasam Beach at the foot of Varkala Cliff is Kerala's most sacred beach — "papanasam" means destroyer of sins, and the beach is believed to wash away accumulated karma when pilgrims bathe here. The strong currents and lifeguards require caution for swimming. The beautiful mineral springs emerging from the cliff face into the sea are a unique natural phenomenon. A top Varkala spiritual and beach destination combining natural beauty with deep Hindu mythology. Best October to March.
Janardhana Swamy Temple
→Janardhana Swamy Temple — also called Dakshin Dwarka — is a 2,000-year-old Vishnu temple at the edge of Varkala Cliff, one of Kerala's most ancient and sacred shrines. The temple is set dramatically at the cliff edge with sea views, and its tank and sanctum are deeply revered by devotees from across Kerala. The Vishnu idol here is said to have been installed by sage Parashurama. A top Varkala pilgrimage and heritage attraction combining spiritual significance with extraordinary sea views.
Varkala Tunnel
→Historic tunnel connecting the beach and helipad with viewpoint.
Black Beach (Kappil Beach)
→Secluded black sand beach where backwaters meet the sea.
Ayurvedic Treatment Centers
→Varkala is Kerala's premier Ayurveda wellness destination — the cliff and town host dozens of Ayurvedic treatment centres, from traditional Keralite clinics to luxury spa resorts, offering authentic panchakarma, abhyanga (oil massage), shirodhara, and rejuvenation therapies. Combined with its yoga community, fresh coconut cuisine, and sea air, Varkala offers one of India's most holistic wellness experiences. A top Kerala Ayurveda tourism destination, especially popular from October to March.
Anjengo Fort
→Anjengo Fort (Anchuthengu Fort), 15 km from Varkala, is a historically significant British East India Company fort — one of the first British forts built in India (1696), at the mouth of the Anjengo backwater. The fort and the adjoining old lighthouse and cemetery where early British traders and administrators are buried form one of Kerala's most underappreciated colonial heritage sites. An excellent offbeat Varkala day-trip for history and heritage enthusiasts. Free entry.
Odayam Beach
→Odayam Beach is Varkala's quietest and most unspoiled alternative — a pristine, largely undeveloped black-sand beach 1.5 km north of the main Varkala Cliff, accessible by a scenic cliff-edge walk. Home to a small fishing community and bordered by coconut groves, it offers the Varkala beach experience without the crowds, shops, and tourist infrastructure. A top Varkala offbeat destination for travellers seeking authentic Kerala coastal life, sunrise photography, and complete beach solitude.
