Kovalam - The beach town of Thiruvananthapuram
Kovalam is a dream destination for sightseers. A perfect beach town, known for relaxing and enjoyment, Kovalam attractions comprise three crescent-shaped beaches namely Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach, and Hawah Beach. All three beaches are unique and are known for their engaging and exciting activities.
Kovalam was a fishing village till the beach resort “Halcyon Castle” was constructed in 1920. The resort was the brainchild of the then Maharani of Travancore, Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. Today tourists around the globe flock to Kovalam to enjoy a beach vacation in this fascinating town. Apart from the Kovalam beach attractions, the town is also famous for its delicious food items, historic monuments including religious sites like churches, temples, and mosques.
Crowned as the “Paradise of the South“, Kovalam gained popularity during the hippie times and even today holds the title of must-visit tourist spot in India. Photographers go crazy about this place as the land, sea and the sky come in one frame, a magnificent view!
Kovalam beach attractions include adventure sports like snorkeling, scuba diving surfing, etc. The place is also known for Yoga training, local food exploration, and photography. The art galleries, cafes, and museums, a visit to these attractions will never tire the sightseers. The Kovalam Art Gallery is another interesting sightseeing place where artists and art lovers come together to meet and cheer each other.
Here are the best tourist attractions in Kovalam.
Top attractions in Kovalam
Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium
Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium is one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Kovalam. The place lies closer to Kovalam and is one of the fishing harbors which is busy throughout the day. The aquarium is officially named Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium and is home to many rare marine animals including squirrelfish, moon wrasse, and many ornamental fishes that attract sightseers. One of the prominent Kovalam Sightseeing Places, the Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium is an exciting holiday spot for vacationers. Sea explorers get a wonderful opportunity to learn about marine life. The aquarium is also famous as a center for Image Pearl Production. A shell cement is attached to a pearl oyster and after 3 months a pearl is produced.
The aquarium managed and maintained by the Central Marine Fisheries Institute is a perfect spot to learn about aqua-life.
Halcyon Castle
Halcyon Castle often called the Kovalam Palace is one of the top-most Kovalam tourist attractions. The palace constructed in the typical Kerala architectural style was a summer resort of the then ruler M.R. Sri Rama Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran. In 1964, the Government of Kerala took over the palace and the palace was converted into a luxurious hotel. People who are aware of the historical relevance choose this heritage site to stay. The beautiful lawns and the colonial style of the palace are a perfect attraction in Kovalam to spend time with friends and family. The palace is a perfect sightseeing location to sneak peek into the history, culture, and tradition of Kerala. Those who are not opting for a stay can enjoy the view of the palace from the beautiful lawns. The palace is famous for history, heritage and photography. The palace is a must-visit Kovalam attraction.
Lighthouse Beach
Kovalam beach attractions are priceless. One of the top-most Kovalam sightseeing places is the lighthouse beach. This white sand beach is the largest beach when compared with the Samudra beach and the Light House beach. The main attraction of this beach is the 30-meter high Lighthouse which has an observation platform that offers the sight of Poovar Island and Beemapally Mosque. To reach the platform, sightseers have to climb 142 steps. The lighthouse beach is known for interesting activities that suit people of all age groups. Vacationers can enjoy swimming, surfing sunbathing, parasailing, paragliding, etc. The lighthouse built with stones colored in red and white is an attraction for photographers. A trip to Kovalam is incomplete without a lighthouse beach visit.
Valiyathura Pier
Valiyathura Pier is a prominent Kovalam sightseeing place. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset. The pier is 50 years old that offers a wonderful view of Shanghumugham and Kovalam. People enjoy visiting the pier during the evening and choose to relax under the shades of the pier. From the pier, one can enjoy looking at fishing techniques, beach football, a stroll through Shanghumugham beach, etc. A visit to the fishing harbor or the fish market near the pier is interesting for photographers. The airport lies close to the pier. From the airport boundary, one gets a spectacular view of the landing of airplanes. This view excites people of all age groups, especially children. The night view of the surroundings from the pier is marvelous.
Vellayani Lake
Vellayani Lake is one of the popular Kovalam tourist attractions. This is the largest freshwater lake in Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated 7km away from the town and attracts local and international tourists alike. Boating is an interesting activity of Vellayani. From Kovalam, tourists can hop onto the country boats and enjoy an exciting ride to the Lake. The water from the lake is used for irrigation activities and drinking. One of the most celebrated picnic spots, Vellayani is known for the traditional boat race carried out during the Onam festival. Holidayers also enjoy a boat ride to the Durga Temple nearby. During the season, the lake is decorated by lotus buds and when it blooms tourists flocks for its view. The tranquility and serenity of the lake are perfect to unwind from the stresses of daily life. Nature lovers and photography lovers are fascinated by the beauty of the Lake.
Edakallu
Edakallu is an interesting spot among Kovalam sightseeing places. This romantic destination is situated between the LightHouse beach and Eve’s beach, creating a romantic ambiance. The sunset view from this place is eyeful. When it is time for sunset, sightseers can take a stroll through the beach enjoying the color changes in the sky and the grandeur of the setting sun. The calm and peaceful backdrop sends a positive vibe that lifts the spirits. This spot is a sought-after destination for yoga practitioners and meditators. In addition, Shutterbugs and beach lovers are fascinated about this location as the breathtaking view of the sunset is stunning. Sightseers enjoy taking a stroll through the beach and sunbathing at Edakallu. Undoubtedly, this is one Kovalam attraction you cannot afford missing!
Best Time To Visit Kovalam
The best time to visit any beach is the winter season because the weather will be cool and humidity will be less. The comfortable climate will help you to explore and indulge in a variety of beach activities without being tired. In short, the best time to visit Kovalam falls between September and February.
How To Reach Kovalam
Kovalam can be well-accessed by air, road, or rail.
- By Air: The closest airport is Trivandrum International Airport;15km away. The airport which has domestic and international terminals operates national and international flights on a regular basis. From the airport, one can hire a taxi, bus or rickshaw to reach Kovalam.
- By Road: Kovalam is connected to all the prominent destinations of India via road. There are several luxury and deluxe buses that connect Kovalam with all the prominent places in India. The major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Madurai are well-linked with Kovalam. One can choose buses directly to Kovalam or can get down at Trivandrum. Every 15 minutes buses are transported
Between Kovalam and Trivandrum. - By Train: The closest railway station to Trivandrum is Kovalam. The railway line is connected to all the major Indian cities including
Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai. From the railway station's taxi stand, one can hire a cab or rickshaw to Kovalam. If you are on a budget-trip, board on a Kovalam bus from the KSRTC stand which is directly opposite to the railway station.