Kovalam Holidays
About Kovalam
Palm Fringed Beaches, crystal blue water of the arabian sea and some rocky hills with beautiful resorts on top, Kovalam is probably the most beautiful beach in Kerala, rather in India. Located just 18 km south to the capital city thiruvananthapuram, this coastal town offers long stretches of shallow waters, ideal for swimming. Kovalam tourism attracts a good number of people to Kerala.
Low tidal waves make Kovalam one of the most favorite beaches of westerners in India. Though the beach came to notice once her highness the queen of travancore maharani sethu lakshmi bai built her private residence haylcon castle here in the 1930s. However, it was only in the 1970s that the government of Kerala made Kovalam one of the most prominent places in Kerala tourism and promoted it as a popular tourist destination.
Places to visit in Kovalam :
Lighthouse Beach :
The striped lighthouse prominently standing on a gleaming sandy beach with crystal blue waves touching the rocky foot of the kurumkal hill. That is the lighthouse beach, the most iconic beach in Kovalam. The beach gets its name from the vizhinjam lighthouse and it is also the most frequently visited beach in Kovalam. Just by taking 140 steps, you will reach the observation deck on the kurumkal hill. You will see the poovar village and beemapalli mosque on either side. This beach is best for swimming, surfing, paragliding and parasailing.
Hawa Beach :
While the lighthouse beach is popular for swimming and surfing, Hawa beach is a more relaxed beach with soft waves and not many people to swim here. However, it is more known for the topless foreigners who sunbathe here for tanning the skin. It is one of the few Indian beaches where topless sunbathing is tolerated.
Vellayani Lake :
7 km away from Kovalam, the vellayani lake is popular for the snake boat race destination. Visiting during onam festival will give you the chance to enjoy the snake boating race in this fresh water lake.
Vizhinjam rock cut cave temple :
The Vizhinjam rock cut cave temple dates back to the 18th century. It is an unfinished temple that is probably the charm of this shiva and parvati temple.
Karamana river :
This river originates from the western ghat mountains and flows through thiruvananthapuram and other small suburbs namely karamana. With dense green trees on the banks, tourists can enjoy boat ride here.
Things to do in Kovalam :
Water sports and other activities :
The lighthouse beach is best for all sorts of water sports. Paragliding, parasailing, surfing etc. activities are very popular in this beach.
Nature and wildlife :
The Vizhinjam marine aquarium is a treasure trove for marine animals and different kinds of aquatic fish. If you are travelling with kids or if you are fond of wildlife, visit the zoological park of thiruvananthapuram, which is one of the largest zoological parks in India.
Sightseeing :
The Halcyon castle, valiyathura pier, Kovalam art gallery and neyyar dam, where many people come for yoga and meditation practice are some of the must visit sightseeing destinations in Kovalam.
Hotels in Kovalam :
From 5 star beach resorts to budget hotels, from holiday homes to apartments, you will get a wide range of accommodation options in Kovalam. You can get package stays as well as one night staying options in all these places.
Top Attractions in Kovalam
Best Time To Visit in Kovalam
Nearest Tourist Locations in Kovalam
How to Reach in Kovalam
- By Air : Located at a distance of about 15 kilometres, the Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Kovalam.
- By Bus : Buses are the most economical way to reach Kovalam. Kovalam is well-connected to Trivandrum and other nearby major cities by city bus services.
- By Train : The Trivandrum Central railway station, located about 15 kilometres from Kovalam, is the nearest railway station to Kovalam.