Varkala Kerala - Secret Beaches, Backwaters and Cliffs
I had never seen a beach by the cliff until I visited Varkala first in 2016. The reddish-brown Varkala cliff, perfect for surfing Varkala beach, and the hippie vibes made me fall in love with Varkala almost instantly. Back then, there were not many Varkala blogs and tourism had just started in Varkala and it was almost like visiting a virgin island with just a countable number of shops and eateries on the North Cliff in Varkala.
I was very excited when I was planning for the Varkala trip again in 2019. Though this time, I realized that a lot had changed over the last 4 years. It is now one of the most popular backpack beach destinations of India. With the countless almost hanging cafes and homestays on the North cliff, Varkala is no longer an isolated paradise.
In thirst for the Varkala, I saw years back, I walked away from the main Varkala beach and that’s when I found my old hidden paradise. The secret black beach (oh yes!), sunset at Odayam beach, chit-chat with local fishermen at Edava beach, mesmerizing views of Kapil lake and Kapil beach, the Golden Island, and centuries-old Janardhana Swamy Temple, - all these places gave me my old Varkala vibes.
In my Varkala blog, I have listed down all the secret places to see in Varkala, the best places to eat in Varkala, the best beaches in Varkala, the best place to get Ayurvedic massages in Varkala, best places to stay in Varkala and a lot more. Enjoy reading my Varkala blog, I hope it helps you plan your perfect Varkala trip.
Quick Navigation
Varkala Travel Map
Best places to see in Varkala / Best Things to do in Varkala
Day Trips from Varkala
Best Places to eat in Varkala - Varkala Restaurants
Best Places to stay in Varkala
Best time to visit Varkala / Varkala Weather
Commute within Varkala
How to get to Varkala
How many days in Varkala and Varkala Itinerary
Is Varkala safe for solo female travelers
Trip Cost for Varkala
Varkala Travel Tips
Where to go after Varkala
Before I tell you about the best places to see in Varkala or the Best things to do in Varkala, here is Varkala’s travel map to give you a better understanding of the places for planning your itinerary. PIN IT and Use later.
1. STROLL AROUND VARKALA CLIFF
What makes Varkala different from other beaches in South India is the red and brown cliff. Varkala is the only place in Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian sea. The view from Varkala cliffs takes your eyes beyond the usual beach shore.
North Cliff in Varkala has many cafes, small shops set up by people from Kashmir, Rajasthan, selling all kinds of hippie stuff. South cliff in Varkala, on the other hand, is quiet and untouched by tourism. To get a ‘Varkala Feel’ you need to stroll around these cliffs and listen to worldly music being played in the cafes and people calling you out either for a message or some cheap shopping
2. EXPLORE THE VARKALA BEACH (PAPANASAM BEACH)
Varkala beach, surrounded by the rustic red cliffs is the main beach in Varkala and is also religiously important for Hindus as offerings for the lost ones are being made here. The swimmers and travelers mostly find their base at the north end while the ceremony is held at the other end.
During my Varkala trip, it had become a morning ritual to start the walk from the Northside of the Varkala beach, see the rituals being performed, and then keep walking beyond to the South Cliff. This one hours’ walk right after the sunrise made me forget about the office hustle, stress, city life. Sunset from the Varkala beach is also mesmerizing.
Sunset from Varkala beach in Kerala India
3. WALK AROUND THE BLACK BEACH IN VARKALA
I had never seen a black beach before and when someone told us that after a 15 minutes walk from the North cliff in Varkala, we could see a small stretch of black beach, I was so excited to explore this side of Varkala. Indeed, I saw the black sand and not many people on this side of Varkala. Black beach in Varkala is away from the hustle and crowd of the main Varkala beach and the cliff.
4 . WATCH THE SUNSET AT ODAYAM BEACH
If you go even further north from the Black beach, you will reach another beach called ‘Odayam beach’. Since it is further away from the cliff, it is a peaceful alternative to dip in the sunset colors. Odayam beach is around 1 km from the North Cliff in Varkala.
5. GO TO KAPIL BEACH AND KAPIL LAKE
There is a reason Kerala is called ‘God’s Own Country’. It connects you with nature in the most amusing ways you can imagine. If you drive north from Varkala, you will reach Kapil beach and Kapil Lake. There is a golden sand beach on one side and coconut trees surrounding a beautiful lake on the other. If you are looking for water activities around the scenic lake, there are a few options available for boating and kayaking, etc. You can check out Swim Adventure Water Sports, though I have not personally visited them.
Tips for visiting Kapil beach and Kapil Lake-
Kapil beach is not commercialized and hence, you will not find any fancy cafes/ restaurants around. Local eateries can be found though.
Kapil Beach is 8 Km from the main Varkala beach. If you enjoy a beach walk and up for a little task, you can walk along the coast starting from the Varkala beach and end the walk at Kapil Beach. You will cross the Black beach, Odayam beach, Edava beach, and many other undiscovered treasures of South Kerala. The walk could take around 2 hours.
In case you do not prefer to walk, it will take around 20 mins by a scooter ride to reach Kapil beach from Varkala beach.
You will find mostly locals at these places and hence, modest clothing is recommended.
6. PARAGLIDING AT VARKALA BEACH
Imagine you flying over the Varkala cliffs admiring the views of the coconut forest and beautiful coast of Varkala. Paragliding in Varkala will be a fantastic Adventure! If you love adventure, don’t miss to jump off the cliff (with a professional pilot obviously)
Details for Paragliding in Varkala :
Varkala Paragliding starting point - Helipad in North Cliff
Varkala Paragliding cost - INR 3800 per person for 15 to 20 minutes
Varkala Paragliding Contact details - Can Fly Adventure . You can find all the relevant details on their website.
Varkala Paragliding Timings - December to April, 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM (depends on the weather).
I had tried Paragliding from the Beach Cliff in Lombok, Indonesia and that has been one crazy experience so far. I had not done paragliding in Varkala since I had already done it in Lombok.
7. GOLDEN ISLAND ALSO KNOWN AS PONNUMTHURUTHU ISLAND
Around 10 km from Varkala beach, the Golden Island is a small island in the middle of Anjengo backwaters. The island has a Shiva-Parvati Hindu temple also known as the Golden Temple. This uninhabited island can be reached by ferry only.
How to reach the Golden Island, Varkala - Given the distance, you will need to hire either an auto (tuktuk) or a scooty from Varkala Beach. The tuktuk guy will charge around INR 700 for a round trip (including waiting time) from the Varkala Beach. Once you have reached the Jetty, (the starting point for the Golden Island), you will have to hire a boat to reach the Golden island which will cost a few hundred Indian Rupees.
Golden Island Temple Timing - The temple closes in the afternoon so you will have to reach here before 12:00 PM.
Other tips - Will recommend respecting the local culture and following modest clothing. Also, the temple in Golden Island is closed for non-hindus.
8. ANJENGO LIGHTHOUSE AND ANJENGO FORT (ANCHUTHENGU FORT)
A tall lighthouse, which is believed to have been constructed for guiding the ships arriving from Britain. You will need to climb up some 250 odd stairs for a stunning panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. Just a few meters away from Anjengo Lighthouse in Varkala, Anjengo Fort was the first trade settlement of the East India Company in Kerala.
Honestly, I was disappointed, maybe I was expecting Anjengo Fort to be a well-maintained structure, however, it has been neglected in terms of maintenance.
Timings - The opening hours for Anjengo Lighthouse is only 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on a working day. Keep the timings in mind while planning a trip.
Charges - Nominal entrance cost.
Distance from Varkala Beach - Around 15 km
Tip - Since the Golden Island, Anjengo Lighthouse, and Anjengo Forts are in the same direction, you can visit both at the same time
9. JANARDHANASWAMY TEMPLE
Janardana Swami Temple, also known as Varkala temple, is a 2000-year-old temple in Varkala and Trivandrum. Varkala is known as the Banaras (Varanasi) of the south. The temple is situated on top of a small hill near Papanasam/ Varkala Beach and you will need to climb stairs to reach the temple. This will be an offbeat experience for people who love history and Indian culture.
Tips for visiting Janardhana Swamy Temple -
Only Hindus are allowed inside the inner sanctum of the temple. Non-Hindu visitors can wander around the ground.
Photography is not allowed inside.
Respect local culture and wear appropriate clothing.
Carry a water bottle as there are quite a lot of steps.
10. YOGA CLASS BY VARKALA BEACH
When in Varkala, a Beach Yoga retreat is a must. Varkala has become a South India hub for Yoga Teacher Training Course like Rishikesh in North India. Many Ashrams and schools are offering the 200 hours YTT program in Varkala. Many Yoga schools in Varkala have the option of ‘Drop-In Class’ for which they charge INR 200 - INR 300 (~ USD 4) for an hour’s class. Check at any school near to your stay for the Drop-in Class
11. TAKE A SURF LESSON IN VARKALA
Varkala in Kerala is a perfect destination if you are looking to learn surfing. The beaches in Varkala got bigger waves for professionals as well as small ones (especially in winter - December till February) for newbies.
Drifters Surf Club has got some nice reviews for taking surf lessons. You can also check out Soul and Surf.
12. GO FOR AYURVEDIC MASSAGE IN VARKALA
There is no better place for some ayurvedic treatment than Kerala. Varkala has many Ayurveda centers, probably one in every nook and corner. You can go for Ayur Soul Retreat (Varkala Helipad Road) and Ayush Ayurvedic Retreat (North Cliff) are good options for Ayurvedic massage in Varkala.
Tip - If you are planning to go to Kumarakom or Alleppy, I will recommend you to go for an Ayurvedic massage in Kumarakom.
There are also a few other places in Varkala. However, I had not gone to these places due to a lack of time. If you got some time, do check them out.
Varkala Aquarium - I had heard it is not that great either in terms of biodiversity. If you have time, do check it out.
Varkala Tunnel - The constructions of these tunnels had started in 1860 and were used as trade routes. These tunnels have not been maintained at all despite the immense tourism potential. What I had heard was that the maintenance work was planned for these tunnels as the government was planning for boating activities in these tunnels. However, not sure if it has been completed. Before you plan to visit the Varkala tunnels, do check with locals if it is operating.
Shivagiri Mutt - Another pilgrimage site in Varkala devoted to Kerala’s most prominent Guru. It is 6 km from Varkala Beach.
JATAYU EARTH’S CENTER
Jatayu (Vulture) Earth’s Centre, also known as Jatayu Nature Park, is the world's largest functional bird statue in Kollam near Varkala. It is 200 feet long and 70 feet tall statue on a hilltop and can be reached through cable cars. Jatayu Earth’s Center is around 35 km from Varkala beach and will take 1 hour to reach.
MUNROE ISLAND, THE UNEXPLORED BACKWATERS OF KERALA
While the backwaters of Alleppy and Kumarakom are known to many travelers, Munroe Island in Kollam is a hidden pearl in the backwaters of Kerala. It is a group of 8 small islets and each of them is separated by small water channels and lakes. Munroe island is 50 km from Varkala and you will take around 2 hours to reach here. You can either choose to do a one day trip to Munroe Island or stay in a homestay for a day. Staying for a day will be a better choice as you will have enough time to indulge in the beauty of narrow canals surrounded by coconut trees.
Varkala’s North Cliff is where you will find most of the fancy cafes and eating joints. Since it is a tourist hub, the food is not cheap. If you are looking for some local and cheap eating options in Varkala, go to the town side of Varkala.
Here are a few of my favorite places to eat in Varkala both at the Varkala cliff and in Varkala town.
Nomad Cafe, North Cliff Varkala - A chilled out cafe located in the middle of the North Cliff in Varkala. Known for some smoothies, pita, and hummus.
Darjeeling Cafe, North Cliff Varkala - Famous spot between the travelers with many options on the menu and a great ambiance. It is at the end of the North Cliff.
Abba Restaurant, North Cliff Varkala- I simply love the vibes and food here. I will recommend this place for dinner or lunch.
Coffee Temple, North Cliff Varkala - A hippy laid back cafe at the beginning of the North Cliff. This place serves the coffee of Varkala.
Cafe Del Mar, North Cliff Varkala - Cafe Del Mar is next to Abba Restaurant and has some good bakery stuff.
Soul & Surf, South Cliff Varkala - If you want to be away from the rush of the tourists, head to Soul & Surf at South Cliff in Varkala. They have a small cafe called Soul Food cafe and serve delicious breakfast, lunches, and snacks.
Suprabhatham, Varkala Town - A local eatery known for south Indian dishes!
Shreepadmam, Varkala Town - Shreepadman in Varkala town is another good option for eating local food. Though prices here are a bit more when compared to other local places.
In terms of stay in Varkala, You can either choose to stay at North Cliff, which is where most of the crowd will be. If you want a quiet and peaceful space for yourself, I will recommend you to choose a place at South Cliff in Varkala. Here are a few good options, you can look at -
Hostels in Varkala - Zostel (near black beach), Verve hostel, Short Giraffe, Verve Hostel
Budget hotels in Varkala - Many options on North Cliff
High End hotels in Varkala - Soul & Surf (South Cliff and minimum 3 days stay required), Cliff Stories (South Cliff)
Find all the hotels here on booking.com
Tips for staying in Varkala
Varkala is getting a more popular beach destination for the Indian crowd and if you happen to plan a trip to Varkala during weekends, the prices may hike a bit. So for weekends, do consider booking your stay in advance.
Varkala weather is quite hot, humid and subtropical. Varkala weather has three distinct seasons -
The summer season in Varkala - March to mid-June. The summer season in Varkala is hot and humid with average daytime temperatures touching about 35°C.
The rainy season in Varkala - mid-June to early December
Winter season in Varkala - Early December to March. The average temple winter the temperature drops to 28°C.
Given the Varkala weather, the best time to visit Varkala is the winter season.
You can explore the Varkala on foot and it will be fun to walk around. During my Varkala trip, I walked for almost 10 to 12 km every day. In case you do not prefer walking so much, you can hire a scooter or a bike (INR 400 per day) or can also take a tuk-tuk. Bikes can be rented from anywhere and are easily available. The best way to hire a bike will be to check with your hotel.
By Air - Varkala does not have an airport. The closest airport to Varkala will be Trivandrum (around 45 km) and it will take 1.5 hours to reach from Trivandrum to Varkala.
Trivandrum to Varkala
From Trivandrum airport, you can take a bus or auto to go to Trivandrum central railway station. It is just 5 km away and will take you 15 minutes to reach. There are trains from Trivandrum railway station to Varkala station (called Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station) every few hours and will take 40 minutes to reach Varkala. The fare of the train will be less than INR 50 and you do not need to do a prior reservation. You can book a general ticket upfront from the station. Check the train schedule here
Alternatively, you can also catch a local bus from Trivandrum bus stop to Varkala (bus fare around USD 2). Many local buses are running every few hours. The bus option will be slightly longer (around 2.5 hours) as it has many stops in the middle. Check for the bus schedule here
Varkala by Train
Varkala Railway station is called Varkala Sivagiri Station and it is well connected to other parts of Kerala (Kochi, Alleppy, Munnar, etc) and some major cities (Bangalore, Chennai, etc). You can reach Varkala from any part of Kerala through a local train in the most economical way. The train journey will be shorter and will pass through the coast. You can check the train options in the above link.
Varkala by Bus
Varkala bus stop is well connected to the other parts of Kerala (Kochi, Alleppy, Munnar, etc). You will either find a direct bus or a connecting bus from your source destination. The buses will take a little longer as they have many local stops and go through the towns. You can check the bus options in the above link.
For booking your train/ bus to Varkala from other parts of Kerala, you will not need a prior reservation and can book a ‘General Ticket’ upfront at the railway/ bus station. The fares are economical and will cost more than a few hundred rupees.
Alternatively, you can take a flight/ bus from Bangalore to Trivandrum and thereafter reach Varkala.
3 days and 2 nights will be good for exploring the beaches in Varkala, Varkala cliff, and the places near to the Varkala beach. Trust me you will not feel like coming back home.
Here is a quick 3 days and 2 nights Varkala itinerary. Tweak it as per your choice of places.
Day 1 - Explore the cliff area, Varkala beach, Black beach, Kapil beach, and Lake and sunset at Odayam beach.
Day 2 - Take a morning Yoga class and head to Janardhana Swamy Temple. Visit Golden Island. Also see the Anjengo Lighthouse, Anjengo Fort as all are in the same direction. Sunset at Varkala Beach followed by a good Ayurvedic massage.
Day 3 - Take a day trip to Jatayu’s Earth Center or Munroe Island. Come back and stroll around the beach before you bid it Bye.
Yes, Varkala is safe for solo female travelers. People are nice and helpful. Just a few things to keep in mind:
Be careful with your clothing - Though Varkala is a beach destination. Being a solo girl traveling all by herself, I will recommend you to be cautious about clothing. You can wear a bikini by the beach but it will call for uninvited attention and men lurking around. If you are in a group, this should not be a problem.
Don’t go out at the beach or any secluded area alone after it gets dark - Going out alone at the beach at dark will not be a good idea. you will not find any human to help in case of any mis-happening.
Book your stay in the busy area - During my trip to Varkala around 4 years back, I had booked a stay in an offbeat area, and only after reaching there I realized that there was no human around. I really liked the place from a peace point of view, but the thought of being alone at night at a secluded cliff was scary from a safety point. The next day, I moved out to a budget hotel in North Cliff.
Trust your instinct and enjoy the beach vibes!
The cost of food and stay is pretty decent in Varkala. A normal budget room can be found for a price starting from INR 800 (USD 12) which can be shared by two. If you are alone, check out the hostels. One time filling meal will cost around INR 300 (USD 4) in restaurants at North Cliff. The bike/ scooter can be rented for INR 500 (USD 7).
Overall, take a budget of INR 3000-INR 4000 for 3 days and two nights' trips.
What to pack for Varkala Trip - Varkala is Kerala’s most famous beach destination. Some shorts and cotton t-shirts will be good to go to Kerala. Don’t forget to pack your sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, bikini, an extra towel, and flip flops. It will be fun to play frisbee on the beach.
ATMs near Varkala - The nearest ATM in Varkala is in town and is close to the Varkala railway station.
Kochi, especially Fort Kochi for the colonial charm and seeing a bit of modern Kerala. Read my Kochi blog here and plan your perfect Kerala itinerary on a budget.
I hope you found my Varkala blog helpful for planning your Varkala trip. If you have any more questions, drop them in the comments and I will revert soon. When you come back, do tell me how did your trip go!
If you are exploring India, do check out my other India travel blogs here. These India travel blogs will help you plan a perfect budget trip.
Love,
Tanned Travel Girl