While Kerala certainly has several popular tourist destinations and cities worth exploring, there are also many offbeat unique places to visit in Kerala that most of you haven’t even heard of ! From the highest tea estate to caves from the Stone Age, Asia’s only drive-in beach, and protected nature reserves sheltering rare herbs and animals, Kerala has it all!
This state is a treasure trove of unique experiences waiting to be explored! For instance, ecological preserves like Gavi, Agasthyarkoodam, and Silent Valley are home to an exotic array of animals, birds, and plants that will put even the Amazon to shame!
Prehistoric caves, drivable beaches, hidden hill stations, heart-shaped lakes, and revered temples made up of mere roots – there are a lot of unique places to explore in Kerala beyond the known and the popular!
ALSO READ – Best Places to visit in Kerala with downloadable Map (UPDATED)
Unique Places To Visit In Kerala: Our Top Picks
Here’s our list of the top unique places in Kerala! While there sure are tons more places in Kerala that are distinct and rare, we picked the ones that you just cannot miss.
Scroll down and pick your favorites!
1. Gavi, Periyar
Gavi is a part of Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala and with its well-preserved natural resources, presence of 320 species of birds and biodiversity undisturbed by modernity and irresponsible tourism has emerged as an eco-tourism destination in Kerala.
Gavi Lake is one of the main attractions and you may be able to spot wild life while boating in the lake. Gavi also offers various adventure activities such as trekking, bird watching, and jeep safaris through the undisturbed terrain of undulating hills, valleys, Savannah grasslands, tropical jungles, waterfalls, sholas, and cardamom plantations.
It shelters varied species of flora, fauna, and avifauna, including the Nilgiri Tahr and the Great Pied Hornbill. Along with many species of rare and endangered wildlife, it is home to over 260 varieties of birds, beckoning nature lovers and bird watchers from around the world!
Gavi is said to be one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala which offers a chance to do camping in wilderness. Even the world-renowned tourism giant Alistair International called it one of the best ecotourism centers in India!
Location: Pathanamthitta district, Kerala 685565
Best time to visit Gavi Kerala: Anytime between September and February
Ideal for: Boating in Kochu Pamba Lake, trekking to Sabarimala Viewpoint, forest hiking, jungle Jeep safari, jungle camping, plantation tours (cardamom, coffee, pepper)
ALSO READ – The Complete Gavi Kerala Ecotourism Guide
2. Vagamon, Idukki
Vagamon is a charming blend of misty mountain peaks, lush meadows, blooming tea estates, milky white waterfalls, tall pine trees, dewy flora, and fresh mountain breeze that tickles your senses year-round! Vagamon enjoys a cool climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 23°C, making it a perfect escape from the heat of the plains.
Famed for paragliding and trekking, Vagamon is among the most unique places to visit in Kerala. It offers everything from churches and temples to scenic hills and waterfalls for people to explore,
Vagamon constitutes a mountain range of 3 beautiful hills – Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill, and Kurisumala Hill. These hills are frequented by pilgrims and mountain lovers in large numbers each year owing to their immense spiritual significance and Insta-worthy beauty!
Location: Kottayam, Idukki, Kerala 685503
Best time to visit Vagamon: Year-round (except the monsoon season from June to August)
Ideal for: Paragliding, boating at Vagamon Lake, Jeep safari in Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary, hiking in Vagamon Pine Forests and Moonmala Hill, uphill trek to Kurisumala Ashram, mountaineering, ziplining, rock climbing, kayaking, and swimming in Vagamon Falls
ALSO SEE – 7 Best Things To Do In Vagamon
3. Edakkal Caves, Wayanad
This cave system in Wayanad bears prehistoric inscriptions and captivating wall carvings that are over 8,000 years old and belong to the Neolithic settlements. Stepping into the unique Edakkal Caves will teleport you to the Stone Age!
Perched atop the stunning Ambukuthi Hills at a height of 1,200 meters, these caves are some of the most unique places to visit in Kerala courtesy of their archaeological and historical significance.
What intrigues history and archaeology buffs most are its figures of humans and animals reportedly made by the primitive Homo Habilis during the Neolithic period using various patterns and objects!
The caves are divided into an upper and lower chamber, and can easily be reached via an uphill trek of roughly 90 minutes followed by another 45-minute walk to its mouth.
Location: Nenmeni, Kerala 673595
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4 PM (Monday closed)
Entry fee: INR 50/- (Indian nationals)
Best time to visit Edakkal Caves: November to March
Ideal for: Sightseeing, archeology and history lovers, photographers, adventure junkies
4. Kappil Beach, Kasargod
Tucked in the most scenic corner of the Malabar coast, Kappil is a lively beach! Though it’s frequented by several people throughout the day, it remains a serene, peaceful, and rather clean beach in Kerala.
Despite being popular, Kappil is among the most secluded beaches in Kerala since it’s located outside city limits. Sharing the same coastline as the Bekal Fort and Beach, Kappil is counted among the most unique places to visit in Kerala.
This visually stunning beach is mostly frequented by photographers and artists owing to its distinct landscape of golden sands, swaying palm trees, and gorgeous sunsets every evening! If you look up Kerala beach images to find the most beautiful shores in the state, Kappil is bound to be on the list!
Location: Near Bus Stop, Varkala Edava Kappil Rd, Vettakada, Kasargod district, Kerala 695311
Best time to visit Kappil Beach: October to March
Ideal for: Ayurvedic massages, yoga, watersports, ferry rides, seafood, beach shacks, photography
ALSO SEE – Top 10 Best Beaches In Kerala
5. Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur
Famous as the only drive-in beach in Kerala and the largest drive-in beach in Asia, Muzhappilangad Beach is one of the most special places in Kerala that you must visit at least once.
With the entire shoreline of Muzhappilangad covered with rock-hard sand and dense coconut groves, it is the longest beach in Kerala allowing one to drive over it for a good amount of time and with ease. It’s what makes it one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala.
Most people find driving a car on this coast or riding a bike through its waves to be an utterly exciting experience! It is even featured on BBC’s list of 6 best beaches for driving in the world!
Sitting parallel to NH 66 between Kannur and Thalassery near the Moidu bridge, this beach is covered with coconut groves on one side and back boulders on the other. The latter protects it from strong ocean currents.
Location: Muzhappilangad Beach Rd, Muzhappilangad, Kerala 670663
Best time to visit Muzhappilangad Beach: October to March
Ideal for: Driving, paragliding, parasailing, catamaran sailing, swimming, attending the Muzhappilangad Beach Festival
6. Kolukkumalai Estate, Idukki
Kerala’s Kolukkumalai Estate is the highest tea plantation in the world set at an elevation of 7,900 feet. In addition to being the world’s highest tea estate, it is also one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Kerala and the world!
Established during the British Raj in the 1900s amid Munnar’s most scenic landscapes, this place was used to produce tea using traditional methods. Even after the colonial era ended, tea has been produced here in the same way to keep this place’s legacy alive.
The tea produced at this ancient factory and estate is considered the best in quality, thanks to Kolukkumalai’s high altitude. Tourists ascend its great height in droves almost every day to witness the most spectacularly scenic tea estate in the country!
Location: Kolukkumalai Tea Estate Road No.12, W Veli St, Bodinayakanur, Kottagudi, Kerala 625582 India
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
Entry fee: INR 100/- per person
Day tour package: INR 2,500/- (free for children below 10)
Best time to visit Kolukkumalai Tea Estate: November to May
Ideal for: Factory tour, tea tasting, Jeep safari, camping, Garudamalai trekking, hiking/Jeep ride to Kolukkumalai Spring Water Source, mountain climbing
ALSO SEE – Munnar To Thekkady: India’s Most Scenic Road Trip
7. Neeliyar Kottam, Kannur
Neeliyar Kottam is a sacred grove nestled on a serene hillock in Mangattuparamba in Kannur district. It’s a 20-acre religious tropical area maintained by the members of the Cheriya Veedu family of the Kulala community.
It is said that the priest Illam Neeliyamma had built this place to honor the goddess Kottathamma (meaning “mother of the grove”). Other than being a revered temple, this site also has great ecological importance.
ALSO READ – Theyyam in Kerala -A Unique Dance of Gods
Devoid of roof and walls, it is one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala where people come to worship Kottathamma surrounded by leopards and cattle living in harmony! A leopard den is, in fact, located right next to the grove!
It is also popular for its ritualistic Theyyam performances where the artists of the Vannan community wear blood-red costumes, tall bamboo headgear, and traditional ornaments to dazzle onlookers with native Neeliyar Bhagavathi performances!
Location: Opposite Kannur University, Mangattu Parambu, Kanul P.O., Kannur, Kerala 670562
Timings: 11 AM – 9 PM
Best time to visit Neeliyar Kottam: September to February
Ideal for: Pilgrims, peace seekers, spiritual aura, hiking, trekking, wildlife spotting, photography
8. Agasthyarkoodam, Trivandrum
Named after sage Agasthya, Agasthyakoodam is one of the highest peaks in Kerala and a part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. This unique place in Kerala is also part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2001.
Agasthyakoodam is a birdwatcher’s paradise! It has some of the most exotic species of flora, fauna, avifauna, and insects in the animal kingdom. Animals like elephants, leopards, deer, Indian gaurs, tigers, wild bulls, and Sloth bears can be spotted here along with over 100 species of butterflies and reptiles.
It is the home of over 2,000 species of rare medicinal herbs not found anywhere else. The air itself is said to have healing properties! A popular shrine and statue dedicated to sage Agasthya is also present here, bringing in worshippers from far and wide.
Located near Neyyar Dam 70 km from Trivandrum, Agasthyakoodam can be reached via a 90-minute ride to Bonacaud, the last motorable spot up here. From there, Agasthyakoodam is a 28 km trek away (2 day journey with camping). Trekking is permissible only via a trekking pass obtained from the Kerala Forest Dept before reaching the forest.
Location: Agasthyakoodam Biological Reserve, Kattakkada, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, 695557
Trekking fee: INR 1,000/- per person
Best time to visit Agasthyakoodam: December to April
Ideal for: Trekking, pilgrimage, birdwatching, wildlife photography, nature walks, eco stays
Note: Use of plastics is strictly forbidden in the forest and a punishable offense.
ALSO SEE – 10 Best Trekking Places in Kerala
9. Chembra Peak, Wayanad
Chembra Peak is the highest mountain peak in the Western Ghats mountain range in Wayanad, Kerala. Frequented both by hardcore trekking enthusiasts and romantic couples, Chembra Peak is graced with refreshing greenery and cool mountain breeze year-round.
The peak is set 2,100 meters above sea level and can be reached from Meppadi. Trekkers are often delighted to see small waterfalls, elephant and deer herds grazing peacefully, and majestic views of the Nilgiri hills along the way.
But what truly makes this peak one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala is its shimmering heart-shaped lake called Hridaya Thadakam set in the foreground of mighty hills!
You can reach Chembra Peak via a 4.5 km trek (3-hour) of moderate difficulty from Meppadi near Kalpetta after you have acquired prior permission from the Kerala Forest Department office in Meppadi. The distance from the Meppadi office to the Heart-shaped Lake is 3 km.
Location: Near Meppadi town 8 km south of Kalpetta, Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District, Kerala 673577
Trekking fee:
- Indian nationals: INR 500/- (10 members)
- Foreign nationals: INR 1,000/- (10 members)
Best time to visit Chembra Peak: September to March
Ideal for: Trekking, wildlife spotting, birdwatching, waterfall hiking, peace and relaxation
10. Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad
Silent Valley is an extension of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve from where one can witness the magnificent Nilgiri Plateau in the north and the verdant Mannarkkad Plains in the south.
Set to preserve the evergreen forest reserves of the Sahya Ranges, Silent Valley National Park is home to a diverse range of flora, fauna, and avifauna. Animals like leopards, elephants, and the Malabar Giant Squirrels can be easily viewed here along with other eminent species.
It also has over 1,000 species of flowering plants in its tranquil wilderness. A 2-day trekking and jungle camping expedition with Keerippara Camping is the most popular activity here and allows guests to explore this park’s hidden natural treasures!
ALSO SEE – Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala
The fact that this park played a great role during the events of the Indian epic Mahabharata has also made it one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala.
Location: Mukkali P.O, Mannarkkad, Kerala 678582
Timings: 7 AM – 2:30 PM
Entry fee: INR 50/-
Best time to visit Silent Valley National Park: December to April
Ideal for: Jeep safari, wildlife spotting, birdwatching, landscape photography, jungle camping, trekking, nature walks
11. Nelliyampathy, Palakkad
Skip Ooty and visit the serene Nelliyampathy in Palakkad for a wonderful experience of wandering amid misty tea gardens and refreshing hills minus the crowds!
Often called “the poor man’s Ooty”, Nelliyampathy is an offbeat hill station in Kerala with untouched natural beauty and serenity. It is only 52 km away from Palakkad and brimming with dense evergreen forests, orange orchards, and plantations of tea, coffee, and cardamom at a massive height of over 1,000 meters.
Its carpets of tea estates and colorful orchards set against lush valleys and misty peaks make it one of the most unique places to visit in Kerala for trekking and forest hiking. And its blissful weather and fresh mountain breeze available year-round is like a cherry on the cake!
Nelliampathy has several trekking trails of easy to moderate difficulty. It is also a biker’s paradise owing to empty roads and negligible tourist influx.
Location: Nelliyampathy, Kerala 678508
Best time to visit Nelliyampathy: Year-round
Ideal for: Trekking, mountain biking, biking, sightseeing, plantation tours, shopping, boating
ALSO SEE – Nelliyampathy Tourist Places- Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do
While there are plenty of destinations and attractions to explore here, these unique places in Kerala should not be missed if you wish to see its true and untampered side! Reach out to our team of experienced trip planners to brew you an awesome vacation in God’s Own Country inclusive of these!
Whether you’re traveling with family or seeking a solo adventure, Kerala’s unique places offer a truly unforgettable experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
So, of all these unique places to visit in Kerala, which one will you see first? Let us know in the comments below. Happy tripping!
