Thiruvananthapuram, fondly known as Trivandrum, holds the title of the “Evergreen city of India” and captivates visitors with its stunning blend of historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Ideal for a one-day excursion, capital city of Kerala offers an array of iconic spots that promise an unforgettable experience.
Top 10 Tourist Places In Trivandrum for One Day Trip ranges from the spiritual ambiance of the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple to the serene beauty of Veli Tourist Village, and the regal splendor of Kuthiramalika Palace, each site tells a unique story of this vibrant city. Not to forget the sun-kissed sands of Kovalam Beach and the rich collections at the Napier Museum, making Trivandrum a comprehensive package for travelers.
The optimal time to explore Trivandrum is from October to March, when the weather remains cool and dry, ranging between 18°C and 30°C, providing the perfect conditions for sightseeing and enjoying the great outdoors.
List of best tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip
Trivandrum, the capital city of India, is dotted with royal palaces, historical landmarks, tranquil beaches, beautiful temples, fascinating museums, wildlife sanctuaries, and Asia’s largest Techno Park! It has everything for every kind of traveler!
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The places we have listed for a one day trip in Trivandrum offer the right mix of spiritual experiences, natural beauty, history, adventure, and culture.
Dive in and pick the ones you’d want to include in your holiday itinerary when you browse our customized Kerala tour packages!
1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most revered holy shrines in Kerala and the epitome of spirituality and architectural excellence!
The temple was built in the 8th century by the Chera dynasty, before being renovated in the 16th century, and flaunts a grand Dravidian and Kerala style of architecture.
It lures in travelers with its magnificent seven-tiered gopuram, vivid murals, intricately detailed stone carvings, and a monumental 42-foot-long statue of Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the serpent king with a thousand heads!
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is tagged the “richest temple in the world” courtesy of the substantial treasures discovered in its vaults. It’s one of the finest tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip for its boundless historical value, peaceful aura, and remarkable architecture!
Location: East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023
Timings: 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Insider tip: Dress respectfully, preferably in Indian attire that covers your shoulders and legs. Only Hindus are allowed inside this temple.
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2. Kovalam Beach
Tucked 16 km from Trivandrum city center, Kovalam Beach is among the most happening beach destinations in Kerala and one of the best tourist places in Thiruvananthapuram for one day trip.
Kovalam Beach is a massive crescent-shaped shoreline divided into three main beaches, namely Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach, and Hawah Beach.
This beach is a major adventure hub in Kerala. You can enjoy surfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, parasailing, and even snorkeling here.
The beach is lined with several beach shacks selling fresh seafood and local cuisine, various Ayurvedic massage centers where you can get a relaxing Spa treatment at affordable rates, and a market selling souvenirs and handicrafts.
Location: Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695527
Timings: Open 24/7
Entry fee: Nil
Insider tip: Don’t forget to visit the 30-meter tall red-and-white banded lighthouse nestled atop Kurumkal Hill for panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the city behind!
3. Napier Museum and Art Gallery
Inaugurated in 1855, the Napier Museum is known more for its architectural magnificence than its exhibits placed indoors!
The architecture of Napier is a combination of Indo-Saracenic, Mughal, and Kerala styles with vibrant artwork depicting Kerala’s heritage. With the added charm of its blooming landscaped gardens, Napier is among the most fascinating tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip!
The museum interior is just as fascinating and vivid, housing a treasure trove of historical artifacts ranging from bronze idols, brass ornaments, ancient scrolls, musical instruments, and ivory carvings.
Most visitors are also intrigued by the museum’s natural cooling system which tells a great deal about the architectural ingenuity of Kerala’s craftsmen!
Location: LMS Vellayambalam Road, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033
Timings: 10 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Mondays & Wednesdays)
Entry fee: INR 20/- (Indian nationals); INR 5/- (kids); INR 50/- (foreign nationals)
Insider tip: Don’t forget to visit the Sri Chitra Art Gallery located nearby to witness the exquisite works of Raja Ravi Varma and other celebrated artists!
4. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, or the “Sabarimala of Women”, is the favorite holy shrine of feminists around the world and perfect for a one day trip in Trivandrum!
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kannaki, an incarnation of Parvati, and bears beautiful architecture featuring elaborate carvings of mythological tales.
Symbolizing feminine strength and devotion, this temple is known for its annual celebration of the Attukal Pongala Festival wherein it holds the largest congregation of women! The event attracts millions of participants annually and has landed the temple in the Guinness World Records!
Women from all walks of life gather here on Attukal Pongala to celebrate womanhood, cook meals and offerings in clay pots, dance, exchange banter, and spend a joyous day in each other’s company free from responsibilities and household chores!
Location: Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695009
Timings: 4:30 AM – 12:30 PM; 5 PM – 8 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Insider tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and prepare your offering without hassle!
5. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Tucked 32 km from the city center, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary shelters a wide array of flora, fauna, and avifauna, including many rare and endangered species, and is perfect for your one day trip in Trivandrum!
Covering an area of 128 sq km, this eminent wildlife reserve and biodiversity hotspot is home to elephants, tigers, sloth bears, wild boars, Indian bison, Nilgiri langurs, king cobras, pythons, and monitor lizards.
You can find exotic bird species like Malabar hornbills, white-bellied treepies, egrets, herons, kingfishers, and cormorants living amid the reserve’s vegetation of grasslands, tropical evergreen, and semi-evergreen forests.
Other than wildlife safaris, birdwatching, and boating at Neyyar Dam, you can enjoy visits to the park’s Crocodile Rehabilitation Center, Lion Safari Park, and Deer Park!
Location: Kallikkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695572
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 50/- (adults); INR 25/- (kids)
Insider tip: Agasthyarkoodam Peak, among the highest peaks in South India, is located in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Trekkers and adventure seekers consider it one of the best tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip!
ALSO SEE – Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary- Photos, Timings, Booking & Attractions
6. Shangumugham Beach
Another hip beach in Trivandrum is the Shangumugham Beach famed for its vivid sunsets, abundant serenity, and the 114-feet-long Sagara Kanyaka Sculpture created by celebrated artist Kanayi Kunhiraman!
Tucked a mere 8 km away from the city, it’s among the most fun tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip for locals and tourists alike!
Other than sunbathing on its golden shores, playing volleyball, and watching a movie or two at the beach’s open-air theater Aerial Park, visitors can also enjoy delicious seafood and local Kerala snacks at its peculiar starfish-shaped restaurant.
Location: Shangumugham, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695008
Timings: Open 24/7
Entry fee: Nil
Insider tip: Visit Shangumugham Beach in the evening to catch a glorious sunset over the Arabian Sea!
7. Kerala Science and Technology Museum
Kerala Science and Technology Museum established in 1984 is one of the most popular attractions fit for a one day trip in Trivandrum.
A prime hub of innovation and knowledge, this vast museum appeals to a large audience courtesy of its 300+ interactive exhibits and unique displays in the fields of space exploration, AI, physics, biomechanics, robotics, marine biology, climate change, and energy conservation.
The Priyadarshini Planetarium, a fully tech-enabled arena offering captivating shows on astronomy and various celestial phenomena, is the most popular segment of this museum that manages to enchant kids and adults alike!
If you’re visiting with kids, don’t miss the exquisite 3D theater and Children’s Science Park for a fun learning experience through interactive scientific exhibits!
Location: PMG Junction, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Entry fee: INR 25/- (adults); INR 15/- (kids)
Insider tip: There are several galleries, shows, and exhibits to explore on this sprawling campus, so make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.
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8. Kuthiramalika Palace Museum
Kuthiramalika Palace and Museum, with its intricate carvings of 122 wooden horses, remarkably detailed woodwork, sloping gabled roofs, and airy verandahs, is a true patron of art!
Other than its traditional Kerala-style architecture, visitors are also fascinated by its antique furniture, bronze ornaments, traditional paintings, murals, ancient musical instruments, and most of all, its vibrant Belgian mirrors!
Also called the Puthenmalika Palace and the “Mansion of Horses”, Kuthiramalika was built in the 19th century by the then Travancore king Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
It’s a great place for a guided tour through the royal heritage of Kerala’s Travancore dynasty and one of the best tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trips!
Location: Near Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023
Timings: 8:30 AM – 1 PM; 3 PM – 5:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Entry fee: INR 20/- (adults); INR 10/- (kids)
Insider tip: Visit it during the Swathi Sangeethotsavam Festival in January to witness soulful classical music performances by renowned artists in the palace courtyard!
9. Veli Tourist Village
The Veli Tourist Village is a thrilling and tranquil retreat set around the confluence point of Veli Lake and the Arabian Sea.
It’s one of the most popular tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip where visitors can have a picnic by the scenic lake, take a stroll in the landscaped gardens, and engage in activities like boating and kayaking.
Located just 12 km from Trivandrum city center, Veli Village also features an artsy floating restaurant where you can dine on authentic Kerala cuisine and fresh seafood while gazing at the mesmerizing views of the lake and the sea!
Besides stunning views of the confluence point, the park has several photogenic spots that lure visitors! Its lush gardens blooming with wild orchids, art installations, forest tracts, and pedestrian-friendly floating bridges make for great backdrops for pictures!
Location: Veli, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695021
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Entry fee: INR 10/- (boating is extra)
Insider tip: Check out the detailed sculptures crafted by renowned artist Kanayi Kunhiraman!
ALSO SEE – Veli Tourist Village Trivandrum- Entry Fee, Timings & Boating Details
10. Kanakakunnu Palace
Kanakakunnu Palace, the summer retreat of royalty during the reign of Travancore King Sree Moolam Thirunal, is now a prominent venue for cultural events and exhibitions.
Kanakakunnu boasts of elegant Kerala-style architecture complete with ornate wooden ceilings, spacious halls, vibrant murals, red-tiled roofs, and a 21-acre lush landscaped garden, all of which look all the more stunning when the palace is lit up at night!
Inaugurated in 2020, the Musical Walkway is Kanakakunnu’s latest addition that offers guests an immersive experience with a combination of art and technology and has turned it into one of the most iconic tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip!
Kanakakunnu Palace was declared a heritage monument by the Government of India in 1991 to protect its historical significance, drawing in more and more art and history lovers ever since!
Location: Near Napier Museum, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Insider tip: Visit during the annual Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival, a week-long cultural event held in October and March showcasing a wonderful display of classical and contemporary dance performances!
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These amazing tourist places in Trivandrum for one day trip offer travelers diverse experiences of touring the capital and most exciting city of Kerala! Let us know which of these one-day trip places to add to your itinerary so we can plan your holiday the way you want. Happy tripping!
