Varkala

1. Carry a flashlight as power cuts are frequent and it becomes quite dark post-sunset on the beach
2. Take care while walking on the cliff path at night, as it can get quite slippery and there is no fence in some parts
3. There are a lot of insects on the beach - including mosquitoes, so it is a good idea to come prepared with mosquito repellent creams
4. It is better to be conservatively dressed on the beach keeping in mind local sensibilities
5. Wear a sarong over your bikini. Also stay away from drunken strangers, beggars and hawkers Varkala has dangerously strong currents, and even expert swimmers need to be cautious in the waters.

Varkala was once known as Udaya Marthandapuram, after the 16th century Travancore king Udaya Marthanda Varma, who contributed immensely to the development of this little coastal town. Sometimes referred to as the Southern Varanasi, Varkala has some fascinating legends associated with its historical origins. According to the popular myth, King Pandyan built the famous 2000-year-old Janardhan Swami temple here as a redemption for his sins, as instructed by Lord Brahma. Another story tells the tale of a group of pilgrims who sought Lord Narada’s help in atoning their sins. The Lord flung his loincloth or valkalam, which landed on the seaside, thus giving the town its name. The pilgrims had to offer prayers here, giving rise to the tradition of Papanasam or redemption of sins by dipping in the holy waters of the sea.

The cuisine here is similar to the areas around it with a dash bit more dominance of seafood and a unique culture about it. Seafood is caught by local fishermen and displayed in front of many restaurants. You can select your own food right from the source, have it prepared in the tandoor and enjoy the sunset while you relish one of the freshest items the state might have to offer. Vegetarian food is also available at a lot of places. Bars are also spread across the town.
View Top Restaurants in Varkala

Day 1: Reach Varkala preferably by noon and take some rest. In the evening, you can go to the main market for a stroll, especially where you can buy precious curios and souvenirs, which you can take home for your families.  

Day 2: The 2nd day should be the ideal time for starting your trip through Varkala. You should begin ideally with Varkala beach, an astounding creation of nature, famous for its solitude, unlike the commercial beaches in Goa. Thereon, you can proceed to Sivagiri Mutt, another favourite tourist hotspot in Varkala.

Day 3: This day can be reserved for a visit to one of the famous temples of Varkala, i.e. Janardhanswamy Temple. Thereon, you can go towards the historical Anjengo Fort.

The packages for Varkala start at INR 9000 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

There are 232 in Varkala which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Varkala are Blue Waves Beach Residency, MakeMyDream, CEMARI RESORT, Thathamma homestay, Ganga Yamuna Retreat, The Veda Village. You can see all the hotels in Varkala here

Varkala is well connected to the rest of India by rail and road. Regular rail and bus services ply to and fro the city of Varkala; buses being operated both by private and government owners, especially the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. There is no direct flight connectivity, however, to Varkala. Some 40 km away is the Thiruvananthapuram airport, which is the nearest airport that connects Varkala to the rest of India.

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Ideal for bold adventurers. Extremely suitable for people in the Southern part of India though it is visited by tourists from all over. Perfect for people looking for a laid back vacation near a beach.

Not easily accessible as it is not directly connected to an airport. Hostile in summers. People force selling.

The cuisine here is similar to the areas around it with a dash bit more dominance of seafood and a unique culture about it. Seafood is caught by local fishermen and displayed in front of many restaurants. You can select your own food right from the source, have it prepared in the tandoor and enjoy the sunset while you relish one of the freshest items the state might have to offer. Vegetarian food is also available at a lot of places. Bars are also spread across the town.
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The top places near to Varkala are Kovalam which is 46 km from Varkala, Kollam which is located 21 km from Varkala, Alleppey which is located 85 km from Varkala, Poovar which is located 60 km from Varkala, Trivandrum which is located 51 km from Varkala

A beautiful confluence of nature and spiritualism. An offbeat destination with pristine beaches, calm atmosphere and mesmerising views.

The mesmeric hamlet of Varkala, owing to its geographical location on the south-western coastline of India, mostly experiences moderate to high temperatures throughout the year. The seasonal changes are very subtle, but the mercury levels play a significant role in defining a good time to visit the region. So Winters (between October and February) is the best season for a visit to Varkala because the temperature is more relaxed and the sun is gentler compared to the summers. One can expect a decent level of humidity all through the year but winters, bring colder air and pleasant ambience that add to the fun of exploring the charming village. Summers are a complete no-no for tourists as the heat levels touch a sweltering 40°C every year during the peak season. Monsoons, on the other hand, can be a good time for budget travelling but the peak months must be avoided as the region is susceptible to extremely heavy rainfall putting a halt to tourism for months till winter begins.
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The top things to do in Varkala are Water Sports in Varkala, Varkala Beach, Edava Beach, Thiruvambadi Beach, Anjengo Fort, Sivagiri Mutt. You can see all the places to visit in Varkala here