Things to Do in Varkala: Cliffs, Beaches, Temples & Slow Days

Watch sunset from the North Cliff

The North Cliff's walkway runs along the edge above the sea, lined with cafés and shops. Sunset here, with the sky reflected on the wet sand below, is Varkala's defining experience. Keep well back from the edge; parts of the cliff are eroding, and some sections have been fenced off.

Best time

Sunset

Good to know

Stay back from the eroding edge

Good for

Couples, everyone

Swim at Papanasham beach

Papanasham, below the cliff, is the main beach. Its name refers to the washing away of sins, and pilgrims come to perform rituals for ancestors, especially on Karkidaka Vavu in July or August. Lifeguards patrol parts of the beach; swim only between the flags, as currents can be strong.

Good to know

Swim between the flags

Walk to Black Beach and Odayam

North of the cliff, Black Beach, named for its patches of dark mineral sand, is quieter. Further on, Odayam beach is secluded and good for long walks.

See Kappil beach

Kappil, about 9 km north, is where a backwater lake meets the sea, with a strip of sand between them. A small bridge and boating on the lake make it a peaceful stop, especially at sunset.

Best time

Late afternoon

Take a surf lesson

Varkala's beach breaks are good for beginners, and several surf schools rent boards and offer lessons in the dry season.

Best time

October to April

Good for

Active travellers

Visit the Janardanaswamy Temple

The Janardanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, stands on a hill near Papanasham and is believed to be about 2,000 years old. It is an important pilgrimage site; entry to the inner temple is restricted to Hindus, and a dress code applies.

Time needed

45 minutes

See Sivagiri Mutt

Sivagiri Mutt, on a hill in Varkala town, was founded by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, whose samadhi is here. The Sivagiri pilgrimage in late December and early January draws huge crowds.

Best time

Late December to early January for the pilgrimage

Visit Anjengo Fort

Anjengo (Anchuthengu) Fort, about 15 km south, was built by the British East India Company in the 1690s and is one of its earliest settlements in Kerala. A lighthouse nearby can be climbed for views, and there is an old cemetery.

Time needed

1.5 hours

Canoe to Ponnumthuruthu island

Ponnumthuruthu, the golden island, is a small island in the Anjengo backwaters with an old temple, reached by canoe from Nedunganda. The trip through mangroves and quiet water is a lovely half day.

Time needed

Half a day

See the Varkala Tunnel

The Varkala Tunnel, built in the 1870s and 1880s, carries a canal of the old waterway between Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram through a hill. It is a curiosity of Kerala's canal history.

Join a yoga class or course

Many studios on the cliff offer drop-in classes and multi-week teacher-training courses. Check teachers' credentials and read reviews.

Good for

Wellness seekers

Take an Ayurveda treatment

Varkala has many Ayurvedic centres, from massage clinics to residential treatment programmes. Choose centres with qualified doctors and certification, especially for longer treatments.

Eat at the cliff cafés

Cliff cafés serve fresh seafood, Kerala dishes and international food. Choose your fish from the display in the evening and have it grilled. Try a Kerala breakfast of puttu and kadala in town.

Good for

Food lovers

What are the best things to do in Varkala?

Watch sunset from the North Cliff, swim at Papanasham, visit the Janardanaswamy Temple and Sivagiri Mutt, walk to Black Beach and Odayam, see Kappil, canoe to Ponnumthuruthu and try surfing, yoga or Ayurveda.

Is it safe to swim in Varkala?

In calm conditions and between the lifeguard flags. Currents can be strong, and the sea is rough in the monsoon.

How many days are enough for Varkala?

Two days for the sights; a week or more for yoga or Ayurveda.

What is the best time to visit Varkala?

October to March.