Rahagir
Kovalam beach near Thiruvananthapuram

Destinations / Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram and Kovalam

Kerala's capital, with old temples and museums, paired with the crescent beaches of Kovalam 16 km south.

FamousBeachHeritageCityPilgrimage

The city has the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a palace museum and a large museum and zoo complex, while Kovalam offers three calm, shallow beaches with water sports and Ayurvedic massages. It suits families, couples and first-time visitors to Kerala who want a mix of culture and an easy beach stay.

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Kovalam beach near Thiruvananthapuram
Kovalam beach near Thiruvananthapuram
Lighthouse Beach at Kovalam
Lighthouse Beach at Kovalam
The lighthouse on Kurumkal Hill, Kovalam
The lighthouse on Kurumkal Hill, Kovalam

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

WhenWhat to expect
October to MarchThe most comfortable months, with daytime temperatures of about 20 to 32 C. Good for the beach and sightseeing.
April to JuneHot and humid, with temperatures of about 25 to 35 C. Plan outdoor visits for early morning and evening.
July to SeptemberMonsoon season. Sightseeing is harder on rainy days, but it is a popular time for Ayurvedic treatments.

Sights and activities

1

Kovalam beaches (Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra)

Three crescent-shaped beaches with calm, shallow water. Swimming, parasailing, scuba diving and catamaran rides are offered, and lifeguards are on duty.

Distance
In Kovalam; about 16 km from the city
Entry
Free
Timings
Sunrise to sunset
Time needed
Half a day

MapWrong fee or timing?

2

Kovalam Lighthouse

A lighthouse on Kurumkal Hill at the south end of Lighthouse Beach. The climb gives wide views of the coast.

Distance
At the south end of Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam
Entry
About 20 rupees for Indians, 50 rupees for foreigners
Timings
About 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm; closed Mondays (check on arrival)
Time needed
1 hour

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3

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The city's best-known temple, in the Fort area, dedicated to the deity the city is named after. Entry is for Hindus only and a strict traditional dress code applies.

Distance
About 16 km from Kovalam, in the Fort area of the city
Entry
Free
Timings
About 3:30 am to 12 noon and 5 pm to 8 pm, with darshan in set slots
Time needed
1 to 2 hours

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4

Kuthira Malika (Puthen Malika) Palace Museum

A former palace of the Travancore royal family, a short walk from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, now showing royal artefacts.

Distance
Next to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Entry
About 20 rupees for Indians, 50 rupees for foreigners
Timings
8:30 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to about 5 pm; closed Mondays
Time needed
1 hour

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5

Napier Museum

A museum in a building known for its mixed architectural style, holding archaeological and historical collections. It is part of the government museum complex with the zoo and Sree Chitra Art Gallery.

Distance
About 2 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central station; about 16 km from Kovalam
Entry
Indian adults 30 rupees, children 5 to 12 15 rupees, foreigners 200 rupees
Timings
10 am to 4:30 pm; Wednesday 1 pm to 4:30 pm; closed Mondays and some public holidays
Time needed
2 hours

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6

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo

One of India's oldest zoos, spread over 55 acres with about 82 species, inside the museum complex.

Distance
In the museum complex, next to Napier Museum
Entry
Indian adults 40 rupees, children 5 to 12 15 rupees, foreigners 200 rupees; camera 150 rupees
Timings
9 am to 5:15 pm; closed Mondays
Time needed
2 hours

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7

Shanghumukham Beach and Veli Tourist Village

A city beach and a nearby lakeside park where a lagoon meets the sea, popular in the evening.

Distance
About 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central station
Timings
Veli: 9 am to 6 pm
Time needed
2 hours

MapWrong fee or timing?

8

Vizhinjam Rock-Cut Cave Temple

A small, ancient rock-cut shrine to Shiva near the Vizhinjam fishing harbour, close to Kovalam.

Distance
A short drive from Kovalam, next to Vizhinjam harbour
Timings
The harbour is best seen early, about 6 to 8 am
Time needed
1 hour

MapWrong fee or timing?

Getting there

By bus
National highways NH66 and NH44 link the city with Kochi, Kanyakumari, Madurai and Chennai. KSRTC and private buses run from nearby cities, and FlixBus has services to Kovalam from Chennai and Nagercoil.
By train
Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) has trains from Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Mumbai and Delhi. It is about 13.5 km from Kovalam.
By air
Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities. It is about 18 km from Kovalam; a taxi into the city costs about 350 to 400 rupees.
Where to base yourself
Stay at Kovalam beach for a beach holiday, or in central Thiruvananthapuram near the Fort and museum area if temples and museums are the focus.

Getting around

  • Taxis run between the city and Kovalam, about 16 km, for roughly 300 to 450 rupees one way.
  • Auto rickshaws are common for short hops; ask the driver to use the meter or agree the fare before starting.
  • City buses run by the state transport corporation link the city with Kovalam.
  • The Kovalam beaches are close together and can be covered on foot or by a short auto ride.

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Where to stay

Budget levelTypePrice per night
BudgetBudget hotels and guesthouses near Kovalam beach₹700 to ₹1,700
Mid-rangeThree-star beach hotels and small resorts₹2,000 to ₹6,000
LuxuryFour- and five-star beach resorts at Kovalam and Poovar₹6,000 to ₹27,000

Food

Seafood is the highlight at Kovalam. In the city, Chalai Market is known for spices, seafood and produce, and vegetarian restaurants serve dosa, idli, vada and thali meals.

Try these

  • Puttu (steamed rice and coconut cylinders)
  • Appam (lacy rice pancake)
  • Kerala sadya (vegetarian feast on a banana leaf)
  • Fish curry (Kerala-style, often with coconut)
  • Pazham pori (banana fritters)
  • Nendran banana chips

Vegetarian food is easy to find, including pure-vegetarian restaurants in the city and a pure-vegetarian resort at Samudra Beach.

Daily costs

Budget levelStay per roomFood per personLocal transport
Budget₹1,200₹500₹200 per person
Mid-range₹3,500₹1,000₹800 per vehicle
Luxury₹12,000₹2,500₹2,000 per vehicle

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No permits are needed for the city or Kovalam. Carry photo ID for hotel check-in. Entry to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is for Hindus only.

Safety

By day
The city is described as relatively safe. Swim only in areas watched by lifeguards and follow their flags.
At night
Avoid isolated stretches of beach and quiet streets late at night.
Solo women
Generally considered safe; dress modestly, especially near temples, and use registered taxis at night.
Roads
City roads are busy. The Kovalam road is short and paved.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)

Practical

Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
ATMs and cash
ATMs are easy to find in town.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. The main hospitals are in Thiruvananthapuram city, about 16 km from Kovalam.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors
Most sights are easy to reach by taxi. The zoo has battery cars with a concession rate for senior citizens.
Children
The zoo, museum complex and calm beaches suit children; children under 15 enter the museum and zoo free on Sundays.
Wheelchair users
The zoo offers battery-car rides at a reduced rate for differently-abled visitors.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

  • Padmanabhaswamy Temple has a strict dress code: traditional wear only, no trousers or Western wear, and entry for Hindus only.
  • Dress modestly away from the beach, especially near temples.
  • Fishing is the main livelihood in Kovalam and Vizhinjam; respect the fishers' boats and work areas.
  • Kerala Tourism runs responsible-tourism village experiences around Kovalam, such as fishing and handloom visits.

What to pack

  • Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
  • Sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and sandals
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
  • Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
  • Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

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