About Varkala
Kochi to Varkala distnce : 160 km
Estimated travel time : 5 hours
Kochi to Varkala is very popular route for tourism. Varkala popularly known as Goa of Kerala or Kashi of South is famous for its beach, also known as โPapanasam Beach', and known for the unique 15 m high โNorthern Cliffโ adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Varkala is also popular for hippie culture, shacks, seafood and also for Jardana Swami Temple (Dakshin Kashi).
Varkala is a calm coastal town lies in the outskirts of Thiruvanthapuram. This quiet hamlet houses some of best pristine beaches, hills, lakes, forts, natural fisheries and springs. Main attraction of the town is the Papanasam Beach (also called as Varkala Beach), which is ten kilometers away from Varkala, is renowned for a natural spring. Which is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. Other attraction is 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the Ashramam - Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach. It is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea and is known among geologists as Varkala Formation and is declared as geological monument.
Taxi from Kochi to Varkala is readily available at CabBazar.
Route Information
Kochi to Varkala by car is well connected through Panvel - Kochi - Kanyakumari Highway and NH 66 and is very convenient and comfortable drive. Kochi to Varkala distance is 160 Km and is 5 hours journey. Other famous tourist places on this route and nearby are :
Ezhupunna - Kakkathuruthu island, Andhakaranazhi beach, Kizhakke chammanad Durga Devi temple
Thuravoor Thekku - Andhakaranazhi Beach, Parayakad Nalukulangara Sri Maha Devi Temple
Cherthala - St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Kokkamangalam, Thiruvizha Sree Mahadeva Temple, Mararikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple
Mariakulum - Marari Beach, Velorvattom Mahadeva Temple, Mararikulam Beach, Mararikulam Mahadeva Temple
Alappuzha - Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Vembanad Lake, Mannarasala Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple, St. Andrew's Forane Church, Pathiramanai
Paravur - Dakshina mookambika temple, Munnakal beach, Muziris heritage, Big banana island retreat
Purakkad - Sree Venu Gopala Swamy Temple
Haripad - Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Ananthapuram Palace, Thrikkunnappuzha Beach, Evoor Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, St. George's Church Cheppad
Kayamkulam - Mermaid Statue, Kayamkulam Kayal, Krishnapuram Palace, Oachira Parabrahma Temple, Azheekal Beach, Shankar Memorial National Cartoon Museum & Art Gallery, Valiazheekal Beach, Oachira kali ground
Chavara - Ashtamudi lake, Kattil Mekkathil Devi temple, Kottankulangara Devi temple, Kakkathuruthu
Kollam - Kollam beach, Thirumullavaram beach, Thevally palace, Paravur lake
Paravur - Paravur Beach, Devi Mata Temple, Lake, Shri Krishna Temple