Varkala is not just another beach town of Kerala. It is a feeling that blends the calm of the sea, the energy of spiritual spaces, cliffside sunsets, café culture, and slow living into one unforgettable experience. Travelers planning Kerala holidays in the coming years are increasingly searching for places to visit in Varkala because Varkala delivers something that very few destinations in India can offer. A beach that meets a cliff. A town that allows both solitude and celebration. A place where mornings are spiritual and evenings are cinematic.
By 2026, Varkala continues to grow with better travel infrastructure, responsible tourism practices, and refined hospitality while still retaining its raw coastal identity.
This detailed guide explores everything you must know about the best places to visit in Varkala in 2026.
Varkala Cliff – The Heart of the Town
Any list of places to visit in Varkala must begin with Varkala Cliff. It is the only seaside cliff formation in Kerala and one of the most photographed stretches of coastline in South India. The cliff faces the Arabian Sea directly, offering uninterrupted sea views from cafés, homestays, yoga centers, and small boutique hotels.
Morning walks on the cliff are slow and peaceful. Sunset hours turn golden and lively. Tibetan handicraft shops, coastal cafés, smoothie bars, music lounges, and meditation classrooms line the cliff edge. This mix of spirituality and leisure is what makes Varkala unique.
Varkala Beach – The Soul of the Town
Also known as Papanasam Beach, this sandy stretch is among the most important places to visit in Varkala. According to Hindu belief, taking a dip here helps wash away sins. That belief gives the beach spiritual importance. At the same time, its waves attract surfers, swimmers, and photographers.
Mornings here are silent and meditative. Evenings become vibrant with travelers, street performers, café lights, and local snack vendors. The dual nature of this beach makes it special.
Sivagiri Mutt – A Center of Spiritual Thought
Located just a few kilometers from the cliff, Sivagiri Mutt is a major spiritual and cultural landmark and one of the most meaningful places to visit in Varkala for seekers of wisdom. Established by Sree Narayana Guru, the Mutt promotes equality, unity, and social harmony.
Pilgrims from across South India visit during Theerthadanam and Theerthadanam Yatra. The calm atmosphere inside the Mutt contrasts beautifully with the lively coastal energy outside.
Anjengo Fort – Where History Meets the Sea
Anjengo Fort, also called Anchuthengu Fort, stands quietly along the coastline to the south of Varkala. Built by the British East India Company in the 17th century, this laterite fort witnessed early European trade activities in Kerala.
Walk along the fort walls and you see fishing boats floating gently below. Watchtowers overlook the meeting point of river and sea. For travelers who enjoy heritage tourism, Anjengo Fort remains one of the most underrated places to visit in Varkala.
Kappil Beach and Backwaters – Two Worlds Side by Side
Kappil is one of the rare coastal landscapes where freshwater backwaters and the open sea flow parallel to each other. A narrow road separates the two. On one side, waves crash. On the other, silent canals reflect coconut palms.
Among the most peaceful places to visit in Varkala, Kappil is perfect for kayaking, photography, cycling, and sunset walks. It offers a softer, quieter version of Varkala’s coastal charm.
Odayam Beach – The Calm Neighbor
Located between Varkala and Kappil, Odayam Beach is cleaner, quieter, and far less crowded. It attracts long-stay foreign travelers, digital nomads, and writers who prefer silence over social buzz.
Early morning yoga sessions by the shore, slow swimming, and long café breakfasts define life at Odayam. It remains one of the most relaxing places to visit in Varkala in 2026.
Ponnumthuruthu Island – The Golden Island
Also known as the Golden Island, Ponnumthuruthu lies inside a serene backwater stretch near Varkala. Accessible only by boat, the island houses an ancient Shiva Parvati temple beneath thick tree cover.
The boat ride through narrow canals itself becomes part of the experience. Among lesser-known places to visit in Varkala, this island offers tranquillity, mystery, and spiritual calm.
Varkala Tunnel – A Colonial Engineering Marvel
The Varkala Tunnel is a unique historical structure that allowed boats to pass through laterite rock hills. Built during the colonial period, it still functions today.
As boats pass through the narrow rocky corridor, echoes bounce naturally across the tunnel walls. This remains one of the most unexpected yet fascinating places to visit in Varkala for those who enjoy experiential travel.
Best Experiences While Exploring Places to Visit in Varkala
Exploring the places to visit in Varkala is not limited to sightseeing. The experiences matter just as much.
Cliffside café hopping remains a favorite ritual. Travelers move from one café to another, watching waves from different angles.
Surf schools near Varkala Beach now offer short-term beginner surfing programs that are highly popular in 2026.
Ayurvedic therapy centers provide detox programs, massage treatments, and wellness retreats.
Sunset beach meditation sessions have become common, attracting wellness travelers from around the world.
Seafood dining at local beachfront restaurants remains a highlight. Grilled fish, prawns, squid, and Kerala-style curries dominate menus.
Where to Stay While Visiting Varkala
Varkala offers accommodation for every travel style.
Cliffside boutique stays provide direct sunset views.
Budget guesthouses cater to backpackers and solo travelers.
Luxury wellness resorts focus on Ayurveda and holistic living.
Homestays inside local neighborhoods offer cultural immersion.
Staying close to the major places to visit in Varkala allows travelers to explore on foot and experience the town at a relaxed pace.
Best Time to Explore Places to Visit in Varkala in 2026
October to March remains the best season. The climate stays pleasant. Sea conditions are safer. Sunsets are clearer.
April to May is warmer but manageable for beach lovers.
June to September is monsoon season. The sea becomes rough, but greenery peaks. This period suits wellness travelers and off-season explorers.
Why Varkala Tourism Keeps Growing in 2026
Varkala’s biggest strength is that it does not pretend to be anything else. It remains a real town with real people while also welcoming global travelers.
It offers:
Beach, cliff, and backwater in one destination
Spiritual spaces alongside leisure zones
Budget stays and luxury retreats
Culture without crowd chaos
This rare balance keeps searches for places to visit in Varkala consistently high every year.
Final Thoughts
Varkala is not built for rushed tourism. It invites slow walking, long conversations, spiritual pauses, lazy swims, and sunset watching without deadlines. The growing interest in places to visit in Varkala proves that travelers now value experience over excess.
Whether you come seeking peace, healing, adventure, or companionship, Varkala has a way of offering you exactly what you did not know you were looking for.
