Nestled alongside the Arabian Sea, within the south Indian state of Kerala, Varkala is a shocking cliff high, beachfront location changing into more and more common with the wellbeing neighborhood. After being beneficial it by a pal throughout my time in Rishikesh, I used to be so excited to lastly arrive right here.
In contrast to the extra commercialized vacationer spots scattered throughout India, Varkala affords a serene getaway with its spectacular cliffside views, pristine seashores, and a vibe that’s each relaxed and deeply invigorating. This entire information to Varkala is your all-access cross to exploring Varkala, a vacation spot that ought to be on each traveller’s bucket record, particularly when visiting the South of India.
On this weblog submit, I’ll share the very best issues to do in Varkala, must you be planning your journey!
Why Go to Varkala?
Varkala just isn’t your typical vacationer seashore vacation spot; it’s a spot the place the cliffs meet the ocean in a dramatic confluence of nature’s artistry. I don’t assume I’ve ever been someplace the place the principle ‘strip’ is lined up alongside the cliff edge. Your stroll to morning espresso and your stroll to dinner are actions in themselves with this view. STUNNING.
The city of Varkala affords one thing for everybody – whether or not you’re a yoga fanatic in search of genuine yoga lessons, a surfer able to catch some waves (although small), or a tradition lover desirous to dive into Kerala’s wealthy heritage, culinary immersions and cliff-top eating places.
Varkala is well-known for its meals too. There’s a pleasant exploration of flavours, with seafood taking centre stage and being served up in lots of of those cliff-top eating places. Many of the eating places have an incredible view throughout the ocean too!
To make sure the absolute best expertise, significantly in the event you’ve by no means been to India earlier than, we extremely advocate studying in regards to the realities of travelling to India earlier than you go to Varkala.
Get lifetime entry to my limitless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the very best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
Finest Time to Go to Varkala
Varkala enjoys a tropical local weather, with the very best time to go to being from October to March when the climate is cooler and nice. I say cooler, it was nonetheless 35 levels after I visited in January and I discovered I used to be retiring to the ocean or to the AC in my room from noon – 3pm. Nonetheless, these are the cooler months.
This time can be the height vacationer season, so you’ll want to plan your journey prematurely. We didn’t have an excessive amount of alternative when It got here to lodging as a result of we left it til final minute. To expertise the very best issues to do in Varkala, you’ll need to safe lodging close to the cliffs!
Getting To Varkala
The closest airport to Varkala is Trivandrum Worldwide Airport, about 50 km away from Varkala. Varkala is well-connected by rail and highway, with the Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station being only a brief drive from the principle seashore space connecting you to Kochi and Alleppey.
The right way to Discover Lodging in Varkala, India:
Guesthouses, Homestays, and Cottages in Varkala:
Verify Airbnb for guesthouses, homestays, and cottages in Varkala. For solo travellers visiting India, it’s essential to do your analysis and plan nicely. On this full information to solo journey, Seren shares helpful suggestions for solo journey in India that can be utilized to Varkala. From understanding the tradition and native customs to paying attention to security measures, thorough analysis is essential to a profitable solo journey in India.
We stayed at Gypsy Walker in Varkala (North Cliffs) for £30 per night time with AC. It was a few minute stroll to the cliff high and was nice. There are many beautiful locations to remain in Varkala however we left it til final minute so our alternative was undoubtedly the very best of the bunch kinda job!
Inns, Resorts, and Beachside Lodging in Varkala:
For a big selection of resorts, resorts, and beachside lodging in Varkala, go to reserving.com. Flick through the choices and select the one that most closely fits your preferences.
Hostels and Price range Lodging in Varkala:
When you’re travelling on a funds, there are hostels out there in Varkala. These supply inexpensive lodging choices and are an excellent alternative for budget-conscious travellers. Search for funds lodging in Varkala right here.
Ayurvedic Retreat Facilities and Yoga Resorts in Varkala:
Varkala and this area basically are identified for Ayurvedic remedies and yoga retreats. When you’re in search of a holistic wellness expertise, contemplate staying at an Ayurvedic retreat centre or a yoga resort.
Listed here are a number of different locations to take a look at!
- Palm Tree Heritage
- The Gateway Resort Varkala
- Clafouti Seaside Resort
- Hindustan Seaside Retreat
- Vedanta Wake Up!
- Deshadan Cliff & Seaside Resort
- Akhil Seaside Resort
- Varkala Marine Palace
- Bluewater Seaside Resort
- Prashanthi Cliff Resort
Keep in mind to ebook your lodging prematurely, particularly throughout peak vacationer seasons, to safe your most well-liked alternative in Varkala.
1. Varkala Seaside (Papanasam Seaside)
The crown jewel of Varkala, Papanasam Seaside (primary seashore), is famed for its therapeutic and non secular properties. The seashore is an ideal spot for a soothing day underneath the solar with many native companies providing deckchairs and umbrellas for a small price. Within the noon warmth you’ll need to be underneath the umbrella or cooling off within the ocean!
This seashore has the bonus of a shocking sundown view that paints the sky in hues of orange and pink. Don’t overlook to take a dip within the holy waters believed to clean away all sins.
2. Admire Varkala Cliffs
A geological marvel, the Varkala Cliff, is the one place in southern Kerala the place cliffs are discovered adjoining to the Arabian Sea.
The attractive purple rocks can’t be missed and are greatest admired from the seashore itself. Lined with quaint cafes, vibrant outlets, and Ayurvedic therapeutic massage centres, the cliff affords a panoramic view of the sprawling sea beneath. It’s the right place to get pleasure from a leisurely stroll or sit again and watch the world go by.
3. Janardanaswamy Temple
This 2000-year-old temple is a big non secular website devoted to Lord Vishnu. It’s situated near the Papanasam primary seashore. the temple’s architectural magnificence and serene ambiance make it a must-visit for these searching for peace and non secular perception, among the best issues to do in Varkala in the event you’re on a Non secular Quest!
4. Go to an Genuine Yoga Class
This was what introduced me to Varkala. My pal from Rishikesh had truly beneficial Varakala because the Non secular hub of the south, someplace nice to follow with genuine yoga academics.
My buddies suggestion was Mathatitu Yoga Coaching & TTC Heart the place they’ve drop-in lessons Mon-Sat at 8:30AM. All these areas and suggestions are included in my India Google Map Legend.
5. Anjengo Fort
Delve into historical past on the Anjengo Fort, a Seventeenth-century fort established by the British East India Firm. The fort affords a glimpse into the colonial previous of India and gives picturesque views of the ocean and the backwaters.
6. Browsing and Water Sports activities
For the adrenaline junkies, among the best issues to do in Varkala is to leap within the water. And there’s surf right here… typically!
Varkala’s seashores supply glorious surf breaks which are good for each rookies and seasoned surfers. There are a number of surf colleges alongside the seashore the place you may lease gear or take classes.
7. Ayurvedic Therapies
No journey to Kerala is full with out experiencing its historic wellness custom – Ayurveda. Varkala is dwelling to quite a few genuine Ayurvedic facilities the place you may take pleasure in rejuvenating remedies and massages that promise to heal the physique and thoughts. You’ll be spoilt for alternative once you arrive, merely go for a wander!
8. Culinary Delights
The culinary scene in Varkala is a pleasant mixture of conventional Kerala delicacies and worldwide flavors. Seafood is a neighborhood specialty, and there are many beachfront cafes and eating places the place you may get pleasure from freshly caught fish, prawns, and crabs, cooked to perfection. Clafouti Restaurant had been serving up some spectacular seafood! Abba Eating places seafood sizzler was additionally wonderful!
Distinctive Experiences in Varkala
Whereas Varkala is understood for its beautiful seashores and cliffside views, there are a number of distinctive experiences that you just shouldn’t miss throughout your go to:
Take a ship trip within the backwaters – Varkala is located near the scenic backwaters of Kerala. Hop onto a conventional houseboat or a canoe and discover the serene waterways, surrounded by lush greenery and coconut palms.
Witness a Kathakali efficiency – Immerse your self within the vibrant world of Kerala’s conventional dance kind, Kathakali. Attend a efficiency the place expert artists clad in colourful costumes and elaborate make-up painting mythological tales by means of dance and music.
Strive a cooking class – Kerala is famend for its scrumptious delicacies, and Varkala affords the right alternative to study to cook dinner conventional dishes. Take a cooking class the place you may uncover the secrets and techniques behind common Kerala recipes and savor your individual creations.
Attend a yoga and meditation retreat – With its tranquil ambiance and pure magnificence, Varkala is a haven for yoga and meditation fanatics. Be part of a retreat or a workshop the place you may deepen your follow, rejuvenate your thoughts, and discover internal peace amidst the scenic environment.
Go to a neighborhood fishing village – Make a journey to a close-by fishing village and witness the colourful lives of the native fishermen. Expertise their every day routines, study conventional fishing strategies, and revel in a style of freshly caught seafood straight from the fishing nets.
These distinctive experiences will add an additional layer of richness to your journey to Varkala, permitting you to immerse your self within the native tradition and create lasting reminiscences.
Locations to eat and drink in Varkala, India
After a day of exploring and absorbing the solar in Varkala, taking a stroll alongside the cliff and selecting a restaurant to stare out on the ocean from is full bliss.
From native specialties to worldwide delights, Varkala affords a various vary of eating choices that cater to each palate. The city’s eating places and cafes not solely serve scrumptious meals but in addition present a novel ambiance, whether or not it’s eating with a view of the glowing Arabian Sea or having fun with the laid-back ambiance of a beachside café.
- Sujata Restaurant – £5-8 per individual Provides scrumptious Indian dishes at budget-friendly costs.
- Abba Restaurant – Tremendous common however nice numerous menu which we ate twice at and had been glad!
- Jasmine Bay – £7-12 per individual Gives a mixture of Indian and worldwide cuisines with a beachside ambiance.
- Clafouti Seaside Resort – £8-15 per individual Get pleasure from tasty meals and beautiful ocean views proper by the seashore.
- Juice Shack – £3-6 per individual Excellent for fast bites and refreshing drinks at budget-friendly costs.
- Darjeeling Café – £10-14 per individual Fusion flavors of Indian and continental dishes in a comfortable setting.
- Chill Out Lounge – £12-18 per individual A hub for quite a lot of cuisines together with Indian, Chinese language, and extra.
- Curry Leaf Restaurant – £12-16 per individual Recognized for providing genuine Kerala delicacies and flavorful dishes.
- Mom’s Kitchen – £12-15 per individual A best choice for vegetarian and vegan choices in a health-conscious menu.
Varkala is a hidden gem in Kerala that provides a serene escape out of your jam-packed inland India itinerary.
Its laid-back vibe, mixed with the pure magnificence and cultural richness, makes it a vacation spot that you just’ll need to return to repeatedly. So pack your baggage, and prepare to expertise the magic of Varkala.
To raise your Varkala expertise and save time discovering the very best spots to go to in Varkala, our India Google Map Legend will probably be your greatest journey information!
Have you ever been to Varkala?
What are the very best issues to do in Varkala? Something you’d add to this Varkala bucket record?
Love as at all times and glad adventuring…Â
Get lifetime entry to my limitless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the very best locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
