Varkala· 6 min
10 Things to Do in Varkala
Beyond the cliff walk — how to spend your days here without rushing a single one.
Explore Varkala
More than a beach.
A local guide to Varkala, Kerala — beaches, surf, sunsets, food, culture, hidden corners and slow days by the Arabian Sea.
What is Varkala?
Varkala is a small coastal town in Kerala, southern India, where a red laterite cliff runs above the Arabian Sea. Along the cliff there are cafés, shops and a walking path; below it, beaches for swimming and surfing. Inland there are temples, backwaters and villages — and the whole place moves slowly.
These guides are how we'd explain Varkala to a friend arriving for the first time. Start with what you're in the mood for, or pick a plan for the number of days you have.
Plan your days
How long are you here?
1 Day
24 Hours in Varkala
Coming soon
2 Days
2 Days in Varkala
Coming soon
7 Days
7 Days in Varkala
Coming soon
The guide
Browse by chapter.
Varkala
What this place is, how it's laid out and when to come.
Things to Do
Surf, beaches, sunsets, yoga, scooters and rainy days.
Culture & Local Life
The temple, Sivagiri, markets and everyday Kerala.
Beyond Varkala
Kappil, Edava, nearby beaches and roads worth riding.
Eat & Drink
Kerala food, seafood, breakfast, cafés and coffee.
Plans & Itineraries
Practical plans for 1, 2, 3 or 7 days.
Around town
Places we'd send you.
The heart of it
Varkala Cliff
A red laterite cliff above the Arabian Sea, lined with cafés, shops and the best sunset seats in Kerala.
Sand time
Beaches
Papanasam, Black Beach and the coves in between — swim, read, repeat.
Quieter side
Odayam
A calmer stretch just north of the cliff, good for slow mornings and easy swims.
Backwater meets sea
Kappil
Ride north until the backwater runs alongside the ocean. Bring a camera.
Eat well
Cafés & food
Varkala is full of cafés, local food and sunset dinners worth wandering out for. We'll point you towards some of our favourites.
Golden hour
Sunset spots
The cliff edge, the north beach, or a scooter ride to somewhere with nobody on it.
Day trips
Further afield.
1 hr 15 by road
Kollam backwaters
A slower, less crowded alternative to Alleppey. Take the early bus or ride up the coast.
10 min walk from the cliff
Janardanaswamy Temple & Papanasam
A two-thousand-year-old temple above the beach where morning rituals still happen daily.
30 min ride
Ponnumthuruthu (Golden Island)
A small island temple reached by rowboat across still backwater. Go early.
1 hr by train
Trivandrum for a day
Museums, the Padmanabhaswamy temple and the best bookshops on this stretch of coast.
Interactive
What's your Varkala mood?
Pick a mood — we'll tell you how to spend the day.