TRIVANDRUM: Kerala’s capital and largest city and an ancient spice-trading post dating back to 1000 BC. Interesting sites include Padamanabhaswamy Temple, Chalai Bazaar, Napier Museum and Gardens, and Kovalam Beach. Get a haircut at Mr. Barber and grab a bite to eat at Good Morning Hotel, Edaneram Restaurant, Mother’s Veg Plaza, Villa Maya Restaurant, and Kethel’s Chicken.
KILIMANOOR: A small town and great day trip option about 45 minutes north of Trivandrum. Eat at Vazhiyorakkada Restaurant and Janartha Hotel in Chadayamangalam. Afterwards, visit the largest bird sculpture on Earth at Jatayu Earth’s Center!
VARKALA: A seaside resort town that boasts a wide beach with beautiful cliffs and a seaside promenade. Also check out the 2,000-year-old Janardanaswamy Temple and look for a temple festival—I found one at Kuttikkattil Bhadrakali Devi Temple. For street food, look for tata dosas, chicken thoran, and puttu!
ALLEPPEY: A coastal farming city and the gateway to the Kerala Backwaters. Try the curries and puttu at Brothers Hotel and the southern Indian seafood at New York Toddy Shop. Book a houseboat stay so you can explore the world-famous backwaters and the towns, villages, and sites along them.
THEKKADY: An area of the Idukki District that borders the state of Tamil Nadu. Check out the wildlife at Periyar Tiger Reserve and the artforms called Kathakali and Kalari. Dine at Drizzle in the Woodnote Thekkady resort and enjoy a meal with the Mannan tribe in the nearby forested mountains!
MUNNAR: A hill station that’s known for its breathtaking scenery, beautiful tea plantations, and stunning mountain vistas. Stay at the Dreamcatcher Resort and enjoy a meal in the mountains. Don’t forget to explore the town and try street food there! Witness the sunrise above Kolukkumalai Tea Plantation and tour the facility afterward!
KOCHI: An ancient city along Kerala’s Arabian Sea coast. Check out its history at Fort Kochi, St. Francis Church, and the oldest Jewish synagogue in the commonwealth. Sightsee in the Jewish quarters and don’t forget to buy souvenirs and try the amazing food!
THALASSERY: Another historical city along the Arabian Sea. Visit Tellicherry Fort and Muzhuppilangad Drive-In Beach, and try its amazing biryani at the Paris Hotel! Bombay Hotel has gret string hoppers, and cool off with a Cocktail at Firoz Cool Bar.
KANNUR: The largest city on Kerala’s North Malabar Coast. Visit the fish markets and the harbor, and check out Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Payyanur. Check out a Theyyam performance, and if you can, attend an Indian wedding! Then, enjoy seafood feasts at Malayattor Hotel and Seashell Haris Beach Home. Take a trip to Mahe to enjoy some alcohol!
KOZHIKODE: A historic port city once known as the City of Spices. Check out Mishkal Mosque and Koyenco Bazar, as well as Kappad Beach. Try biryani at Kuttichira Biriyani Centre and Modern Restaurant and local snacks at Bombay Hotel and Rahmath Restaurant. Enjoy the green pea masala on Kozhikode Beach and dine at The Shap Family Restaurant!
My name is David Hoffmann. For the last 12 years, I have been traveling around the world in search of unique culture, food, and history! Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have traveled to over 1,100 destinations in 77 countries, which I welcome you to check out on my YouTube channel, travel blog, and social media sites.
I focus a great deal on food and historical sites, as you probably have seen! I love to experience the different flavors that each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining. I’m also passionate about learning about the local history and culture.
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