Kerala · Cliffs · Beaches
Varkala
Varkala, on the coast of southern Kerala, is known for red laterite cliffs that drop straight to the Arabian Sea. It is about 590 km from Mysuru, about 13 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. The best time to visit Varkala is about December to March, when it is drier and the sea is calmer; this is also the busiest season.
Why travellers go
Visitors come for the cliff-top walk, the beach below and quiet sunsets.
- Suggested time
- 1–2 days
- State
- Kerala
- Good for
- Cliffs, Beaches
Best-known sights in Varkala
- Varkala Cliff (North Cliff): Red laterite cliffs on about 7.5 km of coast, declared a National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India. Warning signs mark the cliff paths; keep away from the edge.
- Papanasam Beach: The main beach, below the cliffs, where a dip is believed to wash away sins.
- Janardhana Swamy Temple: A Vishnu temple on a hill near the beach, said by local tradition to be about 2,000 years old. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the inner sanctum.
- Sivagiri Mutt: The ashram founded by Sree Narayana Guru, where his samadhi is located; a major pilgrimage site. Very busy around 30 December to 1 January.
- Black Beach: A quieter beach to the north of the main cliff area.
- Kappil Beach: A beach about 6 km north of the North Cliff where a lagoon meets the sea, with kayaking.
- Edava: Quiet beaches on the coast road from Varkala north towards Kappil.
- Anchuthengu (Anjengo) Fort: A fort built by the British East India Company between 1696 and 1699 on a sandy spit south of Varkala.
How many days do you need in Varkala?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Morning walk along the North Cliff
- Papanasam Beach below the cliffs
- Janardhana Swamy Temple
- Sivagiri Mutt
- Sunset from the cliff top
Two days
- Day 1: North Cliff walk, Papanasam Beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sunset on the cliff
- Day 2: Sivagiri Mutt, Black Beach and the quieter north end, Kappil Beach and its lagoon, about 6 km north
Three days
- Day 1: Arrive at Varkala station, Evening on the North Cliff
- Day 2: Papanasam Beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sivagiri Mutt
- Day 3: Kappil Beach and lagoon, Anchuthengu (Anjengo) Fort, Return via Varkala or Thiruvananthapuram
How to reach Varkala from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 590 km and 13 hours by road.
- By train
- No direct train to Varkala found. The daily Mysuru–Thiruvananthapuram North Express (16315/16316) runs from Mysuru via Bengaluru to Kollam Junction and Thiruvananthapuram North; Varkala is not among its listed stops, so change at Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram. Almost all trains between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi stop at Varkala station.
- By bus
- Check KSRTC and private operators for current bus services.
- By air
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 50 to 57 km from Varkala.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- Check a live map for the current route and driving time.
- By train
- The daily Mysuru–Thiruvananthapuram North Express (16315/16316) also stops at KSR Bengaluru and Bengaluru Cantonment; change at Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram for Varkala.
- By bus
- Check KSRTC and private operators for current bus services.
- By air
- Fly to Thiruvananthapuram, about 50 to 57 km from Varkala, and continue by road or train.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Varkala
The best time to visit Varkala is about December to March, when it is drier and the sea is calmer; this is also the busiest season. June to November brings the south-west monsoon and then the retreating monsoon, with heavy rain.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Dry and sunny, about 22–30 °C Peak season; crowds around New Year. |
| Feb | Dry and warm, about 23–31 °C |
| Mar | Hot and humid, about 25–32 °C |
| Apr | Hot and humid, first showers, about 25–32 °C |
| May | Hot, pre-monsoon rain, about 25–31 °C |
| Jun | Monsoon, wettest month, about 24–29 °C Rough sea; cliff paths can be slippery. |
| Jul | Monsoon rain, about 23–29 °C |
| Aug | Rainy, about 24–29 °C |
| Sep | Rainy spells, about 24–29 °C |
| Oct | Heavy showers from the retreating monsoon, about 24–29 °C |
| Nov | Showers, about 23–29 °C |
| Dec | Mostly dry, about 23–29 °C Busy from late December; Sivagiri pilgrimage around 30 Dec–1 Jan. |
Tips for visiting Varkala
- The cliff is eroding and landslips are more likely in heavy monsoon rain; stay on marked paths and away from the edge.
- Waves at Papanasam can be strong; a tourist died after being hit by a large wave while bodysurfing in 2024. Ask about sea conditions before going in.
- Varkala railway station is about 5 km from Papanasam Beach; autorickshaws and taxis wait at the station.
- Non-Hindus may not enter the inner sanctum of the Janardhana Swamy Temple.
Photos
Travel Trendzz and Varkala
Travel Trendzz has no published package for Varkala yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.
Questions about Varkala
How far is Varkala from Mysuru?
Varkala is about 590 km from Mysuru by road, and the drive takes about 13 hours. Many travellers go by train instead: the daily Mysuru–Thiruvananthapuram North Express runs via Bengaluru to Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram, and from either city local trains and taxis reach Varkala.
What is the best time to visit Varkala?
About December to March is the best time to visit Varkala. The weather is drier and the sea is calmer, so it is also the busiest season. From June to November the monsoon and the retreating monsoon bring heavy rain and a rough sea, and the cliff paths can be slippery.
Which is the nearest railway station and airport to Varkala?
Varkala has its own railway station, about 5 km from Papanasam Beach, and almost all trains between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi stop there. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 50 to 57 km away by road, roughly an hour and a quarter by car.
Is it safe to swim at Varkala beach?
Take care. Waves at Papanasam Beach can be strong, and there have been deaths in the sea, including a tourist hit by a large wave in 2024. Ask locally about conditions, avoid the sea in rough weather and the monsoon, and stay away from the eroding cliff edges above the beach.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Varkala?
Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Varkala on request.
Places near Varkala
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Beaches · 1–2 days
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Backwaters · 1–2 days
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Southern tip · 1–2 days
All Kerala destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
- en.wikipedia.org › Varkala
- en.wikivoyage.org › Varkala
- en.wikipedia.org › Anchuthengu Fort
- en.wikipedia.org › Mysuru–Thiruvananthapuram North Express
- downtoearth.org.in › varkala cliff a kerala cultural icon geo heritage site is fa
- onmanorama.com › united kingdom tourist man dies bodysurfing accident varkala
Plan your Varkala trip
Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.
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