Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Varkala Town
THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Varkala Town
Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Varkala Town
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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What travellers are saying
- Shafinah J.Singapore, Singapore68 contributionsVarkala Beach definitely isn’t within your arm’s reach if you’re setting out from Kochi, which most travellers generally do. Rail, which will be your most convenient option, is a 4hr train ride away. But coming from a person filled with regret, this looks exactly like the kind of place that would have changed my mind about Kerala. Take this one on. Hop on the 4hr train ride and drop at Varkala Railway Station. Once there, the beach lays just 5km away, and will cost you only about Rs50/way (SGD1).
(P.S. Varkala Beach is believed to wash away the sins of the swimmer. While that remains unproven, what is certain is that it is one of the most picturesque beaches in the country; and is a perfect sleepy repose against the hustle and bustle of Kerala’s city streets.)Written 31 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Fernando HTrancoso, BA5 contributionsAsparagus is my favourite shop in Varkala! Beautiful eco fabrics! They make clothes on the spot...Aji, the owner is a wonderful and kind person! I've going to his shop foe the last 18 years and I was never disappointed!!!
I strongly recommended!!!Written 19 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Anand GKochi (Cochin), India2,071 contributionsThe cliff is a bit steep and hence going up is an exercise in itself for oldies like me. However, it worth the trouble as the walk offers great views of the beach and the sea.Written 30 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anand GKochi (Cochin), India2,071 contributionsIt is a very unusual temple where we do not see any upadevata in the inner ring. The deity, Janardana Swamy, the presiding deity of Varkala, is supposed to takes care of the dead too which made the Varkala Beach a sacred place for conducting annual rites of the ancestors. The temple structure remains as it always had been. The ambiance is one which slows you down. One not get disturbed by noises since devotees somehow show a tendency to keep silent. This is the only temple which gives the peace and tranquility like the redoubtable Vadakkumnatha Temple in Trichur. No alteration has been made which gives a good feel. There are a couple of small temples attached to the main temple-Dharmasastha and Sri Rama. Both are located between the main temple and the temple pond. A must experience in Varkala.
(There is a Sabarimala like angle of communal amity too here. The idol was lost in the sea once and the fisherman who retrieved it was a Muslim. Even today, thet family holds the right to offer kanikka first when the 'thidamb' is taken to the sea for aratt in the sea. I had heard this from people of my dad's generation in Varkala)Written 30 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Raj PRChennai (Madras), India253 contributionsThis is strentch from Varkala breaches, can spend 1 hour including kayaking, speed boat near Kappil Beach situated 15mins away from Varkala Cliff.Written 11 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anand GKochi (Cochin), India2,071 contributionsIt is a great place with an ambiance matching the greatness of the Guru. He was a reformer par excellence. However, his messages are neither fully understood nor followed by many. Having said that there are facilities here to learn his works and their interpretations. Beyond that there are several lessons from each of his activity. The Mutt is a sprawling complex which would require several hours to cover and enjoy the tranquility every minute.Written 31 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kamalika0505Kolkata (Calcutta), India173 contributionsSafe place to spend a quality 'alone' time, relaxing. Not very crowded. Enjoy the view from the nearby eateries. More or less clean beach though rituals are performed. Coast guards are there to keep watch on you. Second trip to the sea beach. There are shops which sell garments. Price is bit on higher side, most probably due to the foreign tourists. Auto stand is nearby.Written 3 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- vip_foodieBengaluru, India3,758 contributionsVisited the Golden Island on day 2 of my Kerala trip. It is situated around 10-15 kms from Varkala Centre. Plan was to visit Munroe Island but it was closed so we decided to visit this island. Kayaking happens near the island and there is a temple at the island. We took a boat ride to reach the island. It cost 1300 bucks for 6 people. We witnessed beautiful backwaters through the boat ride.Written 10 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JforTravelChennai (Madras), India284 contributionsBeautiful Kappil lake on one side of the road and Arabian sea on the other. Drove by this place, did not go for boating. I am sure an evening boat ride at the lake would be worth it.Written 5 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anand GKochi (Cochin), India2,071 contributionsIt is a very unusual temple where we do not see any upadevata in the inner ring. The deity, Vishnu is the representation of Parabrahma her and goes by the name, Janardana Swamy. Janardana swamy is the presiding deity of Varkala, is supposed to takes care of the dead too which made the Varkala Beach a sacred place for conducting annual rites of the ancestors. The temple structure remains as it always had been. The ambiance is one which slows you down. One not get disturbed by noises since devotees somehow show a tendency to keep silent.. No alteration has been made which gives a good feel. The hand of the deity is in horizontal position now and t is believed taht it is raining by nanometers every year and when the right palm reaches the lips, there would be big flood engulfing the whole earth.Written 31 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- wanderlust1216 contributionsthe staff was very rude because we had cameras with us even though we weren't using it. But the view is stunning. It's beautiful over there, see the water and be on top of all those palm treesWritten 24 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anand GKochi (Cochin), India2,071 contributionsThe Fort is not much of a structure but the story behind it would make you think a loty. The Fort was built by the Dutch and taken over and expanded by the Brits thanks to the permissions given by an irresponsible queen with low levels of vision or intelligence or both. The Fort became the cetre of trade for the Brits who eventually interfered with local commercial activities which resulted in the Attingal rebellion of 1721, a good 36 years before the Battle of Plassey. Quite unfortunately, queen sided with the Brits against her own subjects in that rebellion.
The structure of the fort initially baffled me since the positions of the cannons were facing a blank wall on the west. However, the caretaker explained that the wall on the west was built by ASI to preserve the Fort and it was not part of the original design and as is the standard practice in the Kerala coast, the cannons faced west. The Anjengo/Anchutheng Fort can be considered the southern most of the series of Forts in the West Coast of Kerala starting with the Kumbla Fort in Kumbla, Kasaragode.Written 31 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Akshat GMumbai, India310 contributionsNot the most amazing place. Needs maintenance as the display boards indicating names of fishes were also in bad condition. Variety of fishes were there. Young ones will live it. Aquarium also has some swings on the back side along with view of the beach / sea.Written 10 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- emma p17 contributionsMy experience here was absolutely amazing all across the board !
lovely rooms with air con, fans .. nicely set etc
The staff were brilliant always smiling and very helpful so many good vibes around
If we needed anything they always went above and beyond to provide.
The owner cooked for us the most beautiful dishes of fish and other lovely stuff 🙂
I was quite poorly when I arrived and the
Ayurvedic doctor was on hand to help she also went above and beyond to help me.
Situated very near to the beach etc
Just amazing thanks 🙏Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LouSquiresYork, UK13 contributionsI can’t recommend this place enough. The consultation I received from Dr Manoj was comprehensive and incredibly informative, the treatments I received from his team were wonderful. The place was incredibly welcoming and I left feeling so much more relaxed and experiencing a calm energy that I haven’t felt for quite a while now. I have tried a number of other Ayurvedic treatments in India and this place gave me the most memorable. I will return and would like to thank the team for such wonderful kindness.Written 27 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.