Kanyakumari, India: travel guide
Where three seas meet at India's southern tip, with a sunrise to match
Land's end of the Indian subcontinent where three seas meet — famous for its stunning sunrise, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, and the Thiruvalluvar statue.
About Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari sits at the southern tip of the Indian mainland, where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea come together. Few places in the country are so quickly understood as a destination: you come to stand at the edge of the land.
The day usually begins at the shoreline for sunrise, followed by a short ferry ride to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the neighbouring tall statue of the poet Thiruvalluvar. The Kumari Amman Temple, Gandhi Memorial Mandapam and the carved Padmanabhapuram Palace across the state line fill out a good itinerary.
Things to do in Kanyakumari are modest in number, so one or two days is plenty. It suits pilgrims, first-time visitors to Tamil Nadu and anyone ticking off the far south. The best time to visit Kanyakumari is the cooler stretch from October to March.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kanyakumari
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹50
A majestic memorial on a sea-rock where Swami Vivekananda meditated in 1892, reached by ferry, with a meditation hall and ocean views.
Triveni Sangam (Sunrise/Sunset Point)
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean at the cape — uniquely you can watch both sunrise and sunset over the sea here.
Kumari Amman Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The ancient Bhagavathy Amman temple at India's southernmost tip, dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Kumari, a revered Shakti pilgrimage site by the sea.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
A colossal 133-ft stone statue of the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar on an islet beside the Vivekananda Rock, reached by the same ferry.
Gandhi Memorial Mandapam
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
A striking memorial built where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were kept before immersion, designed so the sun's rays fall on the spot on his birthday.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A magnificent 16th-century wooden palace of the Travancore kings ~35 km away (in Kerala), renowned for its carved rosewood, murals and cool architecture.
Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A grand temple ~12 km away dedicated to the trinity (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva), famed for its musical pillars and a giant Hanuman statue.
Vattakottai Fort
Fort · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A seaside 18th-century Travancore fort ~7 km north, its black-granite ramparts dropping straight to the sea, with views of the Western Ghats meeting the ocean.
Our Lady of Ransom Church
church · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A striking white-and-gold Gothic Catholic church near the shore, its tall spires a landmark of Kanyakumari's seafront skyline.
Thirparappu Falls
Waterfall · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A scenic seasonal waterfall ~35 km away on the Kodayar river, with a bathing pool and a nearby ancient Shiva temple — a refreshing nature stop.
Things to do
- Sunrise & Sunset at Land's End Nature · 1.5 h
- Vivekananda Rock Ferry & Memorial Cultural · 1.5 h · from INR 75 per person
- Kanyakumari Temple & Memorials Walk Cultural · 2 h · from INR 400 per person
- Padmanabhapuram & Vattakottai Trip Cultural · 5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kanyakumari Land's End Tour 6 h · from INR 1,200
- Heritage Day: Padmanabhapuram & Suchindram 8 h · from INR 1,800
- Kanyakumari & Thirparappu Falls Trip 5 h · from INR 1,500
Where to stay in Kanyakumari
- Cape Area about INR 3,000 per night
Coastal town with beach resorts and temples
Hotels
- Sparsa Resort Kanyakumari 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per night
- The Seashore Hotel 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,500 per night
- Hotel Singaar International 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
- Hotel Sea View 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Hotel Maadhini 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Hotel Tri Sea 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
Where to eat
- Hotel Saravana South Indian, Tamil · about INR 180 per person
- Sangam Restaurant (Hotel Sangam) South Indian, Seafood, North Indian · about INR 400 per person
- Seashore Seafood Restaurant Seafood, Tamil, Coastal · about INR 450 per person
- Hotel Annapurna South Indian, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 200 per person
- Sea View Restaurant (Sparsa) Seafood, Continental, South Indian · about INR 900 per person
- Archana Restaurant South Indian · about INR 150 per person
- Hotel TTDC Restaurant South Indian, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
- Kovalam Restaurant Kerala, Seafood, Tamil · about INR 300 per person
Getting to Kanyakumari
Nearest airport: Trivandrum (TRV), about 81 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Taxi
- Walking
More in India
Frequently asked questions about Kanyakumari
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Kanyakumari?
- The highest-rated places in our Kanyakumari guide are Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Triveni Sangam (Sunrise/Sunset Point), Kumari Amman Temple.
- Where should I stay in Kanyakumari?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kanyakumari: Cape Area.
- How do I get around Kanyakumari?
- Ways to get around Kanyakumari covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.