Kovalam, India: travel guide
Crescent beaches and a lighthouse near Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala's original international beach resort — three crescent beaches with a lighthouse backdrop, Ayurveda centers, and calm Arabian Sea surf.
About Kovalam
Kovalam is a seaside resort just south of Thiruvananthapuram, built around a set of curving, palm-fringed beaches on the Arabian Sea. It has been a beach destination for decades, and its mix of cafes, guesthouses and Ayurveda centres is easy to settle into.
Lighthouse Beach, backed by the red-and-white Vizhinjam Lighthouse, is the liveliest stretch, with Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach to either side. The Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium is a short stop, and a day trip to Poovar Island and its backwaters offers a quieter, greener contrast. Ayurvedic massages and yoga sessions are popular.
Kovalam suits couples, families and travellers wanting a simple beach break. The best time to visit Kovalam is from October to March, when the sea is calmer and the skies are clear.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- TRV
Last updated
Top places to visit in Kovalam
Lighthouse Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · free entry
Kovalam's most popular crescent of golden sand beneath the red-and-white Vizhinjam lighthouse, lined with cafes, shops and gentle surf.
Hawah Beach (Eve's Beach)
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
A scenic beach north of the lighthouse cove, busy with catamaran fishermen at dawn and gentler for a relaxed swim and sunbathing.
Poovar Island & Backwaters
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A serene estuary ~12 km south where the Neyyar river, backwaters and golden beach meet, explored by boat through mangrove-fringed waters.
Vizhinjam Lighthouse
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The 35-m striped lighthouse above the beach; climb the spiral stair for a sweeping view of the coastline, coves and the Arabian Sea.
Samudra Beach
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry
A quieter, rockier beach to the north, away from the main bustle, with luxury resorts and calm spots for sunset watching.
Azhimala Shiva Temple
temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A clifftop seaside temple ~10 km south with one of the world's tallest Shiva statues (Sagarकanya Shiva), overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium
Museum · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A small marine aquarium near the Vizhinjam fishing harbour displaying colourful reef fish, turtles and coastal marine life.
Halcyon Castle (Kovalam Palace)
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 1930s clifftop castle built by the Travancore royals, now part of the Leela resort, a landmark with sweeping sea views.
Valiyathura Pier
Viewpoint · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A long, weathered colonial-era sea pier to the north near Trivandrum, an atmospheric spot for sunset photography over the waves.
Vizhinjam Rock-cut Cave Temple
temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An 8th-century Ay-dynasty rock-cut cave shrine near the harbour with a half-finished relief of Shiva, a quiet archaeological gem.
Things to do
- Poovar Backwater Boat Cruise Nature · 2 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Ayurvedic Massage & Wellness Activity · 1.3 h · from INR 1,800 per person
- Kovalam Surf & Beach Day Activity · 2 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Catamaran Fishing & Dolphin Spotting Activity · 2 h · from INR 1,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kovalam Beaches & Poovar Tour 8 h · from INR 1,800
- Trivandrum City & Temple Day Trip 8 h · from INR 1,800
- Kovalam Ayurveda & Beach Retreat 5 h · from INR 2,000
Where to stay in Kovalam
- Beach Area about INR 4,000 per night
Tropical beach town with resorts and water sports
Hotels
- The Leela Kovalam 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 28,000 per night
- Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa 5-star · INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per night
- Poovar Island Resort 4-star · INR 7,000 to INR 14,000 per night
- Maharaju Palace (Heritage Stay) 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel 4-star · INR 6,000 to INR 11,000 per night
- Zostel Kovalam 2-star · INR 600 to INR 2,000 per night
Where to eat
- Fusion Restaurant Seafood, Continental, Kerala · about INR 600 per person
- Malabar Cafe Kerala, Seafood, Continental · about INR 550 per person
- Leo Restaurant Seafood, Coastal · about INR 600 per person
- German Bakery Kovalam Continental, Cafe, Bakery · about INR 350 per person
- Santana Restaurant Seafood, Israeli, Continental · about INR 500 per person
- Waves Restaurant Seafood, Continental, North Indian · about INR 550 per person
- Tides (Leela Kovalam) Seafood, Continental, Coastal · about INR 1,500 per person
- Coral Reef Cafe Cafe, Seafood, Continental · about INR 400 per person
Getting to Kovalam
Nearest airport: Trivandrum (TRV), about 11 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Kovalam
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Kovalam?
- The highest-rated places in our Kovalam guide are Poovar Island & Backwaters, Azhimala Shiva Temple, Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach (Eve's Beach), Vizhinjam Lighthouse.
- Where should I stay in Kovalam?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kovalam: Beach Area.
- How do I get around Kovalam?
- Ways to get around Kovalam covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Kovalam?
- The nearest airport to Kovalam has the code TRV.