Varkala, India: travel guide
Red cliffs, a sacred beach and yoga retreats on the Kerala coast
Dramatic cliff-top beach with natural mineral springs — a laid-back alternative to Kovalam, beloved by yogis and surfers alike.
About Varkala
Varkala is a coastal town in southern Kerala, unusual for the red laterite cliffs that rise directly above the Arabian Sea. A path runs along the top, lined with cafes, small shops and yoga studios, giving it a relaxed atmosphere that suits long stays.
Things to do in Varkala include walking along the North Cliff at sunset, swimming on Papanasam Beach, which is considered sacred, and visiting the Janardanaswamy Temple close by. Sivagiri Mutt is a respected spiritual centre, and boat trips on the Kappil backwaters show a quieter side of the coast. Surfing and yoga classes are available in season.
Varkala suits couples, solo travellers and slow-travel visitors. The best time to visit Varkala is from October to March, when seas are calmer and the skies are clear.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- TRV
Last updated
Top places to visit in Varkala
Janardanaswamy Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 2,000-year-old Vishnu temple on a hillock above Papanasam beach, a revered pilgrimage site sometimes called the "Varanasi of the South".
Edava Beach
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A pristine, little-visited beach north of Kappil with golden sand and dramatic laterite cliffs, perfect for a peaceful seaside escape.
Varkala Cliff Sunset Panorama
viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The iconic view in Varkala — the setting sun over the Arabian Sea from the red laterite cliffs, with the sea turning gold and the cliff restaurants filling with diners. The most photographed moment in Varkala.
Varkala North Cliff
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A dramatic red-laterite cliff towering over the Arabian Sea, lined with cafes, shops and yoga shalas — Varkala's iconic clifftop promenade and sunset spot.
Varkala Cliff Seafood Restaurants
district · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The North Cliff rooftop restaurants offer Kerala finest fresh seafood — grilled kingfish, prawn masala, and lobster with the Arabian Sea as backdrop. Best enjoyed at sunset.
Papanasam Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
The sacred beach below the cliff, believed to wash away sins, where pilgrims perform rituals and travellers swim and sunbathe.
Varkala Cliff Night Dining Scene
district · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The North Cliff restaurants transform at night with fairy lights, candlelit tables, and live music. The best evening dining destination on the Kerala coast south of Kovalam.
Varkala Cliffside Café Culture
cafe · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The North Cliff is lined with casual cafes serving fresh juices, smoothie bowls, Kerala chai, and light meals to a beach-relaxed, yoga crowd. A wonderful place for a slow morning or afternoon.
Sivagiri Mutt Sree Narayana Shrine
ashram · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru — Kerala greatest social reformer who fought against caste discrimination. The Sivagiri Mutt is a major pilgrimage site and spiritual centre of exceptional historical significance.
Varkala Yoga and Ayurveda Cliff
wellness · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Varkala North Cliff is a major yoga and Ayurveda destination with dozens of studios and treatment centres. Multi-day Ayurvedic panchakarma treatments and daily cliff-top yoga classes are widely available.
Varkala Live Music Sunset Bar
bar · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The clifftop bars in Varkala host evening live music sessions — acoustic guitar, Bob Marley covers, and occasional local classical music. The combination of live music and Arabian Sea sunsets is hard to beat.
Varkala Cliff Hammock Guesthouses
district · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The most charming guesthouses in Varkala are the clifftop bungalows with hammocks on private verandas overlooking the Arabian Sea — watching the sunset from your own hammock is the quintessential experience.
Things to do
- Varkala Sunset Cliffside Cultural Dinner Heritage · 2.5 h · from INR 1,800 per person
- Varkala Lighthouse Heritage Walk Sunset Heritage · 1.5 h
- Varkala Cliff Top Yoga at Sunrise Nature · 1.5 h · from INR 800 per person
- Cliffside Yoga & Ayurveda Activity · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Varkala Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage Beach Nature · 2 h · from INR 2,500 per person
- Varkala Beach Surf Lesson Activity · 2 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Varkala Kerala Folk Music and Dance Performance Heritage · 2 h · from INR 600 per person
- Varkala Boat Fishing Traditional Canoe Heritage · 5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Varkala Beaches & Cliff Tour 5 h · from INR 1,000
- Kappil Backwaters & North Beaches Trip 5 h · from INR 1,200
- Varkala & Anjengo Heritage Trip 5 h · from INR 1,200
Where to stay in Varkala
- Beach Cliffs about INR 3,000 per night
Scenic coastal area with beach resorts and cafes
Hotels
- Gateway Varkala by Taj 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 38,000 per night
- Villa Jacaranda Varkala 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 15,000 per night
- Varkala Infinity Resort 5-star · INR 9,000 to INR 28,000 per night
- Varkala Rock Garden Villa 5-star · INR 8,000 to INR 25,000 per night
- Varkala Treehouse Retreat 4-star · INR 5,500 to INR 16,000 per night
- The Leela Raviz Kovalam 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 55,000 per night
Where to eat
- Juice Shack Varkala Cliff Drinks, Healthy, Juice · about INR 200 per person
- Marine Palace Restaurant Varkala Kerala, Seafood, Biryani · about INR 450 per person
- Abba Restaurant Varkala Kerala, Seafood, Multi-cuisine · about INR 500 per person
- Gods Own Country Restaurant Varkala Kerala, Seafood, Multi-cuisine · about INR 500 per person
- Cafe Del Mar Varkala Italian, Kerala, Continental · about INR 500 per person
- Sri Padman Restaurant Varkala Kerala, Seafood, Traditional · about INR 400 per person
- Varkala Beach Boys Restaurant Kerala, Seafood, Bar · about INR 450 per person
- Sunrise Restaurant Varkala Cliff Kerala, Continental, Breakfast · about INR 400 per person
Getting to Varkala
Nearest airport: Trivandrum (TRV), about 36 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Scooter Rental
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Varkala
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Varkala?
- The highest-rated places in our Varkala guide are Varkala Cliff Sunset Panorama, Varkala North Cliff, Sivagiri Mutt Sree Narayana Shrine, Varkala Cliff Hammock Guesthouses, Varkala Cliff Seafood Restaurants.
- Where should I stay in Varkala?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Varkala: Beach Cliffs.
- How do I get around Varkala?
- Ways to get around Varkala covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Scooter rental, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Varkala?
- The nearest airport to Varkala has the code TRV.