10 Best Offbeat Places to Visit in Kerala

When most travellers think of Kerala, images of houseboat-dotted backwaters, lush Munnar tea gardens, and Ayurveda retreats in Kovalam immediately come to mind. These are beautiful — but they are also crowded. Kerala's soul, however, lies in the places that rarely make it into mainstream itineraries.

At Voynexa Tours, we believe travel is richer when it's unexpected. This guide uncovers 10 truly offbeat destinations in Kerala - from a 40-acre coastal fort in Kasargod to a jungle ecotourism reserve inside a tiger sanctuary - so you can experience God's Own Country beyond the ordinary.

01 Kasargod District

Bekal Fort

Standing proud over the Arabian Sea on 40 acres of land, Bekal Fort is one of Kerala's most majestic yet underrated landmarks. Unlike most Indian forts built for administration, Bekal was conceived purely for coastal defence — making its design uniquely military and its dramatic sea views unmatched anywhere in the state.

The fort's 12-metre-high laterite walls are embedded with 15 bastions in varying shapes - semicircular, octagonal, oval, square, and rectangular. Its most celebrated feature is a stepped water tank with an attached tunnel, and a commanding observation tower that offers sweeping panoramas of the coastline. If you've ever imagined what it felt like to guard the Malabar coast centuries ago, standing on this tower makes it vividly real.

Beyond the fort itself, the surrounding area includes the serene Kappil Beach and the tranquil backwaters of Bekal - perfect for a slow morning after exploring the ramparts. The region also hosts the spectacular Theyyam ritual performances and has a rich Tulu and Kannada cultural influence, making it a true melting pot of North Kerala's heritage.

02 Pathanamthitta District

Aranmula — The Village of Metal Mirrors

Aranmula holds a secret that has fascinated artisans and travellers alike for generations: the world's only metal-surfaced mirror. The legendary Aranmula Kannadi is not made of glass — it is crafted from a specific alloy of bell metal, hand-polished to achieve a reflection so true it is said to never distort.

The making of these mirrors is a labour of days. Craftsmen pour molten metal into mud-encased moulds taken from paddy fields, then fire them for hours. After breaking the mould, the raw metal disc is cut into shape, attached to a wooden handle, and painstakingly rubbed with graduated grit until a flawless mirror surface emerges. Watching this process firsthand in a family workshop is a rare and humbling experience.

Aranmula is also famous for its ancient Parthasarathy Temple, one of Kerala's 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams, and the spectacular Aranmula Boat Race held every Onam season — one of the oldest and most visually stunning water festivals in South India.

03 Kollam District

Thenmala — India's First Planned Ecotourism Destination

Nestled at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Thenmala holds a proud distinction: it is officially recognised as India's first planned ecotourism destination. Conceived with sustainability at its core, Thenmala offers a rare blend of adventure, ecology, and history without overwhelming the natural environment.

Adventure-seekers will find plenty to keep them busy — jungle trekking, rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing, and mountain biking are all on the menu. Nature lovers, meanwhile, can explore the enchanting butterfly safari, visit a deer rehabilitation centre, and walk through the Nakshatravanam garden, where 27 tree varieties correspond to 27 Vedic constellations.

The most extraordinary structure here, though, is entirely man-made: the 13 Arch Bridge, built by the British in the early 1900s along the historic Kollam–Sengottai railway line. What makes it remarkable is the construction method — Surkhi technique, where brick dust replaced sand, and lime and jaggery were used as binding agents. This bridge is a living testament to India's colonial-era engineering ingenuity.

04 Ernakulam District

Cherai Beach — Where Backwaters Meet the Arabian Sea

Just 25 km from the bustle of Kochi lies Cherai Beach — one of Kerala's most enchanting coastal escapes. What makes Cherai singular is its rare geographical drama: the beach and the backwaters run almost parallel here, separated by a thin ribbon of land, before the backwaters pour into the Arabian Sea in a breathtaking confluence.

The drive to Cherai is often spoken of as being as magical as the destination itself. Narrow roads flanked by backwaters on both sides, fishing lines dangling from quaint wharfs, and the occasional kingfisher darting into the water — this 15-km journey on Vypeen Island is a sensory feast. During the monsoon, it becomes something out of a dream.

At the beach, the sand catches sunlight in a way that makes it appear to sparkle. The stretch is far less commercialised than Kovalam or Varkala, meaning you can actually find solitude here. Dolphins have also been spotted offshore — another reason Cherai enjoys a quiet, devoted following among those who know Kerala well.

05 Thiruvananthapuram District

Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary

Tucked away in the foothills of the Western Ghats near Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyar Dam is a genuinely offbeat gem that even many Keralites haven't explored. Though popular with local picnickers on weekends, it remains largely undiscovered by outside tourists — which means the experience here still feels authentic and unhurried.

The dam sits within the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a biodiverse stretch of forest that opens up to views of the majestic Agasthyakoodam peak — one of South India's most sacred mountains and a botanist's paradise. Rare orchids, medicinal plants found nowhere else in the world, and elusive wildlife make this sanctuary genuinely special.

Visitors can take boating trips on the Neyyar reservoir, visit a crocodile rehabilitation and research centre, and explore a deer park. For those seeking inner stillness, the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram on the banks of the Neyyar River has been teaching classical yoga and Vedanta philosophy for decades, attracting visitors from across the world.

06 Kannur District

Thalassery — Birthplace of Four C's

Thalassery (also spelled Tellicherry) is one of Kerala's most culturally layered towns — and one of its most undervisited. It is famously known as the birthplace of four unexpected C's: Communism, Cricket, Cakes, and Circus in Kerala. This alone makes it one of the most delightfully eccentric destinations in all of South India.

Historically, Thalassery was a key British trading post, and its colonial legacy is still visible in the stunning Thalassery Fort (Tellicherry Fort). Food-lovers should not miss the legendary Thalassery Biryani — a distinctly Mappila-style biryani that uses Jeerakasala (short-grain) rice and is considered by many to be among the finest biryanis in India.

The region is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness Theyyam — the spectacular ritual dance form where performers embody deities through elaborate costumes and face paint. You can also take lessons in Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art that is said to be the world's oldest fighting style, or attend a cooking class in authentic Malabar cuisine. The nearby Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach — Asia's longest driveable beach — is just a short trip away.

07 Kozhikode District

Iringal Crafts Village — Kerala's Living Art Heritage

If you are an art lover or a curious traveller who wants to understand the soul of Kerala's traditional craftsmanship, Sargaalaya — the Arts & Crafts Village in Iringal is essential. Perched by the banks of the Moorad River in Kozhikode district, this remarkable campus brings together over 60 artisan huts, each dedicated to a specific craft form from Kerala's heritage.

Visitors can watch live demonstrations of pottery, bamboo crafts, coir jewellery making, wood carving, and weaving — and, crucially, participate in workshops to try these skills themselves. This is not a museum of dead artefacts; it's a living village where hereditary craftspeople still practise their trades daily.

Cultural performances including Mohiniyattam, Kerala Nadanam, Kathakali, and Kalaripayattu can be arranged for groups on request, making Iringal an extraordinary destination for cultural immersion. For travellers on a Kozhikode itinerary, combining Iringal with the historic SM Street (Sweet Street), the maritime heritage of Beypore, and the legendary Malabar food scene makes for a deeply satisfying day.

08 Pathanamthitta District

Gavi — Where Time Stands Still

Deep inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the Ranni reserve forest lies Gavi — arguably Kerala's most pristine ecotourism destination. Untouched by commercialisation, Gavi is the kind of place that makes you feel you have travelled 100 years into the past. There are no luxury resorts here, no Instagram-ready viewpoints with crowds — just forest, silence, and wildlife.

The biodiversity is extraordinary. Gavi is home to endangered species including the Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, and Grizzled Giant Squirrel, as well as an enormous variety of endemic birds. Wildlife safaris here operate at respectful capacities, ensuring genuine encounters rather than rushed group drives.

Visitors can explore cardamom plantation walks, take a boat ride on the Gavi reservoir and Kochupamba lake, and spend the night at Green Mansion, the KTDC-run forest lodge that sits surrounded by the jungle. Waking up to birdsong in this setting, with mist rolling through the cardamom-scented air, is one of Kerala's most extraordinary experiences.

09 Idukki District

Vagamon — Kerala's Hidden Hill Station

While Munnar attracts the crowds, Vagamon offers something increasingly rare in Kerala: genuine solitude atop rolling green hills. Listed by National Geographic Traveller among the "50 Most Attractive Places to Visit in India," this serene hill station in Idukki sits at an elevation that gifts it cool temperatures, wispy mist, and meadows so beautifully green they look almost artificial.

Vagamon is defined by its trio of sacred hills — Thangal Hill (revered by the Muslim community), Murugan Hill (a Hindu pilgrimage site), and Kurismala (a Christian retreat) — representing Kerala's remarkable religious harmony in landscape form. The meadows around these hills are ideal for long, purposeless walks that restore the mind.

For the adventurous, Vagamon offers paragliding with views of the Western Ghats, along with trekking, rock climbing, and off-road cycling. But the hill station's greatest offering might simply be the space to breathe, think, and disconnect — something that neighbouring Munnar, with its coach tours and souvenir shops, can rarely provide anymore.

10 Palakkad District

Nelliampathi — The Monsoon Hill Station

Hidden in Palakkad district and wrapped in coffee and tea plantations, Nelliampathi is one of Kerala's best-kept secrets. It lacks the fame of Munnar or the literary romance of Wayanad — and that is precisely what makes it special. The drive up to Nelliampathi, through hairpin bends on the Sahyadri Ranges with valleys opening up below, is an experience in itself.

During the monsoon, Nelliampathi transforms dramatically. Waterfalls appear on every hillside, the plantation paths turn lush and fragrant, and the cool mountain air carries the scent of rain on coffee blossoms. The Seetharkundu viewpoint offers one of the most breathtaking panoramas in all of Kerala — a vast valley of green stretching to the horizon.

The area around Nelliampathi includes several rewarding secondary stops: the Pothundy Dam for a peaceful lakeside afternoon, a trekking base at Kaikatty Junction, the dramatic Raja's Cliff, and the nearby heritage town of Nenmara, known for its traditional martial art festivals. For travellers who want a hill station that feels genuinely discovered, Nelliampathi is the answer.

Kerala Beyond the Obvious

From the ancient craftsmanship of Aranmula to the lion-tailed macaques of Gavi, from Vagamon's paragliding meadows to Thalassery's extraordinary biryani and circus heritage — these ten destinations offer something the mainstream Kerala circuit rarely does: genuine discovery. Each place asks you to slow down, look carefully, and engage with Kerala on its own terms.

At Voynexa Tours, we specialise in building Kerala itineraries that weave together these hidden gems with Kerala's natural and cultural richness. Whether you have 5 days or 14, we'll help you see a Kerala that most travellers never find.