Kerala
Varkala Cab Tours
Red laterite cliffs above a holy beach, lined with cafes and yoga shalas. Kerala's most dramatic coastline.
Browse All Varkala TripsTrivandrum (50km)
Nearest Airport
Sep–Mar
Best Season
2–3 Days
Avg Duration
Cliffs & Yoga
Famous For
Varkala by Cab — Why It Works
Varkala is Kerala’s only cliff beach — a long red laterite escarpment rising straight from the Arabian Sea, crowned with a walkway of cafes, guesthouses, and yoga schools. Below, Papanasam Beach has been a sacred bathing spot for centuries. Quieter and more bohemian than Kovalam, Varkala works equally well as a 2-night stop between Alleppey and Kovalam or as a standalone slow-travel base.
Top Varkala Itineraries
View allCochin · Munnar · Thekkady · Varkala · Trivandrum
6 Days : Kerala Munnar,Thekkady,Varkala
from ₹19,488
Cochin · Munnar · Thekkady · Varkala · Trivandrum
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8 Days : Spectacular Kerala Cab Tour
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Munnar · Alleppey · Varkala · Cochin
6 Days : Amazing Kerala Cab Tour
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Cochin · Munnar · Alleppey · Varkala
5 Days : Kerala Cab Tour
from ₹20,160
Popular Places in Varkala
North Cliff
Cafe-lined cliff walkway with sea views
Papanasam Beach
Sacred beach below the cliffs
Janardanaswamy Temple
2,000-year-old Vishnu temple near the beach
Kappil Lake
Backwater lagoon meeting the sea, 7 km north
Odayam Beach
Quiet black-sand beach north of the cliff
Kovalam
Classic beach resort town, 50 km south
Best Time to Visit Varkala
Green months = ideal weather. Grey months = monsoon/off-season (can be beautiful but expect rain).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Varkala from Trivandrum airport?
About 50 km — roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by cab via the coastal highway. Varkala also has its own railway station (Varkala Sivagiri) on the main Trivandrum–Kollam line.
What is special about Varkala compared to other Kerala beaches?
The cliffs. Nowhere else in Kerala does a 30-metre red laterite cliff run along the beach with cafes and shops on top. It is also one of Kerala’s main yoga and Ayurveda hubs, with a backpacker-meets-wellness atmosphere.
Can Varkala be combined with Alleppey or Kovalam?
Yes — Varkala sits almost exactly midway between Alleppey (110 km) and Kovalam (50 km), making it a natural 2-night stop on a south Kerala coastal circuit.
Is Varkala good for swimming?
Papanasam Beach has lifeguards and flagged swimming zones — stay within them, as the outer currents can be strong. Odayam Beach, further north, is calmer and quieter.
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