Travel to Varkala: A First-Timer’s Guide to Kerala’s Cliff-Top Beach
A practical, no-fluff guide to Varkala for first-time visitors — when to go, the cliff and the beaches, what to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to get there, and a relaxed 2-day plan.
Varkala is Kerala’s beach with a view from above. Instead of a flat shoreline, the sand here sits beneath dramatic red laterite cliffs, with a footpath promenade strung along the top — cafes, yoga shalas and Ayurveda spots looking straight out over the Arabian Sea. It’s laid-back, a little bohemian, and the easiest place in south Kerala to do nothing for a day or two.
Varkala is a cliff-top beach town in south Kerala — red cliffs, a cafe-lined promenade and the holy Papanasam Beach below. Come for two slow days of sea views, sunsets, yoga and seafood, with a temple and a quiet backwater beach nearby. Go November to March, base on the North Cliff, and pair it with Alleppey’s backwaters further up the coast.
Why visit Varkala
Three reasons Varkala stands out among Kerala’s beaches — and why it’s worth more than an overnight.
The cliff & the view
The red laterite cliffs and their clifftop promenade are unique on India’s south-west coast. Walking the path at sunset, with the sea glowing below and cafes lighting up, is the whole reason people fall for Varkala.
Slow, easy days
Less built-up and calmer than many beach towns, Varkala runs on yoga, Ayurveda, long breakfasts and longer sunsets. After temples and cities, it’s where a Kerala trip exhales.
Beach meets pilgrimage
Below the cafes lies Papanasam, a holy beach where pilgrims come to bathe, and a clifftop temple watches over it all. The mix of beach-town ease and old ritual gives Varkala a character all its own.
The red laterite cliffs rising above the beach at Varkala.
When to go
November to March (best): warm, dry days, calm seas and the cliff in full swing — the peak window, busiest around Christmas and New Year.
October & April: shoulder months — still pleasant, a little quieter, with the season either warming up or winding down.
May to September (monsoon): rough seas, lush cliffs and dramatic skies, but many cafes shut and swimming is unsafe. Cheap and quiet if you only want the views and the calm.
The sea at Varkala can have strong currents and a steep drop-off. Swim only where lifeguards and flags say it’s safe, stick to the patrolled stretch, and take care near the cliff edge, which erodes.
Top things to do in Varkala
From doing very little on the cliff to a couple of easy trips nearby.
Walk the North Cliff at sunset
The clifftop promenade is the heart of Varkala — cafes, shops and viewpoints strung along the edge. Time a slow walk for golden hour and stay for the sea turning gold below.
Relax on Papanasam Beach
The main beach below the cliff is both a swimming spot and a holy bathing place. Lie back, watch the pilgrims and surfers, and take the steep steps down from the promenade.
Yoga & Ayurveda
Varkala is full of drop-in yoga classes and Ayurvedic massage centres. A morning class on the cliff or an afternoon treatment fits the town’s slow rhythm perfectly.
Janardanaswamy Temple & Sivagiri
The ancient clifftop Janardanaswamy Temple and the nearby Sivagiri Mutt, the hilltop shrine of reformer Sree Narayana Guru, add a quiet, spiritual layer to the beach days.
Kappil Beach & backwaters
A short ride north, Kappil is where a quiet backwater meets the sea. Hire a small boat or just enjoy the near-empty sand — a calm contrast to the busy cliff.
Try surfing
Varkala has a small but friendly surf scene, with schools renting boards and running beginner lessons when the swell and flags allow. A fun way to get in the water safely.
What to eat in Varkala
Fresh seafood meets a traveller cafe scene — the coast’s catch alongside global comfort food on the cliff.
Fresh grilled seafood
Pick your fish, prawns or squid from the ice display and have it grilled with Kerala spices as the sun goes down.
Fish curry & rice
Tangy, coconut-rich Kerala fish curry over red rice — best at the simpler places off the cliff.
Cliff-cafe breakfasts
Fruit bowls, eggs, coffee and global plates with a sea view — Varkala’s long, lazy mornings happen here.
Appam, dosa & meals
Step off the cliff for proper South Indian breakfasts and banana-leaf meals at a fraction of the tourist price.
Cliff cafes are relaxed but service is slow and prices are higher than the town. For a quick, cheap, authentic meal, walk a few minutes inland.
Where to stay
Pick your pace: the lively cliff, the quieter south end, or a dedicated wellness retreat.
North Cliff guesthouse
Steps from the cafes, shops and sunset views — the classic Varkala base, lively and walkable.
South Cliff stay
Calmer and often smarter, with the same sea views a short walk from the buzz — good for couples.
Ayurveda retreat
Dedicated retreats run multi-day yoga and Ayurveda programmes for a deeper reset by the sea.
How to get to Varkala & around
One of the easiest beach towns in Kerala to reach — and tiny once you’re there.
Varkala sits on the main coastal rail line — it’s a simple train hop to Kollam for the backwaters or north towards Alleppey and Kochi.
A simple 2-day plan
Two unhurried days of beach, cliff and a little culture.
Beach & cliff
Ease in with a cliff-cafe breakfast, then down to Papanasam Beach for the day. Walk the North Cliff promenade in the late afternoon and stay out for the sunset and dinner.
Temple & backwater
Start with yoga or Ayurveda, visit Janardanaswamy Temple or Sivagiri, then head to quiet Kappil Beach and its backwater — before moving on up the coast to Alleppey’s backwaters.
Practical tips that actually help
Swim safely
Currents can be strong — stay in the patrolled, flagged stretch and heed lifeguards.
Claim a sunset spot
The cliff fills up at golden hour; grab a cafe table early for the best view.
Eat off the cliff
Walk inland for cheaper, faster, more authentic South Indian meals.
Mind the cliff edge
The laterite erodes — keep back from the unfenced edge, especially after rain.
Dress modestly in town
Beachwear is fine on the sand; cover up for temples and the town side.
Skip peak monsoon
May–September means rough seas and many closed cafes — go in the dry season.
Mistakes first-time visitors make
- Treating it as a one-night stop. Varkala’s whole appeal is slowing down — give it two nights.
- Swimming anywhere on the beach. Currents are real; stick to the patrolled, flagged stretch.
- Only eating on the cliff. The best-value, most authentic food is a short walk inland.
- Coming in deep monsoon. Rough seas and shuttered cafes take the shine off the cliff.
Planning the rest of your Kerala coast?
Varkala pairs naturally with the Kollam and Alleppey backwaters just up the line. Tell me your dates and pace, and I’ll map a Kerala route that links the beach and the backwaters.
Plan my Kerala trip →Varkala FAQs
How many days do you need in Varkala?
Two days is the sweet spot — one for the beach and cliff, another for yoga, the temple and a nearby backwater. It’s an easy place to linger longer if you want to switch off.
What is the best time to visit Varkala?
November to March, for warm, dry weather and calm seas. October and April are quieter shoulder months, while the May–September monsoon brings rough seas and many closed cafes.
Is it safe to swim at Varkala?
Only in the patrolled, flagged stretch. The sea can have strong currents and a steep drop-off, so follow the lifeguards and avoid swimming alone or in rough conditions.
How do you get to Varkala?
Trivandrum airport is about 40 km away, and Varkala Sivagiri railway station, on the main coastal line, is roughly 10 minutes from the cliff by auto.
Is Varkala better than Kovalam?
It depends on your taste. Varkala is more relaxed and scenic with its clifftop setting, while Kovalam is busier and more developed. Most slow-travellers prefer Varkala.
Related guides
Keep planning your Kerala trip with these:
Kerala Travel Guide
Backwaters, tea hills, beaches and spice country — how to string Kerala together.
Travel to Alleppey
Houseboats and canals up the coast — the natural next stop after the Varkala cliff.
Ashvinee Nagle
I’m Ashvinee — I help first-time travellers plan India trips that actually work. I’ve spent years exploring the country’s regions, from Rajasthan’s forts to Kerala’s backwaters, and I write the guides I wish I’d had on my own first trips.
Plan your India trip with us
Get one short, honest India travel guide a week — plus a free 7-day Rajasthan itinerary to start. No spam, unsubscribe any time.