30 Things which a visitor to Thiruvananthapuramshould not miss

Thiruvananthapuram is the city that is ornamented with a rich culture and heritage with
potent and amazing historical references from ancient, through medieval to modern
times. Thiruvananthapuram is where development meets historical preservation under
the patronage of nature’s abundance.
Despite being the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram has, quite amazingly,
managed to keep itself from the vexatious aura of any usual capital city. Built on seven
hills, this evergreen city of South India is an ideal retreat – quaint yet urban. With so
much to see and experience around, there is an awfully long list of things to do in
Thiruvananthapuram and more often than not, people tend to get confused about what
to do and what not to, in the limited span of time.
Here are some of the most refreshing and rejuvenating things to do in
Thiruvananthapuram Kovalam.

1. Padmanabhaswamy Temple – Experience of the beauty of Travancore
architecture
Temples in Thiruvananthapuram have been of prime significance in Kerala’s history and
culture. While observing and interacting with people closely associated with the
temples, one gets to see the true colours of Kerala. The architecture is spectacular too.
The famous Padmanabhaswamy temple is a fine example of fusion of Kerala and
Dravidian cultures. With intricate stonework and breathtaking backdrop, this place
attracts a huge number of tourists. The stunning architecture and the tranquility
encircling the atmosphere of this destination makes it one of the most gorgeous tourist
attractions in Thiruvananthapuram.

2. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Explore Nature
There can be nothing more peaceful and satisfying than enjoying nature in its true form.
Home to various endangered species, a visit to Neyyar wildlife sanctuary is a must for
wildlife lovers. Situated 35 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, it can be reached by
KSRTC bus or private taxi. The sanctuary also organises Lion Safaris, which just can’t be missed. With the availability of various lodging options and the place also offers an opportunity for two day treks. Best time to visit: October to March

3. Neyyar Dam – Go Boating & Fishing
Situated in the foothills of Western Ghats, around 30 km away from the town, Neyyar
Dam is a beauty beyond description and of course a famous tourist hub in
Thiruvananthapuram. The food and facilities provided by warm and welcoming local
villagers will leave you craving for some more time here. While boating is the star
attraction, fishing is also an engaging activity at Neyyar Dam.

4. AMAS – Enjoy Skydiving
For all adventure junkies visiting Thiruvananthapuram, the Academy for Mountaineering
and Adventure Sports offers many adventurous activities, ranging from water sports
such as SCUBA diving and rafting to various air adventures such as skydiving and
paragliding. This is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram for thrill
seekers. It runs various training programs and has state-of-the-art equipment for all
sorts of adventure sports. If you haven’t tried any of these thrilling activities, attending
AMAS programs is among the best things to do in Thiruvananthapuram, India.

5. Napier Museum – Get insights into the cultural history of Kerala
This Museum offers an insight into the cultural history of Kerala, featuring various
artefacts. The building of the museum, in itself, is a fine example of Kerala’s
architectural design, mixed with Mughlai and Chinese architecture. This museum is one
of the most funfilled tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram for those who are seeking
to get an insight into the ancient life of Kerala.

6. The Natural History Museum – Rediscover istory
The Natural History Museum exhibits the natural history of Ethnography. It might sound
complicated but trust us it’s going to be an interesting visit. With a modern building and
an excellent staff, it will surely encourage you to rediscover history. The artificats in this
museum are some of the beautiful things to see in Thiruvananthapuram.

7. SMSM Institute – Witness the traditional art of Kerala
SMSM institute is an ideal place to witness the traditional art of Kerala. Ranging from
intricate carving on woods to gigantic statues of Gods, this place has a lot to offer. The
institute also sells artefacts and most are so awesome that you would be proud to own
one.

8. Chalai Market – Have some local shopping fun
In contrast to the picturesque Kerala, here is this busy and bustling street of Chalai
Market. Famous for its unlimited range of products, this market can ensure availability of
almost every item and you’ll end up buying more than you need. An organised market
with direct connectivity and wide range of goods, shopping here is a must among the
best things to do in Thiruvananthapuram at night.

9. Ayushmanbhava Ayurvedic Centre – Rejuvenate yourself
Ayushmanbhava Ayurvedic Centre is renowned for its principles that use the Ayurveda
treatments to heal the soul. The centre promotes various teachings of Yoga and
Ayurveda to maintain a healthy life. With modern amenities and world class hospitality,
this place ticks all the boxes for a rejuvenating stay.

10. Vizhinjam Lighthouse – Enjoy the Cityscape
The most distinctive feature of Kovalam beach, this 45 year old working lighthouse, still
remains a major attraction for tourists. One of the answers to what to do in
Thiruvananthapuram is certainly paying a visit to this marvel. Once you climb the 150
stairs and reach to the top, the aerial view of the beach and water will leave you awe
struck. The tower is well lit from the inside, with enough space to walk comfortably. The
picturesque landscape, the charm of ocean that is spread as far as the eye can see,
and the sounds of waves hitting the rocks makes the whole experience extremely
special. This lighthouse is definitely one of the amazing things to see in
Thiruvananthapuram.

11. Kanakakunnu Palace – Explore The Ancient Royal Life
Sitting at the peak of a hill, Kanakakunnu Palace offers some of the most picturesque
landscapes of the surrounding gardens. Pay a visit to this Palace and witness your mind
teleporting to the golden days of the Travancore dynasty. As one enters this gorgeous
palace, they are welcomed by the massive chandeliers, rich upholstery, and the
essence of royalness spread all around the interiors adorning the spaces. One can also
spectate an event or festival in the auditoriums housing in the walls of Kanakakunnu
Palace. Hence, before traveling to this destination, one should make sure to check the
calendar of this royal palace.

12. Samudra Beach – Relax And Rejuvenate

If your idea of a vacation includes spending some time on the sandy beaches,
witnessing the sun setting, relaxing on a hammock, sipping on a tropical beverage, and
simply embracing a laid-back experience, the Samudra Beach is definitely one of the
best things to see in Thiruvananthapuram. The northern region of the famous Kovalam
Beach, Samudra Beach is not that popular amidst travelers which makes paying a visit
to this beach one of the best things to do in Thiruvananthapuram. Offering a great
escape to the travelers, away from all the crowds, this beach gives travelers an
opportunity to rejuvenate in tranquility.

If your idea of a vacation includes spending some time on the sandy beaches,
witnessing the sun setting, relaxing on a hammock, sipping on a tropical beverage, and
simply embracing a laid-back experience, the Samudra Beach is definitely one of the
best things to see in Thiruvananthapuram. The northern region of the famous Kovalam
Beach, Samudra Beach is not that popular amidst travelers which makes paying a visit
to this beach one of the best things to do in Thiruvananthapuram. Offering a great
escape to the travelers, away from all the crowds, this beach gives travelers an
opportunity to rejuvenate in tranquility.

13. Sri Chitra Art Gallery – Witness The Artworks Of Renowned Artist
Home to some of the most popular and most beautiful paintings by none other than
Raja Ravi Verma, Sri Chitra Art Gallery is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
Along with housing the exclusive artwork of the renowned artist, this art gallery also
blankets a massive collection of miniature paintings, Tanjore paintings that are adorned
with stones and bright colors, and an extensive number of artworks from bygone eras of
Rajasthani, Mughals, and Rajput. Sri Chitra Art Gallery is known for its perfectly
amalgamated artifacts from ancient and modern times. One can also find contemporary
art collection from various parts of the world including China, Japan, Tibet, and Bali.
Strolling around the gallery is definitely one of the fun things to do in
Thiruvananthapuram.

14. Margi Theatre – Appreciate the Art Form
For those who admire and appreciate any form of art should definitely pay a visit to the
Margi Theatre. One of the most amazing and artistic Thiruvananthapuram attractions,
this theatre is known for some of the most beautiful classical dance performances.
When the feet of Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, or Kutiyattom dancers hit against the stage
of this theatre, there is a unique and enchanting vibe that spreads in the atmosphere.
The performers of this organization have not only performed in India but have also
showcased their artform in various other parts of the world including Sweden, UK, Italy,
Poland, France, Germany, Spain, and many more. The aim of this organisation is to
spread the word and awareness about the culture and traditions of God’s own country.

15. Meenmutty WaterFalls – Embrace The Refreshness
Giving travelers an opportunity to embrace the serenity and beauty of the water gushing
down, Meenmutty Waterfalls is located closer to the Neyyar dam that can be reached
only by trekking up the trail. Thus, enabling visitors to satiate their cravings for
adventure along with allowing them to get closer to mother nature. The trail to this
waterfall goes among the dense forests, under the canopy formed by green foliage, and makes one enjoy this thrilling experience. Trekking to this destination is definitely one of the greatest things to do in Thiruvananthapuram.

16. Poovar Island – Enjoy the serenity of nature
A traveller’s paradise, Poovar Island nestles between the Arabian Sea, Kerala
backwaters and the majestic Western Ghats. Palm-fringed beaches, golden sands and
turquoise blue seawater awaits here. This place is Kerala’s most distinctive remote
getaway and a perfect place to spend quality time with nature and loved ones.
Poovar Island is a resort that offers a large range of accommodation options. Out of its
78 rooms, 56 rooms can be used as triples. Many of its rooms have hammock in the
terrace. You are spoilt for choices as the resort offers Land Cottages, Ayurveda Land
Cottages, Superior Land Cottages and Premier Cottages. Deluxe Rooms, Floating
Cottages and Ayurveda Floating Cottages flood you with exceptional choices of
accommodation.
The retreat provides quality holiday experience in sublime natural surroundings. Enjoy a
cruise along the shores dotted with palms and breezy backwaters. The island also
offers Ayurvedic therapies and massages to its guests. Developed as a ‘science of life’,
Ayurveda promises rejuvenation of mind and soul equally. Therefore, here, this
therapeutic form has been given special attention. The centre provides facilities that
offer long-term Ayurveda benefits.

17. Magic Planet Theme Park – Enjoy some thrilling experiences
Magic Planet – the magic-themed complex – at the Kinfra Film and Video Park near
Kazhakuttam, will facilitate an interesting journey, experiencing various eras of magic
and exploring its rich history. It includes scientific, mathematical and psycho magic,
street magic, stage-theatre illusion, puzzles corners and many more.

18. Puthenmalika (Kuthiramalika) Palace – Experience the exquisite beauty of
Travancore architecture

Located adjacent to Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum is the
rarest specimen of workmanship. Built by Maharaja Swathi Balarama Varma, this
palace displays valuable collections of royal family.
Besides the rich collection that it displays, this museum is an exemplary example of
traditional Travancore-style architecture. Intricate wood carvings and distinctive
patterns constitute a masterpiece of its kinds. Overhanging attics, pillar-lined courtyards
and sloping roofs contribute to the exclusive look of the museum. Visitors can expect a display of a collection, including Belgian mirrors, paintings, Kathakali mannequins, exquisite traditional furniture. The two royal thrones; one manufactured of Bohemian crystals, embossed with an emblem of ‘Conch’ on the backrest and the other made of ivory are the prime attractions of the museum. Marble- made idols and sculptures, musical instruments and the alcove used by Swami Thirunal have also been kept in the showcase. An illusion portrait by veteran painter Sveroslav Roerich is another attractive feature here.

19. Agasthyakoodam – Enjoy the beauty of mountain ranges
Part of the Sahyadri ranges in Western Ghats, Agasthyakoodam, at an altitude of 1,890
m above sea level, is the second highest peak in Kerala. Sprawling with wildlife, the
forests of Agasthyakoodam teams in with rare remedial herbs and plants, and shiningly
hued orchids. It is also a bird watcher’s paradise, this fabulous mountain is only
accessible by foot from Kotoor, near Neyyar Dam and also from Bonakkad. Trekking to
Agasthyakoodam is believed to be healthy and the very air here is supposed to have
healing qualities. It is thought that sage Agasthya, the mythological character lived here.

20. Shri Chitra Art Gallery – See a mix of traditional and contemporary paintings
Sree Chitra Art Gallery is an art gallery in Thiruvananthapuram, India, established in It is located in the northern grounds of the Napier Museum. It was inaugurated by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. The gallery features a unique collection of traditional and contemporary paintings, including the works of Raja Ravi Varma, Nicholas Roerich,
Svetoslav Roerich, Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, V. S. Valiathan, C. Raja Raja
Varma, and K. C. S. Paniker. There are approximately 1100 paintings at the gallery.
The art gallery has on display works from the Mughal, Rajput, Bengal, Rajastani, and
Tanjore schools of art. It also has an oriental collection of Chinese, Japanese, and
Balinese paintings, Tibetan Thangka, and unique collections of Indian mural paintings from pre-historic times.

21. Lulu Mall – Experience the joy of shopping
Lulu Mall Thiruvananthapuram is a shopping mall located in Thiruvananthapuram. With
a total built up area of 2,000,000 sq ft (190,000 m2)[4] .The shopping mall is located
along the side of National Highway 66 at Aakkulam near Technopark the largest IT park
in India. The mall has 300+ national and international brands and 12 anchor stores
including a Lulu Hypermarket, largest indoor entertainment zone in the country[citation
needed], a multilevel car parking space for more than 3,800 cars. It also has a food
court with a capacity for 2500 people serving various regional, international and specialty cuisines. The mall has a 12 screen Superplex Multiplex including Kerala’s first IMAX screen, 4DX screen[5] by PVR cinemas.

22. Shanghumukham Beach – Do not miss this calm and serene experience
Shankumugham Beach is a beach in Thiruvananthapuram. The beach is on the western
side of Thiruvananthapuram (Thiruvananthapuram) and is very close to
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
The vast stretch of white sand and the serene atmosphere, away from the crowd in the
city, provide all the ingredients for relaxation and for spending an ideal evening with
eating kiosks and open-air theatre with car parking facilities. Good food can be enjoyed
at the Old Coffee House, just across the beach, which is also a vantage point for
enjoying the sunset.[1] It is less crowded, really calm and serene experience to walk
around and feel the majestic presence of the sea.

23. Priyadarshini Planetorium – Have a look at the mystery of the universe
Opened in 1994 to the public, this is one of the most versatile planetariums in the
country. The main GM-11 star field projector here can project almost all the constituents
of the visible universe. It can also simulate the star-studded night sky over any location
on the earth, on any day up to 12,500 years back or 12,500 years into the future. The
planetarium will be closed on Mondays.

24. Veli Tourist Village – Experience the beauty of a picturesque village
Veli is a picturesque village, with a delightful waterfront park and a tourist village. Veli
village is sandwiched between the Veli lagoon and the Arabian Sea. Veli beach,
adorned with its natural beauty, is an added attraction. It lies on the outskirts of
Thiruvananthapuram (8 km). The nearest airport, Thiruvananthapuram International
Airport, is just about 3 km away.

25. Aruvikkara Dam – See the beauty of a unique dam
Aruvikkara Dam is located in Aruvikkara in Thiruvananthapuram District. This Gravity
and Masonry dam was built across the Karamana River and was completed in 1972 is
used for irrigation and supplying drinking water to the city of Thiruvananthapuram. The
Aruvikkara dam project came up in the 1930s and has been supported by the Peppara
dam built in 1983] The height of the dam is 14.01 meters (45.96 ft) and the length is
83.21 meters (273 ft). The Aruvikkara Dam meets the irrigation needs of
Thiruvananthapuram. The reservoir is also one of the water tourism sites in Kerala.

26. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary – Experience the excitement of a sanctuary
The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Thiruvananthapuram district. It
consists of the catchment area of the Karamana River, which originates from
Chemmunjimottai, the tallest hill within the sanctuary. The sanctuary is named after the
Peppara Dam, commissioned in 1983 to augment the drinking water supply to
Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Considering the ecological significance
of the area, it was declared a sanctuary in 1983. The terrain is undulating with elevation
ranging from 100 m to 1717 m. The area of the sanctuary is 75 km2 with tropical moist
evergreen forests and myristica swamps. It is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere
Reserve. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is 44 kilometres (27 mi) by car from the nearest
railway station, at Thiruvananthapuram, and 49 kilometres (30 mi) from the
Thiruvananthapuram airport.

27. Padmanabhapuram Palace – Have some glimpses into the history of
Travancore
Rejoicing in all its glory, the Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 64 km from
Thiruvananthapuram in Thuckalay. This 16th century palace quenches the thirst of art
lovers. This fascinating structure has a special air about it. The rosewood carved
ceilings and a fine collection of paintings makes it one of the best specimens of Kerala.
Serenaded with fine décor, this palace displays coloured mica windows, antique
furniture and Chinese carvings. Ceilings are carved with 90 different floral designs and
the Durbar Hall has a glossy floor. Pictures of Lord Krishna, brass lanterns, mural
paintings and a four poster medicinal bed add grace to the King’s bedroom. Details like
the earthen urns, swimming bath, dance hall, fish carvings on ceilings, Belgian mirrors,
17th and 18th century frescoes and Saraswati Temple sum up to a pleasant structure.

28. Vizhinjam RockCut Cave – Experience the uniqueness of a cave
Situated 17km away from the city, Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple is one of the most
visited tourist places in Thiruvananthapuram. This 8th century rock cut sculpture is
single-celled and houses the deity of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi.
Temples have been an important part of the Indian history, thus this particular temple is
revered highly in South India. The outer wall of the shrine is replete with images of Lord
Shiva and Goddess Parvati. There is also an unfinished sculpture of Lord Shiva, in
which he is shown dancing and holding a bow. The intricate carvings of the wall are
worth appreciating. Another significant temple in the proximity of Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple is the Bhagavathy Temple. This holy shrine dates back to 9th and 10th century AD. A Marine Aquarium is also located nearby featuring rare marine ornamental fishes.

29. Ponmudi – Enjoy the serenity of a hill station
The captivating hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. It is situated 915 meters above sea level and offers respite from
the heat and hustle and bustle of other cities. Its narrow, meandering pathways, dark
woods and soothing climate make it a splendid location to spend a holiday at. A
multitude of colourful butterflies, springs and rapids, myriad species wild flowers and the
deer park nearby are the key attraction of this fascinating hill station.

30. Sunil’s Wax Museum – Experience the limitless nature of human skills
If you are spending a holiday in Thiruvananthapuram, you must certainly visit Sunil’s
Wax Museum. It is the very first wax museum in Kerala that houses 31 magnificent life-
like statues of celebrities and famous personalities, ranging from great kings to freedom
fighters, soldiers, leaders, sportsmen, politicians, and film stars. Sunil Kandalloor, a wax
sculptor is the mastermind behind this incredible wax museum. The best part is that you
can click pictures with the statues of prominent personalities like Mahatma Gandhi,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnikanth, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Salman Khan,
Great Maharaja of Travancore Sree Chitra Thirunal, and many more.