Varkala Beach - Kerala's Famous Cliff-Top Destination

Varkala, KeralaBEACH

A unique Kerala beach known for its dramatic red cliffs bordering the Arabian Sea, featuring a lively cliff-top promenade with cafes and shops.

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Info

BEACH

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Varkala Beach is a coastal destination in Kerala, distinguished by the tall, red laterite cliffs that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. This geological feature, known as the Varkala Formation, is unique to this part of Kerala. The main tourist area is concentrated along the North Cliff, where a paved walkway stretches for over a kilometer. This path is lined with a continuous row of guesthouses, restaurants, cafes, and shops selling everything from souvenirs to yoga apparel.

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Location & Address

Varkala Cliff, Varkala P.O, Thiruvananthapuram District, Varkala Cliff, Varkala, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Varkala is from October to March. During these months, the weather is pleasant with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for beach activities and sightseeing. This is also the peak tourist season. The summer months of April and May can be very hot and humid. The monsoon season, from June to September, brings heavy rains which can disrupt beach plans and make the sea unsafe for swimming, though the landscape is lush and green.
Peak Crowd: December to January, especially during Christmas and New Year's, due to perfect weather and holiday season.
Moderate Crowd: October-November and February-March, when the weather is still good but the peak holiday rush is over.
Low Crowd: April to September, covering the hot summer and heavy monsoon season, which sees significantly fewer tourists.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), located approximately 45 km south of Varkala. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Varkala by taxi from the airport.

Train

Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station (VAK) is the closest station, about 3 km from the cliff. It's well-connected by trains from Trivandrum, Kochi, and other major Indian cities. Auto-rickshaws and taxis are available at the station.

Road

Varkala is connected by road to major cities in Kerala. It is located off the highway connecting Trivandrum and Kollam. State-run KSRTC buses and private buses operate frequently from nearby cities.

Local Transport

Auto-rickshaws are the primary mode of local transport for short distances. You can also rent scooters and motorcycles on a daily basis from various rental shops near the cliff, which is a popular option for exploring the surrounding areas.