Kovalam and Varkala Beach Break

Only Hindus can enter. Men wear a mundu or dhoti, women a saree, half saree or long skirt. Phones and cameras go in a locker. Entry is free. Timings change on festival days.

A red and white Indo-Saracenic building with bronzes, ivory carving and temple models. Closed on Mondays. Anyone who could not enter the temple can use this time for the nearby Sri Chitra Art Gallery.

A short climb for a wide view of the coast and the new Vizhinjam port. Small ticket at the gate. Closed on Mondays and shut for lunch about 12:45 to 2 PM.

Poovar is where the Neyyar river meets the sea. See the backwaters and the golden sand bar at the river mouth.

Also called Eve's Beach. A wide, calm curve of sand with the lighthouse at one end. Swim only between the flags.

A small sea fort built by the British East India Company in the 1690s. Free. A quiet stop with a sea view and a lagoon behind.

A sacred beach where people offer prayers for their ancestors. Walk down the steps and watch the waves. Sea can be rough, so stay near the shore.

Walk the cliff path past cafes and shops, and watch the sun go down into the Arabian Sea. Keep away from the cliff edge and fences.

An old Vishnu temple, often called the Southern Varanasi. Only Hindus can go into the inner area, but anyone can walk the grounds and see the tank. Photography inside is not allowed.