7 Things to Do in Varkala, Kerala's Cliffside Beach Town

Varkala, in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district, has one geological feature that sets it apart from almost every other beach town on India's west coast: a red laterite cliff running for close to two kilometres directly above the sand, high enough to carry a row of cafes, shops and guesthouses along its edge with uninterrupted sea views. That cliff, paired with a temple town's worth of pilgrimage sites just inland, gives Varkala a split personality that rewards more than a single afternoon. Here are seven ways to spend time there.

1. Walk the length of Varkala Cliff

The cliff itself is the town's main promenade, lined with cafes and shops on one side and a sheer drop to the beach on the other; walking its length, especially toward sunset, remains the single most popular thing to do in Varkala.

View on Google Maps →

2. Spend time on Papanasam Beach

Directly below the cliff, Papanasam Beach takes its name from a Sanskrit phrase meaning "destroyer of sins," and Hindu pilgrims still come to bathe here as part of ancestral rites, alongside travellers there simply for the sand and surf.

3. Visit Janardanaswamy Temple

One of Kerala's older Vishnu temples, Janardanaswamy sits near the cliff's edge and is closely tied to the rituals performed on Papanasam Beach below it; its exact age is debated, but references to the site go back centuries.

4. See Sivagiri Mutt

A short distance from the beach, Sivagiri Mutt holds the samadhi of Sri Narayana Guru, the social reformer and philosopher whose teachings on caste and equality remain deeply influential in Kerala, and the site draws large numbers of pilgrims each year, particularly during its annual pilgrimage period.

5. Look for the natural mineral springs

At the base of the cliff, several natural springs are reputed locally for mineral content believed to have therapeutic properties; they are a lesser-known stop compared with the beach and temples but worth seeking out at low tide.

6. Try paragliding above the cliff

Varkala has developed into one of Kerala's more established paragliding spots in recent years, with operators running tandem flights that launch from the cliff and give an aerial view of the coastline rarely available elsewhere in the state.

7. Take a day trip to Kappil Lake

A short ride north, Kappil Lake sits where a backwater channel meets the sea, separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow sandbar; it is quieter than Varkala itself and a good half-day contrast to the cliff's cafes and crowds.

Traveller tips

• Varkala railway station connects to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi; the station is a short auto-rickshaw ride from the cliff itself.
• The cooler months from October to March are the most comfortable for beach time and cliff walks.
• Sivagiri Mutt's annual pilgrimage period draws large crowds; visitors preferring a quieter visit should check dates in advance.
• Sea currents at Varkala's beaches can be strong; swim only in areas marked safe and heed lifeguard flags.