Holiday in Varkala
Beach in India — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇳
Country
India
Type
Beach
Best time to travel
November to March (dry season, pleasantly warm, calm sea)
Budget/day
30-55€: Boutique hotel on the cliff, Ayurveda, restaurants
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Trivandrum (approx. 10h with a layover), then 1h train/bus to Varkala.
Deals for Varkala:
What makes Varkala special as a destination?
Varkala is Kerala's most dramatic beach destination — a cliff village where steep laterite cliffs drop directly into the Arabian Sea. Along the cliff edge, cafés, yoga shalas, and Ayurveda centers line up, while below, Papanasam Beach (the 'sin-cleansing' beach) invites you to bathe in its mineral springs. Varkala offers Goa's beach culture in a spiritual atmosphere without the party madness.
What are the top highlights in Varkala?
The top highlights in Varkala include North Cliff, Papanasam Beach, Janardhana Swami Temple, Ayurveda & Yoga.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
North Cliff
The cliff promenade with cafés, shops, and sea views is the heart of Varkala — especially magical at sunset.
Papanasam Beach
The sacred beach at the foot of the cliffs with natural mineral springs is considered sin-cleansing.
Janardhana Swami Temple
The 2,000-year-old Vishnu temple on the cliff is one of Kerala's most important pilgrimage temples.
Ayurveda & Yoga
Dozens of centers offer authentic Ayurveda treatments and yoga retreats — Kerala's wellness tradition at its finest.
Hotels in Varkala
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
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Reise-SIM für Varkala
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Varkala?
The best time to visit Varkala is November to March (dry season, pleasantly warm, calm sea). Monsoon June-August, 25-32°C, heavy rain, sea too rough for swimming In winter: Dry, 24-32°C, perfect
Recommended travel time
November to March (dry season, pleasantly warm, calm sea)
Summer
Monsoon June-August, 25-32°C, heavy rain, sea too rough for swimming
Winter
Dry, 24-32°C, perfect
How much does a holiday in Varkala cost?
Budget travellers: 10-18€: Guesthouse, cliff restaurants, yoga (3-5$)/day, mid-range: 30-55€: Boutique hotel on the cliff, Ayurveda, restaurants/day, luxury: 100€+: Cliff villa, private Ayurveda treatment, surf course/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
10-18€: Guesthouse, cliff restaurants, yoga (3-5$)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
30-55€: Boutique hotel on the cliff, Ayurveda, restaurants
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
100€+: Cliff villa, private Ayurveda treatment, surf course
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Varkala?
Flight to Trivandrum (approx. 10h with a layover), then 1h train/bus to Varkala.
Book a package holiday to Varkala
Compare thousands of package holidays to Varkala and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Varkala?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
The cliff is most beautiful at sunset — sit in a café and watch the sun sink into the sea.
Ayurveda treatments should last at least 7 days for real effect — short treatments are available from 10$.
The current at Papanasam Beach can be tricky — swim only in the marked area!
Varkala is small enough to explore entirely on foot — no tuk-tuk needed.
What should you eat in Varkala?
Typical specialities in Varkala: Kerala Fish Curry — fish in coconut milk-tamarind sauce, spicy and aromatic, Puttu & Kadala — steamed rice flour cake with chickpeas, Kerala's breakfast, Banana Chip — thin fried banana chips from Kerala plantations, available everywhere as a snack, Fresh Juice — the cliff restaurants make fantastic fresh fruit juices.
These specialties you must try!
Ready for Varkala?
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