Often overlooked by its more famous neighbour Goa, the southern Indian state of Kerala is a majestic gem, blessed with sunkissed beaches and the mystical appeal of India. We highlight five of the best things to do and see when visiting Kerala.

The capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is a large Indian city where visitors can expect to experience all the energy and exoticism they would imagine from any other Indian city. A bombardment of the senses is guaranteed.

Thiruvananthapuram also has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Ponmudi hill station and other interesting places of interest.

Kerala Travel Information & Destinations: Top Sights in Kerala, Southern India

Kerala Travel Information: Kovalam

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm water ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are diverse -sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising are all catered for.

Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres and more. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.

Getting there: Nearest railway station Thiruvananthapuram central, about 16 km

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 10 km.

Kerala Travel Information: Payyambalam Beach

Location: 2 km from Kannur town, Kannur district, north Kerala.

Quiet, secluded, this beautiful stretch of sand and surf is the best locale for a relaxed evening. The Payyambalam beach is a popular picnic spot of the local people and holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.

The rest of the land - Kannur - is equally fascinating to explore. Being the cradle of ageless folk arts like Theyyam and folk music, Kannur has always remained a land of ageless charms.

However, if you decide to hide away at this beach destination, your stay should be arranged in the town 2 km away. Comfortable accommodation is available.

Getting there: National Highway 17 passes through Kannur.
Nearest railway station: Kannur, about 2 km.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, 93 km to the south.

Kerala Travel Information: Agasthyarkoodam

Location: 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
Attractions: Rare herbs and medicinal plants.

The Agasthya forest is believed to have been the abode of sage Agasthya, a character from mythology. Trekking trails and thick forests abound here, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Agasthyarkoodam, the spectacular peak in the Western Ghats rises to a majestic 1,890 metre in the form of a sharp cone. A haven for rare herbs and medicinal plants, its slopes are a breathtaking sight when they transform into colourful glades of the ’Neelakurinji’, a flower which blooms only once in twelve years.

A word of caution though - women are not allowed up the peak. The aboriginals here believe that sage Agasthya, a mythological character who lived here was a confirmed bachelor, hence they dislike the presence of ‘strange’ women. The season from the second week in December to February is advocated for trekking for which a forest pass has to be obtained from the Wildlife Warden.

Getting there: Nearest railway station -Thiruvananthapuram central, about 61 km from Bonacaud.

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 69 km from Bonacaud.

Kerala Travel Information: Attappady

Location: 38 km from Mannarkkad, Palakkad district, north Kerala.

Situated on the north-eastern side of the district and spread over an area of 827 sq km. Attappady is one of the largest tribal settlements in the State. The grandiloquence of this great symphony of forests, rivers and mountains is awe inspiring.

Many tribes like the Irulas and the Mudugas live here, though the density of their population is very low. The tribes worship the mountain peak "Malleeswaran’ as a huge ’Siva-linga’ (the Linga is the venerated image of Lord Siva) and Sivarathri at the Malleeswaran temple is the most important festival celebrated by the tribes.

The Malleeswaran peak and the river Bhavani have a tremendous influence on the lives of the tribes. The highland terrain is mainly fed by the tributaries of the river Cauvery.
A PWD Rest House, a VIP Guest House and a few private hotels offer accommodation at Agali, 38 km northeast of Mannarkkad.

Kerala Travel Information: Cinnamon Valley, Anjarakandy

Spread over nearly 200 acres, the cinnamon valley on the banks of the Anjarakandy River, is considered the largest cinnamon plantation in Asia. The white pepper grown here is very popular in Britain and other Western countries.

Location: Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, south Kerala.

Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all year destination.

Find out more about visiting and exploring Kerala at: www.keralatourism.org