A week in Trivandrum- The royal capital of God's own country

Start your visit from Padmanabha swamy temple near East fort- It is undoubtedly the most important landmark in the city and is the essence of the word-“Thiruv-anantha-puram”. Check the entry timings and dress code before you reach to avoid further delays. The spectacular interior has rich stone and wooden carvings and paintings on pillars, walls and roof depicting ancient Hindu epics and gods.

Kuthiramalika palace & Sri Chithra Art Gallery are just a stone throw away from the temple and has an impressive collection of photographs, royal army’s weaponry, gifts exchanged with the British, royal family’s personal belongings and other artifacts depicting the strong relationship the city had with the Royal family. Photography is prohibited inside the palace, but it is definitely worth a visit to dig into the city’s history.

Head straight to the beaches now. Kick start your beach vibes from the very famous Kovalam beach- best known for surfing (thanks to perfect waves), swimming (deep enough for a good swim) and sunbathing. If you’re on time, you could climb up the lighthouse for some magnificent views of the coastal town. Beach sports are not a thing in Trivandrum, but you could try fresh seafood dishes or do abit of shopping from the stores lining the beach. Enjoy the sunset and call it a day.

If you are done early, head to the Chalai market near East fort- from flowers to furniture to art supplies to home décor, you name it, you get it in Chalai. It has a lot of by-lanes that are solely dedicated to a single product – take your time to explore the market in its rawness.

Head to the beaches again, but today with a twist- visit Poovar beach by boating through backwaters! Pre-book or spot book your boating to enjoy an hour’s ride through backwaters, choose a bite from any of the floating restaurants and catch the sunset from the beach.

Start early to the Jatayu’s Earth centre at Chadayamangalam to witness the largest bird sculpture in the world set atop a hill surrounded by lush greenery. Opt for cable car ride up or down the hill. An adventure centre is also available in the premises if you would like to spend more time indulging in adventure activities.

Let’s go back to the beaches again but a very different one this time too- Varkala. Walk around the Varkala cliff near to the helipad with quaint souvenir shops and chic restaurants lining the walkway and finally climb down to the beach for a refreshing swim – it is as chilled as the beaches in Goa minus the party scenes.

An interesting addition to the pristine Varkala is Kappil. Drive to Kappil beach from Varkala to witness Kappil lake on one side and Kappil beach on the other- it’s a stunning coastal route, not to be missed when in Trivandrum.

Dust off the sand and let’s go east to the hills and streams – visit Trivandrum’s famous hill station Ponmudi, a short drive from the city. Start early morning to skip the crowd and enjoy the hair pin curved ride through the mist to finally reach lush greenery on the hill top.

On the way back, take a diversion to Meenmutty water falls- though the falls is not open for public, the 2 km trail to the falls offers clear streams that you can cross or take a dip in, picnic spots to grab a bite and a safe rocky path through forest to enjoy nature at its best.

a. Thenmala ecotourism is another step into the nature ideal for a day trip from Trivandrum offering a trail through forest leading to a lake ideal for boating. Head to Palaruvi waterfalls for a dip in the milky waters cascading down rocks.

b. Padmanabhapuram palace to the south of Trivandrum is one of the best examples of traditional Kerala architecture also offering a museum with impressive collection of Kerala style brass lamps, paintings, weaponry, artifacts gifted by Chinese merchants and so on. Head to Thripparappu waterfalls next that is blessed with heavy water flow for most time of the year making it a hotspot for nature lovers.

Start your day again from the heart of the city- Napier museum. Visit the museum to know more about the rich history of Trivandrum, walk around the amazing garden or visit the impressive collection of animals, birds and reptiles in the Trivandrum zoo that was opened more than a century ago!

c. Kottur/Kappukadu Elephant Rehabilitation Centre is a care and comfort home for elephants of all sizes and age welcoming visitors to see elephants being bathed and fed, up close along with an elephant ride. Munroe island is another attraction couple of hours of drive away that is an inland island group located at the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. Opt for a local boat to go around the backwaters and enjoy the setting sun in its full glory.

On the way back, visit the Azhimala beach which has a different topography from both Poovar and Kovalam beaches. Climb down the stairs nestled between rocks to reach the beach- it is less crowded and ideal for a peaceful dip in the sea.