10 Best Tourist Places Near Kanyakumari Within 150 KM
Reading Time: 8 minutesKanyakumari is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland in Tamil Nadu where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean meet. Courtallam, Varkala, Trivandrum, Poovar, Papanasam, Kalakkad, and Kollam are some of the best tourist places near Kanyakumari that you can explore on your trip to South India!
Kanyakumari is easily accessible from any part of India and the nearest airport to Kanyakumari is 80 km away.
These best tourist places near Kanyakumari are located less than 150 km away from Kanyakumari and these places in Tamil Nadu and Kerala offer the most diverse cultural experiences and vivid landscapes!
Kanyakumari is surrounded by the most diverse landscapes of hills, forests, beaches, and lush tea estates that are fairly easy to reach from Kanyakumari via railway and road travel. Courtesy of its strategic location right at the tip of India’s southernmost corner, Kanyakumari offers the advantage of being close to cities and towns on both sides of the Indian coast.
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From adventure, and history, to endless beach fun, these tourist places around Kanyakumari offer it all! All you have to do is scroll down, pick your favorites, and add them to your itinerary before you book our customizable South India tour packages.
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10 Best Tourist Places Near Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is a beautiful city. Add to it the fun of exploring some of its equally mesmerizing neighbors and you’ll be left with a truckload of fun memories to cherish for life!
Here are our picks of the most exciting places to visit near Kanyakumari within 150 km that you must include in your list.
1. Kalakad, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Kanyakumari: 57.5 km (1 hour 10 minutes by road)
Surrounded on three sides by the Western Ghats, Kalakkad is the home of the KMTR Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and the popular Thalayanai Waterfalls.
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve boasts many endangered species including the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, Sambar deer, Spotted deer, and of course, a considerable population of tigers.
Famed for its rich vegetation, sloping hills, lush green forests, milky waterfalls, and rocky cliffs, the small village of Kalakkad is among the closest tourist places near Kanyakumari.
Best time to visit Kalakad: November to February (Closed during monsoon)
Kalakad tourist places: Thamirabarani River, Vadakku Pachayar Dam, Thalayanai Waterfalls, KMTR Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
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2. Poovar, Kerala
Distance from Kanyakumari: 71 km (2 hours by road)
Poovar is a delightful coastal village in Kerala and a great place to see around Kanyakumari famed for its boundless natural beauty, serene backwaters, estuaries, and mangroves that invite birdwatchers from around the country!
Poovar is just 30 km from Trivandrum and 70 km from Kanyakumari, providing travelers with a tranquil escape amid its untouched natural beauty and offbeat attractions. It’s one of the best tourist places near Kanyakumari for a quick weekend getaway.
Apart from canoe rides and boat cruises in its mesmerizing backwaters, Poovar also offers visitors a chance to see the confluence of the serene Neyyar River with the Arabian Sea creating a vivid ecosystem teeming with rare flora and fauna.
Best time to visit Poovar: August to March
Poovar tourist places: Poovar Beach, Golden Sand Beach, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Poovar Backwaters
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3. Kovalam, Kerala
Distance from Kanyakumari: 77 km (2 hours 13 minutes by road)
Popular for its stunning coastline, beach resorts, and Ayurvedic massage centers, Kovalam is a mere 77 km away from Kanyakumari and 13 km from Trivandrum, making it one of the best places to visit near Kanyakumari for beach lovers!
Other than checking out its beautiful beaches and the lighthouse, Kovalam is a great escape for adventure activities and watersports like swimming, jet skiing, parasailing, and more.
This erstwhile fishing village is also popular for its energetic hippie culture, dense coconut groves, and ancient temples perched on hillocks overlooking the vast ocean!
Best time to visit Kovalam: September to March
Kovalam tourist places: Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach, Hawa Beach, Kunnumpara Sree Murugan Temple, Azhimala Siva Temple, Karamana River
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4. Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Kanyakumari: 89 km (2 hours 20 minutes by road)
If you’re looking for offbeat places to see near Kanyakumari, consider visiting Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu. Famous for the Subramanian Swamy Temple, Thiruchendur is one of the 6 prime abodes of Lord Murugan in India!
Previously Dutch-occupied, this 2,000-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Murugan has since turned into one of the most revered temples in Tamil Nadu that brings an enormous influx of worshippers and pilgrims here every year!
Another reason it’s one of the best tourist places near Kanyakumari is that it’s fairly easy to reach by a public or private bus from Kanyakumari and Nagercoil at nominal rates.
Best time to visit Thiruchendur: October to March
Thiruchendur tourist places: Subramanian Swamy Temple, Valliamman Cave Temple, Panchalakuruchi Fort, Tiruchendur Beach
5. Trivandrum, Kerala
Distance from Kanyakumari: 96 km (2.5 hours by road)
The capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum, or Thiruvananthapuram, sits over seven scenic hills and is the perfect blend of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and colonial legacy.
Once an important trading port, Trivandrum maintains a balance between its quaint urban charm and historical influences exhibited in its brilliant architectural marvels.
Besides being the gateway to popular destinations in Kerala courtesy of the Trivandrum International Airport, this city is among the most fascinating tourist places near Kanyakumari for its ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple that holds immense spiritual and historical value.
Best time to visit Trivandrum: October to February
Trivandrum tourist places: Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Napier Museum
6. Papanasam, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Kanyakumari: 108 km (2 hours 40 minutes by road)
Not many know about this small town in Tamil Nadu that is home to the breathtaking Agasthiyar Falls, the waterfall that is said to possess healing powers and can cure any ailment.
That’s not all. Papanasam’s Manimuthar River and Papanasam Dam create the most vividly green landscape worth exploring. Sheltering wild animals like elephants, deer, monkeys, tigers, and leopards, this forest makes Papanasam one of the most exciting tourist places near Kanyakumari!
And the best part is that reaching this place is super easy. You can take a government bus from Kanyakumari or Nagercoil to the bus station in Tirunelveli, which is simply a small cab ride away from Papanasam.
Best time to visit Papanasam: November to January
Papanasam tourist places: Agasthiyar Falls, Papanasam Dam, Pavanasa Nathar Temple, Thamirabharani River, Manimuthar Falls
7. Manjolai, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Kanyakumari: 122 km (3 hours by road)
Manjolai is a charming hill station in Tamil Nadu and a part of the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. Set at an elevation of 1,160 meters above sea level, Manjolai can easily be reached by road from Kanyakumari and Nagercoil.
Often called the ‘Poor Man’s Ooty’ owing to its scenic tea estates, rolling hills, and misty peaks, Manjolai is among the best places to visit near Kanyakumari.
In fact, it’s a great alternative for those who wish to enjoy the scenic splendor or Ooty without having to deal with the crowd. It’s more or less an uncommercialized version of Ooty with untouched nature and tranquil natural attractions.
Best time to visit Manjolai: October to March
Manjolai tourist places: Manimuthar Dam, Kuthiravetti Viewpoint, Singampatti Palace, Thalaianai Falls, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
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8. Varkala, Kerala
Distance from Kanyakumari: 129 km (3 hours by road)
The splendid beaches and high ‘Northern Cliffs’ overlooking the Arabian Sea are the prime attractions of this delightful coastal town in Southern Kerala, followed closely by its hills, forts, and lighthouses.
With pretty beaches, watersports, ancient temples, historical monuments, and popular Kerala Ayurveda resorts, this beach town has something for everyone. It’s among the finest places near Kanyakumari to visit with your spouse, family, colleagues, or friends.
If you’re looking for a place with boundless natural beauty, a touch of spirituality, a vibrant culture, and endless beach fun, Varkala is the place to be. Its hippie culture and numerous beach shacks serving great seafood make it one of the best tourist places near Kanyakumari.
Best time to visit Varkala: November to February
Varkala tourist places: Janardana Swami Temple, Varkala Cliffs, Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala Beach, Anjuthengu Fort, Anjengo Lighthouse
9. Courtallam, Tamil Nadu
Distance from Kanyakumari: 131 km (3 hours 10 minutes by road)
Famously called the ‘Spa of the South’, Courtallam, or Kutralam, is a part of the majestic Western Ghats and is popular for its collection of waterfalls believed to have medicinal properties.
Courtallam Falls is a combination of 9 different waterfalls, namely Peraruvi Falls, Chitraruvi Falls, Iyentharuvi Falls, Puliaruvi Tiger Falls, Pazhaya Falls, Shenbagadevi Falls, Thenaruvi Falls, Gundaruaruvi Falls, and Pazhathottaruvi Falls. All of these are said to have magical healing powers since they run through a copper-rich and herb-rich forest!
Other than the waterfalls, Courtallam’s ancient temples, enriching greenery, and captivating panoramic views make it one of the most attractive tourist places near Kanyakumari.
Best time to visit Courtallam: September to March
Courtallam tourist places: Kutralanathar Temple, Papansanathar, Courtallam Nine Falls, Peraruvi Park
10. Kollam, Kerala
Distance from Kanyakumari: 150 km
Known for its ancient trading ports, vibrant culture, and clean beaches, Kollam is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit near Kanyakumari for a beach vacation!
Kollam has several outstanding beach resorts and Ayurveda resorts. But what really draws people to Kollam is its pristine Ashtamudi Lake and backwaters popular for houseboat cruises and canoe rides!
Kollam also takes pride in its recently established Jatayu Earth Center which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest bird sculpture in the world! It has truly made Kollam one of the most frequented tourist places near Kanyakumari.
Best time to visit Kollam: November to February
Kollam tourist places: Kollam Beach, Tangasseri Lighthouse, Ashtamudi Lake, Jatayu Earth Center
With so many amazing tourist places near Kanyakumari located so close to it, we bet it’ll be difficult for you to pick just one. Explore as many of these as you can on your trip to South India and discover the true charm of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in its most offbeat destinations!
