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Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, is the head quarters of Kerala state & the Thiruvanathapuram District. The name ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ means the seat of the sacred snake-god Ananthan, on whom Vishnu, the God of protection, is believed to be reclining. Once Mahatma Gandhi referred this city as “Ever Green City of India”, besides its legislative importance, the district was the formerly ruled by the erstwhile royal family of Travancore and it is identified among travelers for its enthralling beaches, picnic spots and sites of historic significance.
Kovalam
This world famous beach is a personal pride of Thiruvananthapuram district; it was in the map of beach lovers the early 1930 itself. It is located 13 kms away from Thiruvanathapuram city & it is considered as one of the best bathing bay in the world. Kovalam consists of three neighboring crescent beaches. Light house beach is located on the southernmost is more popular than other two beaches. Kovalam is also considered as the second best beach destination in India after Goa in terms of tourist traffic.
Shankhumugham Beach
Located only 8 km from the city, is a favorite spot of sunset lovers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.
Veli
This favorite picnic spot located on the way to Thiruvanathapuram International Airport. Veli Tourist Village is located where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea and offers boating facilities. Children will enjoy climbing over the huge sculptures which dot the landscape.
Ponmudi
Ponmudi is located about 63 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram city. Ponmudi is one of the significant & beautiful hill stations in Kerala. It has a height of over average 900 meters above sea level. It is a part of western Ghats mountain range that stretch parallel to the Arabian sea. The major tourist attraction of Ponmudi is “Golden Valley”, is a sneak peek and an access point to the river Kallar. Well rounded pebbles, thriving green trees, the clean & cool water, fishes & the absolute wilderness of the park will catch your eyes & senses rapidly.
The whole place will be interested to all who love to be in a place of tropical vegetation.
Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum:
The palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma - the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite wood carvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Museum can be visited between 08.30 am to 12.30 hours & 15.30 to 17.30.It is closed on Monday.
The Napier Museum & Sree Chithira Art Gallery
This 19th century indo-sarsenic building boast a natural air conditioning system and rare collection archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Sree Chithra Art Gallery is located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays noted paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore style of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
This splendid and well preserved wooden palace,palace is situated at Thuckalai Located 52 kms away from the city, on the way to Kanyakumari. It was the seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore, This is a glorious demonstration to the traditional Kerala school of architecture. The extraordinary murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the test of time.
Thiruvallam
This serene backwater stretch is located 10 kms away from Thriuvanathapuram city, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe ride
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary spread over 53 sq. km on the Western Ghats, is accessible from Vithurai, which is on the way to Ponmudi. With its rich flora and fauna, Peppara, dotted with hillocks, forests and eucalyptus plantations, is emerging as a great attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. It is located about 50 kms from the city.
Varkala
Varakala is a small beach destination located 55 kms away from Thriuvanathapuram city & it is also famous for Hindu pilgrim centre. Varkala beach is also known as the Papanasham beach, is a long serene crystal clear sandy beach with a mysterious attraction. The background of this natural beauty is surrounded by the green cliffs will offer you some sacred calming mineral springs too. Papanasam is a perfect place to watch the sunset or relax gazing at the horizon. The area is covered with coconut palms and small restaurants that mushroom during the season. The 500-metre stretch is right below a beautiful sea cliff.
Neyyar Reservoir
Neyyar Reservoir is one of the scenic picnic spot, located only 32 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram city. The reservoir offers excellent boating facilities.The forests around the reservoir are the adobe of wild elephants, gaur , bear Nilagiri Tahr. On the upper reaches of the Neyyar Reservoir there are two magnificent waterfalls Meenmutty waterfalls and the Kombaikani waterfalls both are reachable only thorough trekking in dense forest for 2 kilometers & four kilo meters respectively. One of the famous peak Agasthya kooodam is very near to neyyar dam.
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