Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) Tourist Attractions

Thiruvananthapuram, also called Trivandrum, is the capital of Kerala and sits near the southern tip of India, between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. It is a calm, green city known for the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, old palaces and museums, and beaches such as Kovalam close by. Many travellers spend a day or two here at the start or end of a Kerala trip, or on the way to Kanyakumari.

Top places to visit in Thiruvananthapuram

• Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple - the city's best-known temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu resting on the serpent Anantha. Its tall gopuram and stone corridors are in the Dravidian style.
• Kovalam Beach - a crescent-shaped beach with a lighthouse, about 16 km from the city.
• Napier Museum and Zoo - a museum in a striking old building, set in a large garden with the city zoo next to it.
• Kuthiramalika Palace - an old wooden palace of the Travancore royal family, near the temple.
• Shanghumukham Beach - a city beach near the airport, popular for evening walks.
• Varkala and Ponmudi - day trips to the Varkala cliff beach and the cool hills of Ponmudi, each about 50 to 60 km away.

Visiting the Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The temple follows a strict dress code. Men usually wear a mundu or dhoti without a shirt, and women wear a saree or a long skirt with a blouse. Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside. Entry rules and darshan timings can change, so check them before you go.

Best time to visit

October to March is the most pleasant time, with less rain and cooler evenings. The monsoon, from June to September, brings heavy rain, but the city looks very green.

How to reach

Thiruvananthapuram has an international airport and a major railway station, with trains from Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi and other cities. Kochi is about 200 km away by road. For holidays that cover more of the state, see our Kerala Tour Packages.