Kerala state has a prominent place in the map of tourism. The varied attractions in Kerala like scenic beauty, culture, Ayurvedic treatments and massages etc make it one of the most sought after places by tourists.

One place in Kerala that has a varied number of attractions is Varkala which is a coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram district. Varkala is known to be special as it is the only place in South Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Varkala is very famous for a number of places such as Varkala beach, Kappil Lake, Anjengo Forest, Janardana Swami temple, Sivagiri Mutt etc.

Varkala beach or the Papanasam beach has been famous since many years for Vavu Beli, a Hindu custom performed at the beach. The beach is a wonderful place for sun bathing and swimming. There are a number of resorts, restaurants and ayurvedic massage parlours on the cliff and the beach.

Four kilometers North of Varkala town is the Kappil Lake. Through thick coconut grooves the estuary meanders and joins the Arabian Sea. The bridge over the lake gives a wonderful view of the backwaters stretching and meeting the blue horizon. Boating is a great way to spend time in this place.

Anjengo fort is a place of historic importance in Varkala and has a beautiful natural setting. Anjengo Fort is the place where the English East India Company established their first trade settlement. There is also a beautiful Muthalapuzhi Lake that is situated in Anjengo.Varkala tunnel is also a famous tourist spot. It is 924 ft long and Mahadeva Rao, the Dewan of Travancore, took 14 years to complete it