Before my recent trip down south, I used to be unaware of Varkala’s existence and found it while checking out hotels around the Jatayu sculpture. Initially, it had been a layover before heading home, but I ended up staying for 4 days. Upon arriving in Varkala, I learned of the statue’s closure thanks to the pandemic. Disheartened, we were close to returning when our hotelier, Mr Shoabit, informed us the centre would open in 2 days. So we extended our stay. It is often the unexpected deviations within the plan that are memorable. I assumed my time in Varkala would drag, but time flew by too quickly. 

Require a relaxing weekend at the beach without crowds? Then the seaside hamlet of Varkala is where you need to be. Aside from red cliffs and beaches, there are numerous stunning sights within 50 km of this town. Below is a glimpse into all that Varkala has to offer.

HOW TO REACH VARKALA?

This pocket-sized seaside town in Kerala is well-connected to major cities and towns by air, road and rail.

FLIGHT: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 35 km away, is the nearest airport. From here, it is a 1½ hour drive — depending on the traffic — to Varkala.  

RAILWAY: Railways connect Varkala to several metropolises. Varkalasivagiri (5 minutes away) and Kollam Junction (25.2km away) railway stations are the closest to Varkala. Direct trains from Mumbai, Bengaluru are available.

DRIVING: National highways connect Varkala to metropolises like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and many more. You’ll reach here from Mumbai via NH44 and from Bengaluru via NH544.  

BUSES: There aren’t any direct buses from Mumbai or Bengaluru. Reach Trivandrum then, hire a taxi or book a train or bus to Varkala.

PLACES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT

There are a couple of beaches, temples to visit but, the best way to experience this beach town is by doing absolutely nothing. This seaside town is the ideal relaxing weekend destination. The best way to spend your time here is enjoying a morning walk at the beach followed by an ayurvedic spa and ending the evening with delicious seafood.

VARKALA BEACH / PAPNASHAM BEACH

Lined by red cliffs, here, the Arabian sea and the Indian Ocean meet. Varkala beach or Papnasham beach attracts tourists and pilgrims alike. Papanasham means washing away sins. Therefore many pilgrims flock here to wash away their sins. In the morning, you’ll encounter families performing last rituals for deceased ones. Walk north from here to a secluded part of the beach. I visited early morning and was the sole one at the beach. The ocean stretching towards the horizon, the sound of the thundering waves and chirping birds paint a serene picture. I could have spent the entire day sitting there. I highly recommend at least one morning walk here during your stay.

THE CLIFF

The Cliff is open all day, every day. Red stoned Cliff overlooking the Arabian sea has to be on your Varkala to-do list. It is just the place to wind down after a day of exploring. Sit down and watch the sky change colours as the sunsets. My favourite times for going to the Cliff were early mornings when the sun hadn’t reached overhead and in the evenings. The Cliff is vacant during the day but, that’s not the case in the evening. Locals and tourists descend here in the evening and, the Cliff comes to life. Another reason for visiting is the small shacks lining the Cliff, offering fresh mouth-watering seafood. During my stay in Varkala, I dined at “God’s own Country Kitchen”. It is just one of the many shacks along the Cliff. Here you can also find budget hotels and hostels.

BLACK SAND BEACH

The name of this beach is self-explanatory. Locally it is known as Thiruvambady beach. This quiet beach is a small strip with black sand. It is accessible from the Cliff and by road. The best feature of this beach is that it’s secluded with hardly anyone around. If you are seeking peace while enjoying enchanting sunsets, then this beach is where you should be.

There are plenty of budget hotels and ayurvedic spa resorts bordering the Black sand beach. The Black beach resort is one of the hotels I stayed at briefly, which is right on the Black sand beach.

DAY TRIPS FROM VARKALA

JATAYU STATUE

The Jatayu Earth’s Center, 32 km away, is famous for the Jatayu sculpture and adventure park. Want to get your adrenaline flowing? The centre has you covered. Zip lining, archery, vertical ladder are some of the activities to keep you occupied. But the centre’s main attraction is the massive and enchanting statue of Jatayu, a vulture from Ramayan. Rajiv Anchal, a versatile artist, sculpted this statue over ten years and hard work and skills are visible in the sculpture detailing. The sculpture’s location grants visitors panoramic views of rolling hills disappearing into the horizon.

AAZIMALA SHIVA STATUE

Located 66 km away, along the Malabar coast, is the Aazhimala Shiva temple. This temple houses the recently erected statue of Lord Shiva. It is a statue of Lord Shiva sitting upon a stone and the Goddess Ganga landing atop his head. However, I would like to point out that the Shiva statues at Murudeshwar and Aazhimala are different. There are several reasons for visiting this temple. The first reason is, it is a new and unexplored destination. Second, the Arabian Sea in the background paints a stunning picture. Third, there is a tiny secluded beach. Fourth, it’s a serene spot for a photo op.
The water is a cool shade of blue but the sea is rough and had a strong current. Therefore, swimming here is unsafe but you can at your own risk as there are no lifeguards.

WHY TRAVEL TO VARKALA?

The beaches of Gokarna and Goa are ranked high among Indian beaches which, means more crowds. After countless trips to Goa, I am ready for a new beach town without crowds. Tired of beaches swarmed with tourists and are on the lookout for a quiet beach town? Then, Varkala is just the place for you.

There are several reasons why you should travel to this beach town. The first reason is, the beaches are secluded and uncrowded, unlike Goa and Gokarna. Second, it is the perfect weekend destination. Third, there are plenty of places to explore in and around the area. Fourth, a great place to try surfing.

Varkala is a beach town and a pilgrim centre. Therefore pilgrims flock here to wash their sins and or perform the last rites of deceased members. This quaint seaside hamlet is rapidly gaining popularity so, you better hurry before it emerges as a tourist hotspot.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

An ocean breeze puts a mind at ease.