Thiruvallam
This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides.
Aruvikkara Dam
This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of
the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish
that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.
Museum Complex
The Napier Museum:
Built in the 19th century, the Indo - saracenic
structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning system and houses a rare
collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols,
ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings.
Sree Chithra Art Gallery:
Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery
displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas
Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools
of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China,
Japan, Tibet and Bali.
The Zoological Park:
One of the first zoos in India, it is located in a well-planned botanical garden.
The Kanakakunnu Palace
The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes.
Science and Technology Museum Complex
The exhibits here are related to science, technology and electronics.
Shankhumugham Beach
Just 8 km from the city, this is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers.
Observatory
Located at the highest point in the city, near
the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird's eye
view of the city from here.
Secretariat
Built in the Roman architectural style, this is
the centre of government administration in Kerala and houses the offices
of ministers and the bureaucracy.
Veli Tourist Village
This picnic spot, where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea, offers boating facilities.
Akkulam Tourist Village
A picnic spot with boating facilities, Akkulam
is a place children flock to. It has a well equipped children's park and
a paddle pool. There is a swimming pool for adults too.
Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave
There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th
century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a
one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara Dakshinamurthi.
The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu
God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi.
Sree Mahadeva Temple
Situated in Kazhakuttom, this ancient temple is
believed to date back to the 14th century. Another old temple in the
district is the Mitramandapuram Temple on the outskirts of the city.
Neyyar Dam
A popular picnic spot with a watch tower,
crocodile farm, lion safari park and deer park. Boating facilities are
available at the reservoir.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
The seat of the erstwhile rulers of Travancore,
this splendid palace is situated at Thuckalai, on the way to
Kanyakumari. This is a well preserved wooden palace, a glorious
testimony to the traditional Kerala school of architecture. .
Padmanabha Swamy Temple
The temple is located inside the East Fort.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is a blend of the Kerala and
Dravidian styles of architecture.
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.
Agasthyakoodam:
Part of the Sahyadri range of mountains,
Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890
metres above sea level.
