10 Best Places to Visit in Kanyakumari (2019): Come Away Amazed at the Beauty That Lies on the Southern Tip of the Indian Peninsula

Kanyakumari is a city situated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is a popular tourist destination due to numerous reasons, one of the major ones being that it is located on the southernmost point of the Indian subcontinent, which means that it is the only place from where you can see the sunrise, sunset and moonrise from the same place.

Not only does it have a beautiful surrounding when it comes to its natural beauty, but it also has a unique cultural heritage and religious connotations attached to it, which adds to why it is an intriguing place to visit.

When it comes to its natural beauty, then Kanyakumari is popular for the Triveni Sangam, which stands for the meeting point of three water bodies - The Indian Ocean, The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Not only is it a unique setting to witness the sunset from, but it is also considered a sacred place wherein it is believed that taking a dip in the Triveni Sangam can wash away all your sins.

Apart from this, there are also many temples in Kanyakumari which you must visit deep dive in understanding the cultural and religious realms of the region. Thanumalayan Temple and Kumari Amman Temple are some of the many temples that you can visit in Kanyakumari.

It is also popular for its many beaches and how one beach has sands of varying colours and a great place to get yourself some traditional handicrafts.

If you have always been intrigued about Kanyakumari, and want to visit the place, then this article is for you where we have listed down everything you need to know about this beautiful city - how to reach, when to visit along with 10 Best Places that you must visit to explore every bit of the place.

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India is filled with places to visit, and each place has a unique element to it, and it is best to visit that place at a particular time to get the most of it - the perfect weather, delve into the festivities, and other things. To know all such basic things about Kanyakumari, read below:

Even though Kanyakumari witnesses great weather all year round, but yet if you want to experience the best times, then visiting in October-March would be a great idea. If you want to immerse yourself in the festivities that take place in the region, then here are some of the festivals that you should look for - The Chaitra Purnima Festival, which is the full moon day in the month of April and is usually celebrated in the first week of May, Navratri which is celebrated in the last week of October, and the Holy Annual Festival of the Roman Catholic Church which takes place is the fourth week of December.

The Best way to reach Kanyakumari is by taking a flight to Trivandrum, which is the nearest airport and is only 80 km away. It is connected by major cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram. If you’re travelling from other southern states, then you can also travel via road, and take buses, which are operational in the region.

The South Indian states have their own set of delicacies which are extremely popular. Kanyakumari also has its own set of delicacies which you must try to enlighten your taste buds - dry snacks, meals and sweets, you will find it here.

Banana Chips are extremely popular snack items which are thinly sliced bananas which are fried into the hot oil, making it a crispy snack too much on.

When it comes to sweets, you have to give Semiya Payasam a try - which is a popular sweet delicacy, where vermicelli is soaked in sweetened milk and served with crushed dry fruits.

Apart from this, you can also try Pazha Bhajji, Nungu Sarbath, and Appam to enjoy the local delicacies.

Kanyakumari is the perfect place for you to experience being in the southernmost part of the country. Apart from its geographical, location which is fascinating, there is so much more to it. Be it its natural beauty, or historical relevance and religious elements, there is so much you should explore when in Kanyakumari. We have listed down 10 of the Best Places you must visit when in Kanyakumari to make the most of your travel experience.

Vattakai Fort is a place from where you can soak in the beauty of Kanyakumari and its majestical water bodies from a distance, while you also explore this historical fort built of granite.

Even though to reach Vattakottai Fort, it will take a forty-minute drive from Kanyakumari, but it will be worth it for it provides some amazing scenic view of Kanyakumari - the beautiful water body, and silhouettes of the windmill farm on the backdrop of the sunset.


You can also explore the structure of the fort, and understand the history since the fort played an important role in fighting the battles of the Travancore Kingdom.

Also known as the Cape Comorin Beach, it is the Kanyakumari Beach where you get to witness the confluence of three water bodies - Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

The Beach is also popular for its multicoloured sand, where every part of the beach sand looks a different colour under the sun, making you feel like you are witnessing a magical moment.

You have to witness all of the sunset, sunrise and moonrise from this beach, and it will leave you awe-struck, all the different sights from the very same spot.

The Beach is considered extremely sacred. Apart from the scenic beauty of the beach, you can also visit the lighthouse which is at the beach and provides you with a 360-degree view of the place.

Built-in 1970, Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a memorial dedicated to Swami Vivekananda who is believed to achieve his enlightenment here. Another interesting thing about it is that it took six years to make, and is known for its architectural design which showcases a blend of modern and traditional style.

The memorial has two main structures - Shripada Mandapam’ and the ‘Vivekananda Mandapam’. It has a spiritual relevance attached to it and the same is reflective since the place has very positive vibes for anyone looking for some quiet and calm.

The memorial is just 500m from the mainland and you can easily take a ferry service which regularly operates, to reach the memorial. It is open from 7 in the morning till 5 in the evening.

Situated 10 minutes away from Kanyakumari is where you must visit the town of Suchindram, which is popular for its temples. One such temple which is extremely popular in Suchindram is Thanumalayan Temple which is also the main temple of the city.

The temple is popular for its rarity, as it is the only temple where the idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma are present sides to side. This is why the temple attracts a lot of devotees from all around the country.

You can also hire a local guide if you want to understand the history and all the structures of the temple in great detail.

One of the very popular spots in Kanyakumari is Padmanabhapuram Palace, which is known for its majestic yet intricate style of architecture which makes one curious about the place.

It also has historical importance, built back in the 16th century, the palace carries with it the heritage of the kingdom of Travancore.

Moreover, the Padmanabhapuram Palace is a brilliant reflection of the skill of Taccusastra, the ancient science of carpentry which is what makes them look and architectural design of the palace so unique.

The interiors of the palace are as breathtaking as its exteriors, with detailed carvings, Belgian mirrors, Chinese carvings on the chair and much more, this place is nothing less than a visit into history and everything it beholds.

There is an entry fee for the palace and it is closed on Mondays. If you want to take pictures or carry types of equipment inside the palace, you will have to pay an additional fee for the same.

A beautiful gothic style church constructed in white allows its visitors to commend its beauty against the striking blue colour of the sky in contrast to the church.

The beauty of the church gets even more highlighted during the night, against the dark clouds and dim lights, which makes the scene a beautiful sight to witness.

Not only you should visit the place for its beauty and architectural design, but also to experience religious element in Kanyakumari.

Created in the memory of the very popular Tamil poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar, the statue is located next to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The statue is 133 feet high and is on a pedestal which is 38 feet high, wherein both of them have relevance to it.

The 38-feet high pedestal represents the 38 chapters of virtue in his literary masterpiece called the Tirukkural, and the 133 feet high statue represents the 133 chapters in the book.

It is open from 9 in the morning till 4 in the evening and a ticket is needed to visit the Statue. There is a single entry ticket which covers both the Statue as well its adjacent memorial.

It is a very popular place and you must visit it when in Kanyakumari.

Representing the Orissa style of architecture, the Gandhi Mandapam is a memorial which is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, who needs no introduction. It is constructed at the place where his ashes were kept before they were immersed in the water, which is a religious ceremony of the last rites in India.

Another interesting thing about this memorial is that it is constructed in such a way that on 2nd October, which is Gandhi Jayanti, the rays of the sun fall exactly on the spot where his ashes were kept.

It is a place that is very popular among anyone who visits Kanyakumari and should be on your list.

Proposed to be a Wildlife Sanctuary, Keeriparai is a natural habitat which reflects a beautiful flora and fauna which flourishes in the region. It is extremely popular among nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, and some treks and trails have been created in the region to explore the natural habitat of the place.

There are also certain waterfalls if you go uphill, which is also extremely popular like the Vattaparai falls which is the most popular one.

There also is a popular Kali Temple in the area which makes it popular among the devotees.

Overall, it is an extremely serene place to be in where you can breathe fresh air, while you enjoy the calm of the place soaking in the lush green surroundings. Your trip to Kanyakumari would be an incomplete one without the experience of Keeriparai.

This place is an aqueduct located in Mathur in Kanyakumari which is built over the river Pahrali. It is the longest and the highest aqueduct in South Asia and this also makes the place a popular tourist spot.

It was built-in 1966 by the then Chief Minister and was constructed as a medium to provide relief from drought. The aqueduct has a very rustic feeling to it considering that it was constructed long back and is a great place for you to just relax and unwind, while you enjoy being at this spot which is unlike any other.

While walking at this very narrow, hanging bridge, you will feel the adrenaline rushing in your body.

It is one of the most awe-inspiring places in Kanyakumari and not something that you find everywhere, so make sure you experience it when in Kanyakumari.