Free things to do · Kerala · India
5 free things to do in Kerala
Kerala without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Kerala without paying an entry fee: Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Top Station and Varkala Cliff are all free. Houseboat prices drop sharply outside December–January and on weekdays; compare several operators before booking.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 10
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–July
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Fort Kochi
1.Chinese fishing nets
Come at sunset when the nets are silhouetted, and ask the fishermen before you join them on the platform.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Food
Religious site · Fort Kochi
2.St Francis Church
Combine with the Santa Cruz Basilica and the Dutch cemetery, all within a few minutes' walk.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Munnar
3.Top Station
Go early in the day; clouds often roll in and hide the view by late morning.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Photo spot
- Nature
Viewpoint · Varkala
4.Varkala Cliff
Walk the cliff path at sunset and stay for dinner at a cliff-top restaurant; carry a torch, as the path is unfenced in places.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Food
Religious site · Thiruvananthapuram
5.Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Non-Hindu visitors can see the gopuram from the tank and walk the old fort streets; Hindus must wear the traditional dress required at the gate.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Kochi | Chinese fishing nets and St Francis Church | 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Munnar | Top Station | Half a day |
| Varkala | Varkala Cliff | 2–3 hours |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Padmanabhaswamy Temple | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Fort Kochi
Kathakali performance
Arrive an hour early to watch the performers apply their make-up, which is as fascinating as the show.
- Time needed
- 2 hours including make-up
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- After dark
- Art
- Kids
- Rainy day
Palace · Mattancherry
Mattancherry Palace
Take your time in the bedchamber with the Ramayana murals; photography is not permitted inside.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Religious site · Mattancherry
Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town
Visit in the morning, then browse the antique and spice shops along Jew Town Road towards Mattancherry Palace.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Shopping
- Architecture
Park · Munnar
Eravikulam National Park
Go early to beat the queue for park buses; the park usually closes for several weeks during the tahr calving season around February and March.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Experience · Munnar
Munnar tea estates and Tea Museum
Book a guided estate walk through your homestay; early morning walks often come with mist and the sound of pickers.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Experience · Thekkady
Spice plantation tour
Buy whole spices on the tour or at Kumily market rather than pre-packed blends; they keep better.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Kids
- Nature
- Shopping
Nature · Kumarakom
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Go at dawn, when birds are most active, or see it from the water on a canoe ride.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Museum · Thiruvananthapuram
Napier Museum
Combine it with the Sree Chitra Art Gallery next door for paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- Art
- Architecture
- Kids
Museum · Ernakulam
Kerala Folklore Museum
It is in Thevara, south of central Ernakulam; combine it with a ferry ride to Fort Kochi.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Wayanad
Edakkal Caves
Start early, wear shoes with grip and carry water; visitor numbers are capped each day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Active
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Houseboat prices drop sharply outside December–January and on weekdays; compare several operators before booking.
- Eat 'meals' at lunchtime in local restaurants for the best-value food in Kerala.
- Trains along the coast cost a fraction of a private car and are often faster.
- Homestays in Fort Kochi, Munnar and Alappuzha include home-cooked breakfasts and local knowledge.
- Monsoon months bring large discounts on resorts and Ayurveda packages.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kerala expensive to visit?
Kerala is affordable for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Kerala?
Chinese fishing nets: Come at sunset when the nets are silhouetted, and ask the fishermen before you join them on the platform.