Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram is very pleasing as it offers a variety of flavours to the visitors. Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum is gateway to one of the most beautiful Indian states, Kerala. Stretching along the southern coast of the country, with the backwaters reaching deep into the verdant countryside, Kerala affords a fascinating experience. Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near the southern edge of the Indian mainland, clean and green Thiruvananthapuram, which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC.

Pilgrimage Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram
The city of Thiruvananthapuram offers several places of worship and pilgrimage to the devotees hailing from all parts of the country. History and myths are associated with many of these places which over years have been the testaments of the rich cultural heritage of the city.

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The ancient temple is the most dominating feature of Thiruvananthapuram. Overlooking the Padma Theertham Tank, the temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu who is depicted reclining on Sri Anantha, the hooded snake from which the city derives its name. Exquisite stone carvings and pavilions are worth admiring. The temple is open only to Hindus and dress regulations are strictly enforced.

Vettukad Church
The Madre De Deus Church popularly known as the Vettukad Church attracts thousands of devotees from all religions. The annual celebration here is called the Feast of Christ, The King.

Aruvikkara
It is both a pilgrimage centre and a picnic spot, with a waterfall nearby. On the banks of the Karamana River, the spot houses a temple, where a rock cut shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagvathy, the divine embodiment of female power. A stream with fishes, which come up to be fed by visitors, is another attraction.

Beema Palli
An important Muslim pilgrimage centre, it is dedicated to Beema Beevi, a pious Muslim lady who was believed to have possessed divine powers. Devotees of all faiths visit the mosque.

Thiruvallam
Thiruvallam is an ancient temple situated along the bank of Karamana River. Dedicated to the Trimurthis of the Hindu pantheon, the temple stands at a distance of 6 kilometres from the city. The temple also hosts a granite shrine of Parasurama. The place is also known as a tranquil backwater destination.

Nature Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram city is an ideal place to savour the majesty of nature. Magnificent beaches and spots embraced in breathtaking natural beauty that attract nature lovers and photographers from far off places.

Shankumugham Beach
Just 8 km from the city, Shankumugham beach is a favourite place of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.

Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach is an internationally renowned beach and has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets. Vizhinjam, near Kovalam, is a fishing port which is also important for an ongoing pioneer project to generate electricity from wave energy.

Azhimala Beach
Azhimala is a serene beach located 20 kilometres away from the main city. It is well known for its Ayurvedic Resorts. The beach also hosts a temple named Azhimala dedicated to Lord Shiva. Sunsets at the beach are spellbinding.

Veli Tourist Village
This picnic spot, where the Veli Lake meets the Arabian Sea, offers boating facilities. Pedal boats can be hired to explore the charms of the lagoon in a leisurely manner. For a quick ride over the waters, speedboats are available. Children enjoy climbing over the huge sculptures which dot the landscape.

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.

Leisure Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram offers a delightful opportunity of leisure tourism with its plethora of significant monuments, museums, parks etc. One can have a refreshing visit to the city`s prominent places which unfolds many significant aspects of the city.

Kanakakunnu Palace
This palace is situated in the heart of Trivandrum, presently Thiruvananthapuram city. It is one of the most beautiful buildings of the city. The palace and its extensive grounds have become the venue for many cultural meets in these days.

Public Park
Truly a representative of the clean and verdant aspect of the city, the Public Park houses many important institutions, like the Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. The observatory on the Observatory hill is also located in the Public Park.

Napier Museum
Built in the 19th centum this Indo - Saracenic structure boasts a natural air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises.

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 Ball.

Zoological Park
One of the first zoos in India, it is located in a well-planned botanical garden. With huge trees like frangipani and jacaranda dotting the sprawling lawns and wild fowl swimming in the lake, it is like a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes is also located in the premises.

Chacha Nehru Children`s Museum Children of all age groups enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. Located at the highest point in the city one can have a bird`s eye view of the city from here.

Kerala 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.

Kerala Legislature Complex
Located at Palayam, this is the new building where the Legislative Assembly of Kerala meets. With its towering dome, exquisitely carved galleries, ornate teak panelling and ceiling, combined with the most modern acoustic treatment and state-of-the-art sound systems, the hall is a beautiful blend of classical grandeur and modernity.

Visiting Information
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (6 km from the city) has over 30 air links with convenient connections to Colombo, Maldives and the Middle East. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate domestic flights to different parts of the country. There are also direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram to all the main towns in Kerala as well as the major cities in India. Long distance buses operate from the Central Bus Station at Thampanoor, opposite the Railway Station.