Kovalam itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Kovalam

1. 01

   Day 1: Beaches, lighthouse and the harbour

   Start early with a walk on Lighthouse Beach while the sand is cool and fishing boats are coming in. Climb the Vizhinjam Lighthouse for the view over all three bays, taking the lift as far as it runs if the steps are an issue. Have a late breakfast on the promenade, then walk or ride to Hawa Beach. Rest through the midday heat. In the late afternoon, drive the short distance to Vizhinjam harbour to watch boats and the sea before sunset, and return for dinner at a beachfront restaurant with a fresh fish order.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Lighthouse Beach	1-3 hours, or an evening	Easy	Early morning and late afternoon; December to February for calm seas
   Vizhinjam Lighthouse	30-60 minutes	Moderate	Early morning or an hour before sunset
   Hawa Beach	1-2 hours	Easy	Early morning; December to February

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Vizhinjam Lighthouse: The tower has 144 steps in all; a lift is reported to cover most of them, leaving about 30 steps to the top. The platform is small and can be crowded, and railings are narrow, so take it slowly if you have balance issues or a fear of heights.

Plan 02

2 days in Kovalam

1. 01

   Day 1: Lighthouse Beach and the three bays

   Start with the lighthouse climb early in the morning, when it is cooler and clearer, then spend an hour on the sand at Lighthouse Beach. Walk the promenade to Hawa Beach and, if your driver is available, continue to quieter Samudra Beach for the fishing nets. Rest at the hotel after lunch. In the evening, watch the light fade from the beach and have an early dinner.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Lighthouse Beach	1-3 hours, or an evening	Easy	Early morning and late afternoon; December to February for calm seas
   Hawa Beach	1-2 hours	Easy	Early morning; December to February
   Samudra Beach	1-2 hours	Easy	Late afternoon for sunset; early morning for the nets

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Vizhinjam and the cliff-top temple

   Go to Vizhinjam harbour early to see boats landing and the fish being sorted, then visit the small Marine Aquarium on the way. Walk to the eighth-century rock-cut cave temple, then drive on to Azhimala Shiva Temple on the cliff to see the Gangadhareshwara statue. Return for a long lunch and a massage session if you want one; finish with an easy sunset on Samudra or Lighthouse Beach.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Azhimala Shiva Temple	1-1.5 hours	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon
   Lighthouse Beach	1-3 hours, or an evening	Easy	Early morning and late afternoon; December to February for calm seas

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Azhimala Shiva Temple: The route involves some steps and uneven paths, and the cliff edge is open in places. Older visitors can enjoy the view from the lower levels or the main courtyard, but should watch the footing and avoid the rocks in wet weather.

Plan 03

3 days in Kovalam

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and settle at Lighthouse Beach

   Spend the first day without an agenda: a walk on Lighthouse Beach, a swim in the lifeguard-marked zone, an unhurried lunch on the promenade and a lighthouse climb in the late afternoon for the view and the sunset. Early dinner and early night.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Lighthouse Beach	1-3 hours, or an evening	Easy	Early morning and late afternoon; December to February for calm seas

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

2. 02

   Day 2: Vizhinjam, the cave temple and Azhimala

   Be at Vizhinjam harbour in the first light to see the fish landing. Visit the Marine Aquarium and the rock-cut cave temple, then continue to Azhimala Shiva Temple while the light is soft. Return to the hotel for a rest, then walk Hawa Beach in the evening.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Azhimala Shiva Temple	1-1.5 hours	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon
   Hawa Beach	1-2 hours	Easy	Early morning; December to February

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Azhimala Shiva Temple: The route involves some steps and uneven paths, and the cliff edge is open in places. Older visitors can enjoy the view from the lower levels or the main courtyard, but should watch the footing and avoid the rocks in wet weather.

3. 03

   Day 3: Crafts and backwaters

   Visit the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village at Vellar in the morning to see artisans at work and shop for souvenirs. After lunch, take a car to the Poovar backwaters for a boat ride through the mangroves, returning before dark. If you have energy to spare, spend the last evening on Samudra Beach. Thiruvananthapuram, about 15 km away, is the alternative if you prefer a city outing.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Samudra Beach	1-2 hours	Easy	Late afternoon for sunset; early morning for the nets

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Kovalam trip for parents and children

• Take the lighthouse early in the morning: the lift reportedly saves most of the climb, but the last flight is on steps and the upper platform is small.
• Beach sand is soft and uneven; wear closed shoes or sandals with grip and walk on the firmer sand near the waterline rather than loose dunes.
• Swim only in the area marked by lifeguards' flags and never alone; currents here are strong and can pull a swimmer seaward.
• Plan sightseeing before 10:30 am and after 4 pm. The midday sun is intense even in winter, so carry a hat, water and sunscreen.
• Choose a hotel with a lift, ground-floor rooms or a short, level approach to the beach, and ask about a vehicle drop-off at the door.
• Azhimala temple and the cave temple need steps and uneven paths; go with a driver who can wait and keep afternoon time free to rest.

Kovalam with elderly parents: the full guide →