Hidden Gems in Kerala — The Complete Guide to Offbeat Beauty!
Kerala is famous for its backwaters, houseboats and tea gardens, but tucked between the palm groves, cliffs & thick forests are quieter more mysterious places that most tourists miss. These hidden places in Kerala to visit are perfect if you want fewer crowds, fresh discoveries & honest local experiences. In this guide you will find hidden waterfalls in Kerala, secret beaches, little-known hill stations, practical tips, best times to go & a quick reference table so you can plan easily.
What counts as a “hidden gem” in Kerala?
A “hidden gem” here means –
- A beautiful spot that’s not overrun by tourists.
- Places with local flavor, small villages, lesser known beaches, tiny waterfalls, or secluded hilltop viewpoints.
- Accessible enough for responsible visitors but still off the usual tourist routes.
Kerala’s tourism board & several travel writers have highlighted many such offbeat spots across the state. I used those curated lists & local reporting to make this guide accurate & up to date.
Hidden Gems at a glance!
| Place | Type | District | Why visit | Best Time |
| Areekkal Waterfalls | Waterfall (seasonal, small) | Ernakulam (Pampakkuda) | Peaceful cascade, picnic spots; local project to stabilize flow. | Monsoon to post-monsoon (June–Dec). |
| Keezharkuthu (Rainbow Falls) | Waterfall | Idukki | Scenic, fewer crowds, rainbow effects after rains. | Post-monsoon (Sep–Feb). |
| Kanjirakolly / Sasippara | Waterfall / viewpoint | Wayanad / Kannur area | Remote falls, dramatic viewpoints, very quiet. | Oct–Mar. |
| Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach | Beach (driveable) | Kannur | Asia’s longest drive-in beach, unique black-rock coastline. | Nov–Feb |
| Chowara & Chavakkad Beaches | Beaches (quiet) | Thrissur / Ernakulam | Low crowds, local fishing villages and calm sands. | Oct–Mar. |
| Ponmudi | Hill station | Thiruvananthapuram | Rolling meadows, small & quiet compared to Munnar; easy day trip from city. | Oct–Feb |
| Gavi | Hill / eco-hill station | Pathanamthitta | Forest treks, treehouses, wildlife & boat rides — very tranquil. | Sep–Feb |
| Thenmala (offbeat trails) | Eco-tourism hub | Kollam | Planned eco-tourism destination with forest trails and quiet lakes. | Oct–Mar |
Hidden Waterfalls in Kerala (and how to visit them)!
While Athirappilly & Soochipara are famous, Kerala has many lesser-known waterfalls that provide peace and excellent photo opportunities.
- Areekkal Waterfalls – These are smaller than the larger tourist falls. Restoring upstream water channels is the goal of recent local efforts to prolong the falls’ flow (a sign of growing community attention). Early mornings are serene if you go.
- Keezharkuthu (Idukki) – Because of the rainbows that form after rain so it is sometimes referred to as Rainbow Falls. Better paired with other Idukki treks, fewer visitors than the more well known ones.
- Kanjirakolly & Sasippara – These are remote & dramatic locations in the north Kerala off-the-beaten-path circuit. Bring water & sturdy shoes, locals in neighboring towns can help you navigate.
Tips for waterfall visits!
- Many falls are seasonal or have limited access during the intense monsoon season; check the local weather & accessibility.
- Steer clear of dangerous cliff edges and wear non-slip shoes.
- If there are no signs on the trail, hire a local guide.
Hidden Beaches in Kerala, quiet shores to discover!
If you want sand without the crowd try these hidden beaches in Kerala –
- Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach (Kannur) – not exactly secret but still a lesser-visited giant you can drive on sand & find quiet stretches easily. Great for sunrise drives.
- Chowara & Chavakkad Beaches – small fishing village beaches that are clean & calm. Perfect for long slow walks & local seafood stalls.
- Kappil & Marari (pockets less crowded) – Marari is prominent for quiet vibes seek smaller pockets near the main strip & you will find peaceful coves.
Beach visiting tips!
- Ask for permission before entering village boats or nets out of respect for the local fishermen.
- The best times for photography & solitude are in the early morning & late afternoon.
Hidden Hill Stations, Cool escapes without crowds!
A lot of tourists go directly to Munnar. Consider these undiscovered hill stations in Kerala –
- Ponmudi (Thiruvananthapuram district) – This have meadows, winding roads & clearings teeming with butterflies if you prefer solitude. Despite being close to the city it feels isolated making it the ideal quick getaway.
- Gavi (Pathanamthitta) – A small eco-hill station with forest trails, boating & treehouse stays excellent for birdwatchers & quiet camping.
- Meppadi & Vythiri pockets (Wayanad) – quieter than the main tourist hubs & rich in trekking and plantation walks.
How to reach these hidden gems!
- By car – The most adaptable way to get to far flung locations is to rent a car or take a local taxi. Drive carefully because the roads leading to the hill & waterfall areas can be narrow.
- By train – Take local transportation from the coastal towns & a few gateway stations (Kollam, Alappuzha, Kannur) that are connected by rail.
- By bus – State buses go to a lot of towns but you might need an autorickshaw or a taxi for the final mile.
Responsible visiting, please read!
When people respect hidden places, they remain beautiful.
- A few guidelines are to take back what you bring in & to avoid littering.
- Respect wildlife & stay away from loud music.
- Purchase food or handicrafts from locals to support small businesses.
- Verify the regulations, certain forest areas call for permits or a guide.
- Eco-guides assist in managing the impact of visitors in places like Thenmala & Gavi.
Conclusion, why these hidden treasures matter?
Kerala’s hidden gems are charming because they blend calm & beauty. You will find out places that reward curiosity, encounter fewer tourists & more locals & contribute to the more fair distribution of tourism throughout the state all of which will benefit local economies & the environment. Choose one area, travel slowly & you will come away with new favorite spots that most people are not aware of along with stories & pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the secret place in Kerala?
A:
Nelliyampathy a mist-encased hill village in Palakkad with coffee estates and orange farms that has remained mostly unexplored by mass tourism is a well-preserved hidden gem.
Q: Which is the hidden hill station in Kerala?
A:
Vagamon stands out, a serene hill station with pine forests, rolling meadows & paragliding opportunities yet far less crowded than mainstay destinations.
Q: Which is the most haunted hill station in India?
A:
India’s most haunted hill station is Dow Hill in Kurseong (West Bengal) it is known for ghostly whispers, headless apparitions & a creepy haunted school.
Q: Which temple in Kerala has lots of gold?
A:
According to a Right-to-Information response the Guruvayur Temple in Thrissur is home to almost 20,000 gold lockets & more than 260 kg of gold.
Q: Which of the 12 secret treasures has been found?
A:
This one sounds more legendary or mythical because there isn’t a commonly known list of Kerala’s ’12 secret treasures’ in public records. Most likely none have been formally verified.
Q: What is the secret door in a Kerala temple?
A:
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s Vault B is a ‘secret door’ this is a huge, sealed room decorated with images of serpents & shielded by mystical legend. It is thought to contain enormous treasures & is protected by supernatural forces but it has never been opened.