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Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in Kerala

Discover 11 travel destinations across 7 regions of Kerala.

All Attractions (50) ★ Hidden Gems Only (11)

Regions in Kerala

Alappuzha & Kottayam

5 destinations →

Ernakulam

7 destinations →

Idukki & Pathanamthitta

11 destinations →

Kasaragod, Kannur & Kozhikode

7 destinations →

Thiruvananthapuram & Kollam

6 destinations →

Thrissur

7 destinations →

Wayanad

7 destinations →

Hidden Spots in Kerala

Gavi Forest & Eco-Tourism Reserve Hidden Gem
NatureAdventure

Gavi Forest & Eco-Tourism Reserve

Gavi, Pathanamthitta district (accessible via Kumily/Thekkady)

A pristine, remote forest haven in the Ranni reserve forest, made famous by Alistair International as one of the leading eco-tourism projects in India. Renowned for dense tropical evergreen woods, two quiet forest reservoirs, endangered lion-tailed macaques, and cardamom plantations.

Day pass with safari ~₹1,500 per person (Prior Forest Dept permit mandatory) View Spot →
Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village Hidden Gem
Eco-TourismCulture

Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village

Kumbalangi, Ernakulam district, Kerala

India's first designated model eco-tourism village, located on a small island ringed by backwaters and mangroves south of Kochi. Renowned for traditional Chinese fishing nets, coir weaving, crab farming, and rare nighttime bioluminescence ('Kavaru') in the brackish lagoons at dusk.

Free (village exploration); canoe rides at nominal cost View Spot →
Kuruva Island & Kabini River Delta Hidden Gem
NatureHidden Gems

Kuruva Island & Kabini River Delta

Mananthavady, Wayanad district

A protected 950-acre delta comprising an archipelago of densely wooded, uninhabited islands on the Kabini River. Fringed by bamboo bridges, pristine stream walks, and native evergreen flora, it is accessed via unique eco-friendly bamboo raft crossings.

₹110 per person (including bamboo raft crossing; closed during peak monsoon floods) View Spot →
Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple Hidden Gem
HistorySpiritual

Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple

Deep inside Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki border

An ancient 1,000-year-old stone temple built by the early Chera dynasty atop a 4,300-foot forested ridge inside Periyar Tiger Reserve. Dedicated to Kannagi, the legendary heroine of the Tamil epic Silapathikaram, surrounded by wild elephant trails and mist.

Free (Jeep permit & forest entry apply; open primarily during Chithra Pournami festival) View Spot →
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary Hidden Gem
NatureWildlife

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Marine Drive, Kochi, Ernakulam district, Kerala

Affectionately called the 'Green Lung of Kochi', this compact 2.74-hectare mangrove sanctuary in the heart of the city shelters a tidal lagoon, dense mangrove species, migratory waterbirds, and large colonies of Malabar flying foxes right behind the Kerala High Court building.

Free View Spot →
Marayoor Sandalwood Forests & Muniyara Dolmens Hidden Gem
HistoryNature

Marayoor Sandalwood Forests & Muniyara Dolmens

Marayoor, Idukki district

A unique rain-shadow valley renowned as the only natural sandalwood forest in Kerala. Scattered across the granite hillsides stand ancient Megalithic dolmens (Muniyara) and stone cists built by prehistoric humans dating back over 3,000 years, surrounded by sugarcane jaggery farms.

Free (Forest sandalwood interpretation centre ₹25) View Spot →
Pathiramanal Island Hidden Gem
NatureHidden Gems

Pathiramanal Island

Muhamma, Vembanad Lake, Alappuzha district

A small, uninhabited 10-acre island isolated in the middle of Vembanad Lake whose name translates to 'Sands of Midnight'. A protected sanctuary accessible only by boat, it is home to over 90 species of local birds and rare medicinal plants.

Free (Boating charges to reach island apply) View Spot →
Ponmudi Golden Peak Hidden Gem
MountainsNature

Ponmudi Golden Peak

Ponmudi, Nedumangad taluk, Thiruvananthapuram district

A serene, mist-cloaked hill retreat nestled at 3,600 feet in the southern Western Ghats. Reached via a winding road with 22 scenic hairpin bends, it features cool mountain breezes, rolling tea estates, orchids, and trekking trails through shola forest valleys.

₹40 per adult View Spot →
Ranipuram Shola Grasslands Hidden Gem
MountainsNature

Ranipuram Shola Grasslands

Panathady, Kasaragod district

Known as the 'Ooty of Kerala', Ranipuram sits at 2,460 feet in the Kasaragod Western Ghats. A scenic 2.5-km trek through dense evergreen shola forests and rolling montane grasslands leads to a dramatic rounded rocky summit offering views over Coorg in Karnataka.

₹50 per adult (Forest Dept eco-tourism ticket) View Spot →
Thirunelli Ancient Mountain Temple Hidden Gem
SpiritualHistory

Thirunelli Ancient Mountain Temple

Thirunelli, Brahmagiri Hills, Wayanad district

An enigmatic 1,000-year-old stone temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu, nestled in a valley surrounded by the towering mist-clad Brahmagiri hills and dense wilderness. The sacred mountain stream Papanasini ('destroyer of sins') flows nearby over medicinal mountain herbs.

Free View Spot →
Vilangan Kunnu (Oxygen City Viewpoint) Hidden Gem
ViewpointsParks

Vilangan Kunnu (Oxygen City Viewpoint)

Vilangan, Thrissur district, Kerala

Known as the 'Oxygen Jar of Thrissur', this green hilltop rising 80 metres above the surrounding plains offers 360-degree panoramic views across Thrissur town, lush paddy basins, and the distant Western Ghats. Features landscaped walking tracks, an open-air amphitheatre, and a children's adventure zone.

Rs 20 per adult View Spot →