Kanyakumari offers much more than beaches and temples. But if you are short on time and yet need to cover the place like a pro, here is a perfect itinerary that covers its most important tourist attractions and still leaves time for shopping. Of course, you can book a hotel in Kanyakumari town to catch a glimpse of the striking sunrises and sunsets, but accommodation is expensive in Kanyakumari town, especially those close to the beach. The services aren’t worth the high cost, and there’s not much to say about the furnishings.
If you are looking for affordable accommodation in the city, we suggest booking hotel rooms in Aralvaimozhi, a quaint town about 30 minutes from Kanyakumari and 15 minutes from Nagercoil. Check Hotel Aavudai Grand, one of the best hotels in Aralvaimozhi for travellers. Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, our prime location and exceptional amenities will ensure a memorable stay.
So here’s how you can make the most of your 48-hour Kanyakumari vacation.
Top Attractions You Must Experience
1. Sunrise/Sunset:
While you can view the sunrise and sunset from anywhere on Kanyakumari Beach, some spots are iconic for their unobstructed views. For instance, you can visit Sunrise Spot on the beach to watch the sun rising between the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. The pier on Kanyakumari Beach is also a popular place. At sunset, people often visit the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the setting sun.
The ideal time for sunrise is between 5.45 am and 6.00 am, and for sunset between 6:15 pm and 6:30 pm. However, it’s best to check sunrise and sunset times online on the day you’re visiting. You can also check with our staff at the Aavudai Grand.
Pro Tip:
While both sunrise and sunset are worth watching, you can watch one to make the most of your 48-hour trip. If you’re checking into the hotel in the afternoon, sunset is a good suggestion, as you can cover other attractions like the Suchindrum Temple and Vattakottai on the way to the beach.
Time Needed:
15 minutes to an hour.
2. Triveni Sangam:
For Hindus, the confluence of three water bodies is sacred, as it symbolises a cosmic and physical balance (of the feminine, masculine, and etheric) and is believed to cleanse a person’s accumulated karma. The Triveni Sangam in Kanyakumari is one such sacred confluence where the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal meet. People visit here to perform Pitru Karma, i.e., rituals honouring their deceased ancestors, and take a dip into the Sangam, especially during Pitru Paksha and on Amavasya (New Moon) days.
Pro Tip:
We recommend combining sunrise/sunset viewing with a visit to the Triveni Sangam to save time. However, please note that it may be crowded during these times.
Time Needed:
15 minutes to an hour.
3. Bhagavathi Amman Temple:
This is one of Kanyakumari’s most important attractions. The district and town are named after the main deity here, Goddess Kanyakumari, also known as the Virgin Goddess. She is considered a manifestation of Shakti, the divine feminine energy, and an incarnation of Goddess Parvathy. It is believed that Lord Parashuram consecrated the idol here, and the first among the 108 Shakti Sthalas he consecrated along the western coast. The temple’s highlight is the diamond nose ring on the deity, believed to shine so brightly that it caused a ship to sink.
Pro Tip:
It’s usually less crowded at noon and at sunrise/sunset, as most people are at the beach watching the sun rise (or set), allowing you to complete darshan quickly.
Time Needed:
30 minutes to an hour, depending on the rush.
4. Gandhi Mandapam:
The Gandhi Mandapam is built on the site where his ashes were kept for public viewing before they were immersed in the ocean. The memorial is designed to allow sunlight to fall exactly on the spot where the urn was kept, on his birthday, i.e., 2nd October.
Time Needed: 15 to 30 minutes.
5. Vivekananda Rock Memorial:
As the name suggests, the memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda. It is built on the rock where he is believed to have attained enlightenment, and it conveys a message about spreading spirituality to the world. The memorial is inspired by the Ramakrishna Temple in Bengal and blends Dravidian architecture as well. The memorial is divided into the Dhyana Mandapam and the Sripada Mandapam, dedicated to the sacred footprints believed to be of Goddess Kanyakumari.
Pro Tip:
Buy VIP tickets to skip the queue and book tickets for the glass bridge to complete the entire Vivekananda Memorial + Thiruvalluvar Statue round trip in two hours.
Time Needed:
30 minutes to an hour to explore the memorial + 30 minutes to an hour (or two) waiting for the ferry + 10 minutes for the ferry ride.
6. Thiruvalluvar Statue:
This monumental statue is dedicated to Sage Thiruvalluvar, the author of the classic Tamil text Thirukural, a treatise on ethics, romance, governance, and daily life. The gigantic statue stands 133 feet tall and depicts the 133 chapters of the Thirukural. The statue is 95 feet (depicting wealth and love), standing on a 38-foot pedestal (depicting virtue). Thus, symbolising that wealth and prosperity can only be founded on a life of righteousness.
Pro Tip:
We recommend purchasing tickets for the glass bridge, which allows you to walk from the Memorial to the Statue while admiring panoramic ocean views.
Time Needed:
30 minutes to an hour, not including the time taken to wait for the ferry.
7. Suchindrum Temple:
The Sthanumalayan Temple is dedicated to the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. It is believed that the linga here self-manifested when the Trinity blessed Safe Atri and his wife Anusuya. The temple is also associated with the curse of Indra; it is believed that Indra was relieved of his curse, thereby giving the place its name: Suchi, meaning pure, and Indrum referring to Lord Indra. The earliest records of the temple date to the 9th century, during the Chola period, but it may have been later renovated by the Thirumalai Nayaks and the Travancore Kings in the 17th and 18th centuries.
We recommend visiting the temple with a guide to appreciate the beautiful architecture and sculptures, especially the musical pillars.
Pro Tip:
Consider visiting the temple en route to Kanyakumari to save time.
Time Needed:
30 minutes to an hour, depending on the queue.
8. Nagaraja Temple:
This beautiful 9th-century temple gives Nagercoil city its name. Archaeologists suggest that the temple may have been a Jain temple, considering that there are images of Mahavira and Parshavnath on the pillars. The temple’s main deity is the Nagaraja, the five-headed serpent king. He is worshipped alongside Ananthakrishna (Krishna), worshipped as a child. Locals believe that offering milk and turmeric to the Naga statues outside the main temple helps alleviate doshas and removes obstacles related to marriage and childbirth. People also visit the temple seeking relief from various Naga doshas.
Pro Tip:
We recommend visiting the temple on Sundays (particularly in the Tamil month of Avani), as the day is dedicated to Rahu and can help devotees mitigate the adverse effects of the planet.
Time Needed:
15-30 minutes.
9. Padmanabhapuram Palace:
This is Asia’s largest wooden palace and was once the residence of the Travancore kings. It was originally built in the 16th century but later renovated in the mid-18th century by King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The palace was later abandoned as the Travancore kings moved their headquarters to Thiruvananthapuram. The palace is known for its beautiful wooden carvings, sculptures, and brass artefacts.
Pro Tip:
While you will find government staff stationed at key locations within the palace, we recommend hiring an external tour guide, as they can provide in-depth information on its architecture and the history of the Travancore kings.
Time Needed:
1 to 2 hours
10. Mathur Aqueduct:
The Mathur Aqueduct is Asia’s longest and tallest trough, stretching over 1 km and standing at 115 ft high. It was originally constructed to transfer irrigation water between two hills but is now a major tourist attraction for its scenic views of the Parazhiyar River and surrounding coconut and pineapple farms.
Pro Tip:
Snack on some pineapple slices or Aini Chakka (wild jackfruit) pods while you walk the 1km walkway along the trough.
Time Needed:
30 minutes to an hour
While there are plenty of other tourist attractions like the Chothavalai Beach, Thiruparappu Waterfalls, Kalikesam, Adi Keshava Perumal Temple, Twin Beach, Vattakottai Fort, etc., you need more than two days to cover them. You can skip some of the tourist attractions mentioned above to visit some of the beautiful places.
FAQs:
1. Are there famous churches in Kanyakumari?
Yes, Kanyakumari is home to several historical churches, including the Our Lady of Ransom Church in Kanyakumari, Thiruvithamcode Arapally, Marthandam CSI Church, St. Xavier’s Cathedral, and the CSI Home Church.
2. How many days do you need to explore Kanyakumari?
We suggest at least 4 to 5 days to cover most of Kanyakumari’s tourist attractions. If you are concerned about accommodation costs, we recommend booking our budget hotel in Kanyakumari.
3. Any advice on avoiding city traffic when visiting tourist attractions?
Yes! Rather than booking a hotel in Kanyakumari or Nagercoil, we suggest staying in Aralvaimozhi to avoid peak city traffic by taking the national highway to Kanyakumari.
Shopping in 48 Hours
What To Buy in Kanyakumari?
Given its coastal setting, seashell-based handicrafts and conch shells make great, affordable souvenirs. Popular seashell handicrafts include necklaces, bracelets, keychains, decorative mirrors, curtains, Torans, and Ganesha idols. The city is also known for its many spice shops selling cinnamon (both Sri Lankan and Indian varieties), green cardamoms, star anise, and local cloves. You can buy handloom sarees from Co-optex Stores, as well as handcrafted palm-leaf bags, baskets, hats, and other home décor products. It is also a great place to buy coir products, decorative items, coconut-shell kitchen utensils, and handcrafted wooden decorative pieces.
Best Place to Buy: Kanyakumari Bazaar (behind the Bhagavathi Amman Temple)
Kanyakumari is known for its plantain chips, jackfruit chips, and other snacks, including Kaimurukku (handmade Chakkli), spicy Mixture, and tapioca chips. You cannot miss the macarons available at almost every bakery in the city.
Best Place to Buy Chips: Ramalakshmi Sweet Stall, Nagercoil
As for macarons, you can buy them at Greatest Bakery or the Italian Cake Shop – these bakeries have multiple outlets across the city.
The city is also known for its vibrant utensil market, where you can buy brass utensils, lamps, and other pooja items. In addition to brass, you can purchase bronze and copper utensils and home décor items.
Best place to buy brass handicrafts: Kambalom, Kottar
What To Eat
You cannot visit Kanyakumari and not try the vegetarian Sadhya (Thaali). The highlight of the Thaali is the Avail, a medley of locally available vegetables cooked in a coconut base and flavoured with coconut oil. The meal also includes several varieties of Kheer, called Payasam or Pradhaman.
Where to Eat:
The best place to sample a vegetarian meal is at a wedding. Since that is not practical, we suggest you head to Hotel Thazhakudy Neelakandan Mess for an authentic South Travancore-style meal.
Kanyakumari is also known for its fresh seafood, served with rice or tapioca. The meal, although carb-heavy, tastes divine and is accompanied by a pickle, Pappadam, and fish fry.
Where to Eat:
While there are several restaurants serving seafood, we suggest visiting one of the many Thattukadas for the authentic taste and flavour. You can ask our hotel concierge for recommendations or consult your taxi driver about small roadside eateries that are clean and serve fresh, authentic seafood.
Parotta and beef are another favourite street food found across the city. If you do not like beef, you can buy chicken and mutton side dishes. If you do not want any accompaniment, the Salna (or gravy) is an equally worthwhile option with Parotta. Check for Kothu Parotta, another popular street food.
Where to Eat:
This again is best enjoyed at one of the many street stalls in the city. We recommend Irani Restaurant for their Nool Parotta and Bharat for their authentic Parotta and Kothu Parotta.
FAQs:
1. What are shop timings in Kanyakumari?
Most shops open around 9 am and close at 9 pm, although shops in Kanyakumari are open until 10.00 pm.
2. Can you bargain while shopping in Kanyakumari?
Yes, we recommend negotiating prices when shopping at street vendors in Kanyakumari Beach, as most shopkeepers mark up their prices. We also recommend bargaining when buying brass or wooden handicrafts. But you cannot bargain everywhere, for instance, at sweet stalls or retail stores.
About Hotel Aavudai Grand:
We are one of the best hotels in Aaralvaimozhi for travellers, offering comfortable and affordable accommodation. We’re walking distance away from the highway, making it easy for road travellers to take a rest while driving. If you choose to explore Kanyakumari, we are only a few kilometres from the top attractions along the national highway.
And if you are planning a wedding or any other event in Kanyakumari, Hotel Aavudai Grand is your best choice. You can host the event at Sree Mani Mahal, our palatial banquet hall, while booking hotel rooms in Aaralvaimozhi at Aavudai Grand. For the latest updates, travel tips, guest experiences, and special offers, follow Hotel Aavudai Grand on Instagram and stay connected before you plan your Kanyakumari trip.
