Varkala is a famous beach destination situated in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Varkala is a small town located about 53 km to the north – west of Thiruvananthapuram and about 40 km to the southwest of Quilon.  Besides being a popular getaway for backpackers, Varkala is a well known religious destination also. 

Varkala has a glorious past. During the Sangham era, Varkala had been a major port known by the name ‘Balitha’, the references of which can be found in Ptolemy’s Periplus as well. 

Anjengo Fort, a national heritage monument near Varkala, tells about the bygone era of trade settlement by the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the English East India Company. Anjengo Fort was built by the Dutch during the17th century to guard the coastline. Anjengo Fort had been the target of foreign powers for several centuries so that they could have a strong foothold in Kerala.

Varkala has witnessed great developments in its infrastructure since the advent of the tourism industry. There has been a boom in the hospitality sector in Varkala in the recent years owing to the popularity of its beaches and various religious spots in the area.

The best time to visit the destination is from November to March.