Trying to find an ideal family vacation in the area of Ernakulam (Kochi)? This is a wonderful tourist destination with a perfect combination of short trip and holiday destinations, particularly during festivals and school holidays. calm backwaters and picturesque beaches, to green-hill stations and invigorating waterfalls, there is something on offer to the whole family in a radius of 100 km.

They are spectacular nature-culture-history destinations that blend both nature and culture with the appropriate amount of history. Parents are able to relax and have a risk-free comfort in their environment, as children learn to love beaches, see wild creatures and uncover wonders. Arranging something effortless with easy day trips is a guarantee of more time to feel happy and connect. These are some of the best places to visit in Ernakulam within 100 kms and you may discover priceless experiences along the way.

Best Places to Visit in Ernakulam Within 100 Kms

1. Athirappilly Falls

Best Places to Visit in Ernakulam Within 100 Kms

One of the best places to visit in Ernakulam within 100 kms, the Athirappilly Falls is rightly called the “Niagara Falls of India”. Located in the Thrissur District of Kerala, the falls are a scene to behold during the monsoon season. The visitors get an added advantage of the ride into the falls through the scenic countryside. Among the numerous tourist places, Athirappilly Falls is a little far, yet a place to visit due to its natural beauty. The falls themselves offer no less excitement as they are a spectacular vista of flowing waters amidst the lush green vegetation and natural flora and fauna of the region. Entrance fees to the falls are also cheap.

2. Cherai Beach

Best Places to Visit in Ernakulam Within 100 Kms

Discover the most fun beach destination in Kerala! Cherai Beach, the 15 km long beach resort close to the Arabian Sea is one such favourable Ernakulam tourist place to visit as a one day trip. It is around 24 km from the industrial district of Ernakulam and on the side of Vypeen Island. Cherai Beach is the heaven of any swimmer with the ideal background of coconut groves. The Cherai beach provides you with a great panorama of the renowned Chinese Fishing Nets. During your stay at the Cherai Beach, also sample the flavour of fresh and exotic Kerala food and a host of beach sports like Surfing, Water scooters, Speed boats, Snorkelling, and Canoe riding.

3. Fort Kochi

Kochi has an ancient town, Fort Kochi, located in the southwest part of the town, which is charismatic and full of tradition. In the midst of all the growth and change, the area still has a remnant of the British times and has Dutch art left behind. Lavishly scattered are the European buildings all over the region and which are some of the best tourist sites in Kochi. A majority of the Kochi tour packages will include guided tours of this historical area and visitors will have the opportunity to absorb its culture and architectural heritage.

4. Mattancherry

Just outside Fort Kochi, Mattancherry is an attractive and accessible addition to your programme. This historic district has its famous, culturally rich streets. See elaborate murals and royal legacy in the Mattancherry Palace, then go shopping to Jew Town, where there is antiques and aromatic spices. The former godowns in this area have been turned into nice cafes and art stores beautifully. Fragrant Nature Kochi is housed for one-half day.

5. Bolgatty Palace

One of the oldest extant palaces constructed by the Dutch in India is the Bolgatty Palace situated on the scenic Island of Bolgatty. The palace has the advantageous scenic beauty of the backwaters of Kochi, which is a marvel to all visitors. Well maintained gardens enhance its beauty and form a serene and scenic impression. This historical palace is today being converted into a fine heritage hotel and is operated and maintained by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which makes it an inevitable tourist destination to both history lovers and travelers.

6. Thrissur

Thrissur, the cultural centre in Kerala, is celebrated due to its vibrant events, to an extent of the spectacular Pooram Thrissur. The grand mosques, temples, and churches adorning the city bear testimony to the rich history of the city. Thrissur also brings modern and traditional as far as there are bustling markets and vivid art scenes. The city is beautiful to visitors and inhabitants of the city, offering the ideal natural landscape of the environment.

7. Alleppey Backwaters

Alleppey Backwaters is a unique location and should be a must-visit. You are riding in a houseboat, you zip through those dinky lanes as the lazy river ride. Children identify flash-of-blue kingfishers or fishermen throbbing their lines with eyeballs. It is 52 km north of Kochi: a simple drive, hop on the bus. Take a boat with a roof, to beat the sun, and set the grub on board, spiced like the natives. You drink fresh coconuts as the kids pick how village people live, all in the comfort of the deck. Stop by a toddy booth to have a pit stop. A breeze off the water is cooling things off.

8. Vagamon

The beautiful hill station is called Vagamon, which is located approximately 1100 above sea level, and has a magnificent view of the efficient tea estates, hills, and waterfalls. It is also known to possess cool and moderate weather, which is the antidote to overcrowding of the urban scenes. It boasts of a rather large tourist attraction in the form of an adventure-filled Vagamon Paragliding Festival in January and February that attracts adventure tourists in the country. Perfect as a quick vacation, Vagamon is the best picnic destination out of Kochi as it offers a combination of natural beauty and adventure.

9. Paniyeli Poru

On this new point, get in amongst nature, which is massaged and fed by the River Periyar! Paniyeli Poru is a peaceful and quiet spot, in the expanse of the river which curves between Malayattoor in the north and Paneli in the south, falling in the thick vegetation about 50 km from Ernakulam city. The routine fight (Poru) of raftsmen with the wild waves of the river gave the name Paniyeli Poru to the place.

There are beautiful views of the river that can be seen here. Prepare to hike in Paniyeli Poru! Another 1.5km walk on the riverside trail will lead you to the falls. You need to walk 400 m and then go across the river by all means until you get to the forest, and then another kilometre until you arrive at the cascade.

10. Thrikkakara Temple

There is the illustrious secular celebration of Onam in Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple in the Malayalee month of Chingam, i.e., August to September each year. The village name in which the temple is located is known as Thirikkara, thus it might also be known as Thrikkakara temple. The most suitable to spend a restful evening, and, besides, one of the most convenient locations to explore in Kochi is Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple. This temple may be most conveniently viewed either in the morning or in the evening. Simple and lovely sculptures adorn the inside wall of the sanctum. The temple is a well-liked establishment of locals.

11. Kumbalangi

The village of Kumbalangi is relaxing only a few minutes away in Kochi. The village is relaxing with its classic Chinese fishing gear, still backwaters, and a mangrove forest. Tourists have a chance to have a close look at the traditional jobs such as crab farming, coir production, and small-scale fishing. Leisurely paddle in the canoes, strolls around the village, and Kerala home-cooked traditional foods. It is a fresh and restful break in view of the busy cafes, churches, and art-boast-filled streets of Fort Kochi.

12. Kumarakom

The finely developed network of rivers, lakes, and lagoons, Kumarakom is the essence of nature and calmness in its bound essence. Mad with greenery brushstrokes on the edge and houseboats to beautify its environment, this was a peaceful break amidst an extremely busy life. Kumarakom is a location between the calm setting of the Vembanad Lake and numerous species of animals and plants. It also harbours the renowned Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which has been the focus of attention of nature lovers and bird watchers all over the world.

13. Vazhachal Waterfalls

At a distance of just 69 kilometres from Ernakulam, the Vazhachal waterfall is one of the most breathtaking sights. The waterfall is a well-known picnic, where shade and jungle green waterfall surround the diverse plants of the Sholayar range and one gets to spend a leisure time with friends and relatives. There are three sitting areas around the waterfall where you can take rest and be hypnotised by the sounds and the nature of the fall of water.

14. Vypin Island

Vypin Island is a beautiful beach resort, and has carefree beaches and historical marvels. The great Arabian Sea surrounds the island, and it has breathtaking views and a peaceful ambience; this is the reason why the island is best places to visit in Ernakulam within 100 kms to spend a peaceful vacation.

Some of the sights to visit include Puthuvype Beach, which has been blessed with gold sands and relaxing environs, and a Puthuvype Lighthouse, which is the sole tourist attraction where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea. The reason as to why, owing to the numerous food restaurants spread across the island, many seafood lovers have been flocking to the island is that most local food restaurants serve delicious and fresh local foods.

15. Hill Palace Museum

Hill Palace Museum, which is located 12 km south of Ernakulam, has a wonderful assortment of sculptures, rare coins, old weapons, and manuscripts in ancient scripts. There are also collections in this museum by the Kochi royal family. This deer park is a good place to see, especially because of its location near the museum. It is the right place to be in case one is looking to have fun. You can go horse riding and ride, and enjoy some of the exciting moments.

16. Guruvayur

Guruvayur, a temple of Lord Krishna located at Kerala is an ancient temple and a spiritual lighthouse thus, one of the best places of sightseeing can be encompassed in a total distance of 200km in and around Kochi. Besides the religious overture, Guruvayur is a thrilling tourist destination and provides pilgrims and travellers an opportunity to experience its music, dancing and eating which offers them a peep into the Kerala culture.

17. Wonderla Amusement Park

Wonderla Amusement Park makes days exciting to families. Spinning and splashing trips at will. Children are screaming on water slides as parents are on the less violent ones. The park is located 25 km away from Kochi. Extended open weekends attract crowds. All tourist attractions are included in the tickets. Indolent streams allow everybody to drift. Pizzas and dosas are served in food courts. All riders are safeguarded by safety harnesses. Programs include clowns and dancers. This location helps to strengthen family by learning together. Wearily smiling, the play ends. Allow a day here.

18. Chinese Fishing Nets

Chinese Fishing Nets, commonly known as Cheenavala is one of the top tourist attractions in Kerala, located close to Fort Kochi. One of the best places to visit in Ernakulam, within 100 kms to take photographs in the city is also the landmark that is one of the most important Kerala cultural symbols, where hundreds of people and photographers visit daily. In Chinese fishing nets we find large nets fastened in by bamboo or teak poles. They are then put into the water by means of special equipment, and a heavy load of huge stones tied to them with ropes.

19. Thommankuthu Waterfalls

Only 72 kilometres away, Ernakulam is a magnificent waterfall known as Thommankuthu. This beautiful seven-step waterfall gushes down the hill, making a robust pool of crystal clear water at each level. It is the ideal location to enjoy your day sightseeing of the captivating beauty of nature, and diving in the cool freshwater pool.