This world has some places that don’t just take you in, they take you in. One of these is Kerala.
India boasts some of the most stunning honeymoon spots in the world, but Kerala is a spot that is so special. The green and lush southwest coast state, fondly known as “God’s Own Country,” snugly envelops newlyweds in a world of untouched backwaters, misty hills, beaches at the height of the cliffs, and ancient traditions of healing that seem crafted for love. From the watery calm of a houseboat, the refreshing coolness of a tea garden morning, the tranquil beauty of an Ayurvedic spa by the sea, there isn’t a single experience you can’t enjoy in Kerala in one trip!
This is your ideal Kerala honeymoon itinerary for 2026.
The Backwaters of Alleppey — Romance on the Water
A night on a houseboat is a must during any Kerala honeymoon. The Kerala backwaters are a huge network of more than 900 kilometres of water bodies like lagoons, canals, lakes and rivers parallel to the Arabian Sea. The core of this world is Alleppey, the Venice of the East, which is the central point of houseboat tourism in the State.
Traditional houseboats or ‘Kettuvallam’ were used to transport rice and spices from village to village and now serve as an important way to transport items of interest for the village. These days they are floating upstays with air conditioned bedrooms, private sun decks, bathrooms attached, and a crew trained to cook. Food on board is a highlight in itself – fresh fish curries, coconut rice and seafood prepared using ingredients from the villages you pass.
A houseboat trip starts at noon and ends the next morning, traversing the paddy fields, coconut groves and peaceful hamlets of Alleppey before the houseboat arrives at dusk for the night. Couples should spend time looking for private one bedroom houseboats that have been rated by the official Government rating system used in Kerala to ensure that they are of good quality, safe and done in a responsible manner on the water.
As mentioned in the Lavish Marriage guide to some of the most romantic spots for destination wedding in India, Kerala’s Backwaters are one of the most romantic places to have a wedding in India, and it’s a completely different magic while you experience it on your Honeymoon.
The best time to visit is in the winter from September to March.
“Feeling like it was a dream, it was peaceful, romantic and totally different from what I had ever experienced in the backwaters of Kerala.”
Read: 4 Small Changes That Can Strengthen Your Marriage
In Munnar, the mist circulates between the tea gardens, hugging the mountains in the mornings
A hill station at 1,600 metres in the Western Ghats, Munnar is the most popular hill station in Kerala and one of the best honeymoon spots in India. The town is at the confluence of three mountain rivers and encircled by extensive tea plantations, blanketing the hills in all shades of green. For newlyweds, Munnar offers an opportunity to “saunter through the tea gardens, pluck tender buds and make a fresh cuppa for each other”, as Kerala Tourism puts it.
Munnar has cool and comfortable weather even in summer, hardly reaching 25°C and the weather is enveloping throughout the year, prompting you to keep staying cozy together long after sunrise. One of the quietest, most beautiful times a couple can spend in India is strolling through the tea gardens at dawn, when the air is filled with the scent of fresh leaves and earth, and the mist envelops the trees.
If a bit more adventurous, couples are in for a spectacular sunrise at Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, which is one of the highest orthodox tea plantations in the world at 7,900 feet, that travellers always call the highlight of their entire trip to Kerala. A little further away from the town, there is a place that is much more serene of Kashmir, on the shores of Kundala lake, the cherry-blossom trees, the rolling hills—it is a pocket of Kashmir in the heart of South India.
Best time to stay: October to January (cool mornings and days, clear skies, lush green landscape)
In Varkala, you can enjoy the beauty of the nature’s cliffs, sunsets, and Ayurvedic healing
Goa has its beaches, the Andamans its islands, and Varkala has its own: dramatic laterite cliffs, rising straight out of the Arabian Sea, flanked by open-air restaurants, boutique resorts, Ayurvedic spa centres and yoga shalas; all looking out over one of Kerala’s most striking coastlines.
The natural mineral springs flowing from the base of the cliffs supply Papanasam Beach, which is among the best seasonal beaches in the world as per the Discovery Channel. What you might see is a dip in these waters at sunrise followed by a leisurely breakfast at the café perched on the cliff with the sea below, which can turn into a memory for life.
The best part for couples that sets Varkala apart is its culture of Ayurvedic wellness. Kerala is where Ayurveda originated from and Varkala is one of the best expressions of Ayurveda in real terms. Varkala is particularly recommended for couples who are looking for authentic wellness along with a beach romance by the Kerala Tourism Department. The Ayurvedic massage for couples usually consists of Abhyanga, a co-ordinated warm oil massage, and Shirodhara, which involves the gentle pouring of warm herbal oil over the forehead to calm away stress. Weeks of wedding preparation and celebration, and nothing so restorative for two than to surrender an afternoon to healing hands and herbal warmth.
Best time to visit: November-March (calm seas, warm evenings and great cliff sunsets)
“Varkala: Where cliffs meet the sea, where ancient and modern meet, and couples find calmness together.”
If you’re planning a honeymoon in Kerala, here are some useful tips to keep in mind as a couple
The suggested tour is: 2 nights in Munnar, 2 nights on the Alleppey backwaters and 3 nights in Varkala. This includes hills, water and coasteering and does not ever feel rushed.
Travel: private car hire with drivers is the most comfortable method of travel between destinations. The road leading to Munnar from the mountain is hilly but a great experience – so aim to get to Munnar in daylight.
Best overall season: October to February is the time when all three destinations are well served, with nice weather, calm seas and green, post-monsoon landscape at its peak.
The price range of Kerala honeymoon packages is approximately from ₹25,000 to ₹1,20,000 per couple for 7 nights depending on the type of houseboat, tier of the resort and inclusions. When counting on a package to cover honeymooners, most include candlelight dinners, couples’ spa sessions and room decoration.
There’s nothing that Kerala is asking you to do to become more in love with it, it’s just letting the beauty do the work. Whether you set sail on a houseboat through the backwater sunset or stand together at the edge of Varkala’s cliff, gazing out toward the Arabian Sea as it glides to gold, every hour seems to be designed for two. YoYo Trips India is a perfect option for couples seeking well-planned honeymoon packages in India that combines the best of Kerala’s experiences with a seamless travel journey.
