Well-known tourist destinations are a catch for sure. However, sometimes, the heart wants to visit an off-beat place you’ve barely heard of, and the heart wants what it wants, right? Situated in the Idukki district in Kerala, Munnar is one such place. This beautiful city has a rich colonial history as it used to be a resort for the British elites in India. Located on the beautiful western ghats of India, this city has a lot to offer in terms of scenic and natural beauty. So, to make your trip planning more manageable, here are 15 Munnar tourist places you must visit.
It’s great that you are excited for your trip to reach Munnar, but let’s first also review how you can reach Munnar before exploring the tourist spots of this city.
By Air: Reaching Munnar by flight can be easy and fun, but you must know that Munnar doesn’t have any airport of its own. There are two airports close to Munnar, both of which are over 100 km away from the city. If you are taking a flight to the Cochin International Airport, you have to take cabs from outside the airport, as Munnar is 110 km from the airport. Otherwise, you can take a flight to Madurai International Airport, which is located 140 km from the city. But, you can get state buses from this airport to Munnar along with cabs.
By Bus: If you want to reach Munnar by bus, all you have to do is reach Kerala or even Tamil Nadu, and you will find connecting buses to Munnar. Especially in Kerala, you will find connecting buses to Munnar from all major cities in the state. You can also find private buses that run from specific routes.
By Train: Munnar does not have any train station either, and the nearest stations are all over 100 km from Munnar. So, for you to reach Munnar, you would need to de-board at any of the nearest stations from Munnar, namely, Madurai railway station (135 km), Alluva railway station (110 km), and the Ernakulam railway station (130 km). From these railway stations, you can find cabs or state buses, which will help you get to Munnar.
15 Best Munnar places to visit
Munnar is a hidden gem of Kerala. The scenic beauty of Munnar is unmatched, and given that it is still relatively undiscovered among tourists, it can be an exceptional nature retreat to rejuvenate your soul. So, if you are ready to take some deserved time off from your busy schedule and visit this fantastic hill station, be sure to build your list of Munnar places to visit using this guide.
Tata Tea Museum
Source: Pinterest
Munnar is famous for its tea plantations that have been in the city for over a century. But how did they get here? The Tata Tea Museum answers that question. Located in the Nathanni estate of Tata Tea, this museum showcases memorabilia, photos, and old machinery used to turn Munnar into a land of tea. The museum is situated very close to the city centre at a distance of only 1 km, making it one of the best Munnar places to visit to start your trip.
See also: Top 15 tourist places in Wayanad
Munnar Tea Plantations
Source: Pinterest
The blue sky above and green fields below for as far as you can see; that’s how it looks in the Munnar tea plantations. These plantations are known for the excellent quality of tea they produce. However, when you visit the plantations in person, you will be much more engrossed by the sheer natural beauty of the estates. You can enjoy a moment to relax while you sip on your choice of tea or coffee and take in the view of these beautiful tea plantations. It’s one of the top places to visit in Munnar, so make you add it to your itinerary.
Top Station
Source: Pinterest
The highest peak of Munnar at over 6,700ft; the top station is an exquisitely beautiful Munnar place for tourists. The peak provides a grand view of the valley below, along with a great view of the Western ghat hills. This peak is very popular among trekkers. Once every 12 years, Neela Kurinji flowers blossom in this region. All of these factors make the top station one of the best Munnar places for tourists. As it is located only 21 km from the city centre, you can easily plan a day trip to Top station and enjoy this exotic natural destination.
Atukkad Waterfalls
Source: Pinterest
Want to take a dip in this beautiful hill station? The Atukkad waterfalls have just what you want. Featuring a beautiful waterfall that is hidden amidst hills and jungles, this popular tourist spot is literally hidden from everyone. When you do reach this waterfall, you can take a dip in the pool that is formed at the base/bottom of the waterfall. The beauty of these waterfalls makes them popular among Munnar Kerala tourist places. And you still don’t even know the best part; it is located just 2 km from Munnar city centre allowing you to take a stroll to this incredible waterfall any time you want.
Anamudi Peak
Source: Pinterest
The Anamudi peak is another trekkable, beautiful peak in Munnar, hugely popular for its incredible view and lush greenery. From the top, you can see a great view of the valley underneath and also the Western ghats. Much like the top station, the Neela Kurinji flower blossoms in this region as well every twelve years. This hill and its surrounding region are also known to host the largest population of Asian elephants in India. So, If you like trekking, this is among the best Munnar tour places for you. The peak is only 13 km from the city centre, so you can travel and come back to the city in a day from this peak, making it an ideal day trip destination.
Kundala Lake
Source: Pinterest
The Kundala Lake in Munnar is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Munnar. A beautiful artificial lake created by the Kundala dam surrounded by mountains is the absolute embodiment of heaven on earth. This lake is famous for its Shikhara and pedal boat riding. The boat rides in this lake are among the top things to do in Munnar, so be sure to try them out. If you are interested, you can easily reach Kundala lake as it is located only 20 km from Munnar.
Echo Point
Source: Pinterest
The echo point of Munnar is one of the most fun tourist attractions. You can experience the natural phenomenon of echoing at this point, which is something fun to try out. You can even boat in the lake, which is surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides. Overall, it’s a fun and gorgeous visiting place in Munnar. If you are interested, you can take a long walk one fine morning and visit this phenomenal natural beauty as it is located only 11 km from Munnar city centre.
Kalari Kshetra
Source: Pinterest
Kalaripayattu, the oldest form of martial arts in the world, originated in South India. This fighting style is still practised and taught in Munnar at the Kalari Kshetra. Every day, they hold shows of Kalaripayattu performances along with performances of Kathakali dance, which also has a history rooted in Kerala. This is one of the best places for you to spend your evenings in Munnar. The best part is that it is located only 7 km from the city centre. allowing you to merrily spend your lazy evenings in this incredible spot of ancient history and culture.
Eravikulam National Park
Source: Pinterest
The Eravikulam national park, which is located only at a distance of 13 km from the city centre, is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is known for its population of elephants along with Nilgiri langur, the largest moths in the world (Atlas moth), tigers, and leopards. These are some of the animals you can visit in this national park. To find out the full extent of the flora and fauna you can experience here, you must visit the park.
Pothamedu View Point
Source: Pinterest
The Pothamedu viewpoint is prevalent among trekkers and adventurers. The view of lush green tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations at every stretch of land you can see is truly breathtakingly beautiful. The best time to visit this point is during sunrise or sunset to see the best views from here. Overall, it is one of the most famous viewpoints in Munnar, and you must visit to see the raw beauty of Munnar in its proper form. Watching the sunset from this viewpoint can be a highlight for your Munnar trip and the best part is that it’s located only 2 km from the city centre, so you can easily do it.
Chokramudi Peak
Source: Pinterest
The Chokramudi peak is also one of the highest peaks of Munnar. This view from this beautiful peak is surreal and completely worth the trek up the hill. Located at the height of over 7,000ft above sea level, you can easily see a great view of the valleys, plantations, and even the close by Idukki dam from the peak. This peak is located inside the Eravikulam national park, and at only a distance of 8 km from the city centre of Munnar, so you can visit both these tourist destinations at once.
Marayoor
Source: Pinterest
Marayoor is a fantastical tourist spot in Munnar with a lot of things for you to see and it is located just 40 km from the city centre. First, there are dolmens, constructed in the stone age by the residing civilisation of that time. Second, there is a naturally growing sandalwood forest in this region. Third, there are sugarcane fields, bamboo forests, and waterfalls at Marayoor. With all these attractions in place, Marayoor is a must-visit location for your next trip to Munnar.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Source: Pinterest
The Salim Ali bird sanctuary is the home of hundreds of types of rare birds. You can engage in birdwatching in this sanctuary with the help of a trained guide to make the most of your experience. Some of the unique birds you can see here are Bee-eater, Crimson-throated barbet, Night Heron, and the Sunbird. You can enjoy viewing all of these rare and exotic birds with an easy journey of only 39 km from Munnar.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Source: Pinterest
The Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is among the twelve wildlife sanctuaries built in the protected regions of Kerala. This sanctuary, in particular, is known for its population of tigers, leopards, wild elephants, slender loris crocodiles, spotted deer, and various species of birds. Some animals are easier to spot in this sanctuary than others. However, with some luck, you might be able to see all the animals listed here.
Anayirangal
Source: Pinterest
Located close to the Tata Tea estates, this beautiful lake and dam are also known as the elephant lake. Located only 22 km from Munnar, this exuberant lake features gorgeous panoramic views unmatched by other Munnar tourist locations. You can enjoy a picnic near the lake with these magnificent views.
FAQs
Are two days enough to visit Munnar?
You can cover most of the tourist spots of Munnar in two days; however, it is recommended you have an extra day to relax in Munnar before heading out.
What is the best time to visit Munnar?
The best time to visit Munnar would be in the winters, namely between December and February. During this time the weather and natural beauty of this hill station are at their peak, so your trip will be the most memorable if you visit during this period.
Can you see snowfall in Munnar?
Yes, if you are lucky, you can see snowfall in South India at Munnar during the winter months, namely between November and February. It is truly an incredible experience, and you must visit Munnar during the winter months to experience this fantastical experience.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected] |
Nisha A Rawat, diligently tracks the residential real estate trends and offers valuable insights in her articles. She’s skilled at making real estate terminology easy to understand, ensuring accessibility for all. Nisha’s articles are well-researched and analytical.
