Kerala is one of India's most-loved honeymoon destinations — and the reason is variety. In a single trip you can wake up to mist over tea hills, drift through palm-fringed backwaters on a private houseboat, and finish on a quiet beach. The question isn't really whether to honeymoon in Kerala, but where. This guide walks through the best honeymoon locations in Kerala and, honestly, which kind of couple each one suits.
1. Munnar — misty tea hills for cool, romantic mornings
Munnar is the classic Kerala honeymoon opener: rolling tea gardens, cool mountain air, and resorts with valley views built for two. Mornings are wrapped in mist; evenings are made for a fire and a quiet dinner. It suits couples who love cool weather, slow walks and photographs that look unreal.
Munnar pairs beautifully with the backwaters afterwards — exactly the shape of our Kerala Couple Getaway (Munnar then Alleppey) and the longer Kochi Honeymoon that begins in Fort Kochi.
2. Alleppey — a private houseboat on the backwaters
If there's one honeymoon image everyone pictures of Kerala, it's a houseboat gliding through the Alleppey backwaters at sunset. A private overnight houseboat — just the two of you, a crew who stay out of sight, and meals cooked on board — is the single most romantic night you can book in Kerala.
It's the heart of our Backwater Bliss and Couple Getaway trips. One night on a private houseboat with comfortable hotels around it gives you the iconic experience without an all-luxury budget.
3. Kumarakom — calmer, more luxurious backwaters
Kumarakom sits on Vembanad Lake and feels more polished and serene than Alleppey — fewer boats, more lakefront resorts and infinity pools. It suits couples who want backwater beauty with a touch more luxury and calm. It's the centrepiece of our Kumarakom Honeymoon Houseboat package.
4. Thekkady — spice hills and a touch of wild
Thekkady (Periyar) adds something different: spice plantations, jungle air and a boat cruise where you might spot elephants on the bank. It's a lovely day or two between hills and backwaters for couples who want a little adventure with their romance — included in our Kochi Honeymoon and Honeymoon Pool Villa trips.
5. Kovalam & the beaches — a relaxed finish
Many couples like to end on the coast. Kovalam's lighthouse beach and the quieter cliffs of Varkala are ideal for slow, sun-warmed last days. A beach finish balances out the hills and backwaters and sends you home rested.
So where should you honeymoon in Kerala?
- Short on time (3–4 days): pick two — usually Munnar + Alleppey. Romantic, varied, easy.
- The classic week (5–6 days): Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey. Hills, wildlife and backwaters in one unhurried trip — see our Kochi Honeymoon.
- Love luxury & calm: centre the trip on Kumarakom or a private pool villa.
- Want a beach ending: add Kovalam or Varkala to the end.
Is Kerala a good honeymoon destination?
For most couples, yes — it's safe, scenic, easy to travel around with a private car and driver, and you get hills, water and beaches without long flights between them. The best season is roughly September to March, when the weather is kind. Pieces of every trip can be tailored, so the real value is in matching the locations above to the two of you.