Collect luggage and take a short taxi (or pre-booked transfer) to a centrally located hotel near East Fort or Vellayambalam — ideal base for sightseeing and dining.
Visit the Napier Museum for regional art, archaeology and natural history; it's compact but rich with objects and the building itself is photogenic. (Open ~10:00–17:00; closed Mondays — today is Sunday so it should be open.)
Walk the historic East Fort precinct, browse nearby shops and view the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple exterior; evening temple rituals create a lively atmosphere (darshan hours vary—check if you plan interior entry).
Enjoy Kerala-style biryani and meat dishes at Zam Zam (popular non-vegetarian option) or a traditional vegetarian thali at Aryaas; both are reliable and open into the evening.
Have a classic South Indian tiffin (idli/dosa) and filter coffee at the iconic Indian Coffee House near East Fort or enjoy your hotel buffet; a hearty breakfast is useful before a full day.
Visit the well-maintained Thiruvananthapuram Zoo adjacent to Napier Museum to see diverse mammals, birds and reptiles; morning hours are good for active animals. (Typically open ~9:00–16:30; confirm timings and any feeding schedules.)
Visit nearby Veli Tourist Village for a calm boat ride on the Veli Lake and landscaped park — a pleasant non-beach water experience (boat facilities ~9:00–18:00).
Spend late afternoon at Lighthouse Beach for swimming, lighthouse viewpoint photos and sunset walks; visiting in the afternoon avoids early-morning beach crowds. (Lighthouse viewpoint generally accessible ~9:00–17:00; swimming safer earlier in the afternoon.)
Head to Hawa Beach for a quieter stretch, beachside snacks and dramatic rock formations as the sun lowers; good time for photography and a relaxed vibe.
Drive back to the city and dine at Villa Maya for heritage fine dining (reservation recommended) or choose a lively local restaurant for Kerala specialties.
Attend an early morning visit to the historic Padmanabhaswamy Temple (generally open ~5:00–11:00) to experience rituals with fewer crowds; check dress code and entry restrictions for non-Hindus and camera rules.
Have a quick, authentic South Indian breakfast (idli/dosa and filter coffee) at a popular local tiffin shop like Sree Krishna Vilas near East Fort to fuel your travel to the airport.
Set off to the airport in good time — the drive from central East Fort/Vellayambalam to Thiruvananthapuram Airport takes roughly 25–35 minutes; plan to arrive by 9:00am as requested (allow extra for traffic).