Start your trip with a visit to the iconic Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple's architecture is an excellent example of Dravidian style, with intricate carvings and murals. Visitors must follow a strict dress code and remove footwear before entering the temple. The temple opens at 3:30 AM and closes at 7:20 AM for the morning darshan and reopens from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for tourists. In the evening, the temple is open from 5:00 PM to 7:20 PM for the darshan and reopens from 6:00 PM to 7:20 PM for tourists.
Next, visit the Kuthira Malika Palace Museum, a palace built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma. The palace features 122 horses carved in wood, hence the name Kuthira Malika, meaning "palace of horses." The museum houses various artifacts from the royal family, including paintings, sculptures, and musical instruments. The museum is open from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, except on Mondays and national holidays.
After lunch, head to the Napier Museum, an art and natural history museum named after former governor general of Madras, John Napier. The museum features a vast collection of ancient sculptures, bronze idols, and ivory carvings, as well as an extensive collection of artifacts from Kerala's tribal communities. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM, except on Mondays and national holidays.
In the evening, head to Veli Tourist Village, a popular tourist spot located in the outskirts of Trivandrum. The village features a beautiful lagoon, a floating bridge, and a children's park. Visitors can also enjoy boating, pedal boating, and water sports activities. The village is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Spend the day relaxing at Kovalam Beach, a famous beach known for its beautiful sunsets and shallow waters. The beach is divided into three parts-Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach, and Samudra Beach. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and water sports activities such as surfing, parasailing, and windsurfing. The beach is open 24 hours.
After a relaxing day at the beach, visit the Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple features rock-cut sculptures of Lord Shiva and other deities, dating back to the 8th century. Visitors can also explore the nearby fishing village and witness the traditional way of fishing. The temple is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.