Temples, Palaces And Seaside Sunsets: How To Spend 36 Hours In Thiruvananthapuram

It's here that I caught my first beach sunset. Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost state capital on mainland India, is a happy place for me. Summer vacations during school breaks were spent chasing sunsets, and mornings were spent at the emblematic Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Not a lot has changed in Kerala's capital, where the pace is still leisurely and an old-world charm still fills the air. While most travellers from across India make the trek to experience a leisurely weekend at one of the luxe resorts in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram (many of us still call it Trivandrum) has more to offer than just spectacular sunsets. Our 36-hour diary is a great starting point:

Thiruvananthapuram Itinerary - Day 1

Noon/Check in to your lap of luxury:

If you're on a short trip, then check into Hyatt Regency Trivandrum, which is located in the heart of the city's business district. Check out the action station at the city's first teppanyaki grill at the Oriental Kitchen (Winner of the Best Chinese Casual Restaurant at the NDTV Food Awards 2025). If retail therapy is your thing, then consider O by Tamara, which is across the road from Lulu Mall, one of India's largest malls. The hotel's all-day diner - O Café, offers a delicious twist on Kerala cuisine. If you're looking for serious R&R, then do plan an extended stay at the Leela Kovalam, one of India's only cliff-top luxury beach resorts with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.

3 pm/Cruise mode:

Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

Poovar might not be as well-known as some of Kerala's other backwater cruise experiences, like Vembanad lake, but it offers a unique array of waterscapes during the course of just one fun boat ride. Where else can you glide through a mangrove forest before you arrive at a secluded beach and spot fishermen casting their wide nets before sunset?

6 pm/Magical sunset:

Photo Credit: Kerala Tourism

There's no better place to watch the sun go down than at one of Kovalam's many beach resorts. If you're staying in the city, then head to one of the many hipster cafes like German Bakery in the Kovalam area for a special sunset.

8 pm/Date night:

There's no better dinner venue in the city than Villa Maya in the West Fort area. This 18th-century Dutch manor once enjoyed the attention of the royal house of Travancore and has been painstakingly restored. While the old manor has multiple intimate spaces, it's the al-fresco area that has our vote. The menu combines local and global flavours in a truly romantic setting.

Thiruvananthapuram Itinerary - Day 2

6:30 am/Morning blessings:

Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

No trip to Thiruvananthapuram is complete without a visit to one of South India's most revered shrines. The city takes its name from Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple - The City of Lord Ananta (a form of Lord Vishnu). You will find your moment of peace even among the large crowds in this pristine temple (with an intricate blend of Chera and Dravidian architecture) that still adheres to a strict dress code.

8 am/Rocking breakfast:

Rocket dosa. Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

Kickstart your day with the city's famous Rocket dosa (Thumba in Trivandrum is home to one of India's first rocket launching stations) at Arya Nivas, Thampanoor. Enjoy an invigorating filter coffee after this crispy, ghee-laden dosa. If you need a meat fix for breakfast, then head to Good Morning Hotel.

9 am/Palace trails:

Photo Credit: Kerala Tourism

Head to a tiny patch of Kerala in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The Padmanabhapuram Palace was the base of the formidable Travancore dynasty until 1795. This historic palace, close to Nagercoil (less than two hours away from Thiruvananthapuram), is owned and managed by the Kerala government. This 17th-century palace is one of the largest wooden palaces in Asia and one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala architecture with intricately crafted wooden ceilings. You could also extend this road trip with a stop at Kanyakumari. If you'd rather stay in the city, then explore the Ranga Vilasam Palace Art Gallery, which is close to Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

2 pm/Sugar and spice:

To call Kethel's chicken one of Thiruvananthapuram's most popular dishes is not an exaggeration. Rahmaniya Hotel is a local institution (since 1949) and serves one of the city's most popular chicken dishes. Rahmaniya's signature Kethel's chicken is marinated in chilli and their trademark masala before being deep fried with pepper and a garnish of chilli seeds. End your trail on a sweet note with the city's official dessert at outlets like Maha Boli. The Poli (similar to the Puran poli in Maharashtra) and Paal Ada (Kerala's best-known milk payasam or kheer) might be cloyingly sweet and loaded with calories, but that's okay when you're on holiday!

Thiruvananthapuram may move at its own unhurried pace, but it offers travellers a rich blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty. From temple mornings to palace trails, backwater cruises to sunset beaches, this southern city captures Kerala's timeless charm. A 36-hour journey here is just enough to leave you wanting more.