Top 15 Places to Visit in Munnar

This list of the top 15 places to visit in Munnar is grouped by road, so you can see what fits into one day. Munnar is a hill station in Idukki district, Kerala, where three mountain streams meet. Most sights sit along four routes out of town, and trying to cover two routes in one day usually means more driving than seeing.

Opening days, timings and entry fees change, so confirm before travel. Some places, especially the national park, close for part of the year.

Which places to visit in Munnar should you see first?

If you have only one day, choose the Top Station road (Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala, Top Station) or the Rajamala road (Eravikulam and the tea museum). Both give you tea estates and big views. Add a second day for waterfalls, Gap Road and Marayoor.

Places on the Rajamala road

1. Eravikulam National Park

The most visited sight in Munnar. A forest department bus takes you up to the Rajamala section, where you walk a paved path across grassland with views over the valleys. The park protects the Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat often seen near the path. It closes for part of each year, usually around the calving season. Go early, as queues build by mid-morning. Tickets can often be booked online; check the official site for current rules.

2. Anamudi

Anamudi is the highest peak in South India and rises inside Eravikulam National Park. Trekking to the summit is not open to general visitors, but you can see it from the park and from viewpoints around Munnar on a clear morning. Its rounded top is easy to recognise once your driver points it out.

3. Lakkam Waterfalls

A small, pretty waterfall on the road towards Marayoor, with a short walk from the road. It is best after the monsoon. Bathing is sometimes allowed in a shallow pool; follow the rules on site.

Places in and near Munnar town

4. Tea Museum

The tea museum run by the tea company at Nallathanni shows how Munnar's tea industry began, with old machinery, photos and a short film. You can watch tea being processed and buy fresh tea at the end. It takes about an hour, and it is a good choice for a rainy afternoon.

5. Attukad Waterfalls

A tall waterfall between Munnar and Pallivasal, best seen from the road and a short trail. It is fullest in and just after the monsoon. Paths can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip.

6. Pothamedu Viewpoint

A short drive from town, Pothamedu looks over tea, coffee and cardamom estates and the valleys around Munnar. It is quick to visit and lovely in the late afternoon. Some resorts nearby run short guided walks through the estates.

Places on the Top Station road

7. Mattupetty Dam

A dam and reservoir surrounded by tea estates and forest. Boating is available on the lake. The nearby Indo-Swiss dairy farm area is known for its cattle, although access can be limited.

8. Echo Point

A lakeside spot named for the echo across the water. It is busy and simple, but a pleasant stop with snacks and views of the lake and hills. Families with children usually enjoy it more than couples looking for quiet.

9. Kundala Lake

A calm lake beside a small arch dam, with pedal boats and shikara-style rowing boats. In some years the hills around Kundala bloom with Neelakurinji, a flower that flowers once every twelve years.

10. Top Station

At the end of the road, near the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, Top Station looks down over the plains of Tamil Nadu. On a clear day the view is huge; on a misty day you may see nothing at all. Leave early to give yourself the best chance. The drive from town takes about an hour and a half (approximate), with stops at Mattupetty, Echo Point and Kundala on the way.

Our Munnar special honeymoon covers the Top Station road on its sightseeing day, and the Munnar family holiday keeps the pace easy for kids.

Places on Gap Road and beyond

11. Lockhart Gap

The Gap Road towards Bodimettu is one of the most scenic drives in Kerala, cut into the mountainside with wide valley views. Stop at the viewpoints rather than on bends. The road is narrow in places, so travel with an experienced driver, especially in mist or rain.

12. Anayirangal Dam

A reservoir surrounded by tea estates, quieter than Mattupetty. It is a good place for a short walk and photographs, and occasional elephant sightings are reported, so keep a respectful distance.

13. Kolukkumalai

Among the highest tea estates in the area, reached by jeep on a rough track. Many visitors go for sunrise. The ride is bumpy and not suitable for everyone, so check with your driver and confirm current access rules.

Places on the Marayoor road

14. Marayoor

About an hour and a half from Munnar (approximate), Marayoor is known for natural sandalwood forests, jaggery making and ancient stone dolmens. The landscape is drier and very different from the tea hills. A forest department sandalwood outlet sells certified products, and the dolmens sit on a small hill near the town.

15. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Beyond Marayoor, Chinnar sits in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats, with dry forest, a river and a watchtower. Guided treks are run by the forest department and can change, so book ahead.

What else can you do in Munnar?

• Walk through a working tea estate with a local guide
• Visit a spice garden near Pallivasal or Chithirapuram
• Watch a Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show in town
• Try a short plantation trek or a jeep safari to a viewpoint
• Shop for fresh tea, spices and homemade chocolate in Munnar town

Most of these can be fitted around the main routes, for example a spice garden on the way back from Attukad, or a cultural show in the evening after a day on the Top Station road.

How should you plan your Munnar sightseeing?

• Day 1: Top Station road, starting early for the view
• Day 2 morning: Eravikulam, then the tea museum
• Day 2 afternoon: Attukad and Pothamedu
• Optional day 3: Gap Road and Kolukkumalai, or Marayoor and Chinnar

Most hotels arrange a car with a driver who knows these routes. Allow for queues at Eravikulam and slow traffic on weekends. Carry cash for entry tickets and boating, and a warm layer for mornings.

Which places suit couples and which suit families?

Couples often love Top Station, Kolukkumalai at sunrise and the quiet of Anayirangal. Families usually enjoy the boating at Mattupetty and Kundala, the bus ride and grassland at Eravikulam, and the tea museum. Older travellers may prefer the tea museum, Pothamedu and lakeside stops with short walks. Ask your driver to plan rest stops every hour or so, and to skip the busiest stops on weekends.

What should you know before you go?

• Confirm Eravikulam's opening dates before you plan around it
• Start early for clear views; mist often rolls in by noon
• Wear shoes with grip; paths can be wet
• Do not feed animals or stop on blind bends for photos
• Keep plastic out of the forest and parks

Kerala Munnar Holidays is based in Munnar, and we plan these routes every week. If you want help fitting the sights around your stay, send us your dates and we will suggest a day-by-day plan.

For more on the hills, see our Munnar destination guide and the best time to visit Munnar.