It would be a stretch to say that there are a wide range of options in Trivandrum for the kids, but luckily – between the neighbouring beaches, the planetarium and the quaint children’s museum – you should find enough to keep them busy. Particularly if they enjoy the outdoors, the beaches will provide days of fun – and there’s something about ancient palaces and temples which usually can capture their imagination.

Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum
One of the few venues dedicated to the entertainment and education of kids can be found at the Chacha Nehru Museum. Its collection of over 2,000 dolls is the highlight here, but for the boys there are also a handful of more masculine exhibits.

Priyadarshini Planetarium
This sophisticated, high-tech planetarium complex has an air-conditioned sky theatre that shows a number of interesting science-related shows each day. There are also exhibits and workshops inside; while the outdoor grounds have models of rockets and unique airplanes.

Shanghumugham Beach
Just 8kms from the city centre is this popular beach which is not only the ideal spot to watch the sunset, but also contains an indoor recreation facility and the incomprehensible yet intriguing Children’s Traffic Training Park. A mermaid sculpture named Matsya Kanyaka is the star attraction.

There are essentially two tourist hotspots, located at either end of the main Mahatma Ghandi road, which runs north-to-south through the heart of the city.

To the north is the Museum Complex, where visitors can educate themselves about the long and colourful history of the region. The Fort area lies to south, where you can find the impressive Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Puthin Malika Palace Museum. The 45-minute walk between these two parts of Trivandrum passes numerous shops, restaurants and other daily scenes of city life. However, if you don’t fancy the exertion, auto-rickshaws constantly buzz along the road and will gladly give you a lift.

Folklore Museum
This interesting repository for local arts, crafts and everyday household items is a real treasure chest. Housed on the Koyikkal Palace’s first floor, it’s definitely worth a visit to check out the quaint collection of musical instruments, occupational implements and model replicas of traditional folk art. It is located at the Koyikkal Palace.

Kalaripayattu
This unique form of martial arts is both performed and taught at the CVN Kalari Sangham centre. They’ve been in business since 1956, and have regularly represented India at international cultural festivals. It is located in the Fort district.

Kilimanoor Palace
A scenic hour-drive away from Trivandrum brings you to this lovely palace, situated on sprawling green grounds. This massive complex contains large and small buildings in the traditional Keralan style, temples, two huge ponds and a sacred grove. Presently, members of the royal Keralan family reside here, but the grounds are partially open to visitors.

Koyikkal Palace
Dating back to the 15^th century, this stunning palace is loaded with Keralan royal history and the traditional Keralan style of architecture known as Nalukettu. Two museums are also on the grounds: the Folklore Museum and the Numismatics Museum. The national archaeology department maintains this palace as a beautiful monument to the rich cultural legacy of Kerala.

Museum Complex
The remnants of Trivandrum’s cultural sites are conveniently clustered around a massive public garden at the northern end of town. The comprehensive Napier Museum is the star of this complex, and well worth a visit. The Sri Chitra Art Gallery is also impressive with its collection of local and Asian artworks, but the Natural History Museum, the zoo, and the KCS Paniker Gallery can easily be missed. The Museum Complex is located on Museum road.

Shree Karthika Thirunal Theatre
This impressive and well-established theatre troupe holds classical dance and theatre performances all year round. The theatre also regularly hosts outside groups specialising in other dance genres such as Kathakali, Mohiniattan and Bharatanatyam. It is located next to the Lucia Continental Hotel in the Fort district. Phone: +91 471 247 1335.

Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre
This UNESCO sponsored cultural centre preserves traditional Kerala arts and crafts through performances, workshops and special programmes for young local artists. The centre also teaches traditional arts such as Ayurvedic medicine, mural painting, Sanskrit language, Indian cooking and classical performance styles. It’s an all-around kind of place, where visitors can both see and learn the unique cultural arts of Trivandrum and Kerala. It is located at Tharayil Mukku, Aranmula. Phone: +91 468 221 4483

Trivandrum has an excellent selection of restaurants serving up that delicious version of southern Indian cuisine which is ubiquitous throughout the Kerala region. Thalis, masala dosas and all the other favourites are reliably on the menus of this city’s restaurants. Among the dining highlights, check out the leaning incline of Malevi Coffee House, certainly one of the planet’s oddest cafés and a popular hangout for locals. If coffee isn’t your thing, their Indian chai is among the best around. The Arul Jyothi, across the road from the Secretariat, is another busy spot for lunchtime diners and a great place to sample real Keralan cooking.

More upscale dining can be found at the South Park Hotel’s Regency Restaurant. Malabar fish curry and other regional specialties are done up in style at this top class joint. At the other end of the eating spectrum, don’t miss out on trying Trivandrum’s favourite street-side snack, the fried banana chip. Wandering trolleys can be found all over the city, where men slice and fry bananas in coconut oil, then lightly salt them. It’s an incredibly addictive snack, so be careful. Trivandrum recently signed a law making smoking in any public place or restaurant punishable by a fine; so if you smoke, do it discreetly.

Trivandrum is a great place to pick up some souvenirs to take back home. Excellent local handicrafts such as shell work, terra cotta, copper and brassware, wood carvings and bamboo work are popular items and can be found at shops all over the city. Trivandrum’s local craftsmen are amazing sculptors, creating a wonderful range of idols and other figurines. Locally produced coir products made from woven coconut husk, such as floor mats and rugs, are another hot item. The coconut shells are then carved into elaborate items of all kinds, but probably the most intriguing souvenir are miniature Kathakali masks that come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

The city’s main shopping districts can be found along MG road, Power House road, Chalai, and Saphalya. There are also shopping malls at Attakul Shopping Complex in the East Fort area and Narmada Shopping Complex in Kaudiar, although the best craft shops are scattered along MG road.

The singular outdoor environment which stands out in Trivandrum, and Kerala as a whole, is the coastline. Although Trivandrum doesn’t have any beaches in the town itself, it is just minutes away from some of Kerala’s most popular and scenic sandy areas. From swimming and sailing to lounging or long walks, there are plenty of water sport options at the beach. For those who aren’t entranced by turquoise seas, there are several lakes, mountains and forested areas nearby where visitors can get out into the fresh air and stretch their legs.

Agasthyarkoodam
This prominent peak in the neighbouring Western Ghats rises nearly 2,000 metres in the dramatic shape of a sharp cone. A traditional pilgrimage site for Hindus, this sacred mountain has some of the best trekking and hiking in the region. Unfortunately, women aren’t allowed to climb this holy peak.

Akkulam Tourist Village
This beautiful recreation spot centres around Akkulam Lake, and is a popular quick escape from the heat of Trivandrum. Besides unwinding in the tranquil atmosphere, visitors can rent boats to take out on the lake or go swimming in the pool. There’s even a nicely equipped children’s park.

Backwaters
One of the highlights of any trip to Trivandrum is to rent a traditional Keralan houseboat called a kettuvallom and explore the truly sublime scenery of the region’s lakes, canals, lagoons and rivers. The two main cruising areas nearest the city are Veli and Thiruvallam. Besides the colourful riverside life of the locals who reside on the water’s edge, there’s a staggering amount of birdlife and other creatures to observe.

Kovalam
Just 16kms south of Trivandrum is one of southern India’s finest beaches fringed with swaying coconut palms. Formerly a fishing village, Kovalam has been transformed into a seaside resort to rival anything in the country. It’s a popular getaway for locals and visitors alike, just minutes from the city.

Neyyar Dam
Near the foothills of the majestic Western Ghats lies this picturesque body of water which is a great place to unwind with a picnic along its banks, rent a boat or go swimming.