The Kingdom of Travancore – one of the three major regions that became Kerala in 1956 – was once ruled from Padmanabhapuram village, 50km southeast of Kovalam in what is today the Kanyakumari district of neighboring Tamil Nadu. Easily accessible from Kovalam, the exquisite Padmanabhapuram Palace (padmanabhapurampalace.org; adult/child ₹500/100) remains the greatest example of traditional Kerala architecture still standing, with its most ancient sections dating from 1550. Wandering through its labyrinth of walkways connecting 15 buildings, you'll spot beautifully carved rosewood ceilings, sloping gabled roofs, overhanging balconies and leafy courtyards. At the heart of the complex, the 16th-century timber-built Thai Kottaram is the oldest part of the palace, with a typical nalukettu (open courtyard) design.
Kovalam-based taxis charge ₹3500 for Padmanabhapuram day trips; the palace is closed Monday and over lunchtime.
From Thiruvananthapurum, take any bus towards Kanyakumari (three hours, four daily) and get off at Thuckalay. The Kerala Tourist Development Corporation runs full-day Kanyakumari tours from Thiruvananthapurum covering Padmanabhapuram (minimum four people, Tuesday to Sunday).
