If you like to explore relics & artworks, visit the Museums in Kerala, which display the rich history & heritage of the state from the time of centuries ago. These Museums have well-preserved artefacts & other items of ancient times. Museums are the house to some of the unique things with quintessentially physical spaces. Kerala is rich in culture & heritage. However, it is not always just dull stuff. The Extensive bouquet of Knowledge that Kerala has in its museums can beat the encyclopedias or search engines at any given time.
The unique history of Kerala runs deep. From fascinating science museums to illuminating historical hotspots, numerous famous museums in Kerala are known for offering exclusive collections & art. If you love sneaking in the past days, check out the most famous museums in Kerala, which one must indeed explore.
Here is the list of Top 7 Museums That Are A Must-visit In Kerala:
1. Hill Palace Archaeological Museum
The Hill palace Archaeological Museum is in Tripunithura, a Kochi suburb. It is one of the most significant archaeological museum in Kerala, built-in 1865 & comprises 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style sprawling over 56 acres of land. The Heritage section puts on bejewelled display ornaments, intricately carved beds, weapons, coins, marble sculptures, paintings & exquisite artefacts from the king’s era.
Precious stone studded gold crown & ornaments would dazzle you. The campus is used for cultivating rare medicinal species apart from housing a deer park. The museum opens every day except Monday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Thripunithura, Kerala, India |
| Timings | 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Closed on Mondays and national holidays) |
| Entry Fee | ₹30 for adults, ₹10 for children (additional charges for camera and video) |
| Specialty | Largest archaeological museum in Kerala, featuring royal artifacts and paintings |
| Weather | Tropical climate, best visited from October to March |
| Ideal Duration | 2-3 hours |
| How to Reach | By road: Approximately 10 km from Kochi, well-connected by buses and taxis |
| Tips | Wear comfortable footwear as the museum grounds are extensive |
| Nearby Attractions | – Thripunithura Hill Palace |
| – Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple | |
| – Mattancherry Palace | |
| Insider Tip | Plan your visit on a weekday to avoid crowds and make the most of your time |
| Additional Information | – Photography is allowed inside the museum, but not in certain galleries |
| – Guided tours are available for a more informative experience |
2. Kerala Folklore and Culture Museum
The Folklore Museum aims at providing education & knowledge to art lovers, researchers, and travellers from all over the world. This museum is the only museum that is built with Exquisite architecture in the whole of Kerala. This museum was erected by the concerted efforts of 62 supremely skilled carpenters over seven years. It houses antiques from nooks & corners of South India.
Items of particular interest are quaint window frames, ceilings painted manually, puppets depicting folk tales, dancer attires, architectural masterpieces, unique musical instruments etc. If you are lucky, you will get the chance to spectate cultural performances & dances like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kalaripayattu or Mohiniyattam taking place in the Hall. It opens every day from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.
| Category | Details |
| Location | Near Thevara Ferry, Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Timings | 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM (Closed on Mondays) |
| Entry Fee | INR 100 for adults, INR 50 for children (5-12 years), INR 200 for foreigners |
| Specialty | A rich collection showcasing Kerala’s cultural heritage, including costumes, artifacts, etc. |
| Weather | Pleasant throughout the year, but best visited during the winter months (October to March) |
| Time Required | 1-2 hours |
3. Arakkal Kettu Museum Kannur
Arakkal Museum is located in Avikkara’s small coastal village near St. Angelo Fort, at a distance of around 3 km from Kannur town. The Arakkal Museum has a deep connection with the Arakkal family. It was the only royal family in Kerala. This location was once a royal residence of Arakkal Rajas. The palace is an interesting piece of artwork carved out in wood & laterite stones that combine traditional Kerala & classic English styles of architecture.
The palace’s structure comprises a vast courtyard, several independent units, mosques, long verandas, durbar halls, wooden floors & windows with coloured glasses. The durbar hall of Arakkal Kettu has been renovated & converted into a museum by Kerala’s Government. However, the entire palace complex is still under the ownership & administration of the Arakkal Family. It opens on all days except Mondays from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Arakkal Kettu Museum, Ayikkara, Kannur, Kerala, India |
| Timings | 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Closed on Mondays and public holidays) |
| Entry Fee | ₹20 for adults, ₹10 for children (Additional charges for photography) |
| Specialty | Former palace of the Arakkal Ali Rajas, showcasing their history, artifacts, and lifestyle |
| Weather | Tropical climate, with monsoons from June to September. Best visited from October to March. |
| Tips | Wear comfortable footwear as the museum has marble flooring. |
| How to Get There | Located in Ayikkara, easily accessible by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or bus from Kannur city. |
| Nearby Attractions | St. Angelo Fort, Kannur Beach, Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Payyambalam Beach |
| Best Time to Visit | October to March for pleasant weather and festivals like Theyyam. |
| Ideal for | History enthusiasts, cultural explorers, families |
| Entry Fee for Foreigners | ₹100 |
| Entry Fee for Cameras | ₹50 for still cameras, ₹100 for video cameras |
4. Napier Museum Trivandrum
Trivandrum’s Art & Natural History Museum came into existence in 1880. The Gothic roof & minarets remind one of the Anglo-Saracen architectural styles. The building is a rich exhibition of the architectural genius of the people of that time. It has a rare collection of archaeological & historical artefacts, ancient ornaments, bronze idols, ivory carvings and a chariot. The museum is named after the former Governor-General of Madras, Sir John Napier.
The Sri Chitra Art Gallery inside the Napier Museum features a rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Nicholas Roerich & some fascinating works from the Rajput, Mughal & Tanjore schools of Painting, Paintings from Japan, China, Bali & Tibet. It opens on all days (10.00 am to 4.45 pm) except on Mondays. from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm on Wednesday & Public Holidays.
| Category | Information |
| Location | Near the Zoological Gardens, Museum Junction, Trivandrum |
| Timings | 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM (Closed on Mondays and Wednesday forenoons) |
| Specialty | Houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts |
| Weather | Tropical climate, best visited during the winter months (October to March) |
| Time Required | 1 to 2 hours |
| Entry Fee | ₹20 for adults, ₹10 for children |
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5. Indo Portuguese Museum
Indo Portuguese Museum, established in 1910 in Kochi town of Kerala, is a fusion of both Indian & Portuguese culture. Joseph Kurethra built the museum, a former Bishop of the city, to preserve the rich Christian heritage. There are five major sections within the Museum: Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil life & Cathedral.
Within the museum, you will come across the church of our Lady of Hope’s 16th-century altar prepared from teak wood, Bishop’s House’s 19th-century Chasuble, Santa Cruz Cathedral’s Processional cross of 17th century made by combining silver and wood & Indo-Portuguese Monstrance.
The coat of arms of the Franciscans is worth seeing. Entry for Indians is Rs.10, while foreigners need to pay Rs.25. However, entry is free for those who visit this museum on the first Thursday of the month. It is from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, But it remains closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.
| Aspect | Description |
| Location | Fort Kochi, near the Fort Kochi Beach |
| Timings | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays and National Holidays) |
| Entry Fee | ₹10 for adults, ₹5 for children (Below 12 years) |
| Specialties | Displays artifacts and items showcasing the Indo-Portuguese culture |
| Weather | Tropical climate, with monsoon season from June to August |
| Best Time to Visit | October to February for pleasant weather and cultural events |
| Nearby Attractions | Fort Kochi Beach, Mattan cherry Palace, Santa Cruz Basilica |
| How to Reach | By air: Cochin International Airport, approximately 45 minutes away. |
| By train: Ernakulam Junction is the nearest railway station, 12 km away. | |
| By road: Well-connected by road, easily accessible by taxis and buses. |
6. Kerala Science & Technology Museum
Established in 1984, Kerala Science & Technology Museum is located in Thiruvananthapuram city of Kerala & has ten galleries exhibiting items related to a particular disciple of Science & Engineering. Museum also has a planetarium called Priyadarsini Planetarium. It is India’s best horizontal domed Planetarium which can accommodate 184 people in one seating.
Exciting shows on planetary alignments of celestial bodies are organized, which try to unravel the mystery of the universe for a typical audience. The exhibition ‘Myriad Suns’ sheds light on the processes of birth and death of stars, star clusters, black holes, galaxies etc.3D shows are also organized to allow the audience to feel better about the way the universe conducts itself.
Children should defiantly visit this place to enhance their knowledge through live demonstrations, Exhibitions, shows, Science parks etc. If you are curious about astronomy & celestial Objects, this is the place for you. It is from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm every day except Sundays. The entry fee is Rs 60 for adults & Rs 30 for children.
| Information | Details |
| Location | Near PMG Junction, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Timings | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays and during some public holidays) |
| Entry Fee | Adults: INR 50, Children (3-12 years): INR 20, Foreigners: INR 100 |
| Best Time to Visit | November to February for pleasant weather and fewer crowds |
| Ideal Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Specialties | Interactive science exhibits, planetarium, science park, and aquarium |
| Weather | Tropical climate, hot and humid, with monsoon rains from June to September |
| Tips for Visiting | Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, carry water and snacks, and plan for sufficient time to explore all sections. |
| Nearest Railway Station | Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station (2.5 km away) |
| Nearest Airport | Trivandrum International Airport (6 km away) |
| Top Attractions Nearby | Napier Museum, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kovalam Beach, and Veli Tourist Village |
7. Archaeological Museum Thrissur
Archaeological Museum is housed in the building constructed in 1904 by the Raja of Kollangode for his daughter. This building is built in an eclectic style, blending traditional & western architecture. This museum is an art & archaeological museum situated in Thrissur, established in the year 1938 as Sree Mulam Chitrasala under Cochin’s auspices. It is famous for all its collection of murals & relics for almost entire Kerala.
Museum has giant size statues of famous & eminent personalities of the past, Models of ancient Temples, and Monuments. One of the essential features of this museum is manuscripts written on dry palm leaves known as the Olagrandhangal’. Read Also: Top 10 Places to visit in Thrissur
The most attractive belongings of this museum can be a rare collection of Veerakallu or stone engravings and carvings of figures & weapons utilized by brave warriors of the region discovered in the forests of Wayanad and Thrissur. It is from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm every day except Mondays & all Public holidays. Read Also: 10 Places to Visit in Wayanad, Kerala
The Museums of Kerala are genuinely renowned for handicrafts, historical ornaments, grand carts, ivory carvings of faces & masks of Kathakali. Make sure you visit all the destinations & have some of the fondest memories of your trip. It will defiantly fill your travel journal with fun, frolic and Excitement.
| Category | Details |
| Location | The Archaeological Museum is located in Thrissur, Kerala, near the Thrissur Zoo. |
| Timings | The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. |
| Specialty | It houses a rare collection of archaeological artifacts and exhibits from various periods. |
| Weather | Thrissur experiences a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. |
| Time Required | 1-2 hours |
| Entry Fee | ₹20 for adults, ₹10 for children |
| Additional Tips | Photography is not allowed inside the museum. |
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