Varkala Beach, one of the famous tourist destinations in Kerala, is situated on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. This white sandy beach, of about 1 km stretched along the western coastline of India in the Arabian Sea, is around 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala. Varkala Beach has a number of tourist attractions nearby. The mineral springs near the Varkala Beach are considered to have medicinal and curative properties and many people visit here to drink and bathe in the water from the mineral springs. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple is another major tourist attraction near the beach.

The Varkala Beach is otherwise known as the Papanasam Beach. It derives this name from the word 'Papanashini’ which means the destroyer of sins. It is believed that a dip in the holy waters of this beach purifies the body and the soul of all the sins. Thousands of pilgrims come to the Varakala Beach to pray and offer 'Vavu Bali', a ritual performed in honour of their ancestors and relatives and to help the departed souls rest in peace. Excellent accommodation facilities are available near the beach.