Kerala’s architectural heritage is a curious blend of the indigenous, European, Arabic and Chinese styles. The marked traditional style – nalukettu or ettukettu (four or eight sided structures with a central courtyard) with tiled roofs match the climate and texture of the land. Some of the palaces have been converted into museums where priceless collections of the Royal family, archaeological and historic artifacts, ancient ornaments, ivory carvings, historically valuable coins, murals and floral carvings are on display. 

Kuthiramalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum – This palace was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma – the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician etc. This traditional style of architecture has exquisite woodcarvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the Royal family.

The Napier Museum – The Indo-Saracenic structure dating back to the 19^th century, and boasts a “natural” air conditioning system, houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery – This art gallery display select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore Schools of art in India.

The Kanakakunnu Palace – The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets and programmes. During Onam festivities unique package of traditional and cultural programmes are staged at the Kanakakunnu Palace and other landmark points. It culminates in a colourful carnival, which the vast majority of the population turns out to watch. At the palace, international festival of various cuisine of the world is held from across Kerala, who participate in the flavour food festival.

Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum – Children of all age group will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here.

Koyikkal Palace, Nedumangad – This ancient palace dates back to the 15^th century with slanting gabled roofs, museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology. The Folklore museum is a treasure house of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk arts etc., which focus on the cultural background of the state. The Numismatics museum houses rare and historically valuable coins denoting the trade relations of the state.

Padmanabhapuram Palace – Closed on Mondays. This is a well preserved wooden palace, a glorious testimony to the traditional Kerala School of Architecture, situated at Thuckalai. The extraordinary murals, exquisite floral carvings and the black glossy granite floor have withstood the test of time.

Krishnapuram Palace – Dating back to the 18^th century, this exquisite piece of art is one of the largest murals in Kerala. The palace museum houses antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.

Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) – Built by Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663, this palace depicts scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharaja of Kochi and furniture of those days.

Bolghatty Island – This island is famous for its palace ‘The Bolghatty Palace’ which was built in 1774 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today it is a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottages.

The Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithura – Hill Palace, the official residence of the erstwhile Kochi royal family, was built in 1865. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a Deer Park. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala’s first ever heritage museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19^th century paintings, murals, sculptures in stones and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family.

Chendamangalam – This is a rare geographical combination of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and vast expanses of green plains. The Paliam Palace, abode of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the erstwhile Maharajas of Kochi, represents the architectural splendour of Kerala. The palace houses a collection of historic documents and relics. The hillocks at Kottayil Kovilakam presents the unusual sight of a temple, a church, a mosque and the remains of a Jewish synagogue all situated next to each other. Also interesting is a visit to the remains of the Vypeen Kotta Seminary built in the 16^th century by the Portuguese.

Shakthan Thampuran Palace – Also known as Palace Thoppu, the campus covers an area of 6 acres. Here you can see 3 'Shavakudeerams' (tombs) including that of the renowned Shakthan Thampuran.

Palakkad Fort - The old granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. Hyder Ali of Mysore built it in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Chittur Garumadam – Located on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows), this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of 'Adhyatma Ramayana', who spent his last days here. A 'Srichakra', some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.

Kottappadi – One can see traces of an old fort at the base of the Cantonment Hill built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode.

Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery – This famous museum consists of copies of ancient mural paintings, old coins, antique bronzes and models of temples and megalithic monuments like dolmonoid cysts, umbrella stones etc. Adjacent to the museum is the Art Gallery and the Krishna Menon Museum, which exhibit an excellent collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma. The museum has also a section where the personal belongings of the late V.K.Krishna Menon are preserved.

Kirtads – This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala.

Iringal – Birthplace of Kunjali Marikkar, who commanded the Zamorin's fleet and held the Portuguese vessels at bay for a long period. The birthplace of the valiant admiral of the Zamorin, on the southern bank of the Moorad river, is today preserved by the Dept. of Archaeology.

Pazhassi tomb – Memorial of the Lion of Kerala - Veera Pazhassi Raja - who organized the guerilla warfare against the British East India Company. The Pulpally cave is where Pazhassi took refuge until the British captured him.

Ambalavayal Heritage Museum – This is one of the best heritage museum in Kerala. Near the Ambukutti hill region is this heritage museum housing artifacts and belongings of the various tribes of the land.

Arakkal Kettu – This was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim family of Kerala.

St. Angelo Fort – This sea front laterite fort was constructed in 1505 AD by the first Portuguese Viceroy Don Francisco De Almeda. The fort is now under the Archaeological Survey of India, offers fascinating views of the Mappila bay fishing harbour.

The Bekal Fort – The 300 years old Bekal Fort is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in Kerala.

Chandragiri – This town is known for its large 17^th century fort, which is a chain of forts and offers a breathtaking view of the Chandragiri River and the Arabian Sea. The other advantage is to watch the sunset.

Nileswaram – The cultural centre of the district. The Nileswaram palace today functions as the folklore centre of the Department of Archaeology. The town is famous for its numerous Kavus (shrines), temple festivals and the Kavil Bhavan Yoga & Cultural centre which offers rejuvenation therapy and naturopathy treatments like mud baths and herbal baths.