Koyikkal Palace is a compact Kerala palace at Nedumangad, north-east of Thiruvananthapuram. Built in traditional timber-and-tile style, it is more intimate than the big city museums and gives a better feel for domestic royal architecture in southern Kerala.
The palace now houses folklore and numismatics displays, including ritual objects, household items, musical instruments, and old coins. It is a worthwhile detour if you have already seen the Napier Museum and Padmanabhaswamy Temple and want something quieter. The trip is easiest with a hired car or taxi, since it sits outside the core city circuit.