There are several fascinating places to visit in Kollam that you must not miss on your trip to Kerala! From waterfalls to lakes, backwaters, temples, wildlife reserves, beaches, ancient forts, and a massive bird statue carved out of stone, there is no dearth of exciting tourist attractions in Kollam for you to explore!
There are several charming places to see in Kollam hidden in its tranquil and untouched nature reserves that you ought to explore with our hand-tailored Kerala tour packages!
Best Places To Visit In Kollam, Kerala
Kollam is the home of enchanting locales like the Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Islands, and Jatayu Earth Centre. Often called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala, Kollam is its fourth largest city famous for its coir and cashew production.
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Kerala: Summer, Winter, or Monsoon?
Before you book a trip, we urge you to pick your favorite spots from our specially curated list of the best Kollam places to visit!
1. Jatayu Earth Centre
The recently built Jatayu Earth Center and Nature Park is one of the most fun and visually stunning tourist attractions in Kollam. This rock-themed park amid acres of lush green hills is famed for its 200-foot-high statue of the legendary demigod Jatayu of the Hindu epic Ramayana!
Other than the world’s biggest bird statue visible from miles away, the park has a 6D theatre, rides for kids, an audio-visual digital room, a ropeway cable car, ziplining, a Burma bridge, Ayurvedic cave resort, and many more attractions for people of all ages.
Location: Jatayu Nature Park Rd, Jatayu Junction, Chadayamangalam, Kerala 691534
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 400/-
Ideal for: Sightseeing, scenic views, photography, adventure activities, rides and attractions, Ayurvedic healing
ALSO SEE – Jatayu Earth Center: Booking, Tickets, Timings, Entry Fee
2. Ashtamudi Lake
The Ashtamudi Lake is the gateway to Kerala backwaters and one of the most charming tourist places in Kollam.
Its amber-colored waterways flanked by palm and coconut trees and dotted with charming houseboats are one of the most frequented places to visit in Kollam.
“Ashtamudi” means “8-coned” and refers to this lake’s 8 backwater channels which are best explored via a refreshing houseboat cruise on its waters.
Location: Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam, Kerala 691012
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Ideal for: Houseboat cruises, shikara rides, canoeing, kayaking, sunset views
ALSO SEE – Ashtamudi Backwaters of Kollam, Kerala
3. Thangassery Fort
Also called St. Thomas Fort, Thangassery Fort and Lighthouse are two of the most handsome structures sitting on the shores of the Arabian Sea north of Thangassery Beach. “Dutch Quilon” to the British, this fort is among the most eminent historical places to visit in Kollam.
Built in 1519 AD by the Portuguese, the dilapidated structure and humble ruins of this majestic fort speak volumes of the bygone era and earlier Portuguese and Dutch influences in Kerala.
Currently, the fort houses a small canal, a Portuguese cemetery, the old Kollam Port, and the Infant Jesus Cathedral. Though it’s in ruins, this ancient fort is an integral part of Kollam tourism.
Location: VHJ9+M99, Fort, Thangasherry East, Thangassery, Kollam, Kerala 691007
Timings: Open 24/7
Entry fee: Nil
Ideal for: Photography, history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, beach visits, the night food scene
4. Rameshwaram Mahadeva Temple
Dating back to the 12th century AD, this ancient Hindu shrine in Kollam dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the 108 Shiva temples in India and among the most respected places to visit in Kollam.
Its Pandian style of architecture is only one of the several fascinating features that bring people to it from near and far. It’s also famed for its unique sculpture of the mythological monster Vyala, beautiful stone and wooden carvings, twin towers at opposite ends of the temple, and the central pillar with 12th-century inscriptions.
Location: Anchukallumoodu-Kaval Rd, Valiazhikom, Thangasherry East, Thangassery, Kollam, Kerala 691007
Timings: 5 AM – 1 PM; 3 PM – 9 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Ideal for: History and architecture lovers, peace seekers, unique rituals, ancient inscriptions and folklore
ALSO SEE – 20 Famous Temples In Kerala To Visit
5. Munroe Island
Munroe Island is a cluster of 8 small islands and is among the most enchanting tourist places in Kollam district. Named after Col. John Munroe of the erstwhile British colony of Travancore, Munroe is famed for its coir-making and fishing industry.
Its pristine backwaters, picturesque rural setting, laidback fishing villages, and untouched greenery are the perfect places to unwind and relax.
Its lush forests and riverbanks are one of the best places to visit in Kollam for spotting rare migratory birds like the European White Stork and Blue Rock Thrush.
Location: Munroe Thuruth, near Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam, Kerala 691502
Timings: Open 24/7
Entry fee: Nil
DTPC boating timings: 9 AM and 2 PM
DTPC boating charges: INR 200/- per person
Ideal for: Birdwatching, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, forest hikes
ALSO SEE – Things to do in Munroe Island- Top 10 Activities in this Hidden Gem
6. Kollam Beach
Kollam Beach is the first official beach wedding destination in Kerala and one of the most scenic places to visit in Kollam for relaxing and watching gorgeous sunsets over the Arabian Sea!
The scenic splendor of Kollam Beach extends beyond its golden sands and rhythmic waves. The beach is the erstwhile port harbor that was used to trade with countries like China, the Middle East, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
Its Chinese fishing nets, flat Sampan boats, and Chinese water pots also attract people and make it one of the most intriguing tourist attractions in Kollam.
Location: Thamarakulam, Kollam, Kerala 691006
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Ideal for: Swimming, sunbathing, boating, fishing
7. Thangassery Beach
If you’re looking for a more laidback and secluded version of Kollam Beach, head to Thangassery Beach instead and enjoy some ‘me time’ in its tranquil environs!
While it’s one of the top places to visit in Kollam, it’s clean and absolutely serene owing to its location outside city limits. This erstwhile trading center of the Portuguese famous for pepper trade is also home to a tiny fishing village that visitors love to explore!
Tucked 5 km away from Kollam city, this beach is the perfect Kollam tourist place to unwind and gaze at stunning sunset views every day!
Location: Thangassery East, Kollam, Kerala 691007
Distance from Kollam city: 5 km
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Ideal for: Relaxing, surfing, speed boating, scuba diving, village tours, fishing
ALSO SEE – 10 Best Beaches In Kerala
8. Palaruvi Waterfalls
Palaruvi, meaning, “milky streams”, refers to a stunning waterfall on the Kollam-Shenkottai road. The waterfall cascades from a massive height of 91 meters and is one of the most special places to visit in Kollam.
This beautiful picnic spot is the 32nd highest waterfall in India and a favorite place for couples and people seeking peace and solitude. It’s also a highly respected Kollam tourist attraction since it’s believed to possess Ayurvedic medicinal properties.
Location: Kollam-Shenkottai Rd, Palaruvi, Kerala 691309
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
Entry fee: INR 25/- (INR 10/- for kids)
Ideal for: Swimming, trekking, picnics
ALSO SEE – 20 Incredible Waterfalls In Kerala To See
9. Paravur Lake
Paravur Lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kollam frequented by people of all ages and walks of life. Sitting at the confluence point of the Kappil backwaters and the Arabian Sea, Paravur has dense mangroves on either side and clear blue waters shimmering under the sunlight!
This small lake is one of the top tourist attractions in Kollam for a fun picnic, boating, and shopping on the adjacent Paravur-Edava-Varkala street. Boating is a popular activity here courtesy of the Priyadarshini Watercraft Club.
Location: Kurumandal, Paravur, Kollam district, Kerala 691301
Distance from Kollam city: 13 km
Timings: Open 24/7
Entry fee: Nil
Ideal for: Boating, kayaking, canoeing, mangrove tours, forest hikes, picnics, shopping
10. Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
This eminent wildlife sanctuary in Kollam draws its name from an endemic species of tree known as Shenkuruny, Chenkuruny. Tucked inside the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, this vast wilderness is home to many medicinal plants, bird species, and animals like elephants, leopards, sambar deer, lion-tailed macaques, bison, and langurs.
The thriving West Coast tropical evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest of Shenduruny make it one of the most unique places to see in Kollam. However, more than being a prominent tourist attraction in Kollam, this forest reserve is an important historical site in India!
Several paintings and carvings of the Mesolithic period excavated from an enormous cave near Shenduruny River prove that it’s the site of an ancient river valley civilization older even than the Indus Valley!
Location: Shendurney Wildlife Division, Thenmala, Kerala 691308
Timings: Open 24/7
Entry fee: Nil (Prior permission from Kerala Forest Department is required to enter)
Ideal for: Wildlife safari, birdwatching, nature walks, trekking, boating (Parappar Dam lake), archaeology enthusiasts,
ALSO SEE – Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala
Out of all these scintillating places to visit in Kollam, which ones will you visit first? Add them to your Kollam tourism itinerary and don’t forget to tell us all about your trip once you’re back! Happy tripping!
