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Known to travellers for its backwaters amidst breathtaking scenery, Kollam is most popularly referred to as the “Cashew Capital” of Kerala. There are numerous places to visit in Kollam that tend to impress people. The beautiful beaches, historic temples, and calm backwaters are the most popular among tourists in Kollam. The mesmerising tourist attractions in Kollam provide an entirely serene and rewarding experience for those visitors who want to get the spirit of Kerala.
11 Popular Places To Visit In Kollam
Kollam, often referred to as Quilon, is home to historic sites, cultural legacy, and scenic natural areas. Below are some of the best places to visit in Kollam:
1. Ashtamudi Lake
Photo: Arunvrparavur / Wikimedia Commons
Explore Kollam best places like Ashtamudi Lake, meaning “eight coned”, is the most popular backwater lake in Kollam. It is famous for its breathtaking beauty and numerous branches which make up the lake. Being one of the most common tourist places in Kollam, you should visit Ashtamudi Lake, if you seek relaxation and natural beauty. This is mainly due to its beautiful surroundings and peaceful atmosphere. Additionally, The Kollam Boat Club offers boating on the lake. It is the gateway to Kerala’s famous backwaters, and houseboat tours here are quite popular.
Location: Kollam city and surrounding areas
Major Attractions: Backwater cruises, houseboat rides, scenic views, birdwatching
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Kollam
2. Thangasseri Beach
Photo: Arunvrparavur / Wikimedia Commons
Thangasseri Beach, with its silvery sand, runs 3 km along the Arabian Sea. Being one of the top places for Kollam trip, the beach has a 1902 144-foot lighthouse called Thangasseri for mariners and fishermen, next to Kollam Fort. Thangassery is a must-visit place in Kollam due to its beautiful beach offering activities like swimming, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing, as well as the ruins of ancient forts visible from there.
Location: Thangasseri, around 5 km from Kollam city
Major Attractions: Sunset views, lighthouse, coastal walk, beachside relaxation
3. Sasthamkotta Lake
Photo: Arunelectra / Wikimedia Commons
Sasthamkotta Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Kerala, is one of the popular Kollam attractions. It offers nature lovers a peaceful escape from lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. One of the nearby attractions of this lake is the ancient Sastha Temple, adding culture to its beauty. Being one of the most popular places to visit in Kollam, you should visit this destination if you are seeking peace and beauty.
Location: Sasthamkotta, Kollam, Kerala
Major Attractions: Largest freshwater lake in Kerala, boating, temple nearby
Suggested Read: Waterfalls In Kollam
4. Oachira Parabrahma Temple
Photo: Neon / Wikimedia Commons
Oachira Parabrahma Temple is one of the famous Kollam tourist places. Unique rituals and festivals like Oachira Kali are held at this temple. This showcases traditional martial arts. The temple is famous for its “Kayyum Kaalum,” “Anna Danam,” “Bhajanam Parkkal,” Ettukandam Urilicha, Vedi Vazhipadu, and “Uru Nercha” gifts. The Vedi Vazhipadu at the Oachira Temple offers dedicated fireworks with music at three locations on the temple grounds. This picturesque destination is one of the most sought-after places to visit in Kollam.
Location: Ochira Rd, Oachira, Kollam District, Kerala
Major Attractions: Open-air temple, unique rituals, Oachira Kali festival
5. Thirumullavaram Beach
Photo: Ambadyanands / Wikimedia Commons
A tourist spot in Kollam, Thirumullavaram Beach offers clean sand and a serene atmosphere. With exemplary views of sunset, tourists can swim, sunbathe, and relax along the beach. This peaceful beach, located outside Kollam, is among the safest. Nature lovers prefer this beach due to its serene palm trees, and remarkable viewpoints. At low tide, the Njayarazhcha Para, also known as Sunday Rock, is visible from the shoreline about 1.5 km out to sea.
Location: About 6 km from Kollam city
Major Attractions: Calm beach, sunrise views, local temple nearby
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Kollam
6. Munroe Island
Photo: Kkkriku / Wikimedia Commons
Munroe Island is one of the best places to visit in Kollam. It is positioned between Ashtamudi Lake and Kallada River. This island, with its peaceful backwaters and luxurious environment, is secluded from the cacophony of the town. You can cruise along the narrow canals and watch traditional coir-making units and many birds of a variety of species. It opens a vista through which one interacts with the local people and their vision of life.
Location: About 27 km from Kollam city
Major Attractions: Canoe tours, village life experience, backwater scenery
7. Achankovil Sastha Temple
Photo: Vkt2020 / Wikimedia Commons
One of Kerala’s oldest temples, Achankovil temple, provides Beautiful scenery with dense forests. This gives hundreds of pilgrims a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. It is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. it attracts pilgrims and nature lovers who come for the spirituality, pulchritude of the temple, and exploration. Lord Ayyappa is the primary deity in Kollam. It is one of the well-known Lord Sastha temples; the others are the temples of Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Sabarimala, and Kanthamala.
Location: Achankovil, Kollam District
Major Attractions: Lord Ayyappa shrine, medicinal river water, serene forest setting
Suggested Read: Adventure Park Kollam
8. Mayyanad
Photo: Arunvrparavur / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Mayyanad is a peaceful and religious place in Kollam. Many pilgrims and tourists visit the village’s ancient temples, including the Mayyanad Shiva Temple and Subramanya Temple. If you are interested in local culture and spirituality, the peaceful village atmosphere offers a glimpse into traditional Kerala life. Mayyanad is one of the most popular tourist places in Kollam for one day trip because of its religious celebrations, festivals and natural beauty and one of the best places to visit in Kollam.
Location: About 10 km south of Kollam city
Major Attractions: Beaches, temples, traditional village setting
Suggested Read: Kollam Temples
9. Palaruvi Waterfalls
Photo: Jaseem Hamza / Wikimedia Commons
The 300-foot-tall Palaruvi Waterfall is among Kollam’s stunning sights. The word “Palaruvi” translates to “Stream of Milk,” a fitting name for this milky waterfall. Being one of the most popular places to visit in Kollam, nature lovers and adventure seekers find Palarui perfect with its thick forests. You can see the Western Ghats clearly from its trekking routes. The calm beauty of Palaruvi Waterfall is quite hard to miss. The waterfall, located along the Kollam-Shenkottai road, is approximately 4 kilometres deep within the forest.
Location: Aryankavu, Kollam District
Major Attractions: 300-feet waterfall, forest surroundings, natural bathing area
10. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary Kollam
Photo: Jaseem Hamza / Wikimedia Commons
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful forest area located near Kollam, perfect for nature lovers. It is known for its rich greenery, rare plants, and wildlife like elephants and birds. You can go trekking, take boat rides, or simply enjoy the calm of the forest, one of the best things to do in Kollam. The sanctuary is also home to a variety of butterflies and exotic trees. It’s a great spot if you’re looking to unwind in the lap of nature and explore Kerala’s unique biodiversity.
Location: Shendurney Wild life division, Thenmala, Kollam District
Major Attractions: Trekking trails, boat rides, rich flora and fauna, eco-tourism activities
11. Kottukal Cave Temple
Photo: Kannanshanmugam,shanmugamstuio,Kollam / Wikimedia Commons
Kottukal Cave Temple is an ancient rock-cut temple carved out of a huge single rock, located near Kollam. It’s a peaceful place with impressive carvings and stone sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has two small caves and a Nandi statue, giving a glimpse into Kerala’s early architectural style. It’s surrounded by a quiet rural setting, making it a calm spot for those who enjoy history, art, and spiritual sites away from the crowd.
Location: Kottukkal, Anchal, Kollam District
Major Attractions: Rock-cut cave temple, Lord Shiva shrine, ancient stone carvings
Be it Munroe Island or the Palaruvi Waterfall, places to visit in Kollam happen to be one of the greatest holiday spots for people of all categories, and it has splendid scenery all along. The above-mentioned Kollam tourist places list will help you plan your trip to this amazing destination with ease. Let TripXL handle the burden of your bookings and provide you with a hassle-free experience.
Cover Photo: Sophi Raju / Unsplash
