Discover Kollam: Coast, Backwaters and Culture

The coast and museum offer a different focus from backwater cruises, historic sites or nature destinations in the region. Consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay; the places below can help guide your choices.

Culture and Coast in Kollam

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Police Museum displays weapons and ammunition from the 18th and 19th centuries. Exhibits include rifles, bullets and old machines. At Kollam Beach, also called Mahatma Gandhi Beach, swimming and wading in shallow water are possible; observe local safety guidance. Beside the beach is Mahatma Gandhi Park, with walking paths and seating areas.

Thangassery also offers a historical focus: the historic Thangassery Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1519 AD. Thangassery Lighthouse is 144 feet high. In the Kollam area, Thankasseri is also home to the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches dating from the 18th century.

Backwaters and Nearby Destinations

A backwater cruise runs from Kollam to Alappuzha along a 61-kilometre-long lake. Another seasonal experience is offered by Neendakara Fishing Harbour, 7 kilometres from Kollam: after the monsoon, visitors gather there to observe the “chaakara” phenomenon that occurs off the coast.

Ashramam Picnic Village, in the Kollam area, is home to a 200-year-old Residency Bungalow, the former residence of Lord Muroe, an Adventure Park and a Children's Traffic Park. On Munroe Island, in the Kollam area, village tours through the backwaters are available. As the availability of these tours should be checked before travelling, it is worth making an up-to-date enquiry when planning.

Within the Wider Kollam Destination

Munroe Island, also called Munrothuruthu, lies at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. Backwater cruises and canoe tours through canals and waterways are available on the island. Visitors can also observe the production of traditional coir products: the process ranges from extracting the fibre to weaving mats and ropes. Houseboat trips on Ashtamudi Lake use traditional Keralan houseboats, the Kettuvallams.

Alumkadavu is considered the birthplace of the iconic Kettuvallams. Visitors can watch traditional houseboats being built from Aanjili and jackwood. The Alumkadavu-Sasthamkotta region can also be explored by canoe or boat, passing quiet homes and shrines. Thus, the wider Kollam area offers both trips along waterways and insights into houseboat construction and traditional crafts.

Thenmala is India’s first planned ecotourism destination and part of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, a biodiversity hotspot with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Nature walks there are easy, informative and suitable for all age groups. Activities in Thenmala also include mountain biking, climbing and river crossing. The cultural zone has an amphitheatre where traditional dance and music performances take place.

Jatayu Earth's Center features the world’s largest bird sculpture, as well as a museum and an audiovisual gallery telling the story of Jatayu. The 20-hectare Adventure Zone offers climbing, rappelling, ziplining, paintball, archery and valley crossing; the availability of individual activities may vary depending on operations. Another nature destination, Palaruvi Waterfalls, plunges 300 feet over rocks. Surrounded by hills and valleys, it is considered a popular excursion destination.

Events and Cultural Heritage in Kollam

If you want to combine a visit with a boat race, check the dates before travelling, as organisers may change them. The President's Trophy Boat Race takes place every year on 1 November, Kerala Piravi Day, on Ashtamudi Lake. The Kallada Boat Race is held annually on the 28th day of the Onam festival, in August or September, on the Kallada River near Munroe Island.

In Punalur stands the 400-foot-long Punalur Suspension Bridge, a protected monument under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Department of Kerala. Together with the historic sites, waterways and nature destinations, it illustrates how varied the points of interest are across the wider Kollam destination.

Discover more destinations: Chavara, Panayam, Munroe Island, Kottara, Thazhuthala, Kottarakkara, West Kallada

Back to the wider travel overview: Kollam.