Places to Visit in Kollam: Backwaters, Beaches & Beyond
Written by Ummusalma Friday, Sep 18, 2026
Kollam doesn’t get talked about much. People will tell you to go to Alleppey for backwaters, Kochi for history, Varkala for beach. Kollam is always in between, skipped.
Which is a shame, honestly. This town has a bit of everything – Arabian Sea on one side, Ashtamudi Lake on the other, canals and small islands in between, plus old trading history that you can still see in the buildings. It feels like a fishing town and a backwater paradise at the same time.If you are making a list of places to visit in Kollam, you don’t need to rush. One day is enough for the main spots, two days if you want to do it properly.
Table of Contents
Top Tourist Places in Kollam
1. Ashtamudi Lake – Start Here
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
Start your Kollam trip here. Ashtamudi means “eight-cornered lake” because of its shape. It looks like an octopus with eight arms going in different directions. It is the second largest lake in Kerala, so big that at some points it doesn’t even feel like a lake, more like a sea.
Houseboat cruises here are different from Alleppey. In Alleppey there are 200 houseboats in one place, full crowd. Here it is quieter, less commercial. You drift past coconut trees, small fishing villages, Chinese fishing nets, people washing clothes on the banks. No loud music, no boat traffic of boats.
You can take a day cruise for 3-4 hours if you are short on time. But if you can, stay one night on the houseboat. Evening on Ashtamudi is very peaceful – sun going down, water turning orange, total silence except for birds. If you’re hungry after the cruise, check out our guide to restaurants in Kollam for the best places to eat nearby.
2. Munroe Island – The Real Backwater Life
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
Munroe Island is not one island, it is a cluster of 8 small islands where Ashtamudi Lake meets Kallada River. It is named after Colonel John Munroe, a British officer who was in charge here long back.
The best way to see it is not by houseboat, but by small canoe. The canoe goes through very narrow canals where big boats can’t go. On both sides you see mangroves, coconut palms, and normal village life – someone making coir by hand, someone climbing a coconut tree for toddy, kids coming back from school in a small boat.
This is Kerala backwater life without any filter. It is not polished for tourists, which is exactly why you should go. Go early morning, around 6-7 am, when mist is still on the water. It feels completely different.
Historical Places in Kollam
3.Thangassery Beach and Lighthouse
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
Thangassery is where Kollam’s colonial past meets the sea. The beach is calm, not crowded like Kovalam. Water is clean and good for an evening walk.
The main thing here is the lighthouse. It is 144 years old, 41 meters tall, one of the tallest in Kerala. You can climb to the top – around 100 steps – and from the top you get a full view of the coastline and the old fort ruins. Sunset from here is worth it.
Nearby you will see remains of an old Portuguese fort and British buildings. Some are broken now, but you can still make out the walls. Not many tourists come here, mostly locals.
4. Kollam Old Town & Cashew History
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
Walk around the old town area near Chinnakada and you will see old cashew factories, warehouses, old churches built by the Portuguese. Kollam was once called the Cashew Capital of the World. Most of the world’s cashews were processed here and exported.
It is not like Fort Kochi where heritage is painted and polished for tourists. Here it is a bit raw, a bit broken, but real. If you like old buildings and stories, you will like walking here. Ask a local shop owner, they will tell you which building is 200 years old. If your trip takes you further out toward Anchal, don’t miss our guide to restaurants in Anchal for a good meal along the way.
Beaches Near Kollam
5. Thirumullavaram Beach
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
This is the most popular beach for locals. About 6 km from the main town. Water is shallow and calm, good for families with kids. In the evening there are small tea shops and snacks stalls. Not much crowd on weekdays. If you’re looking for a proper meal after the beach, check out our guide to restaurants in Kottiyam, just a short drive away.
6. Kureepuzha Beach
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
If you want a beach all to yourself, go here. It is less developed, no shops, no resorts, just sand and sea. Good for sitting alone for some time. Not recommended for swimming alone because there are no lifeguards.
7. Palaruvi Waterfalls
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
Palaruvi means “stream of milk” in Malayalam. And when you see it, you will understand why – white water falling from almost 300 feet down the rocks.
It is inside the Western Ghats, about 75 km from Kollam town. Best time to go is just after monsoon, September to December, when water flow is full. There is a small pool at the bottom where you can take a dip. The water is very cold. Around the waterfall there is forest, good for a small trek and picnic. If you are coming from Kollam town, keep half a day for this.
8. Jatayu Earth’s Center
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
This is one of the most unique places in Kerala. At Jatayu Earth’s Center, there is a massive sculpture of Jatayu – the mythical eagle from Ramayana who tried to save Sita. It is 200 feet long, 150 feet wide, built on top of a hill. It is said to be the largest bird sculpture in the world.
But it’s not just the sculpture. There is an adventure zone with zipline, rock climbing, and paintball. There is a small museum inside that tells the story of Jatayu. And from the hilltop you get a full view of the Ghats around. The cable car ride to the top is fun too. You need at least 3-4 hours here. Good for families, kids will love it.
Kollam sightseeing places
9. Amritapuri Ashram
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
This is the headquarters of Mata Amritanandamayi, known as the hugging saint. The ashram is on a small island in the backwaters, very quiet. People from all over the world come here. Even if you are not into spiritual things, the place has a calm feeling. You can see the evening bhajans if you stay till sunset. If you’re passing through Kundara on the way, take a look at our guide to restaurants in Kundara for a bite to eat.
10. Sri Mahaganapathi Temple & Jatayuppara Temple
Image Credits: Jobin Scaria
Near Amritapuri, there is a small Mahaganapathi Temple – less crowded, peaceful, by the water.
A little ahead, Jatayuppara Sree Kodanda Rama Temple is on a hilltop. You have to climb a bit, but from the top you get sweeping views of paddy fields and villages below. It is a quiet stop, good if you are already on that side.
From the wide open water of Ashtamudi to the narrow canals of Munroe Island, from the old lighthouse at Thangassery to the big drop at Palaruvi, Kollam shows you a side of Kerala that feels less rehearsed.
It is not trying to be a tourist spot. It is just a coastal town with backwaters, beaches, old stories, and people living their normal life around it. That is what makes it special.
Give it a day or two. Slow down a bit. You will probably end up wondering why more people don’t put Kollam on their Kerala list.