Top 10 Tourist Places In Kollam, Kerala

Kollam in southern Kerala is famous for its cashew industry. The district is blessed with natural beauty and has a number of tourist places offering fun, enjoyment and excitement.

Here are the most popular tourist locations in Kollam, Kerala. Be sure to check out these places the next time you visit Kollam.

Punalur

Punalur lies close to the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The second largest town in Kollam, Punalur is widely regarded as the gateway to the Western Ghats. One of the most important landmarks of Punalur is the suspension bridge. It was one of the oldest bridges in Indian history.

Ashtamudi Lake

Ashatamudi Lake attracts tourists throughout the year. The banks of the lake are lined with coconut palms. A variety of boating options are available on the lake. Needless to say, Ashtamudi Lake is often called the gateway to Kerala’s famed backwaters. Board a houseboat to Alappuzha and the 8 hour journey will give you an opportunity to see life in rural Kerala up close. This is one of the most popular boat cruises in Kerala. Ashatamudi Lake also plays host to the President’s Trophy boat race every year. It is held on November 1.

Tengasseri Lighthouse

This cylindrical shaped lighthouse offers panoramic view of the Kollam city and Arabian Sea. The second largest lighthouse in Kerala, the Tengasseri lighthouse was built in 1902. The watchtower also provides glorious views of the sunset.

Thirumullavaram Beach

A secluded beach, Thirumullavaram is another tourist attraction in Kollam. The beach has an abundance of coconut palms. You can spend hours on end just watching their fronds swaying in the breeze. It is also one of the most popular and the safest beaches in Kerala. Despite attracting a large number of tourists, Thirumullavaram beach remains unspoilt with crystal clear waters and sun-kissed sand. Refresh yourself with tender coconut water and treat your taste buds to the local delicacies. The Maha Vishnu temple near the beach is another attraction here.

Munroe Island

This island is named after Col. Munroe who was a British resident of the erstwhile Travancore state. It is a picturesque island lying at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. Taking a canoe tour to the island through the backwaters is one of the most popular tourist activities here. The island also has a Dutch church.

British Residency

This is a two story building built during the British Era. It is a fusion of a variety of architecture styles including Indian, Tuscan and European. The interiors are decorated with mural paintings and other artistic embellishments. The Chinnakada clock tower is near the British Residency.

Palaruvi Falls

The word Palaruvi means stream of milk in Malayalam. The stream originates in the hills and cascades from a height of 300 feet down the rocks on its way. The water of this stream is said to have healing properties because the terrain through which it flows has an abundance of medicinal plants. A lot of people take a dip in the pool formed by the falls. There are also two popular trekking trails in Palaruvi. While the Palaruvi trail takes one to the top of the waterfall, the Kurishumala trail is popular among Christian devotees. Visit Palaruvi during the rains and get enchanted by the bounteous falls.

Jatayupara

Jatayu is the mythical bird that tried to rescue Sita from Ravana. Ravana cut off Jatayu’s wings with his weapons and the bird fell on a huge rock. The word para means rock in Malayalam. So, Jatayupara is the rock where Jatayu supposedly fell. A massive sculpture of Jatayu has been carved on this rock. It is also the largest bird sculpture in the world. There is a park around the sculpture. A huge statue of Lord Rama is also being built here.

Kollam Beach

The Mahatma Gandhi beach, aka Kollam beach is a great place to spend some time with your family. The Tengasseri lighthouse is seen from here. There is a park near the beach.

Neendakara Port

One of the largest fishing ports in Kerala, Neendakara port is a good place to buy quality fish at affordable rates. You can find a number of motorized fishing boats tethered to the bollards here. The sea looks simply gorgeous from here. Also, from Neendakara you can watch the Ashtamudi Lake uniting with the Arabian Sea.

Whether you seek adventure or some quiet time with your family, Kollam has something to offer you. Be sure to explore these places the next time you visit Kollam.