Tucked along the Arabian Sea coast in southern Kerala, Kollam (formerly Quilon) is one of India's oldest continuously inhabited port towns, a place where Phoenician, Roman, Chinese and Arab traders once dropped anchor. Today it makes a relaxed, uncrowded weekend escape that captures the soul of Kerala without the tourist crush of Alleppey. The town hugs the shores of palm-fringed Ashtamudi Lake, a sprawling, eight-armed backwater where Chinese fishing nets dip into mirror-still water at dawn and traditional houseboats glide past mangroves and coconut groves. Kollam is also the historic heart of India's cashew industry, and the salty air often carries the scent of roasting nuts from its processing units. Beyond the water, you'll find colonial-era churches, a long sweep of beach at Thirumullavaram, lighthouse views and the gateway to the famed eight-hour backwater cruise to Alappuzha. Add temples, fresh seafood, and a slow, friendly pace, and Kollam rewards travellers who want an authentic slice of Kerala life. It's compact enough to explore in a couple of days yet rich enough to leave you planning a return trip along the canals.
Top Attractions
Ashtamudi Lake
The second-largest lake in Kerala, Ashtamudi (meaning 'eight braids') is a labyrinth of channels fringed with coconut palms and mangroves. It's the centrepiece of any Kollam visit, best experienced at sunrise when Chinese fishing nets and fishermen's canoes dot the glassy water. The lake feeds into the Arabian Sea and is a Ramsar-listed wetland rich in birdlife and aquatic life.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free to view; boat rides extra
- Hours: Open all day; best at sunrise/sunset
- Best Time: Early morning
- Tip: Hire a small canoe with a local fisherman for an intimate, quiet alternative to the bigger houseboats.
Backwater Cruise to Alappuzha
Kollam is the southern terminus of Kerala's most celebrated backwater journey, the roughly eight-hour cruise to Alappuzha (Alleppey) run by the State Water Transport and tour operators. The ferry winds through narrow canals, past villages, paddy fields and coir-making hamlets, with a stop at Munroe Island or an ashram en route. It's a scenic, budget-friendly way to see backwater life.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Around INR 400-600 for the day ferry
- Hours: Departs around 10:30 AM (Aug-Mar season)
- Best Time: August to March
- Tip: Book a window-side seat and carry water, snacks and sunscreen; the open deck gets hot by midday.
Thangassery Lighthouse
Standing on a former Portuguese-Dutch-British settlement, this candy-striped 1902 lighthouse is one of the tallest on the Kerala coast. Climb the spiral staircase for sweeping views over the Arabian Sea, the rocky breakwaters and the old colonial neighbourhood of Thangassery, where weathered church ruins and bungalows hint at Kollam's European trading past.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Around INR 25-30
- Hours: Typically 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Best Time: Late afternoon for sunset
- Tip: Combine with a walk through the atmospheric Thangassery fishing village and old Portuguese fort ruins nearby.
Thirumullavaram Beach
A quiet, crescent-shaped beach about 6 km from the town centre, Thirumullavaram is favoured by locals for its calmer waters and shady casuarina and palm groves. It's far less crowded than Kerala's marquee beaches, making it ideal for an unhurried evening stroll, a picnic, or watching the sun sink into the Arabian Sea.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free
- Hours: Open all day
- Best Time: Late afternoon to sunset
- Tip: Swimming can be unsafe due to currents; enjoy the sands and shallows but heed local warnings.
Munroe Island (Mundrothuruth)
A cluster of low-lying islands at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River, Munroe Island is a serene network of canals, coir-weaving villages and prawn farms. Narrow country-boat tours glide under low bridges and through mangrove tunnels, offering a window into traditional backwater village life away from the crowds.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Canoe tours around INR 300-600 per person
- Hours: Daytime; morning tours best
- Best Time: Early morning
- Tip: Reach it by the local train from Kollam for a cheap, scenic ride, then arrange a village canoe tour on arrival.
Palaruvi Waterfalls
About 75 km inland from Kollam near the Western Ghats, Palaruvi ('stream of milk') tumbles around 300 feet through dense forest, forming pools popular for a refreshing dip. The drive there winds through tea and rubber estates and forest reserves, making it a rewarding day trip for those wanting greenery and hill air alongside Kollam's coastal scenery.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Small entry fee, around INR 20-50
- Hours: Daytime; check seasonal closures
- Best Time: June to January (good water flow)
- Tip: The falls can be closed during heavy monsoon for safety; verify before making the long drive.
Food & Local Flavours
Kollam's cuisine blends fresh backwater and sea catch with Kerala's coconut-rich flavours and a famous local love of cashews.
Karimeen Pollichathu
The signature backwater dish: pearl spot fish marinated in a fiery red masala of chilli, ginger and spices, wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled or pan-roasted. The leaf locks in moisture and lends a smoky aroma. It's a must-try given Kollam's lake-side setting and abundance of fresh pearl spot.
Price: INR 250-450
Try: Lakeside and toddy-shop restaurants
Kerala Sadya
A traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, with rice surrounded by a dozen-plus sides: sambar, avial, thoran, olan, pickles, pappadam and the sweet payasam to finish. Eaten by hand, it's a festive, filling experience and great value, especially at lunchtime in local eateries.
Price: INR 120-300
Try: Traditional veg restaurants at lunch
Kappa and Fish Curry
Comfort food across Kerala, kappa (steamed, mashed tapioca) is paired with a tangy, coconut-laced fish curry made with sardines or mackerel. The starchy tapioca soaks up the spicy, slightly sour gravy beautifully. It's hearty, affordable and beloved by fishing communities along the Kollam coast.
Price: INR 80-200
Try: Local mess halls and toddy shops
Cashew Specialities
As India's cashew capital, Kollam serves its prized nuts everywhere, from freshly roasted and salted cashews to cashew-studded sweets, halwa and savoury snacks. Pick up packets of premium local cashews to take home; they're fresher and cheaper here than almost anywhere else in the country.
Price: INR 100-700 per packet
Try: Markets and cashew shops in town
Practical Information
Getting Around
- Auto-rickshaw: INR 30-150 per ride — easiest way around town; agree fare or insist on the meter
- Local bus: INR 10-40 — cheap and frequent for nearby beaches and villages
- Country boat / ferry: INR 20-600 — for Ashtamudi, Munroe Island and the Alappuzha cruise
- Taxi / car hire: INR 1,500-2,500 per day — convenient for day trips to Palaruvi or Varkala
Budget Guide (Per Day)
- Budget: INR 1,200-2,000 (~$15-24): guesthouse or budget hotel, local meals and bus/auto travel
- Mid-range: INR 3,000-6,000 (~$36-72): a comfortable lakeside hotel, a backwater cruise and sit-down restaurant meals
- Luxury: INR 8,000+ (~$96+): a private houseboat stay or upscale resort with guided tours and fine dining
Best Time to Visit
- November to February: cool, dry weather ideal for cruises and sightseeing
- August to March: the official backwater ferry season to Alappuzha runs
- June to September (monsoon): lush and green with full waterfalls, but heavy rain can disrupt boats
Interactive Map
Explore Kollam on the map.
Image Credits
Kollam — Timothy A. Gonsalves, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons