Kollam Travel Guide - Everything You Need to Know
Kollam city is situated in the state of Kerala in the southern region of India. It is also known as the Cashew Capital of the World. Enriched with glorious past, knotted in the unique history, exceptional culture, bordered with nature divine, Kollam is situated on the southwest coast of India. Undoubtedly, this destination has gained commercial importance and has turned into the largest producer and exporter of premium quality of cashews.
It is located on the shores of the Ashtamudi Lake. This town glitters with several temples and mosques, the calm water of the lake offers you a wonderful experience to spend some quality time. Alongside, amazing weather, mouth-watering cuisines and fascinating views of the town; it lures a wide range of tourists from across the globe.
History of Kollam
Kollam was traditionally known as Quilon or Desinganadu which is considered as one of the major ancient civilizations in India. Kollam comes under the list of oldest ports on the Malabar Coast. The place had also been the capital for several kingdoms and Venad and Travancore are some of them.
Major Attractions in and Around Kollam
1. Punalur
A small town, however, the significance of the town is quite high lies on the border to Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The river Kallada passes right through the city with a popular bridge built over it, with a width of 400 meters. Thrilling adventure sports and wonderful jungle experience in the Thenmala Ecotourism Park, attractive woods of pineapples, peppers, cinnamons, along with species of fauna and flora steal grabs a large number of tourists every year.
2. Palaruvi Waterfalls
An enchanting waterfall positioned on the Kollam-Shenkottai Road at Palarive lies at an altitude of 300 ft. Exceptional magnificent view of the waterfalls draw space in the millions of heart, adds glitter to the scenic beauty of the town.
3. Mayyanad
One of the significant shrines for Hindus and Muslims, the destination is about 10 km away from the Kollam town. Lord Subramaniam temple is an exquisite destination to visit; along with the temple, visitors have the option to visit an old mosque and various other churches in the region.
4. Jatayu Nature Park
Jatayu Earth’s Center aka Jatayu Nature Park is situated at Jatayupara near Chadayamangalam town in Kollam district, Kerala. The park consists of a vast statue of Jatayu.
Things to Do in Kollam
- Explore Ashtamudi Lake & Enjoy a Houseboat Cruise
- Visit the Thangassery Lighthouse & Fort
- Discover Palaruvi Waterfalls
- Relax at Kollam Beach
- Explore Munroe Island
- Visit Jatayu Earth's Center
- Experience Thenmala Eco-Tourism
- Take a Spiritual Journey at Sasthamkotta Lake & Temple
- Enjoy Boating at Alumkadavu
- Explore Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls
Best Time to Visit Kollam
- Winter (October – March): Best time, with cool and comfortable weather (20°C - 30°C). Perfect for exploring beaches, backwaters, and waterfalls.
- Summer (April – June): Hot and humid (25°C - 35°C), but good for budget travelers and beach visits.
- Monsoon (July – September): Heavy rainfall, making it lush and scenic, ideal for nature lovers but not great for sightseeing.
How to Reach Kollam
To reach Kollam, you will need to cover a total distance of about 2,816, 1,442, 2,380, 680 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the details on how you can reach here by the following means of public transport.
By Air
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport which is one of the major airports in Kerala. The airport is just 67.7 kilometres away from Kollam which means it will take around 2-3 hours to reach here (depending upon the traffic and weather conditions). The airport is well-established with 2 terminals (Terminal 1 for domestic and Terminal 2 for international flights).
- From Gwalior - Board Spicejet, IndiGo flights from Gwalior Airport. The airfares start from INR 7,000-8,000
- From Guwahati - Board IndiGo, Spicejet, AirAsia flights from Guwahati Airport. The airfares start from INR 7,000-8,000
- From Dimapur - Board IndiGo, Air India flights from Dimapur Airport. The airfares start from INR 7,000-8,000
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Kollam
By Train
Kollam Railway Station is the nearest railway station. It is just a few kilometres away from the city centre. The station not only serves the neighbouring regions of Kollam but also get regular trains to and fro several prominent cities of India. From the station, you will need to continue your journey via some means of public transport.
By Road
Kollam city enjoys well-established road connectivity within the neighbouring cities via National Highways of India. Apart from this, there are regular buses, autos, or other local transport services available for an easy journey within and around the city.
- From Mysuru - 477 km via NH66
- From Madurai - 255 km via NH744
- From Kottayam - 90-100 km via NH66
Frequently Asked Questions about Kollam
Q. What are some tourist attractions in Kollam?
A. Some popular tourist attractions in Kollam include Thangassery Light House, Mahatma Gandhi Beach, Ashtamudi Lake, Palaruvi Waterfall, Jatayu Earth's Center, and Mahavishnu Temple.
Q. Is Kollam a good honeymoon destination?
A. Yes! Kollam is perfect for couples looking for a peaceful, romantic getaway with houseboat cruises, scenic beaches, and lush green landscapes.
Q. What is the best time to visit Kollam?
A. The best time to visit Kollam is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
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