Kollam, long known in English as Quilon, has been a port for well over a thousand years. Traders from Arabia and China came here, the Portuguese set up a trading post at Tangasseri in 1502, and the Dutch and British followed. Today it is the fourth-largest city in Kerala, a working place of cashew factories, fishing boats and busy streets, built around the shore of Ashtamudi Lake.
The lake is the reason to come. A government ferry, a tourist boat or a canoe takes you past Chinese fishing nets, mangroves and island villages such as Munroe Island, and the long cruise to Alappuzha starts from the same jetty. The city itself is modest: a lighthouse and fort ruins at Thangassery, a long city beach, and Asramam Maidan, the setting for the April Kollam Pooram festival.
Inland, the district climbs towards the Western Ghats. Thenmala, India's first planned ecotourism destination, Palaruvi Falls and the huge bird sculpture at Chadayamangalam each make a day trip. North along the coast, Oachira has one of Kerala's most unusual temples.
Kollam suits travellers who prefer pace to polish. It is easy for older relatives if you choose covered boats and avoid the monsoon, and it makes a good, calmer base between Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha.
Before you plan
Kollam at a glance
- Best months
- December to February is driest and…December to February is driest and most comfortable; March is warm. June to July is the wettest and not advised for boat trips.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days for the lake, Thangassery and…2 days for the lake, Thangassery and one day trip; 3 days if you add the hills
- Airport
- Thiruvananthapuram International AirportThiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 56 km by road via NH66; roughly 1.5 hours depending on traffic
- Railway station
- Kollam JunctionKollam Junction (QLN) in the cantonment area; one of the larger stations in Kerala, with six platforms
- Getting around
- Autos and app taxis in the cityAutos and app taxis in the city; hire a car for Thenmala, Jatayu and Oachira; ferries and boats for Ashtamudi Lake
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500–₹4,000 per person per…Roughly ₹1,500–₹4,000 per person per day excluding hotel, varying with boat, car hire and dining choices
- Senior comfort
- Good if you choose covered boats and…Good if you choose covered boats and a car with driver; avoid the long climbs at Jatayu and the lighthouse stairs
- Language
- MalayalamMalayalam; English widely understood in hotels and at tourist sites, Tamil understood by some
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Kollam: January, February, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Kollam itinerary
One good day
1 day in Kollam
Start at the Kollam boat jetty in the morning for a two to three hour boat trip on Ashtamudi Lake, looking at the Chinese fishing nets and mangroves. After lunch and a rest, drive to Thangassery for the lighthouse, fort ruins and old church, then walk the breakwater or Kollam Beach for sunset.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Kollam
Take a boat on Ashtamudi Lake in the morning, continue to Munroe Island for a canoe ride through the canals and a village lunch, and return in the afternoon. Rest, then walk Asramam Maidan or drive to Thangassery for the sunset.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Kollam
Visit the lighthouse and fort ruins at Thangassery in the morning, rest at midday, then walk Kollam Beach and drive to Thirumullavaram for a quieter evening by the sea and its temple.
Day-by-day plan →
