Kerala · India
Kollam
An ancient cashew-trading port on the palm-fringed Ashtamudi Lake — the gateway to the southern backwaters, with a colonial lighthouse, quiet beaches and island villages.
Kollam (Quilon) is backwater-and-cashew Kerala: houseboats on Ashtamudi Lake, the Thangassery lighthouse, Munroe Island canals, Palaruvi falls, and coastal Kerala food.
Plan your trip
Kollam Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Kollam Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Houseboat / boat hire
Ashtamudi Lake
- Best timeEarly morning, when the water is still and mist sits on the lake; late afternoon for warm golden light on the palms and boats.
- ColorsWhiteTurquoiseCoral
Medium crowdEntry Free
Kollam Beach (Mahatma Gandhi Beach)
- Best timeLate afternoon and sunset, when the sun sets over the Arabian Sea and the evening crowd brings the beach to life.
- ColorsWhiteCoralAqua
Low crowdEntry Canoe tour fee
Munroe Island
- Best timeDawn and early morning, when the canals are still, mist hangs over the water and there are almost no other boats.
- ColorsWhiteTealCoral
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Palaruvi Falls
- Best timeMid-morning, after the monsoon, when the falls are full and sunlight starts to reach the forest.
- ColorsYellowWhiteForest green
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Thangassery Lighthouse
- Best timeLate afternoon, when warm light falls on the striped tower; stay on for sunset over the sea from the top.
- ColorsWhiteRedAqua
For the feed
Trending Wear in Kollam
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Kollam Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Kollam
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Kollam
About Kollam
Kollam, once known as Quilon, is one of the oldest ports on the Kerala coast. For centuries it traded pepper and spices with Arab, Chinese and later European merchants, and the Portuguese, Dutch and British all left their mark on the Thangassery quarter by the sea. Today the city is best known for two things: cashews, which it has processed for export for generations, and Ashtamudi Lake, the wide, many-armed backwater that wraps around its northern side.
Most visitors use Kollam as the quiet southern gateway to Kerala's backwaters. Spend a morning in a small canoe on the canals of Munroe Island, an afternoon on the Ashtamudi shore or climbing the Thangassery lighthouse, and the evening on Kollam Beach as the sun drops into the Arabian Sea. If you have an extra day, drive east into the Western Ghats to Palaruvi Falls. Save room for the local seafood too: prawn curry, fish curry soured with kudampuli, and kappa with meen curry.
Questions
Kollam — FAQ
What is Kollam famous for?
Kollam is famous for Ashtamudi Lake and its backwaters, the canoe trips around Munroe Island, the red-and-white Thangassery lighthouse and its cashew industry. It is also one of the oldest trading ports in Kerala, known in older records as Quilon.
How many days are enough for Kollam?
2 days covers Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Island, Thangassery and Kollam Beach. Add a third day for Palaruvi Falls, which is a full day trip into the hills, or for the long boat ride north to Alappuzha.
What is the best time to visit Kollam?
October to March is the most comfortable time, with drier, sunnier days for the backwaters and the beach. April and May are hot and humid, and the monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain but also the greenest scenery and a full Palaruvi waterfall. See the best time to visit Kollam for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Kollam?
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram, about 70 km south. Kollam Junction is a major railway station on the main line along the Kerala coast, with direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Chennai and Bengaluru. In season, a tourist boat also links Kollam with Alappuzha through the backwaters.
Can I take a boat from Kollam to Alappuzha?
Yes, usually. A tourist boat run by the State Water Transport Department takes about 8 hours through the backwaters between Kollam and Alappuzha. It has been suspended in some years and mostly runs in the cooler months, so check that it is running before you plan around it.