Kollam, Kerala • Destination Travel Guide

Kollam Travel Guide: Backwaters, Lakes & Colonial Heritage

Kollam, once known as Quilon, is a historic port city in southern Kerala, set on the shores of Ashtamudi Lake, the state's second-largest lake and the gateway to its backwater network. Once a major trading post visited by Marco Polo and other medieval travellers, Kollam today combines quiet backwater cruises with colonial-era landmarks at Thangassery. Cruise Ashtamudi Lake by houseboat or canal boat, climb the Thangassery Lighthouse, wander the ruins of an old Portuguese fort, or venture into the quieter canals of Munroe Island. With good road and rail access from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam works well as a quieter alternative to Alleppey and as part of a wider South Kerala backwater holiday.

Get Customize Package

4.9/5 Rating (8,000+ Reviews)

100% Customisable

Handpicked Verified Stays

24/7 On-Trip Support

Key Essentials

Kollam at a Glance

Key travel essentials for planning your Kollam holiday.

Best Time to Visit

October – March

Ideal Duration

1–2 days

Destination Type

Backwaters, Lakes & Colonial Heritage

Nearest Airport

Trivandrum International Airport (TRV)

Nearest Railway

Kollam Junction Railway Station

Ideal For

Couples, Families, Backwater Travellers & History Enthusiasts

Ashtamudi Lake

Thangassery Lighthouse

Thangassery Fort

Munroe Island

Kollam Beach

Heritage & Backwaters

About Kollam

Kollam is a historic port city on Kerala's southern coast, built around Ashtamudi Lake, a sprawling, palm-shaped lake fed by eight channels that gives the city its name. Formerly called Quilon, Kollam was a significant trading centre from ancient times, with links to Rome, China, Arabia and Phoenicia, and was visited by travellers such as Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. The Portuguese established a settlement at nearby Thangassery in the early 16th century; it later passed through Dutch and then British control, and the area still carries traces of this layered colonial history in its fort ruins, old churches and the 1902 Thangassery Lighthouse. Ashtamudi Lake is Kerala's second-largest lake and serves as the southern entry point to the state's backwater network, with houseboat cruises, canal boat rides, and glimpses of traditional fishing villages among its main draws. Munroe Island, formed where the Kallada River meets the lake, offers a quieter, more rural backwater experience a short distance from the city, while Kollam's beaches, markets and nearby lakes round out a destination that blends coastal history with classic Kerala backwater scenery.

Ashtamudi Lake Thangassery Lighthouse Munroe Island Kollam Beach Krishnapuram Palace Sasthamkotta Lake

Curated Holidays

Kollam Tour Package

Plan your Kollam holiday around Ashtamudi Lake, Thangassery's colonial landmarks, backwater cruises and Munroe Island's quiet canals.

2 Days / 1 Night

1 Night / 2 Days Kollam Getaway

Ashtamudi Lake & Thangassery

Enjoy a relaxed backwater break with a cruise on Ashtamudi Lake, an evening at Thangassery Lighthouse and a walk along Kollam Beach.

Meals

Sightseeing

Cab

Stay

3 Days / 2 Nights

2 Nights / 3 Days Kollam Exploration

Munroe Island & Jatayu Earth's Centre

Explore Kollam at a slower pace with Munroe Island's quiet canals, the Krishnapuram Palace Museum and a half-day trip to Jatayu Earth's Centre.

Meals

Sightseeing

Cab

Stay

Kollam + Varkala Getaway

Kollam & Varkala

Combine Kollam's backwaters with Varkala's cliffside beach and coastal temple town to the south.

Meals

Sightseeing

Cab

Stay

Transport & Connectivity

How to Reach Kollam

Kollam is well connected by road and rail, and is one of the more accessible backwater destinations in southern Kerala. The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, and Kollam Junction is a major railway station.

By Flight TRV Airport How to Reach Kollam by Flight

By Air (Flight Connectivity)

Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) – around 65–70 km

Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Kollam, with the drive taking a little over an hour.
The airport serves domestic and international flights, making it convenient for travellers arriving from across India and overseas.
Taxis and private transfers are available from the airport to Kollam.

Pro Tip: Pre-book a taxi from TRV. The drive to Kollam is about 1.5 hours.

By Train Kollam Junction How to Reach Kollam by Train

By Rail

Kollam Junction Railway Station – in Kollam city

Kollam Junction is a major railway station with strong connectivity across Kerala and to cities further afield, making train travel a convenient way to reach the city directly.
From the railway station, travellers can continue around Kollam by taxi, auto-rickshaw or on foot, since many attractions are close to the centre.

Pro Tip: Kollam Junction is on the main coastal line, so most Kerala trains stop here. Book early for weekends.

By Road NH 66 How to Reach Kollam by Road

By Road

Thiruvananthapuram – Kollam Road Connection

Kollam is around 65–70 km from Thiruvananthapuram and is well connected by NH66, which runs along the Kerala coast.
KSRTC and private buses run frequently between Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and towns further north, such as Alappuzha and Kochi.
Taxis and private cars are convenient for covering Ashtamudi Lake, Thangassery and nearby attractions in a single day.
Road travel also makes it easy to combine Kollam with Varkala to the south and Alleppey to the north.

Pro Tip: Combine Ashtamudi Lake, Thangassery and the beach in one day by hiring a cab.

Climate & Seasons

Best Time to Visit Kollam

A seasonal guide to help you plan a Kollam trip around pleasant weather, backwater cruises and sightseeing.

Post-Monsoon

October – November

Rain eases, and the backwaters stay full and green, making this a good period for houseboat cruises and sightseeing with fewer crowds.

Winter

December – February

Dry, comfortable weather makes winter the most popular season for backwater cruises, beach visits and exploring Thangassery's heritage sites.

Summer

March – May

Warmer, more humid days make early mornings and evenings better for boat rides and outdoor sightseeing.

Peak Season

December – January

Pleasant weather and holiday travel make this the busiest period, with higher visitor numbers around Christmas and New Year.

Monsoon

June – September

Heavy rain keeps the lake and backwaters full, but wet conditions may affect some boat cruises and outdoor sightseeing plans.

Sightseeing & Attractions

Places to Visit in Kollam

Explore Kollam's lake, lighthouse, colonial-era sites and quieter backwater islands for a mix of history, nature and relaxation.

01 Lake Ashtamudi Lake

Ashtamudi Lake

Kerala's second-largest lake and the gateway to its backwater network, Ashtamudi Lake is shaped by eight interconnected channels. Houseboat cruises, ranging from short rides to overnight stays, let visitors take in coconut groves, fishing villages and the lake's many small islands.

Ashtamudi Lake 2–3 Hours

02 Lighthouse Thangassery Lighthouse

Thangassery Lighthouse

Built by the British in 1902 and standing about 41 metres tall, Thangassery Lighthouse is one of the tallest on Kerala's coast. Visitors can climb its spiral staircase for sweeping views over the Arabian Sea and the Kollam coastline.

Thangassery 45 Mins

03 Heritage Thangassery Fort & Colonial Quarter

Thangassery Fort & Colonial Quarter

Once a Portuguese settlement established in the early 16th century and later held by the Dutch and British, Thangassery retains the ruins of an old fort, colonial-era churches and a sense of its layered maritime history, best explored on foot.

Thangassery 1–1.5 Hours

04 Island Munroe Island

Munroe Island

Formed at the meeting point of the Kallada River and Ashtamudi Lake, and named after the British resident Colonel Munroe, Munroe Island offers a quieter, more rural backwater experience through narrow canals, paddy fields and coir-making villages, usually explored by canoe.

Kallada River & Ashtamudi Lake 2–3 Hours

05 Beach Kollam Beach

Kollam Beach

Also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, Kollam Beach is close to the city centre and known for its fishing harbour, promenade, and nearby Asramam Adventure Park, making it an easy stop for an evening by the sea.

Close to the city centre 1–2 Hours

06 Museum Krishnapuram Palace Museum

Krishnapuram Palace Museum

A 17th-century summer palace of the erstwhile Travancore royal family, located a little outside Kollam, the museum displays antique furniture, paintings and sculptures, and is known for its large mural depicting the liberation of Gajendra.

A little outside Kollam 1–1.5 Hours

07 Lake Sasthamkotta Lake

Sasthamkotta Lake

Kerala's largest freshwater lake, Sasthamkotta is a quieter nature spot away from the coast, named after an old Sastha temple on its banks and serving as an important source of drinking water for the region.

Sasthamkotta 1–2 Hours

08 Hilltop Park Jatayu Earth's Centre

Jatayu Earth's Centre

Located in Chadayamangalam, about a 45-minute drive from Kollam, this hilltop park sits at around 350 metres and features a giant sculpture of the mythological bird Jatayu, along with viewpoints, a small museum, and zipline activities.

About a 45-minute drive from Kollam 3–4 Hours

Customise Your Journey

Suggested Kollam Itineraries

2 Days / 1 Night

1 Night / 2 Days Kollam Itinerary

Enjoy a relaxed backwater break with a cruise on Ashtamudi Lake, an evening at Thangassery Lighthouse and a walk along Kollam Beach.

3 Days / 2 Nights

2 Nights / 3 Days Kollam Itinerary

Explore Kollam at a slower pace with Munroe Island's quiet canals, the Krishnapuram Palace Museum and a half-day trip to Jatayu Earth's Centre.

Kollam + Varkala Itinerary

Combine Kollam's backwaters with Varkala's cliffside beach and coastal temple town to the south.

Kollam + Alleppey Itinerary

Pair Kollam's quieter lake cruises with Alleppey's classic backwater houseboat experience further north.

Kollam + Thiruvananthapuram Itinerary

Combine Kollam's heritage and backwaters with a day of city sightseeing in Thiruvananthapuram.

Handpicked Stays

Where to Stay in Kollam

From lakeside resorts to heritage-style hotels, choose a stay that suits your Kollam holiday.

Luxury Stay

Lakefront resorts around Ashtamudi Lake offering spacious rooms, swimming pools, fine dining and private jetties for easy access to houseboat cruises.

Premium Stay

Comfortable hotels and backwater resorts around Kollam city and Thangassery, with well-equipped rooms, local dining options and convenient access to the lake and lighthouse.

Honeymoon Stay

Lake-view rooms, private houseboat stays and quiet backwater settings make Kollam a relaxed choice for couples seeking a calmer alternative to busier backwater towns.

Day Trips & Extensions

Places to Visit Near Kollam