Kollam

Located 64 Km from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is a city in Kerala that offers magnificent views. It is situated on the Malabar coast, and the town is famous for its trade and over a dozen beaches.

It has been a root map for spice traders since the old times, and the prominence of the city is even mentioned by Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta. There are a lot of tourist sites in the city, including Kollam island, beaches, lakes, waterfalls, and more. Some of the prominent tourist sites in the city are Palaruvi Waterfalls, Jatayus Earth Centre, Rameshwara temple, Punaluur, and many others.

Further, reaching the tourist sites in the city Kerala is reasonably accessible as the city is well connected to other parts of the state and country. The journey to the tourist sites in the city via bus is a memorable one, as the ride is very smooth and full of lush greenery and palm trees. Similarly, the journey to the city via train is equally enticing. You can also board flights to reach the tourist sites in the city. Additionally, throughout Kerala, there are ferries available to help you with transportation to kollam places.

Kollam Overview

Best Time to Visit Kollam

The weather in Kollam remains humid all through the year. However, the best time to visit Kollam is during the winter season, that is, from the months of October to March. Kollam weather during the days and nights during winter remains pleasant, and you can tour the city comfortably. Kollam temperature during the season ranges from around 18 degrees to 28 degrees, making it the best time for tourists to enjoy the tourist sites in the city.

How to Reach the Places to Visit in Kollam

The tourist sites in the city are well-connected to the other parts of the state and country. You can reach the city by boarding ferries, aeroplanes, trains, and buses. There are numerous private and government-run buses that you can board in order to get to the city. Thiruvananthapuram is at a distance of 64 Km, and it takes around 2 hours and 3 minutes to reach the city via NH-66. Further, Kochi is at a distance of 138 Km, and it takes about 3 hours and 37 minutes to get to the city via Panvel- Kochi -Kanyakumari Highway and NH-66.

Further, the city is well-served by Kollam Junction Railway Station, which is connected to major parts of the state and country. You can also board a flight to the city Trivandrum International Airport is just a distance of 66 Km from the city. Once you have deboarded, you can book a cab or taxi service to reach the tourist places in Kollam. The cabs will take around 2 hours to reach. Further, you can also board a ferry to the city. The ferry boat station is just a distance of 3 Km from the bus stand, and it is now accessible to various parts of Kerala, let alone this city.

Things to See and Do in Kollam

There are plenty of places that you can visit in this city and over a dozen things that you can see and do while in the city. It is a peaceful place with loads of tourist places that you can enjoy and cherish. This city is the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala, with, of course, enchanting backwaters and picturesque landscapes in the backdrop. There are over a dozen tourist sites in the city that you can enjoy, from waterfalls, lakes, beaches, nature parks, and shrines. Some of the most popular tourist sites in the city are Jatayus Earth Centre, Maha Vishnu Temple, Thangassery Lighthouse, Panama Ashram, and many others.

There is no shortage of tourist places in Kollam, and each of them offers a great experience. Apart from the sites, there are a lot of things to see and do in Kollam places. You can go to explore the markets of the city and get souvenirs for yourself and your home. Additionally, you can also try delicious food while exploring the places in Kollam.

Places to Visit in Kollam

The city is endowed with long scenic coastlines, and the city is full of peaceful places that offer scenic views as a cherry on top. It is one of the oldest ports in the Arabian Sea on the southwest coast and was frequented by numerous merchants and missionaries Vasco da Gama, Henrique Henriques, Marco Polo, and many others.

Kollam Beach

Kollam Beach is regarded as the first wedding destination in Kerala. It is one of the most scenic and beautiful destinations in Kerala. The beach also has Tangasseri Lighthouse, which is often used as a major landmark at the beach.

Thangassery beach

Another amazing beach and one of the most popular tourist sites in the city is Thangassery beach. The Portuguese, back in the 1500s, made the trade from the site, and it, later on became one of the prominent beaches around the city. You can enjoy mesmerising sunsets with your family here.

Mahatma Gandhi Beach

Located around 2 Km from this city, Mahatma Gandhi Beach is a popular picnic spot among locals and tourists both. The beach offers picturesque views with a cool breeze, and the park nearby is a perfect place to spend time with family and kids.

Munroe Island

Also called Mundrothuruthu, Munroe island is a picturesque Kollam island that is known for its splendid beauty and scenic views. Adding to that, the hidden treasure comprises a total of 8 islands, and all of these are separated by smaller lakes and water channels.

Restaurants in kollam

Wok and Grill

Wok and Grill is an amazing restaurant that you should definitely visit if you can explore the tourist sites in the city. With amazing cuisine, great taste, and even amazing service, Wok, and Grill is among the best family restaurants in the city.

Ramees Restaurant

Another fine dine-in restaurant in this city is Ramees Restaurant. It serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines both, and with great service. Adding to that, the restaurant has a great ambience that you can enjoy while being there. It is a fine spot to spend time with your family and friends.

Chef Stop

Another amazing restaurant in this city is Chef Stop. It is a great restaurant with delicious food and great staff service. You can enjoy the places with your friends and family in this amazing restaurant.

Places to Stay

The Quilon Beach Hotel

The Quilon Beach Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in this city. The magnificent rooms of the hotels have a panoramic sea-facing view of the Arabian Sea. Apart from that, there are numerous other rooms with picturesque views of the lighthouse, port harbour, beaches, and bustling city from your room.

Fragrant Nature Resort

Fragrant Nature Resort is a four-star resort in this city that is also an Ayurvedic spa. The resort offers a beautiful backdrop of the backwaters of Kerala. The resort offers lavish rooms with fine amenities and great service.

Hotel All Season

Hotel All Season is a luxury resort in this city that offers enchanting views of the backwaters of Kerala. The resort offers luxury accommodations with world-class amenities that will help you relax and enjoy your travel to the city. With great ambience and even finer staff service, you are going to be welcomed in the luxury backwater resort of Kerala.

Food to Try in Places to Visit in Kollam

This is a coastal city and serve lip-smacking, delicious seafood. The city is dotted with restaurants that serve you authentic cuisines with traditional flavours. You get both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food in the city in abundance. Some of the non-vegetarian dishes you should try while exploring the tourist sites in the city are stew, crabs, fried squid, Peking prawns, chili garlic prawns, fish curry, fish moile, and more. Further, some of the vegetarian cuisines that attract tourists while in the city are Appam, Meena Peera, and a variety of Cashew Nuts.

Things to Buy from the Places to Visit in Kollam

Apart from the tourist sites in the city, the retail therapy experience in this city is a magical experience. The markets of the city offer an amazing experience with its bustling crown and a wide variety of goods. There are umpteen numbers of items that you can take home from the markets of this city. A few items like coir handicrafts, shell showpieces, Kathakali Masks, Nettipattam, Nilavilakku, and mural paintings truly make the shopping experience worthwhile.

Premier Oil and Dhall Market

This market is perfect for those who would like to purchase different kinds of oils at wholesale rates.

Thevally Market

You can head to Thevally Market if you would like to purchase non-vegetarian options including fishes, mutton and chicken.

Polayathode Market Main

Some of the things that you should buy while in this city are coffee, tea, spices, cashew nuts, Kasavu Mundu, which is a traditional Malayalee dress, banana chips, and more.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

Plan an expedition to the places in Kollam, a mesmerising city in Kerala. You can reach the city via road, rail, air, and ferry networks, and all these journeys are a worthwhile experience altogether. The city is a fine blend of everything soothing, and there are numerous tourist sites in the city that you are going to enjoy every bit of it. Further, the city is a perfect getaway for people with families, friends, couples, and solo travellers. Hence, plan a trip sooner to get the best out of the tourist sites in the city.