Kollam
India · Asia
About Kollam
Kollam, is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and is 71 kilometres (44 mi) northwest of the Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam is one of India's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with evidence of habitation stretching back to the megalithic; the city has also been a maritime entrepôt millennia, the earliest attestation of which dates back to the Phoenicians and Romans. It is the gateway to the Backwaters of Kerala, and is known for its cashew processing, coir manufacturing, and tourism industries.
Kollam has had a commercial reputation since ancient times. The Arabs, Phoenicians, Chinese, Ethiopians, Syrians, Jews, Chaldeans and Romans have all engaged in trade at the port of Kollam for millennia. As a result of Chinese trade, Kollam was mentioned by Ibn Battuta in the 14th century as one of the five Indian ports he had seen during the course of his twenty-four-year travels. Desinganadu's rajas exchanged embassies with Chinese rulers while there was a flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam. In the ninth century, on his way to Canton, China, Persian merchant Sulaiman al-Tajir found Kollam to be the only port in India visited by huge Chinese junks. Marco Polo, the Venetian traveller, who was in Chinese service under Kublai Khan in 1275, visited Kollam and other towns on the west coast, in his capacity as a Chinese mandarin. Kollam is also home to one of the seven churches that were established by St Thomas as well as one of the 10 oldest mosques believed to be found by Malik Deenar in Kerala. Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon is the first diocese in India.
V. Nagam Aiya in his Travancore State Manual records that in 822 AD two East Syriac bishops Mar Sabor and Mar Proth, settled in Quilon with their followers. Two years later the Malabar Era began (824 AD) and Quilon became the premier city of the Malabar region ahead of Travancore and Cochin. Kollam Port was founded by Mar Sabor at Tangasseri in 825 as an alternative to reopening the inland seaport of Kore-ke-ni Kollam near Backare (Thevalakara), which was also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and Greeks and as Thondi to the Tamils. Thambiran Vanakkam printed in Tamil language in 20 October 1578 at Kollam was the first book to be published in an Indian language.
The Kollam Municipal Corporation received ISO 9001:2015 certification for municipal administration and services. As per the survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) based on urban area growth during January 2020, Kollam became the tenth fastest-growing city in the world with a 31.1% urban growth between 2015 and 2020. It is a coastal city and on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake. The city hosts the administrative offices of Kollam district and is a prominent trading city for the state. The proportion of females to males in Kollam city is second-highest among the 500 most populous cities in India. Kollam is one of the least polluted cities in India.
During the later stages of the rule of the Chera monarchy in Kerala, Kollam emerged as the focal point of trade and politics. Kollam continues to be a major business and commercial centre in Kerala. Four major trading centres around Kollam are Kottarakara, Punalur, Paravur, and Karunagapally. Kollam appeared as Palombe in Mandeville's Travels, where he claimed it contained a Fountain of Youth.
Kollam travel guide
Understand
Mentioned in Greek literature from the first century, Kollam or Quilon has been a thriving trading port for centuries. The surrounding region produces pepper (after which the city is named), cashews, coir and other agricultural products. Local communities include Christians, Muslims and Hindus. A historical Chinese population is known to exist, and the town's market is still named after them. Fishing occurs right along the coast as in other parts of Kerala.
Getting there
The city is well connected by road. National Highways 47 and 208 pass through it. A number of long distance buses and inter state buses ply through the city. You have buses from Kochi, Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, etc. The city is also well connected by railways. The railway code is QLN. You can get trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. The nearest airport is Thiruvanathapuram (TRV IATA) and is 70 km from the city.
By train 1 Kollam Junction SR . (updated Aug 2023)
See
Alumkadavu (26 km from Kollam). Scenic place, with blue green stretches back water, coconut palms, back water cruise, house boats, Ayurvedic treatment centers. Aryankavu (73 km east of Kollam). Pilgrim centre, old trade route for merchants from either sides of western Ghats, famous for shrine of Lord Sastha, fine sculptures and mural paintings. Chavara (14 km north of Kollam on NH47). Famous for the mineral sand and place of Catholic saint Sister Alphonsa. Kalayapuram (34 km from Kollam, on the way to Kottayam from Kottarakara). It is believed that old Kalayan royal family were ruled from this place, hence the name Kalayapuram. Karunagappally (27 km north of Kollam in NH47). Famous mosque and dome of martyrs, a unique pilgrimage center. Old military station of Kayamkulam Rajas. Kottarakkara (27 km northeast of Kollam). Erstwhile capital of Elayadathu Swarupam, a ruling family. Famous for Kath Kali (a dance drama). Kundara (13 km east of Kollam, on the way to Kottarakkara). A prominent place in the area famous for industries. Mannadi (24 km east of Kollam). Famous as the place where Veluthampi Dalawa laid down his life. Mayyanad (10 km south of Kollam). Famous for its shrines and temples. Neendakara (Long Shore) (8 km north of Kollam). Famous for its fisheries industries. Sasthamcotta (19 km from Kollam). Biggest freshwater lake in Kerala. Thenmala, 66 km east of Kollam (on the way to Shencottah, it is also reachable from Thiruvananthapuram). Dam site with dense forest is famous for eco tourism. Sakthikulangara (7 kms from Kollam towards Aleppey side). Where the Ashtamudi lake meets the Arabian Sea. Here you will find a leaning lighthouse, similar to the leaning tower of Pisa. (updated Aug 2022)
Thangassery Thangassery is home to 18th-century churches, a lighthouse and remnants of Portuguese and Dutch forts.
1 Infant Jesus Cathedral (Malayalam: ഇൻഫന്റ് ജീസസ് കത്തീഡ്രൽ, Portuguese: Igreja do Bom Jesú) (200m north of the Thangassery Fort intersection, on the right-hand side of the road, behind a house). A vestige of the Portuguese rule of Kollam, established in 1614. (updated Mar 2026) 2 St Thomas Fort (Thangassery Fort) (north end of the harbour). Some limited standing ruins of an old colonial fort. You can see two different sides of the building, the first from the harbour side (where it is visible at some distance), and the second from the opposite side. The site is slightly overgrown so beware of snakes if you venture close. An auto-rickshaw from the Main Road bus stop cost ₹50. Free. (updated Mar 2026) 3 Thangassery Lighthou
Do
Munroe Island Canoe Tours, Chittumala Rd, Munroe Island (Northeast of Kollum), ☏ +91 904 817 6186, [email protected]. Vijeesh runs canoe tours which are an excellent way to explore Munroe Island. You get to go places that the house boats can't and will literally be going through the village and get to see life there. He has great English and an excellent personality. Also runs a home stay on the island. Rickshaw ~₹400 from Kollam or local train, contact him via email/phone for train details. ₹300 pp.
Beaches It's basically eating, shopping, and sightseeing. Don't swim in the water as there's a large amount of unprocessed sewerage that goes in to it from locals who crap on the beach.
1 Kollam Beach. (updated Mar 2026) 2 Thangassery Beach. A fishing harbour. (updated Mar 2026)
Buy
Kollam is the largest processor / exporter of Cashews in the world. If you want to buy cashews (unroasted / roasted / flavored), this is where you can get the best prices for them.
Joy Allukas. 10:30AM to 7:30PM. For clothes, gold, footwear etc. Kairali Handicraft (Residency road, near Hotel Shah International). 10AM to 5PM. Handicraft from Kerala. RP Mall (K Mall). 10AM to 11PM. Carnival multiplex, Devi and Jajji's beauty salon, Reliance footprint & Trends for clothes, Fab India, Blackberry, Food Court, Game Zone
Eat
Keraleeyam Restaurant by The Raviz, The Raviz, Thevally, ☏ +91 474 2755551. Fayalwan hotel, Main Road. Famous for Mutton related items. Salim Hotel, Beach Road. Famous for Mutton related items. Ramees Hotel, Residency Road. Non Veg and Arabian Dishes Rahath Hotel, Beach Road. Thirumullavaram Hotel, Thirumullavaram. Famous for Fish items. Al Hayat Restaurant, Nellimukku, ☏ +91 8281834460. Hotel Bright, Kottiyam. Famous for their mutton chops. (updated Apr 2015) Ajwa Restaurant, Nellimukku. (updated Jan 2021)
Vegetarian Hotel Guruprasad, Main Road. 1 Gowri Sankar Restaurant, ☏ +91 4742796380. Sree Anandha Bhavans Pure Veg, ☏ +91 474 2744244. Sree Suprabhatham Restaurant, ☏ +91 9497210494.
Cafes or Drinks Asado Cafe & Restaurant. 2 Kallu Soda Kada, Ashramam, Kollam.
Drink & nightlife
Hotel Sea Palace (Beach road). 10AM to 11PM. It has a bar. Hotel Sudarshan (Opposite Joy Allukas). 10AM to 11PM. It has a bar. Mariyalayam Bar, Sakthikulangara (6 Kms from Kollam town towards Aleppey side). 9AM to 11PM. Bar and Resataurant. (updated Aug 2022)
Sleep
Budget Fragrant Nature Retreat and Resorts. Government Guesthouse (Next to Chinnakada circle), ☏ +91 474-2742530, +91 7594970056. It is noisy as the guest house is on the national highway in the centre of the city. Munroe Island Backwaters Homestay, Chittumala Rd, Munroe Island (Northeast of Kollum), ☏ +91 904 817 6186, [email protected]. Vijeesh and his family have a very quiet homestay. You eat with the family(pay what you think the meal is worth) and they are very friendly. The guest house is very modern and very clean. It was built in 2011 so is very new. Visjeesh will also take you on canoe tours of the backwaters which last the afternoon. Best way is to contact him via email or phone and he replys very fast. Rickshore is about ₹400 from Kollum bus station. Vijeesh can also arrange a driver for you if he knows what time you pull in. ~₹1000. Railway Retirement Room (inside the railway station). ₹165. (updated May 2015)
Mid-range Hotel Prashanti (Beach Road), ☏ +91 474-2752061. It has a vegetarian restaurant. It's a walkable distance to the beach. It has both air conditioned and non air conditioned rooms. Starts from ₹1700. Nani Hotel (Next to Main Road bus stop, east of the market area). Excellent location. For slightly more money than the government-run Tamarind Hotel (miles from anywhere, and nothing special) this place gets you a much nicer environ and location. Reception staff speak excellent English, others apparently cannot. At check-in I was told that no fan rooms were available, and was forced to pay for AC. However, upon complaining about the tax it was quickly considered included in the room rate instead of added on as usual: worth trying. Wifi is available but is charged at ₹50/hr, or ₹300/24hr: you wonder why the bothered installing it! ~₹1200-1600 (maybe+tax) for fan/AC rooms. Tamarind Hotel (Near the Government Guesthouse). An inconvenient location and poor value for the price make this a terrible selection, save for the view out over the water. The rooms are spacious, just about three times what you'd expect them to cost. A classic study in a government-run business; all the makings of success, but none of the right decisions, and an evidently rapidly progressing trend toward total apathy. ~₹1200 incl. tax for an AC room (No fan rooms available).
Splurge Mariyalayam Munroe Island Residency, ☏ +91 474 2542312, +91 474 2542313, +91 474 2542314, +91 8078840494 (WhatsApp), [email protected]. offers a selection of 12 air-conditioned rooms. All rooms have been done up with period interiors and furniture, and come e
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Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.