1. Thenmala

Thenmala is India’s first planned eco-tourism destination, located in the foothills of the Western Ghats in the Kollam district, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thenmala means honey hill. Thenmala is also a dam site with the Parappar Dam, which spans the Kallada River. The honey collected from Thenmala Forest is famous for its medicinal values. This place has facilities like winding pathways, the Sway Bridge, an amphitheater, a musical fountain, boating, and so on. To the east, Pathimoonam Kannara Bridge is a 13-arched bridge along a mountain railway route. The other attraction in Thenmala is the deer park.

2. Punalur

One of the most surreal tourist spots in Kollam is Punalur, which offers a rejuvenating experience and an old-world charm. Punalur derives its name from two words in Tamil and Malayalam. ‘Punal’ in Tamil means water, and the Malayalam word’ ooru’ means place, which combined together give the name Punalur, or ‘place of water. Indeed, Kallada flows right through the heart of the city, with the famous suspension bridge hanging over it. Panalur is known as the "Pepper Village of Kerala.". Some of the tourist attractions are Shenthruni Forest, Palruvi and Courtallam Waterfalls, and the age-old Pattazhi Devi Temple.

3. Oachira

Situated on the Kollam-Alappuzha road is Oachira, a pilgrim center that is known to attract a large number of tourists. The unique feature of this famous pilgrim center is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma temple dedicated to universal consciousness. Oachira Kali in mid-June and the twelve-day Panthrandu Vilakku in November/December are the two main annual festivals. According to the Puranas, this glorious temple is one of the most famous and sacred places that can be found in Kerala, or, for that matter, all over the country.

4. Jatayu’s Earth Centre

Spread across 65 acres of land, Jatayu Earth's Center is a rock-themed park built to promote mythology and adventure. The world’s largest bird sculpture is the main attraction at Jatayupara Nature Park and is one of the several famous Kollam places. It has a 6D theatre, a digital audio-visual room, a cable car, and the Siddha Cave Healing Centre. The virtual reality museum here tells the story of Jatayu to visitors. It is also home to umpteen adventure activities, including paintball, laser tag, archery, bouldering, rock climbing, air-rifle shooting, zip lining, trekking, rappelling, valley crossing, etc.

5. Thangassery Lighthouse

Looking for the best tourist places in Kollam? The Thangassery Lighthouse, also known as the Tangasseri Light House, boasts of being the second tallest on the entire coast of Kerala and is thus even one of the most visited lighthouses in the state on this account. The tower has a total height of 41 metres, or 135 feet, and has been operational since the year 1902.The majestic tower is clearly visible and distinct, with its painted red and white oblique bands, and it indeed looks pretty in all its glory and majesty.

6. Palaruvi Falls

Palaruvi Waterfalls, which literally translates to ‘Stream of Milk’. The white-stream waterfall descending from a height of 300 feet resembles the shape of a horse’s tail. An ideal time to visit this place is from June to January. It is the 32nd highest waterfall in India and is also known to have Ayurvedic properties. The roaring sounds of the fall stand in stark contrast to the silence of the forests and mist-kissed mountains around it, therefore making it among the best tourist spots in Kollam.

7. Sasthamkotta Lake

Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest of its kind in Kerala and is said to have derived its name from an ancient Sastha Temple located near the lake. It is surrounded by hills on three sides and is the largest source of drinking water for the residents of Kollam. The reason for it being a freshwater source is the presence of larva chaoborus in the water, which is responsible for consuming bacteria from the lake water and making it healthy and fit for drinking. The lake is home to 27 species of freshwater fish. You can go boating and swimming in this lake.

8. Kollam Beach

Voted as the first 'Beach Wedding Destination' in Kerala, Kollam Beach requires no introduction. There are a lot of places to visit in Kollam, but this beach is one of the most scenic and beautiful. This beach is famous among some travellers with the name Mahatma Gandhi Beach and soothes wanderers with lush green, calm backwaters, and endless water activities. The beach also has a lighthouse called the Tangasseri Lighthouse, which is a major landmark there. The cultural and spiritual aura of the beach is indeed contagious and fills the visitors with renewed energy and passion.

9. Ashtamudi Lake

The incredible beauty of Kerala's Ashtamudi Lake's name has been derived from two words: 'Ashta' meaning eight and 'Mudi' meaning branch, thereby stating the fact that the lake has eight branches. It’s the second-largest lake in Kerala. Thick coconut groves and palm trees can be seen all along the banks of the lake. The banks of the lake are also famous for Chinese fishing nets. Backwater cruises are also available in the lake, between Kollam and Alappuzha. The boat cruise to the Munroe Islands is a wonderful experience. There are many resorts along the lake that offer a variety of water sports.

10. Mayyand

A hub of many popular shrines and temples for Hindus and Muslims, Mayyanad is among the best tourist places in Kollam. It lies on the banks of the Paravur Lake and also on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Kollam, it has nine important temples. The most important of the nine temples here is the Subramanya temple at Umayanallor, which is said to be blessed by Shri Shankaracharya of Kalladi. One can also visit an old mosque and several old churches in the area. There are frequent buses from Kollam to Mayyanad.

11. Kakkathuruthu

Kakkathuruthu Island in Vembanad Lake, Alleppey, is a small, magnificent island popularly known as the island of crows. It is a heaven for bird watchers. The coconut trees, paddy fields, toddy tapping, fish farming, coir making, and traditional Kerala foods like appam, puttu, crab roast, shrimp fry, duck, and pork dishes with fresh catch from the backwaters—there are numerous aspects that make Kakkathuruthu special. Tourists also enjoy the view of the setting sun and watching the colors of the sky. The sole place in Kerala listed in Nat Geo's magazine for relishing the time of dusk.Things to do: broom making, boating, Chinese net, Shinkari melam, catnet fishing, clam meat processing.