Places You Need To Cover When Visiting Kottayam

With so many places to visit in Kottayam, this city has been a continual draw to travellers from all over the world, thanks to its wealth of fascinating church buildings, picturesque hill stations, temples, and dazzling waterfalls.

This delightful city has a profusion of intriguing and breathtakingly gorgeous tourist places near Kottayam centres guaranteeing travellers of their peace and enjoyment, with just the right combination of culture, history, and beauty.

The Western Ghats and backwaters, as well as the abundance of lush green plantations like rubber, spices, and palms, combine to make the city an enticing destination for visitors and explorers. The city of letters has some exciting tourist places to cover for one day trip in Kottayam that are as follows:

1. Waterfalls of Marmalade

One of the famous tourist spots in Kottayam, the Marmala Waterfalls, is located around 8 kilometres from Jeekoy and a few kilometres from Erattupetta and is ideal for adventure-seeking tourists. Though the trek to the waterfalls is difficult and strenuous, the enthralling beauty it provides is well worth it. Aside from the serenity and tranquillity that the Marmala Waterfalls provide, the sight of the sparkling waters flowing down clean and brilliant rocks is absolutely entrancing.

Location: Marmala Road, Vellani Erattupetta, Kerala.

Time: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

2. Nadukani

Nadukani is a famous hill station in Kottayam and is on the top list of tourist attractions in Kottayam for picnics. Nadukani provides breathtaking vistas of thick forest settings, the Nilgiri mountains, the Muvattupuzha river, mysterious valleys, and vibrant flora. Nadukani, a renowned tourist destination near Kottayam, has emerged as the new go-to destination for young people and couples seeking sanctuary. From Kottayam, people take buses or private cabs to Nadukani.

Location: Kottayam, Kerala

Time: Open 24 hours

3. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the country's most popular bird-watching destinations and one of the top Kottayam tourist places.  There are several uncommon bird species in these parts, which are spread out over 14 hectares. On the shores of Kottayam's Vembanad Lake, one may witness a variety of migratory birds that migrate in numbers, spanning from the Himalayas to Siberia.

Visitors in June and August are treated to a plethora of unique views. The breeding season for permanent wetland birds such as the Indian darter, Little Cormorant, several kinds of egrets and herons, White Ibis, and many species of kingfishers is already underway. One can also witness waterfowl, cuckoos, owls, water ducks, Siberian Cranes, parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, and wood beetles. Boat rides around the sanctuary are incredibly soothing, and it is one of the most frequented destinations in the Kottayam region.

Location: Kavanattinkara, Kumarakom, Kerala.

Time:  6:00 am to 6:00 pm

4. Mozart Art Gallery

One of the most beautiful places in Kottayam, the Mozart Art Gallery, located in the private flats of Mr M. Somu in the Ayemenem hamlet of Kottayam, is a refuge for art aficionados and admirers. This private initiative, with the goal of popularising fine arts and imparting information about modern and classical paintings and drawings, gives a platform for artists from all over the world to examine the approach and technique behind the art of painting, sketching, and other fine arts. Mr Somu's paintings and works are well represented in the gallery, where he has utilised a range of paints such as acrylic, oil, charcoal, pencil, and other combinations. It is one of the places to visit in Kottayam for couples.

Location: Aymanam, Kallum Kathara Road, Kottayam, Kerala.

Time: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

5. Mary’s Orthodox Church

One of the ancient churches in Kerala, St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, also known as Kottayam Cheriyapally. This church, which was built in 1579, is still recognised as it is well preserved and is in good condition in the state. The church's architecture is European in style, with galleries, pillars, cornices, and pediments. The walls are decorated with magnificent paintings in Oriental and Western styles depicting biblical and non-biblical topics.

Location: Oppotil Junction, Kottayam

Time:  8:00 am to 6:00 pm

6. Illikkal Kallu

Illikkal Kallu, one of the tallest peaks in the area, is made up of three distinct hills, each of which rises to at least 4000 feet above sea level. The area is blessed with bountiful natural beauty and is still unexplored and untouched by many tourists, with mysterious surroundings, hills infused with a green blanket, and an overall exquisite environment. Above all, the sunset vista from the summit is breathtaking; the moon rises adjacently to the orange sunsets, which make it the perfect spot for Kottayam sightseeing.

The twisting roads leading to the beautiful boulders may also provide an adrenaline boost for any adventure seeker.

Location: Illikkal Kallu Rd, Kerala

Time:  8:00 am to 5:30 pm

7. Clay Art Cafe

Clay Art Cafe is a charming art gallery and cafe on Kottayam's K. K. Road and one of the most popular places to visit in Kottayam. The structure is built of mud and has an old-style bamboo thatch roof. You may also see live clay modelling on demand. The café is well-known for its wonderful milkshakes and coffees, but it also offers local art and paintings.

 Location: Clay Art Cafe, Ponkunnam P.O, Kollam

Time:  9:30 am to 9:00 pm (Mon-Sat) & 11:00 am to 9:00 pm (Sunday)

8. Bay Island Driftwood Museum

This renowned museum in Kumarakom houses a huge collection of high-quality driftwood objects with a significant aesthetic value that has been produced using a rare and inventive modern art form. The museum's unique collections of root sculptures in all shapes, themes, patterns, and designs will delight visitors.

Tourists with an artistic perspective on life should not miss a visit to this museum, as the curator/zeal owner's and passion are said to be transferred on to her guests.

Location: Chakranpadi, Vayitharamattom, Kumarakom, Kottayam.

Time:  10:00 am to 5:00 pm

9. Poonjar Palace

Poonjar Palace, a magnificent castle located in Poonjar in the Kottayam district, displays Kerala's rich cultural history. This castle recounts the wonderful glory of a bygone age. This beautiful six-hundred-year-old palace is likewise well-known for its stunning architecture. The palace, which is nearly completely built of wood, is an example of traditional Kerala architecture. It is one of the famous places in Kottayam.

 A stunning copy of the famed Madurai Meenakshi Temple in the surrounding state of Tamilnadu may be seen next to the Poonjar Palace. The chuttuvilakku (row of lamps) etched into the stone walls of the adjacent Sastha temple is the most intriguing item here. The temple walls are covered with sculptures that tell stories from the Puranas (the epics of ancient India).

Location: PHC road, Panachippara, Poonjar, Kottayam.

Time:  9:00 am to 7:00 pm

10. Monroe Lighthouse

When you are in Kerala, you shouldn't miss out on Monroe Lighthouse. Also known by the name Munroe Lighthouse, it is a key attraction in the archipelago of Kollam. It is surrounded by beguiling nature in the form of tantalising islands and lakes. In the past, when the British established their supremacy in South India, two officials were appointed by the East India Company as administrative heads, namely Colonel Colin Macaulay and John Munroe.

During the tenure of John Munroe, this particular island was developed. He also built a lighthouse and a church on this island. Due to his great contributions, this island was renamed Munroe Island and the lighthouse became a key attraction.

Location: Kumily Rd, Near, Collectorate, Kottayam.

Time:  10:00 am to 8:00 pm

What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Kottayam to discover God's beautiful land. From temples to forts, and hangout places in Kottayam, there is no shortage of tourist attractions. This magnificent city of legends, latex, and lakes, as well as the many other tourist attractions that this region has to offer, will never tyre you.