Places to visit in Kottayam
9 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
Backwaters 1
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Kumarakom backwaters and bird sanctuary Official source
On Vembanad, described as Kerala's largest lake; bird sanctuary of 14 acres (Kerala Tourism; Incredible India).
Hills 3
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Vagamon Official source
Hill station with Thangal Para (Kerala Tourism).
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Ilaveezhapoonchira and Illikkal Kallu Official source
Trekking spots (Kerala Tourism).
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Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism.
Temples, churches and mosques 5
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Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism and Incredible India.
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Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism.
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Poonjar Palace Official source
Listed by Incredible India.
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St Mary's Church, Kuravilangad Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism.
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Thazhathangady Juma Masjid Official source
Listed by Kerala Tourism.
In depth: Kumarakom backwaters and bird sanctuary
Kumarakom sits on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake. Its bird sanctuary covers 14 acres (Incredible India), and Alappuzha-Kochi houseboat cruises often stop here.
At a glance
- Type
- Backwater village and bird sanctuary Official source
- Lake
- Vembanad, described as Kerala's largest (Kerala Tourism, claim) Official source
- Bird sanctuary
- 14 acres (Incredible India) Official source
- Timings and fees
- Not on the pages read Not yet verified
- Time needed
- One to two days
History and significance
- Missionaries
- Printing in Kottayam began with missionaries in the early 19th century (Kerala Tourism). Official source
What to see
- Bird sanctuary
- 14 acres of mangrove and wetland.
- Vembanad
- Lake cruises.
- Vagamon
- Hills inland.
- Vaikom
- Mahadeva temple.
Visiting
- Bird sanctuary
- Timings and fees to confirm with the Forest Department. Not yet verified
Festivals
- Attuvela Mahotsavam
- Elamkavu temple, Vadayar; annual (Kerala Tourism); date to confirm. Official source
Visitor guidelines
- Use licensed boats.
- Carry insect repellent at dusk.
How to reach Kumarakom backwaters and bird sanctuary
- By train
- Kottayam (KTYM) (Incredible India). Official source
- By air
- Cochin International, about 76 km from Kottayam (Incredible India). Official source
- By boat
- On Alappuzha-Kochi cruises (Kerala Tourism). Official source
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19.2-34.8 | 06:44 | 18:21 | Best: dry |
| Feb | 20.2-35.8 | 06:44 | 18:33 | Good: dry, warming |
| Mar | 21.9-36.5 | 06:32 | 18:36 | Hot, humid |
| Apr | 22.1-35.9 | 06:15 | 18:34 | Hot, humid; pre-monsoon showers |
| May | 22.1-35.1 | 06:04 | 18:37 | Hot, humid; showers |
| Jun | 21.4-33.4 | 06:04 | 18:45 | South-west monsoon: heavy rain |
| Jul | 21.0-32.3 | 06:11 | 18:49 | Heavy monsoon |
| Aug | 21.4-32.4 | 06:16 | 18:43 | Monsoon; Onam season |
| Sep | 21.5-33.1 | 06:14 | 18:25 | Monsoon easing |
| Oct | 21.4-33.4 | 06:12 | 18:08 | North-east monsoon showers |
| Nov | 21.1-33.9 | 06:18 | 18:00 | Good: showers easing |
| Dec | 19.5-34.4 | 06:32 | 18:06 | Best: dry |
Suggested plans
- Two days
- Kumarakom sanctuary and a Vembanad cruise; Vaikom temple.
- Add a day
- Vagamon.
How to reach Kottayam
- By train
- Kottayam station, about 2 km from the central bus station (Incredible India).
- By air
- Cochin International, about 76 km (Incredible India).
- By road
- MC Road and state highways.
- Headquarters
- Kottayam
- Coast
- Landlocked
Best time to visit Kottayam
- Best time
- October to February (Kerala Tourism, for the backwater cruise season; to confirm locally).
- Climate
- Humid tropical; south-west monsoon June-September, north-east showers October-November.
Dates to plan around in Kerala
- Kalpathi Ratholsavam — Palakkad: 14-16 Nov 2026 (Incredible India)
- Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku — Pathanamthitta: Mid-Nov 2026 to mid-Jan 2027 (pattern, Kerala Tourism); online slot booking required in 2025-26
- Theyyam season — Kannur and north Kerala: December-April (Kerala Tourism)
- Attukal Pongala — Thiruvananthapuram: 14-23 Feb 2027; Pongala 22 Feb (Onmanorama)
- Guruvayur temple festival — Thrissur: February-March (Kerala Tourism)
- Eravikulam closure — Idukki: January-February every year, tahr calving (Kerala Tourism)
- Thrissur Pooram — Thrissur: Annual; 2027 date to confirm
- Nehru Trophy Boat Race — Alappuzha: Annual on Punnamada Lake; 2027 date to confirm
Where to stay in Kottayam
Quick answers about Kottayam
What is Kottayam known for?
Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, the Vagamon hills, and the temples of Vaikom and Ettumanoor.
What is the one place not to miss in Kottayam?
Kumarakom backwaters and bird sanctuary. On Vembanad, described as Kerala's largest lake; bird sanctuary of 14 acres (Kerala Tourism; Incredible India).
Which is the nearest railway station to Kottayam?
Kottayam station, about 2 km from the central bus station (Incredible India).
Which is the nearest airport to Kottayam?
Cochin International, about 76 km (Incredible India).
When is the best time to visit Kottayam?
October to February (Kerala Tourism, for the backwater cruise season; to confirm locally).
How many places are there to visit in Kottayam?
Our guide lists 9 places in Kottayam district, Kerala, across backwaters, hills, temples, churches and mosques.
Nearby, in neighbouring districts
- Alappuzha backwaters and houseboats, Alappuzha — Houseboat cruises through Kuttanad; Alappuzha-Kochi cruise one to two days via Kumarakom (Kerala Tourism).
- Eravikulam National Park (Rajamala), Idukki — 97 sq km; home of the Nilgiri tahr; closed in the calving season (Kerala Tourism).