It is located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. The town is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "City of Letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature. It is believed that the name Kottayam originated from the Malayalam words 'Kotta' meaning fort and 'akam' meaning 'inside', giving the word meaning 'interior of the fort'.

Erumeli Pilgrimage
Erumeli is a place, which is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. That’s because the place is famous for its Sastha Temple andVavar Mosque.The ceremony of Petta Thullal during the annual pilgrimage is a unique feature of this place. Pilgrims who visit the temple also consider it their sacred duty to humbly offer dakshina (donation) to a representative of the Vavar Mosque. The reason for this devotion is that Vavar was considered to be a contemporary and friend of Aiyappan, a favourite deity of Kerala.

Subramaniyaswamy Temple
The Subramaniyaswamy Temple is situated at a distance of 23km from Kottayam. A gallow had been installed at Kavalipuzha, a place near the eastern side of the temple. It was used to hang people who had been sentenced on murder charges. Thypoyam, celebrated in the month of Makaram (January-February), is the most important festival associated with the temple. The ritual of Kavadi Abhishekam is a significant part of the festival. It’s in the month of Kumbham (February-March) that the annual festival or utsavam takes place.

The Architecture Splendor of The Temple
The architecture of the koothambalam (hall in a Kerala temple used for dance and music recitals) of the temple is of a very high quality and considered to be one of the best in the state. Deities and themes from the Purana (ancient scriptures), form the subject of the beautiful woodcarvings on the koothambalam. According to a local legend, a yakshi, who is said to have arrived with the timber for the temple, resides in the koothambalam.

Sasthamkotta Temple
A less important temple called the Sasthamkotta is also situated in Kidangoor on the banks of the Meenachil River. Guruvayur Appan and Sabarimala Sastha are the deities enshrined in the temple. It is believed that the oil used for the abhishekam (anoint) of the deity is a sure-fire remedy for rheumatism.

Bird Sanctuary
Situated on the east bank of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a sleepy little village, which boasts of a bird sanctuary, spread over 14 acres of land.

St. Mary’s Church
This imposing church counts amongst the most important Orthodox Syrian churches. Well known for its eight-day retreat and fast, the church houses an exquisite Italian painting depicting Virgin Mary holding the Infant Jesus. The painting is shown to the public on the two days of the festival. The church also has a sacred tank and a cross.A dip in the holy water of the tank is allowed only to those devout pilgrims who have observed all the rules of the fast during the eight days of the retreat. The cross stands at a distance of about 8 to 10 yards from the church.

Mannanam
An important centre of the Syrian Christians, the place boasts of the St. Joseph’s Monastery. The name of Fr. Kuriakose Elias of Chavara, who is among the most saintly figures in the annals of Syrian Catholic Church history, is associated with this place. The church houses the remains of Fr. Kuriakose who is regarded as a “Servant of God”. Hence, the place has gained prominence as an important Christian pilgrimage centre.

Shiva Temple
Also known as Dakshina Kasi, Vaikom is a place of great religious importance. A famous Shiva Temple in the area is its sole claim to fame. The temple is built in the Kerala style of architecture. While the garbagriha (a temple sanctuary) is surmounted by a golden stupa (dome shaped), a golden staff that measures 19.5m dominates the surrounding landscape. Traces of a few paintings might be seen on the exterior of the garbagriha. A 1m high Shiva linga (phallic symbol representing Shiva, the Destroyer) is the main deity of the temple.

Bay Island Driftwood Museum
Bay Island Driftwood Museum, the one of its kind in the country with a unique collection of twisted stumps of driftwood, is located at Kumarakom, 10kms from Kottayam. The collections in the museum are from the serene beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Bay Islands and hence the name. Exhibits here include a collection of root sculptures of various shapes, styles and designs which are prepared through a rare and innovative modern art form. The museum is open on all weekdays, except Monday, from 10 .00 am to 5.00 p.m. On Sundays, it is open from 11.30 am to 5.00 pm. Entrance to the museum is through pass.

Vennimala
Vennimala, a beautiful hill top destination covered by lush green vegetation and rubber plantations is located nearly 15 kms from Kottayam. This hot tourist spot with numerous fresh water ponds was once the capital of Thekkumkoor dynasty. An ancient Sri Rama-Lakshmana temple is the major attraction of Vennimala. It is believed that Lord Rama as well as Lakshmana came to this spot during their exile. The annual festival of this temple which lasts for nearly one month attracts large crowd. A huge cave that has been closed by fallen rocks is located half a kilometer from the temple.

Pathiramanal
Pathiramanal is a small but beautiful island located in the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake, 16km from Kottayam. The island with an area of 10 acres is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land. There is a footpath around the island for the convenience of the tourists. The island lies between Thaneermukkom in Alappuzha district and Kumarakom in Kottayam district and can be accessed only by boat from Kumarakom or Muhamma. It takes one and half hours by motor boat and 30 minutes by speed boat to reach the island. There is a legendary tale about the formation of the island. It is believed that a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake, to carry out his evening ablutions and that portion of water made way for land ascending from below, thus creating this enthralling island of Pathiramanal, also known as sands of midnight. The island is a perfect place to take a break while on a backwater cruise in the backwaters.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls, located 18 km from Kottayam town, is a beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 100 ft. The place is surrounded by rubber plantations and the visitors can take rest under their shade. There is a church nearby the waterfalls.

Anchuvilakku
Anchuvilakku, designed and constructed by the renowned freedom fighter Veluthampi Dalawa, is a lamp post made of stone located near Changanacherry boat jetty, 22 kms from Kottayam. Built in Kerala style of architecture, the post has five lamps that use kerosene for lighting.

Kayyoor
Kayyoor, a wonderful landscape formed by a chain of green hills, is a famous pilgrim center in Bharananganam, 45kms from Kottayam. Sprawl over an area of six acres, the place houses a shrine dedicated to the Pandava brother of the epic Mahabharatha. The lamps of this temple are lighted only by the using ghee. Women are not allowed to enter the temple.

Marmala Waterfall
The beautiful Marmala stream and its magnificient waterfalls lies a few kms from Erattupetta which is around 50kms away from Kottayam. The water that falls from a height of 60metres joins the river passing through Teekoy rubber estate. A hanging bridge, located under the waterfalls, is used to pass through the greenly woods.

Poonjar Palace
Poonjar Palace is situated in Meenachil taluk at Poonjar on the Pala-Erattupetta route, 47 km away from Kottayam district. The palace is a glorious testimony to the regal opulence of a bygone era. Within the palace walls is an extraordinary royal collection of antiques and exquisite furniture which include a palanquin, a thoni ( carved out of a single piece of wood) for Ayurvedic massages, huge chandeliers, palm leaf engravings, jewel boxes, different varieties of lamps, sculptures of Nataraja (dancing Lord Shiva), grain measures, statues and weapons. A unique conch preserved here is taken out once a year for ritualistic purposes. There is a wonderful model of Madurai Meenakshi Temple near the palace. The walls of the temple are decorated with carvings depicting stories of puranas.

Meenachil River
Meenachil River originates from Illikkalkallu, Marmala, Wagamon, Kudamuruttimala and flows through the taluks of Meenachil and Vaikom in Kottayam district and merges into the Vembanadu Lake. The river is the venue of several boat races held during the Onam season. It is immortalized through the booker prize won, Arundhathi Roy's 'God of Small Things'.

The Vembanad Lake
The Vembanad Lake, located 16km from Kottayam town, is an enchanting picnic spot and a perfect back water tourist destination. The lake bordered by Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts is one of the longest and largest lake in Kerala having a length and width of 83.72km. and 14.48km respectively. Kottayam has a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of the Vembanad lake. So Vembanad lake forms the joining point of all the rivers. Vembanad lake is well known for the famous snake boat races held annual during the time of Onam. It is very amazing to watch the boatman, their spirit and their full-throated singing at this time. A small and beautiful island named pathiramanal alias midnight sands is located within in vembanad lake. The famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is also located on the east coast of the vembanad lake .