Kottayam is India's first fully literate town (1989). The main churches of the town are Valya palli, Cheriya palli, Cathedral church, Athirampuzha church, Mannanam church, Manarcad church etc. Tirunakkara temple is the main temple
of the town.
CMS College
The oldest college in Kerala. Kerala's first printing press was installed in 1821 by Benjamin Beylee.
Tazhatangady masjid
Ancient masjid made in the Kerala temple style by Malik Dinar on the banks of Meenachil river. The Kottayam boat race is conducted here in the Onam season. It is 4 km from town.
Ezharaponnana
The gold covered seven and a half elephants of wood is in the oEttumanoor Shiva temple. It is 13 km from the town on the Vaikom route.
Bharananganam palli
This is a major Christian pilgrim centre due to the tomb of India's first woman saint Sr. Alphonsa. The 1000 year old church is 5 km from Pala.
Illickal kallu
Special shaped three hills and herbal plants are the specialty of this area.
Ilaveezha poonchira
This beautiful place is at 1000 m ASL, located near Pala. It is a trekker's paradise crowded with tourists.
Poonjar palace
Has a collection of rare antiques, 47 km from town.
Kootickal check dam
It is a beautiful forest area with a dam, lake and a waterfall, located 5 km from Mundakkayam.
Vaikom Shiv temple
Vaikom is famous for the Vaikom satyagraha and the Shiv temple. Ashtami is the main festival.
Changanassery old church
This ancient masjid is famous for the annual chandana kudam festival.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Bird Sanctuary hosts many species of migratory birds. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government and has been declared as a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state Government, as legislated for by Kerala Tourism Act, 2005.
At Kumarakom bird sanctuary there are so many indigenous bird species like Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owls, Brahminy kite, Egrets, Herons, moorhen, cormorant, Water Ducks, Parrots, darter, and Wood Beetle. The migratory birds like Siberian Cranes, Teal, Flycatchers, Larks, etc., are frequent visitors. These flocks are a never ending passion for bird lovers.
It is located 15 km from Kottayam on the Cherthala road. It is famous for the winter migratory birds, boating in houseboats and canoes, massage parlours and mouth watering tasty cuisine - pearl spot fish (karimeen) cury, fry, prawns and other sea foods.
