Kollam is an old sea port town on the Arabian coast. One of the oldest ports in the Arabian Sea, Kollam was once a major commercial hub that saw Roman, Arab, Chinese and later Portuguese, Dutch and British traders jostle into town – eager to get their hands on spices and the region’s cashew crops. Kollam in the bygone days was famous for its palaces and the place was sometimes called as the City of Palaces . The region also has a reputation for cashew plantations. Kollam,the gateway to Keralas beautiful backwaters is blessed with unique representative features – sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety. Best Places to Visit in Kollam. Kollam Beach, Neendakara Port, Thirumullavaram Beach, Sasthamkotta Lake, Poovar Island, Varkala Cliff, Kappil Lake, Palaruvi Falls, Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary etc.