Explore Kerala

Kerala Districts

Discover the unique charm and heritage of all 14 districts in God's Own Country, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.

Kerala at a Glance

14 Districts
38,863 Total Area (sq km)
33.4M Population
590 Coastline (km)

Thiruvananthapuram

State Capital

Thiruvananthapuram district includes Kerala's capital city, the Technopark campus, and coastal destinations such as Kovalam and Varkala.

2,187 sq km Area
3,301,427 (Census 2011) Population

Key Attractions

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kovalam Beach Varkala Beach Napier Museum
Learn More Attractions

Kollam

Cashew, Coir & Backwaters

Kollam is a coastal district with a long association with maritime trade, a cashew and coir industry, and destinations including Ashtamudi Lake, Thenmala and Palaruvi Waterfalls.

2,491 sq km Area
2,629,703 (Census 2011) Population (Census 2011)
94.09% (Census 2011) Literacy Rate (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Ashtamudi Lake Kollam Beach Thangassery Fort Sasthamkotta Lake
Learn More Attractions

Pathanamthitta

Pilgrimage, Rivers & Culture

Explore Pathanamthitta, home to Sabarimala and Aranmula. Find district geography, major rivers, forests and Census 2011 population, literacy, sex ratio and density.

2,637 sq km Area
1,195,537 Population (Census 2011)
96.93% Literacy (Census 2011)
1,129 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011)
453 people per sq km Population density (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Sabarimala Temple Perunthenaruvi Falls Konni Elephant Training Centre Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple
Learn More Attractions

Alappuzha

Backwaters, Kuttanad & Coir

Alappuzha has a coastal landscape, the low-lying Kuttanad farming region and waterways linked to Vembanad Lake.

1,414 sq km Area
2,127,789 Population (Census 2011)
1,100 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011)
1,504 persons per sq km Population density (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Vembanad Lake Alappuzha Beach Kuttanad Paddy Fields Marari Beach
Learn More Attractions

Kottayam

Education & Publishing

Kottayam is known for its contributions to education, publishing and literature, as well as its rubber plantations, backwaters, hills and diverse religious heritage.

2,204 sq km Area
1,974,551 Population (Census 2011)
97.21% Literacy Rate (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Kumarakom Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Vembanad Lake Vagamon
Learn More Attractions

Idukki

Hill Stations & Spices

Idukki covers 4,612 sq km in the Western Ghats, with extensive forest cover, plantation crops and hydroelectric projects.

4,612 sq km Area
1,108,974 Population (Census 2011)
92.20% Literacy rate (Census 2011)
1,006 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Munnar Thekkady Idukki Arch Dam Anamudi Peak
Learn More Attractions

Ernakulam

Industry, trade and heritage

Ernakulam includes Kochi and Kakkanad, with coastal, backwater and inland areas. The District Administration describes it as a centre for industry, trade and commerce.

3,058 sq km (Kerala Ecostat) Area
3,282,388 Population (Census 2011)
95.89% Literacy (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Fort Kochi Hill Palace Museum Mattancherry Palace Cherai Beach
Learn More Attractions

Thrissur

Cultural Capital

Central Kerala district identified by its administration as Kerala’s cultural capital, and the setting for Thrissur Pooram.

3,030 sq km Area
3,121,200 Population (Census 2011)
95.32% Literacy (Census 2011)
1,108 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011)
1,026 persons per sq km Population density (Census 2011; Ecostat)

Key Attractions

Vadakkunnathan Temple Thrissur Pooram Guruvayur Temple Athirappilly Waterfall
Learn More Attractions

Palakkad

Agriculture & Palmyrahs

Agricultural district with paddy fields, Palmyrahs and Western Ghats landscapes. The District Administration describes Palakkad as one of Kerala's main granaries, with the Palakkad Gap connecting the region with Tamil Nadu.

4,476 sq km Area
2,809,934 Population (Census 2011)
89.31% Literacy (Census 2011)
1,067 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011; District Administration)

Key Attractions

Palakkad Fort Silent Valley Malampuzha Dam Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Learn More Attractions

Malappuram

Culture, Education & History

Most populous district in Kerala by Census 2011 population, known for its varied landscape, cultural heritage, educational institutions and historic traditions.

3,554 sq km Area
4,112,920 Population (Census 2011)
93.06% Literacy Rate (Census 2011)
1,096 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011; District Administration)

Key Attractions

Nilambur Kottakkunnu Adyanpara Falls Thirunavaya
Learn More Attractions

Kozhikode

Spice Trade Heritage

Historic Malabar coastal district known for its maritime heritage, beaches, cultural traditions, literature and cuisine.

2,346 sq km Area
3,086,293 Population (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Kozhikode Beach Kappad Beach Beypore Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Learn More Attractions

Wayanad

Tribal Heritage & Wildlife

A highland district in the Western Ghats known for its forests, wildlife, spice and plantation agriculture, tribal heritage and archaeological sites.

2,130 sq km Area
817,420 Population (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Banasura Sagar Dam Edakkal Caves Chembra Peak Soochipara Falls
Learn More Attractions

Kannur

Handloom & Theyyam

Kannur is a coastal district in northern Kerala known for its handloom sector, Theyyam and other folk traditions, historic sites, beaches, agriculture and its role in the region’s freedom movement.

2,971 sq km Area
2,523,003 Population (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

St. Angelo Fort Payyambalam Beach Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Muzhappilangad Beach
Learn More Attractions

Kasaragod

Beaches & Forts

Kerala’s northernmost district, bordered by the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west.

1,992 sq km Area
1,307,375 Population (Census 2011)
90.09% Literacy rate (Census 2011)
1,080 females per 1,000 males Sex ratio (Census 2011)

Key Attractions

Bekal Fort Bekal Beach Ananthapura Lake Temple Chandragiri Fort
Learn More Attractions