Kerala has many fascinating cities that reflect the culture and the life-styles of the Keralites.
The cities of Kerala are well developed and offer a peaceful stay to their residents and an ideal gateway for tourists. The main cities of Kerala are:
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is the capital of Kerala and also the most populous city in the state. The city is a great tourist and commercial destination with the advantages of an international airport. Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its rich cultural heritage, and has several attractions such as temples, palaces, nearby famous beaches, long stretches of idyllic backwaters, wildlife and forested hills of the Western Ghats. The city is also known for being a major IT hub as well as home of several educational institutions and research centers.
Kochi (Cochin) is the commercial capital of Kerala and the most populous urban area of the state. Cochin is Kerala's prime tourist destination and also has the advantages of an international airport. It spreads across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the Backwaters. The modern Ernakulam in the east and the old district of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin on a peninsula in the west are linked by a complex system of ferries.
Alleppey (Alappuzha) is also known as the "Venice of The East" because of its large network of canals. Its quaint streets, unique Kerala style architecture, bustling shoreline and palm fringed canals coupled with the large markets selling green coconuts, rice, fruits and spices make Alleppey a favorite tourist destination. Alleppey is also one of Kerala's main centers for Backwater cruises on traditional rice barges converted into houseboats.
Kollam (Quilon) is the fourth largest city in Kerala. It is a charming old port city on the banks of the Ashtumudi Lake that has been a center for the spice trade on the Malabar Coast since ancient time. The town is famous for its cashew trading and processing industry and is the southern gateway to the idyllic backwater of Asthamudi Lake and thus a major tourist destination.
Among other important cities in Kerala are: Kannur - a historic town famous for its strong heritage, arts, forts beaches and spice/coffee growing hills; Kozhikode (Calicut) - a prominent city of the Malabar area where Vasco da Gama landed for the first time in India; Palakkad (Palghat) - the gateway to Kerala by land through the Palghat Pass in the Western Ghats and known for its immense scenic beauty, traditional homes, cuisines and composite culture; Thrissur (Trichur) is known as the cultural center of Kerala with its rich heritage, background and archeological excellence. It is also famous for jewelry shops and silk saris.
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