Places to visit in Kannur

• St. Angelo Fort or Kannur Fort: Built in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy of India - Dom Francisco de Almeida, it is located about 3 km from Kannur town. The fort has been under several owners' hands, from Portuguese to Dutch to the British to the Arakkal dynasty. Presently, it is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and is well-preserved.
• Arakkal Museum: The Arrakkal Museum is a part of Arakkal Palace and is dedicated to the only Muslim royal family in Kerala, the Arakkal family. Managed by the Arakkal Family Trust, the Durbar Hall of the palace is converted into a museum by the Government of Kerala.
• Munderi Bird Sanctuary: Experience birdwatching at Munderi Bird Sanctuary which is close to Varam. Numerous intriguing winged creatures can be spotted at Madayippara close to Pashayangadi.
• Payyambalam Beach: Payyambalam Beach is a popular and well-maintained tourist spot in Kannur. It's perfect to relax and enjoy a peaceful environment, an ideal picnic spot, and an adventure spot to enjoy swimming and surfing. Don't forget to get yourself clicked with your near and dear ones on the Kannur Eye, a massive 360 degree rotatable photo frame.
• Paithalmala: Also known as Vaithmala, this beautiful hill station lies in the Western Ghats. The stunning natural beauty of this place attracts many tourists and locals. The best way to explore Paithmala is by trekking, which takes you through the dense forest and finally opens up to a vast stretch leading to Paithalmala peak.
• Ezhimala: Combining the best of both worlds, Ezhimala is a picturesque hill station surrounded by a beach. It is an ideal place for beach lovers as well as mountain enthusiasts. The path leading to the hilltop is breath-taking and home to various herbs of medicinal importance.
• Parassinikkadavu: Famous for Parassinikkadavu Snake Park and Muthappan Temple, Parassinikkadavu lies 16 km away from Kannur. Dedicated to Sree Muthappan, it is the only Hindu temple in the state that witnesses theyyam performance regularly. And the snake park is home to numerous varieties of snakes such as Pit Viper, King Cobra, etc.

High-end shopping/luxury shopping/shopping malls in Kannur

• Capitol Mall
• Kannur City Centre
• G Mall
• Kannur Mall
• Thana Square
• Royal Oak

Shopping in Kannur is as enticing as touring this beautiful place. Look for sarees, handloom products, local handicrafts, earthenware products, and local spice. Wooden kathakali face masks are the speciality of this place.

Street shopping in Kannur

• Fort Road leading to St. Angelo Fort is the busiest shopping centre in the district. Kannur City Centre and Fortlight complex are the other major shopping centres in the town where you can visit. You will also notice gold jewellery shops on the main roads and shopping centres. So, make sure you don’t leave without buying some souvenirs.

Party places or nightlife in Kannur

• Guidance Kappakkadavu
• Vop Night Club
• Aapieez
• Aasharimukku
• Palayode Shuttile Court
• Poonamgode Waiting Shelter
• United Kuttammal
• Yuvatharang Mosco Team

Theyyam Rituals

Kannur is the best place to see theyyam, a ritual where it is believed that the gods come down. If you are in Kannur between November and April, you will notice theyyam ritual at village temples on most of the nights.

Mangrove Kayaking

Kannur comprises more mangroves as compared to any other district in Kerala. If you want to witness the mangroves, rivers, and seas of Kannur, you can go kayaking through the city and take some awesome pictures.

Muzhappilangad Beach

Visiting Muzhappilangad Beach is perhaps the most interesting things to do in Kannur as it is the only drive-in beach in Kerala. Here a 4 km stretch of sand eagerly awaits for you to dive in and get immersed in the view of the stunning Malabar Coast. If you don't want to drive a car, get on a quad bike and enjoy the beauty of the beach. While driving, get some delicious authentic cuisines to munch on from the number of shacks present along the way. You can also indulge in adventure sports such as parasailing, paragliding, catamaran ride, microlight flights, and several other water sports.

Mappila Bay

It is a natural harbour at Ayikkara Kannur town with St. Angelo Fort on one side and Arakkal Palace on the other. Also known as Moppila Bay, it was a famous commercial harbour during the Kolathiri's regime.

Peralassery

Located 15 km from Kannur is Peralassery, famous for Peralassery Subrahmanya Temple. According to the legends, Lord Rama and Lord Laxman stopped at this temple on the way to Lanka to set Goddess Sita free. If you are in the town of Peralassery, do visit this spiritual site.

Places to visit near Kannur

Coorg

Just 3 hours' drive away from Kannur, Coorg is nestled amidst stunning mountains in Karnataka. The place is famous for an exotic landscape filled with lush green hills and its culture and people.

Kasargode

Kasargode, the beautiful district of Kerala, is of great historical and archaeological importance. It derives its name from a combination of two words, 'kasaara', which means lake in Sanskrit and 'kroda', which implies a secured place for treasure. The breathtaking landscape of Kasargode is outlined by coconut and palm trees with water flowing through the hills into the sea. Some of the popular tourist attractions here include Govinda Pai Memorial, Madiyan Kulam Temple and Malik Deenar Mosque. It is located at a distance of about 91km from Kannur.

Bekal

Bekal is a small town nestled on the coastline of the Arabian Sea in a quaint village called Pallikare. The distance from Kannur to Bekal is about 78 km. This little town is popular among the tourists for its picturesque landscapes and also for its warm hospitality.

Kottiyoor Vaishaka Mahotsavam

A 28-day long festival in the heart of a dense forest and in front of a roaring river, is an experience only Kerala can provide. The hills of Kannur play host to the Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam, a festival hosted by two temples, Akkara Kottiyoor, and Ikkara Kottiyoor. Nestled on the banks of the river Baveli, it is among the most popular festivals of Northern Kerala.