Places to visit in Kozhikode

• Marine Aquarium and Research Museum: Kozhikode tourism has a lot to offer everyone. Take the Beach Road to Kozhikode Beach, lined with pushcarts and beachfront eateries. Continue past the Thikkoti Lighthouse to the Marine Aquarium and Research Museum run by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
• Madre de Deus Cathedral: Sailors to Kozhikode recognised the fabled port town by the lofty dome of the Madre de Deus (Mother of God) Cathedral, visible from afar. It is the only Latin cross-domed church in neo-Roman style built by the Portuguese in Kerala. Worth noting here are the images of the Virgin Mary and the Crucifixion. Also, check out the 1860 St Mary's English Church and the CSI Church near DTPC office, set up in 1842 by the Basel Mission – don’t miss the lovely pipe organ from England. Thanks to Kozhikode corporation that has kept the old charm of years old buildings still intact.
• Mananchira Square: At the heart of town is Mananchira Square, named after the large chira (spring-fed tank) built by the last Zamorin Mana Vikrama. Its architectural design will leave you spellbound and remind you of ancient brilliance. The Kozhikode Public Library and Research Centre, made of laterite, Malabar tiles and glass, has a charming façade that blends with the entrance arch of the Mananchira maidan, guarded by Tipu Sultan’s cannons.
• Pazhassi Raja Museum and Art Gallery: Among the other places to visit in Kozhikode is the Pazhassi Raja Museum and Art Gallery, named after a legendary local chieftain who fought the British, was built in 1812 as the British Collector’s residence. Ancient murals, bronzes, coins, excavated earthenware, models of temples and megalithic monuments like crypts, dolmens, burial urns and umbrella stones are on display. The art gallery next door exhibits paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and his uncle Raja Rama Varma. While the nearby Krishna Menon Museum, dedicated to the late diplomat, VK Krishna Menon, displays his personal belongings, memorabilia and souvenirs gifted by world leaders.
• Mishkal Mosque: Overlooking Kuttichira is the five-storeyed Mishkal Mosque built -n 1300 by a wealthy Arab ship owner Nakhooda Mishkal. Initially a seven-tiered structure (the Portuguese destroyed two floors), it was once the tallest building in Kozhikode and the it’s historical landmark. Built-in traditional Kerala style, the laterite superstructure, is supported on 24 solid wood pillars with 50 doors.
• Muchundi: Walk to the city’s oldest mosque Muchundi, constructed 1,100 years ago. Kuttichira Juma Masjid, another thousand-year-old mosque, has intricate wood panels on the underside of the ceiling and verses from the Quran etched in Arabic on the rafters.Walk to the city’s oldest mosque Muchundi, constructed 1,100 years ago. Kuttichira Juma Masjid, another thousand-year-old mosque, has intricate wood panels on the underside of the ceiling and verses from the Quran etched in Arabic on the rafters.

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

• Focus Mall
• Emerald Mall
• R P Mall
• Gokulam Mall
• Address Mall
• Space Mall
• Surabhi Mall
• Lan Ship Mall
• HiLite Mall

Street shopping in Kozhikode

The markets of Kozhikode offer a number of things to buy. Visitors should not miss buying banana chips which are a specuality here. The best places to buy these are Kumari Chips on Kannur Road or Sankaran Bakery on SM Street. Another must-buy/try is the Kozhikode Halwa, a soft glutinous brownish-black delicacy made of flour, molasses and oil.

• SM Street: Once an avenue of sweetmeat shops, it has several stalls stacked with multi-hued lumps of halwa where friendly shopkeepers cut up slices for a free taste. Choose from 20 flavours – orange, banana, pineapple, tender coconut, date and dried fruits – at Malabar Bakery on SM Street or Cochin Bakery, Bank Road.

• COMTRUST Showroom: This showroom at Mananchira has a wide range of furnishing products in cotton, woollen and linen—turkey towels, bedsheets, napkins, aprons, bags, rugs, all at affordable rates.

• Kalyan Kendra and Kalpala Bazar: For silks, saris and ready-made textiles, visit Kalyan Kendra, Silky and Kalpaka Bazar. Buy handicrafts from Kairali, Nutan Handicrafts, Mriganayani and Surabhi.

• Oity Road: This road is packed with brass shops, while Olavanna is an excellent place to pick up pottery.

Nightlife/party places in Kozhikode

Kozhikode is not known for its nightlife though there are some places where you can party.

• Bottoms Up bar at the Malabar Palace Hotel has a nice ambience and a lovely view of the lawns. It hosts regular DJ and theme nights.

• Copper Folia and The Cosmopolitan Club, both hotels, are popular venues for music shows and events.

• Another hotel The Raviz Kadavu Resort and Spa has hosted big-ticket EDM gigs like Sunburn.

• Or drop by for a quiet drink and snacks at Logan’s Lounge at the Gateway Hotel.

Kuttichira: Kuttichira, or ‘little pond’, is the heart of the Muslim settlement where locals sit on laterite benches for chats beside 200-year-old Koya houses.

Valayanadu Devi Temple and the Tali Mahadeva Temple

The 14th-century Valayanadu Devi Temple and the Tali Mahadeva Temple at Chalappuram, are much revered Hindu shrines; the latter perfectly blends wood and laterite and has elaborate carvings. The eight-day Tali festival in April marked by flag hoisting and processions of the temple deity. Revathi Pattathanam, a seven-day cultural event in Oct-Nov, features panchavadyam performances, Vedic chanting and special pujas.

Commonwealth Handloom Weaving Factory

Just across is the Commonwealth Handloom Weaving Factory (COMTRUST), dating back to 1844, when pioneering German missionaries from Basel Mission set up tile, brick, weaving, printing and other industries in the Malabar region. With 400 looms in two weaving units, COMTRUST is the single largest handloom centre in India.

Kalipoika

Despite being a trading town, there’s a fun side to the city. Enjoy boating at Kalipoika, go to Kadalundi to spot birds from a country boat and visit the boat making centre of Beypore to watch dhows or pick up small souvenirs.

Tasara Weaving Centre

Drop by at Tasara Weaving Centre, named after the Sanskrit word for ‘shuttle’. A unique centre that offers training in painting, designing, weaving and block printing, Tasara is a meeting point for artists and produces handloom rugs, dhurries, wall hangings and bedspreads.

CVN Kalari

Catch a kalarippayattu performance at CVN Kalari at Nadakkavu, which offers hour-long performances every morning and evening showcasing the fighting techniques of this ancient martial art.

Ethnological Museum

Visit the Ethnological Museum run by the Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies (KIRTADS) on Golf Link Road, where tools and ceremonial paraphernalia of various tribes offer insights into the region’s ancient communities. Before you go, try local specialities such as Nannari Sherbet (sarsaparilla root extract) and Dweep Unde (coconut jaggery sweet wrapped in palm originally from Lakshadweep).

Malabar Mahotsavam

This 5-day cultural festival is organised by the Kozikhode

District Tourism Promotion Council once every year in January. The festival focusses on bringing to life the cultural heritage of Kerala - traditional folk art, classical music and dance, drama, etc. Popular scholars and artists from across the country participate in this festival.

Jalotsavam

As part of the Onam festival, traditionally the biggest festival in Kerala, Jalotsavam (water-fiestas) is organised at Korapuzha, Moorad and Pongilodippara. The water sports organised by the local sports clubs attract a number of locals and tourists.