Best Tourist Places in Kannur 2023

Kannur, situated in the southern state of Kerala, is a captivating coastal city with a rich historical legacy. In antiquity, it flourished as a prominent trading port, and remnants of its glorious past can be witnessed in enduring monuments like the 16th-century St. Angelo Fort, which was once a stronghold of European colonial forces, attesting to its vital role in the spice trade. A visit to the Arakkal Museum, housed in a former palace, sheds light on the unique history of Kerala’s only Muslim royal family. To add to its allure, Kannur boasts the picturesque Payyambalam Beach, fringed with swaying palm trees, lining its western shore.

Payyambalam Beach

Payyabalam beach, a pristine and unspoiled beach, is decorated with sparkling pearls of golden sand and foamy white waves from the Arabian Sea. It is a highlight of Kannur and one of the many beautiful beaches in Kerala, with an incredibly peaceful and inviting atmosphere.

Baby Beach

Baby Beach in Kannur, as the name implies, is a small but beautiful beach on the Arabian Sea. Don’t be fooled by its name or size; this beach is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its stunning views of the azure Arabian Sea.

Parassinikkadavu Snake Park

The Parassinikadavu Snake Park is regarded as one of the finest snake sanctuaries in Asia and is the pride of the south. It is one of the most well-known reptile conservation centers in the country and the only one in Kerala. It is home to over 150 different species of reptiles, including crocodiles, monitor lizards, and both venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Arakkal Museum

The Arakkal Museum in Kannur city is one of the most important and popular tourist destinations in the south. It commemorates the history and grandeur of Kerala’s only Muslim royal family, the Arakkal Ali Rajas. The museum is a testament to the impeccable Muslim architecture and design.

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach

Muzzhapilangad Drive-in Beach in Kannur is known by many superlatives: the longest drive-in beach in India, one of the cleanest beaches in Kannur, and most importantly, one of the best drive-in beaches in Asia.

Palakkayam Thattu

Palakayyam Thattu, a beautiful hill station in Kerala, is tucked away in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats and soars to a dizzying height of 3,500 feet above sea level. It is adorned with luxuriously dense greenery, sky-touching trees, and majestic hills, and offers a view that is rarely seen.

St Angelo Fort

St Angelo’s Fort is undoubtedly one of the most popular and frequently visited tourist attractions in Kannur, and for good reason. The polished yet ancient structure of this fortress exudes unadulterated elegance and overwhelming power. Standing on the shores of the Arabian Sea, it offers a panoramic and unobstructed view of the diorama created by the merging of the magnetic waves and the azure waters. It also overlooks the mesmerizing Mopilla Bay, a natural harbor.

Kannur Lighthouse

The Kannur Lighthouse holds great significance as it is not only Kerala’s first-ever lighthouse but also the sole one in Kannur. This impressive cylindrical concrete tower features a balcony with a light that illuminates as the evening sets in, serving as a crucial beacon to guide seamen safely to the land.

Thottada Beach

Thottada Beach, a beautiful beach located between the coastal towns of Kannur and Thalassery on the Malabar Coast, is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature. The beach is clean, secluded, and tranquil, making it the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Pallikunnu

Pallikunnu, another major town, is located near Kannur, about 3 kilometers away. The town is famous for its ancient Shree Mookambika Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Mookambika.

Ezhara Beach

Ezhara Beach, a palm-fringed beach with crimson cliffs and giant rocks lining the coastline, is a sight to behold. The azure waters of the Arabian Sea and its foamy white waves crashing against the rocks offer a panoramic view that is sure to charm you.

Mappila Bay

Mappila Bay, also known as Mopila Bay, is a natural harbor in the city of Kannur in Kerala. It used to be a major port that connected Malabar to far-flung lands. The bay is surrounded by colonial-era architecture, including the magnificent Fort St. Angelo, which was built by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Arrakulam Palace and Museum, which is dedicated to the Arakulam kingdom that ruled the Cannanore city-state in the 1500s, is located on the other side of the harbor.

Vismaya Water Park

Vismaya Water Park is a water park located near Taliparamba in Kannur, Kerala. It is a themed park with a variety of fun rides and thrilling water sports. The park was inaugurated in August 2008 and covers an area of 30 acres. It has a number of splash pools, as well as other facilities such as a conference hall, prayer halls, restaurants, and casual shops.

Taliparamba

This city is located in the Kannur District and is well-known for its District Agricultural Farm, which was established in 1905. The city is also home to two famous temples: the Shree Rajarajeswara Temple and the Trichambaram Temple.

Parassinikkadavu

Parassinikkadavu is a town 16 kilometers from Kannur that is famous for its Muthappan Temple and Parassinikkadavu Snake Park. The Muthappan Temple, which is dedicated to Sree Muthappan, is the only Hindu temple in the state where a Theyyam performance is held daily as part of the ritual.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is a significant location as it is the northernmost wildlife reserve in Kerala and the only one in Kannur. Many exotic wildlife species have made it their home in the midst of the towering trees and mesmerizing greenery.

Meenkunnu Beach

Azhikode Beach is a beautiful extension of the famous Payyambalam Beach. It is a long stretch of sandy coastline with clear water, located a few kilometers from Kannur.

Ezhimala

Ezhimala, which used to be the capital of the former Mooshika kings, is now a site of great historical significance. The land has witnessed many important events, from the Chola-Chera war to the headquarters of the Ezhimala Radii.

Madayipara

Madayipara, located on a hillock near Pazhayagandi in the picturesque city of Kannur, is renowned as one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire state of Kerala. It is often compared to the famous Tulip Gardens of Amsterdam and is better known as ‘the land of flowers’.

Paithalmala

Pythal Mala, a tiny hill station nestled in the Kodagu forest in the Kannur district of Kerala, is one of the most stunning peaks in the Western Ghats, enchanting everyone who visits.

Peralassery

Peralassery, a town located about 15 kilometers from Kannur, is known for its Peralassery Subrahmanya Temple. It is believed that Lord Ram and Lord Laxman, on their way to Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita, stopped at the temple for a while and left a bangle there.

Cherupuzha

Cherupuzha is a hill station in Kannur, Kerala, India. It is located in the Western Ghats mountain range and is surrounded by dense forests. The remoteness and tranquility of nature are two of the many reasons why tourists flock to this land.

Kavvayi Islands

Kavvayi Island is located near Payyanur, a town in northern Kerala. The Kavvayi Islands are spread over an area of approximately 37 square kilometers and are surrounded by the Kavvayi backwaters, a picturesque network of lagoons, rivers, and canals. Kavil Pattanam, now called Kavvayi, was recorded in the travel writings of scholars and explorers Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo. It has been recreated into a beautiful island. The Kavvayi islands, also called Kavvayi Kayal, are the largest backwater island group in north Kerala and are spread over the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod.

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