Kannur / 2023 Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Kannur / 2023

Muzhuppilangad Beach gathers its fame as the only drive-in beach in India as well as in Asia. Lying 8 km away from Thalassery and 16 km away from Kannur town, the beach is easily accessible by road. Located parallel to NH 17 that connects Thalassery and Kannur, this beach is frequented by thousands of people every year and is an ideal location for one day tours and family picnics.

Travellers can drive along the entire stretch of 5 km and enjoy the scenic beauty of sandy shores. The beach becomes crowded with youngsters and adventure seekers during the beach festival that falls in the month of April. Dharmadam Island, also known as Pacha Thuruthu, is situated about 200 m south of the beach.

Travellers can cover the shores of Muzhuppilangad Beach in cars and bikes. The coconut trees swaying in the wind and the rocks surrounding the ocean add to the beauty of the beach. The beach can be visited any time of the year, though monsoons should be preferably avoided.

Payyambalam Beach, a beautiful stretch of white shores, is a popular tourist attraction in the region of Kannur. Situated at a distance of about 2 km from the town of Kannur, the beach is easily accessible by road.

Travellers come here to enjoy the golden rays of the setting sun and to cast away the burdens of hectic routines. The chief attraction of Payyambalam Beach is a magnificent sculpture of a mother and a child.

Kanayi Kunjiraman, the most renowned sculptor who designed Yakshi sculpture of Malampuzha, crafted this gigantic landscaped sculpture which amuses visitors with its craftsmanship. The beach has a well maintained garden adjacent to it where people can spend their evening watching the beauty of the roaring ocean.

Many noted personalities such as Swadeshabimani Ramakrishna Pilla, Pamban Mandavan, A.K Gopalan and K.G Marar took their final rest near this beach. The prime features of this beach are its cleanliness and safety that make it an ideal leisure spot for families and children.

Fort St. Angelo, popularly known as Kannur Kotta or Kannur Fort is located at a distance of 3 km from the town of Kannur. The fort offers excellent vista of the surrounding regions as it lies facing the roaring waves of the Arabian Sea.

Constructed in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeid, who served his office as the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, the fort served as one of the major structures protecting the region from outside invasions. The fort has been seized and renovated by both the Dutch and the British and was a major military centre of British administration till India’s independence.

Today Fort St. Angelo is listed as a protected monument and is under the administration of the Archaeological Survey of India. As a heritage monument that shaped the history of the region, the fort attracts millions of visitors every year.

Open on all days of the week

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: Nil

Pallikkunnu, a tiny township of cultural and educational importance, is located at a distance of about 3 km from the town of Kannur. Located on the Kannur-Payyannur route, it is easily accessible by road and can be reached by taking a buse or hiring a taxi/auto rickshaw.

Pallikkunnu is famed for the 1200 years old Shree Mookambika Temple which is located close to the place. Goddess Mookambika is the presiding deity of the temple, and the Navarathri festival of the temple attracts thousands of devotees every year.

Pallikkunnu houses a number of educational institutions including the Krishna Menon Memorial Government Women's College and the Kerala Vocational Training Center. The Kannur Central Jail is located in this area, and other prominent attractions include the Doordarshan Kendra and the All India Radio.

Travellers can visit these places with prior permission from the authorities. The bungalow of the Jail Superintendent is an important historic building of the region which is now part of the Krishna Menon Memorial Government Women's College.

Parassinikkadavu Snake Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kannur. This unique park, which is set up to conserve the rare varieties of reptiles facing the threat of extinction, has gained attention from across the country. It is the only snake park in Kerala and one of the most prominent reptile preservation centres in India.

Parassinikkadavu Snake Park is located at Parassinikkadavu, a small hamlet that lies 16 km away from Kannur town. Another major attraction of the village is the Parassinikkadavu Muthappan Temple and travellers can cover the park and the temple in a single trip.

The park was established by the Visha Chikista Kendra (a medical institution that offers diagnosis and treatment for snakebites), which has its headquarters at Pappinisseri. The park boasts of an exciting variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes including king cobra, spectacled cobra, Russel’s viper, pythons, krait and pit viper.

Apart from snakes, the park is home to a number of other reptiles, birds and animals. About 150 species of reptiles are recorded here, and the trained staff of the park help to eradicate superstitious beliefs about snakes through live demonstrations.

Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Pappinisseri, a small town located at a distance of about 10 km from Kannur town, is best known for its temples and religious places. The town is surrounded by river Baliapatam and several small hills, making it a visual treat for travellers.

Pampuruthi (a scenic beautiful island located on the river) and Vadeswaram Hill (locally referred to as the Kailasam of Kerala) are the popular attractions located in the vicinity of Pappinisseri.

Another chief attraction in the town is Moonnu Pettumma Palli which also known by the name of Kattile Palli. The chief festival of the mosque, Kattile Palli Nercha, attracts travellers and devotees from all parts of Kerala.

Sree Vadeswaram Shiva Temple, another major Hindu temple of the region, is located on the top of a scenic hill and has grabbed the name ‘Sree Kailasam of North Malabar’.

Aaron Church, Mankadavu Juma Masjid and Keecheri Paalottu Kavu are the other religious spots that demand a visit. Pappinisseri is best known for its Visha Chikilsa Kendram, a medical institution committed to the treatment of snakebites.

Sri Mavilayikkavu Temple is a well-known religious centre and an ancient temple known for its unique rituals and cultural performances. The temple is located in a small and scenic village named Mavilayi which is famed as the birthplace of A.K.Gopalan, a renowned communist leader of Kerala.

The village is situated at a distance of about 15 km from the town of Kannur and lies on the Kannur-Kulathupuzha route. Lord Ganapati and Goddess Bhagavati along with Lord Daivattar and Lord Vettakarumakan are worshipped in the temple.

Adiyulsavam (a mock fight festival) makes Mavilayikkavu distinct from the other temples of Kerala. In this rare ritual a group of performers, who are carried on the shoulders of men, hit each other.

Adiyulsavam is observed annually during the Malayalam month of Medam and attracts hundreds of devotees and travellers. Mavilakkavu Theyyam, a ritual dance performed by the people of Peruvannan community, is another notable attraction of this temple.

The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of about 35 km from Thalassery and 60 km from the town of Kannur. Headquartered in Iritty (20 km away), the sanctuary was set up in 1984. Lying along the thickly forested slopes of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary houses a wide variety of animals and birds. The highest peak of the region is Katti Betta, situated at an altitude of 1145 m.

The sanctuary serves as a true delight to nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts with its exciting variety of fauna that include elephant, spotted deer, gaur, bison, jungle cats, leopard, Hanuman langur, barking deer, sambar, Nilgiri langur and Malabar giant squirrel.

The best season to visit the sanctuary is from November to June, and monsoon season should be preferably avoided. It is a hotspot for those who are into bird watching as 215 kinds of bird species and 172 kinds of butterflies are recorded in the region.

Kottiyoor Shiva Temple, the collective name given to the twin temples of Akkare Kottiyoor and the Ikkare Kottiyoor, is a major attraction and a popular pilgrim centre of northern Kerala. 

The temple is located in Kottiyoor, a small village which is popularly known as Varanasi of the South aka Dakshina Kashi. The temples of Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor are located on the eastern and western banks of the river Bavali amidst the scenic stretch of thick forests.

Vaisakha festival is the chief celebration of the temple which is observed during the months of May and June. The festival lasts for 28 days, and millions of devotees make their way to this temple to participate in the rituals and ceremonies.

Ilaneer Veppu (offering of tender coconuts) and Ilaneerattu (consecration of the temple idol with coconut water) are the chief rituals conducted during the festivals. Travellers can access Kottiyoor Shiva Temple by road from Kannur (70 km) as well as Thalassery (60 km).

The Pazhassi Dam, situated about 35 km from Kannur town, is a popular tourist destination. The dam area attracts visitors with its beauty and entertainment facilities. Valapattanam river, the dam and the reservoir cater to the irrigation needs of Kannur.

The dam takes its name from the legendary King Pazhassi Raja who gained a special position in the history of modern Kerala by fighting against the British. His birthplace is located 11 km from the dam area and serves as a popular tourist destination. The Tourism Promotion Council of Kannur district organizes boating facilities in the reservoir with the aim of attracting visitors.

The dam has a beautiful garden adjacent to it, which offers travellers excellent entertainment facilities. The statue of Pazhassi Raja and Buddha’s mountain are the major attractions near the dam area. Pazhassi Dam along with its surrounding garden area serves as an ideal spot for school picnics, family tours and one day trips.

Sundareswara Temple is one of the most popular religious spots in Kannur and is located at a distance of about 2 km from the town. Sree Narayana Guru, the most renowned spiritual leader and social reformer of modern Kerala, founded this worship place in the year 1916.

According to history, Sree Narayana Guru consecrated four temples in the region of which Sundareswara Temple is the most prominent one. Lord Shiva, in the form of Sundareswara, is the presiding deity of this temple. Sundareswara is also known as the God of Beauty.

Sundareswara Temple, unlike many other temples of South India, is open to people of all castes and creeds. The chief festival of the temple is observed during the months of April-May, every year. The festivities and celebrations last for 8 days accompanied by several cultural events, fireworks and processions.

Travellers can visit the temple around the year; those who want a glimpse of festive hues should pay a visit during summer.

Ezhimala, a cluster of hills with a height of about 290 m, attracts tourists with its stunning beauty and emerald surroundings. The region has considerable historical importance for it once served as the capital of the ancient Mushika dynasty.

As an ancient port and a commercial hub, Ezhimala was widely popular during ancient times and is believed to have been visited by Lord Buddha. Many believe that the story behind the origins of this hill is associated with some events depicted in the epic Ramayana.

The most popular attractions of the region are a temple where Lord Hanuman is worshipped and a lighthouse named Mount Deli Lighthouse. Ezhimala is under the administration of the Indian Navy and has been declared as a restricted area since the Indian Naval Academy started functioning here in 2009.

Located at a distance of 55 km from the town of Kannur, the restricted areas of Ezhimala can be visited with the permission from the authorities. The beach in Ezhimala is a serene as well as scenic place to hang out. Ettikulam bay lies closer to the region, and travellers get the rare opportunity to watch dolphins at the bay.

Pythal Mala, also known as Vaital Mala, is a scenic hill station located on the Kerala-Karnataka border and can be reached by travelling about 60 km from Kannur town. Situated at an altitude of 4,500 ft and surrounded by emerald mountain ranges, this hilly terrain invites travellers to enjoy and explore.

Pythal Mala has a rich variety of animal and plant life and is a true delight for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The region has excellent trekking trails and visitors need to trek about 6 km to reach the hilltop.

Realizing the potential for tourism in the region, authorities are in the process of converting Pythal Mala into a hill resort. The region with its panoramic vista appeals to photographers and the view from the top of the hill will leave the spectators spellbound.

The cool air passing through the meadows and hillsides refreshes the travellers, making Pythal Mala an excellent spot for holidaying during summers. The remains of an ancient palace which once belonged to a tribal ruler (named Vaithalkon) can be spotted on this hill station.

Gundert Bungalow, a popular heritage building and a tourist attraction, is located about 20 km from Kannur. The bungalow lies on a beautiful hill named Illikkunnu, near Thalassery town, and a river passes through the area making it an absolute visual treat.

This bungalow was the residence of Dr. Herman Gundert who lived here from 1839 carrying out his literary, scholarly and missionary activities. Gundert was a renowned German missionary and scholar who brought out the very first Malayalam English dictionary. He is also credited with the publication of Rajyasamacharam, the first Malayalam Newspaper and another publication named Paschimodayam.

Gundert Bungalow, where Gundert lived for about 20 years, is considered as a place of historic and cultural significance. Nettur Technical Training Institute (NTTF), Gundert Memorial Church and a cemetery are located close to the bungalow. The building is an excellent piece of architecture built in typical English style and the surroundings of the bungalow are both serene and scenic.

Madayipara, a green hummock and a scenic stretch of laterite rocks, is situated at Pazhayangadi town (about 25 km away from Kannur) on the banks of the Kuppam river. The region is rich in bio-diversity and carries a long history which can be traced back to the reign of Ezhimala Kings.

Ruins of an ancient fort named Pazhi Kotta and its watchtowers can be spotted on the sides of the hill. Another chief attraction in the area is the Madayikkavu (also known as Thiruvar Kadu Bhagavathi Temple) where Goddess Bhadrakali is worshipped.

Vadukunnu Temple (the presiding deity of which is Lord Shiva) and Malik Ibn Dinar mosque (popularly known as Maday Mosque) are situated in the surroundings, attracting travellers with their historic significance.

Madayipara attracts nature lovers with its exciting variety of flora and fauna. According to records about 300 kinds of flowering plants, 30 types of grass, 100 species of butterflies and 150 species of birds are spotted in the region.

The area is best known for the wide variety of medicinal herbs it houses. Though not extensively explored by travellers at the moment, Madayipara holds within it the potential for becoming a booming tourist spot in the future.