Best Things To Do in Kannur, India

Are you looking for what to do in Kannur?

  • St. Angelo’s Fort: Built by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India in the 16th century, the fort showcases Islamic art and architecture that’s been preserved by the royal family.
  • Moppila Bay: Check out the Kadayali Fort and the Shree Krishna Temple here. Weather permitting, boating and fishing here is excellent.
  • Dharmadam Island: A five acre island covered in coconut palm and dense bushes. It’s privately owned, and permission is needed for entry. It’s quite beautiful.
  • Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple: Ancient and secular, this temple welcomes all faiths. Food and lodging are provided at very cheap reates.
  • Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary: Contains much flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Spread over 55 km square. It’s best to hire a local travel guide to get around here.

Below we have a list of things to do in Kannur and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Kannur getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Kannur with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Kannur

Here is the list of things to do in Kannur and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Muzhapillangad Beach

    4.7 (800 Votes)
    Muzhapillangad Beach

    Beach, Walking Area, Rides

    The Muzhapillangad Beach is a drive-in beach almost 15 kilometers south of Kannur. The soothing white sands with the background lashing sounds of the waves are a pleasure to be surrounded in. If you can rent a car, then gear up to take a long ride along the beach to park later and have a small picnic while you watch the divine sunset. A must if you love to explore beaches!
  2. St. Angelos Fort

    4.4 (801 Votes)
    St. Angelos Fort

    Garden, River, Historical Site, Archaeological Site

    St. Angelo Fort which is also known as Kannur Fort or the Kannur Kotta is a fort in Kannur region of Kerala and faces the Arabian Sea. The fort juts out from a cliff. This fort was built by the first Portuguese viceroy of India, Dom Francisco De Almeida in 1505. This was attacked by a local ruler named Zamorin but he could not capture it. In 1509, when Afonso De Albuquerque came as the new vice...Read more
  3. Payyambalam Beach

    4.3 (585 Votes)
    Payyambalam Beach

    Beach, Walking Area

    Located almost 4 kilometers east of Kannur City Centre, the Payyambalam Beach is known for its beautiful sands and serene sunsets. The beach is close to the city and is a casual venue for visitors who love the beach for its sheer close proximity. Don’t miss the sunset here- known for its glorious yellow and red hue while a dip in the waters is the perfect way to cool off on a sunny day.
  4. Thottada Beach

    4.4 (472 Votes)
    Thottada Beach

    Beach, Walking Area, Boating

    The Thottada Beach is lined with laterite rocks adding a rustic charm to the beach. The whole beach is lined with sky-high palm trees while the white sand offers a calm ambience. Highlights Include: Boating rides The Beach is the perfect spot to spend an evening at.
  5. Tellichery Fort

    Historical Site, War Memorial, Fort, Tunnel

    The Tellichery Fort was built in 1708 by the British East India Company to overlook the Malabar Coast. Playing an important role in the Anglo- Maratha war in the late 1700s, today the fort is a historic placenta into the independence era of India. Highlights Include: Secret Tunnels Prison Cells The fort overlooks the Arabian Sea- the perfect strategic location to be aware of intruders getting...Read more
  6. Arakkal Museum

    4 (573 Votes)
    Arakkal Museum

    History Museum

    Arakkal Museum is a palace known for its rich artifacts. Learn about the Arakkal Dynasty- their taste in art and lifestyle, deceptive to its outer rustic appearance. Highlights Include: Century old furniture Swords and other artifacts An intimate ambience right in the heart of royalty, the museum is sure to make you appreciate Kannur’s history a little bit more.
  7. Dharmadam Island

    4.6 (602 Votes)
    Dharmadam Island

    Outdoors, Island, River

    This island is also known as the Green Island. It is located in Thalassery in the Kannur district of Kerala. This is a small private island with fantastic beauty. This is an uninhabited island filled with dense coconut trees and overlooks the Thalaserry and the Anjarakandy Rivers. You can even walk your way to the island during a low tide when the water level is comparatively low. This place is...Read more
  8. Ezhimala

    4.4 (149 Votes)
    Ezhimala

    Outdoors, Hill

    This place is also known as Elimala, Mooshika Sailam and Sapta Sailam. This is a high hill located in Payyanur in the District of Kannur in Kerala. This place is very important in ancient history and also the battlefield of the Chola – Chera. It was a flourishing city and a center of trade in the beginning of the Common Era. It is also believed by some that it was the abode of Lord Buddha...Read more
  9. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

    4.3 (404 Votes)
    Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

    Wildlife Sanctuary

    Aralam is a small village in Thalaserry and is the Northern most part of Beautiful Kerala. It is located in the South East of the District of Kannur. This place is surrounded by tall green trees on all sides. The highest peak here is the Katti Betta among all the others which surround this place. The rivers here are sparkling with clean waters and are devoid of any pollution. The sanctuary was ...Read more
  10. Moppila Bay

    4.3 (571 Votes)
    Moppila Bay

    Outdoors, Beach, Walking Area, Boating

    This is better known as the Mapila Bay or the Mappila Beach. It is located in such a way that the St. Angelo’s Fort lies on one side and the Arakkul Fort on the other. This location is the main reason for this place to become a tourist hotspot. In the past this served as a port used for trade purposes. It was the link between the trade route of Malabar with the other countries. In present...Read more
  11. Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappam Temple

    Religious Site, Temple

    This temple is one of the most important in Kerala and is on the banks of the River Valapattanam. The Parassini Madappura sree Muthappam Temple is dedicated to Sree Muthappan. The best part about this temple is that there is no idol here. There is a man who sits there decorated and you can chat with him as you pray and in turn he will answer your problems and give you solutions after listening ...Read more
  12. Odathil Mosque

    4.6 (401 Votes)
    Odathil Mosque

    Mosque, Religious Site, Architecture

    Initially owned by the Dutch as a sugarcane garden and later changed hands and went to the British East India Company, it is locally known as the Odathil Palli or the Garden Mosque. There was a man then called Musakaka who belonged to the Keyi Family of Thalaserry and worked for the British. He was very honest and trustworthy and thus loved by all. The British once decided to reward his honesty...Read more
  13. Azhikkal Ferry

    Outdoors, Village, River, Boating

    Azhikkal is a small coastal village in the Kannur district of Kerala. It has a port which is proposed to be used as a center for cargo ferry. This is where the Valapattanam River merges into the Arabian Sea. This fact makes the place look like a landscape drawn on paper. This is a tourist hotspot, given its fantastic view and the gorgeous sunrise from here. There are also facilities for boating...Read more
  14. Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-operative
    Rightly nicknamed as ‘the poor man’s cigarette’, the Beedi is a narrow version of the cigarette- filled with tobacco and wrapped with the tendu or kendu leaves. Even though the Beedi is not considered as sophisticated as a cigarette, it still is a common sight in the whole of India and parts of Asia. The Kerala Dinesh Beedi Co-operative offers a rare view of the industry which...Read more
  15. Kerala Folklore Academy

    4.1 (273 Votes)
    Kerala Folklore Academy

    Educational Site, Entertainment, Performance

    The Kerala Folklore Academy is a support initiative for all the folk artists in Kerala. In a world of trending fashions and growing art forms, this academy upholds its folk music and dance specialty in as much pure state as possible. Highlights Include: Seeing the colorful folk costumes up close Witnessing a true folk performance If you are lucky, the artists will allow you to see their make-...Read more