Known for its vibrant folk arts, pristine beaches, and rich colonial heritage, Kannur beckons intrepid travellers seeking a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Christened by Marco Polo as the ‘Great Emporium Of Spice Trade’, since time immemorial, Kannur which is located on the Malabar coast of Kerala has been hailed as an influential sea port, today is widely renowned as a ‘Land of Temples’.Â
History and Heritage
Formerly known as Cannanore, the district boasts a legacy that dates back centuries. Once a part of the ancient Chera kingdom that ruled majority of Kerala during the first several centuries CE, Kannur later became the capital of the Kolattiri Rajas. Their kingdom had extensive trade relations with Persia and Arabia in the 12th and 13th centuries. This district has borne witness to the most violent resistance to British rule through a revolt led by the legendary Pazhassi Raja during 1792–1806.Â
Over the years Kannur has been a melting pot of cultures, influenced by Arab, Dutch, Portuguese, and British settlers. The remnants of colonial architecture stand as testament to this rich past, inviting history buffs to explore ancient structures such as the imposing St. Angelo Fort. Built by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later fortified by the Dutch, this fort offers panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, making it a photographer's delight.Â
Another among the many notable monuments in Kannur is the Gundert Bungalow located 4kms from Thalassery town. The erstwhile residence of Dr. Hermann Gundert, who was a German missionary and lexicographer who contributed greatly to the Malayalam language, the bungalow set into motion several social reform activities by setting up tailoring unit classes for the progress of women and in providing english education to the masses.Â
During the 17th century Kannur was in fact the capital city of the only Islamic Dynasty in Kerala, known as Arakkal. The Arakkal royal family followed a matrilineal system and so the eldest female member was crowned the ruler. These female rulers were given the title - Arakkal Beevi. The Arakkal Museum, located in a former palace of the Arakkal royal family, provides a glimpse into the royal heritage of Kannur. Exhibits ranging from artefacts to portraits narrate the story of this once powerful dynasty, adding to the district's allure as a cultural hub.
Cultural Extravaganza
Ponniyam, a small village in Thalassery has an integral part to play in the evolution of the legendary martial art form of Kerala - Kalaripayattu. In this village is a paddy field called the Ezharakandam where the greats of Kalaripayattu, Thacholi Othenan and his master Kathirur Gurukkal fought their last duel. Due to its historic relevance and importance, a stage was constructed and preserved at the site of the fight called the Ankathattu. Kalaripayattu is a martial art form that is indigenous to Kerala but is now practised across the globe. Kannur is the perfect place give you immense insights into this ancient martial art form.Â
Kannur is also synonymous with Theyyam, a vibrant ritualistic dance form that blends mythology, folklore, and spirituality. In a Theyyam performance the artist transitions from being just a mere mortal to imbibing the essence of the divine. During the Theyyam season (December to April), the district comes alive with performances that mesmerise audiences with elaborate costumes, hypnotic drumbeats, and soul-stirring chants. Travellers are not mere spectators but participants in this ancient tradition that transcends time and space.
The folk arts of Kannur extend beyond Theyyam, encompassing the enchanting melodies of Mappila Pattu and much more. Each art form weaves a narrative that celebrates the essence of Kannur's cultural identity, leaving visitors captivated by its authenticity and depth.
The Kottiyoor Temple at Kannur is located on its eastern border at the foot of the mighty Western Ghats on the banks of the mighty Bavali River. Thousands flock to this temple each year for the grand Vaishaka Mahotsavam festival that is held here. Conducted by the Akkare Kottiyoor Temple and the Ikkare Kottiyoor Temple, the festival is held during the monsoon season each year. Of these the Ankara Kottiyoor Temple opens for devotees opens only once a year during these festivities for devotees.Â
The Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple, situated on the banks of the Valapattanam River, is a very interesting religious destination. It is famous for how dogs are considered sacred here and the fact that fish and toddy are the customary offerings to the deity, Lord Muthappan, here and they are distributed to the devotees as well.Â
One of the most ancient temples of the North Malabar region of Kerala is located in Dharmadam village of Thalassery. The Andalur Kavu temple is believed to have been constructed by the fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu, Sage Parasurama. The annual festival of the temple which is usually held in February is an event that draws hundreds of devotees from far and near. One of the main highlights of the temple is the Theyyam performed here. At the Andalur Kavu temple the Theyyam performed depicts stories from the Ramayana. Lord Rama is represented by the Daivathar Theyyam, Lord Hanuman is represented by Bappuran Theyyam and Lord Lakshmana is represented by Angakkaran Theyyam.Â
Sandy Shores and Serene Backwaters
For those seeking solace in nature's embrace, Kannur offers a coastline dotted with beautiful beaches like the Payyambalam Beach and Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, where cerulean waters meet golden sands. Whether it's lounging under swaying palms or indulging in thrilling water sports, these beaches promise an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Away from the coastline, the tranquil backwaters of Valapattanam and Kuppam invite travellers to embark on leisurely boat rides, immersing themselves in the lush greenery and unhurried pace of village life. As the boat glides through calm waters, surrounded by coconut groves and traditional fishing villages, visitors experience a slice of Kerala's unspoiled beauty.
Flavours of Malabar
No visit to Kannur is complete without savouring its delectable culinary offerings. From the legendary spicy Malabar Biryani to the irresistible aroma of freshly caught seafood cooked in traditional Kerala spices, the district tantalises taste buds with a myriad of flavours especially that of the Moplah cuisine. Local eateries, known as thattukadas, serve up authentic local fare that promises to leave a lasting impression on discerning palates.
Artisanal Treasures
Kannur is a treasure trove for connoisseurs of handcrafted goods. The district is renowned for its skilled artisans who produce exquisite handicrafts such as handloom textiles, intricately carved wooden furniture, and traditional pottery. Visitors can witness the craftsmanship firsthand at bustling markets. The handcrafted bronze lamps, curios and sculptures of Kunhimangalam heritage village near Payyanur is particularly famous and so are the handloom products of this land.
Gateway to Adventure
For adventure enthusiasts, Kannur offers thrilling opportunities such as trekking through the rugged terrain of Ranipuram hills or exploring the dense forests of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary which is a haven for a plethora of flora and fauna that includes elephants, leopards, and rare avian species. Mangrove kayaking, quad biking and many more such adrenaline-pumping experiences await you here amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
Hospitality and Accessibility
The hallmark of Kannur and its locals lies in their warm hospitality towards all visitors. A wide range of options for accommodations, from luxury resorts to cozy homestays that reflect the district's traditional charm, are available here to suit every budget. The excellent connectivity via Kannur International Airport and well-maintained road and rail networks ensure that reaching this picturesque destination is convenient for travellers from across the globe.
Kannur is way more than just another destination. It is an invite to uncover the soul of Kerala. Whether you seek cultural immersion, natural splendour, or simply moments of tranquility by the sea, Kannur promises an unforgettable journey enriched by its heritage, hospitality, and the warm embrace of its people. Come, let Kannur weave its magic on you, leaving indelible memories that linger long after your journey ends.
These digital guides serve as invaluable tools for travellers planning their Kerala vacations.
Learn about the destinations in Kerala through our E-Brochures. Here is the E-brochure for Kannur
The land of myths, legends and folklore, Kannur District has always attracted domestic and international tourists for its uniqueness, cultural legacy and historical relevance. The E Brochure brought out by Kerala Tourism lists the important tourist destinations in Kannur district such as Muzhappilangad Beach, St. Angelo’s Fort, Thalassery Pier, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Dharmadam Island, Arakkal Kettu Museum, Thalassery Fort, Madayipara and Palakkayam Thattu. The tourism brochure gives information about what visitors can see and experience at each destination. Apart from a picture gallery of high-definition photos, the travel brochure also has hyperlinks to 360° and regular videos of the locations
With a raft of attractions like boating, game zone, local cuisine, walkway over the water, Vayalapra is just the right picnic spot.
Valapattanam is replete with historic tales, scenic beach and has all the simple charms of a quaint village on the river bank
Constructed across the Valapattanam river, Pazhassi dam is a sought-after tourist spot in Kannur district that is known for its scenic beauty and serene environs
Kerala Tourism organized an expo of tourist caravans at Hotel Magnet in Kannur for major national tour operators, who were visiting Malabar under the 'Fam 2 Malabar 500'…
Located at a distance of eight kilometres from Thalassery in Kannur, Muzhappilangad welcomes travellers to bestow an exclusive beach experience. Muzhappilangad is Kerala'…
Kannur situated in the northern part of Kerala enjoys a cultural significance that is distinct from the rest of the districts of Kerala. Formerly known as Cannanore, Marc…
Gundert Bungalow at Thalassery in Kannur district was home to German missionary, scholar and lexicographer Dr Herman Gundert for about two decades from 1839
The mangrove trail at Kizhake Kandankali, about five kilometers from Payannur town, offers visitors a close view of the mangrove ecosystem.
Arakkal Palace, situated in Kannur was the former palace for the only Muslim royal family. The Arakkal royal family of north Kerala lived here and now its historic site.
Thalassery, one of the beautiful cities in the Malabar Coast of Kerala is often called as the city of three
Located around 15 km east of Kannur district, Kerala is the Kanhirode Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd, a place known for its weaving tradition.
Kunhimangalam heritage village near Payyanur in Kannur district is known for its handcrafted bronze lamps, sculptures and curios. The beautiful village of Kunhimangalam h…
Madayipara in Madayi, in the Kannur district of Kerala is famous not only for its surreal and ever-changing appearance, but also for many vibrant historical narratives, e…
Thalassery Kadalpalam is a sea bridge that was built in early 20th century when Thalassery was a busy commercial hub. The 500-ft long bridge was built by the British in…
Odathil Palli is a 500 year mosque built by an Arab merchant in a typical Hindu temple style. It is located in Thalasserry, Kannur district in Kerala.
Payyannur Subramania Temple is a famous shrine is located in Kannur district, Kerala.
Dedicated to Sree Rama, this is one of the most important shrines in Kannur district, Kerala.
The temple dedicated to Lord Raja Rajeswara (Lord Siva), is located 21 km away from Kannur district of Kerala.
Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple is a famous shrine dedicated to Lord Siva. It is located in Kannur district of Kerala
Pythal Mala is an enchanting hill station located in Kannur district of Kerala. The place also offers one of the best trekking spots in Kerala.
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats near Thalassery in Kannur. It is famous for its common sights of herds of deer,…
Nuzzled in the folds of the majestic Western Ghats in the Kannur district of Kerala lies a stretch of greenery that bursts with myriad forms of wildlife. With its varieti…
Kerala Folklore Academy, located at Chirakkal in Kannur, the northern district of Kerala, India.
Valapattanam, situated near Kannur Town, is a hamlet on the banks of the Valapattanam River.Valapattanam is a famous fishing harbour as well as the main source of the irr…
Arakkal Kettu, once the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas is now a Museum situated in Kannur.
Madayi Para is a green, laterite hill, located at Pazhayangadi in Kannur District. It is a beautiful destination hardly known to the leisure and travel world.
Dharmadom Island located near Thalassery is a picnic spot in Kannur, known for its secluded beach.
Kizhunna Beach is one of the most popular beach destinations located around 11 km from Kannur, Kerala
Mahe, formerly a part of Kerala, is now a union territory. The original name of Mahe is Mayyazhi
Kavvayi Kayal or Kavvayi backwater, situated in Kannur district, is a fascinating backwater destination in Northern Kerala.
The St. Mary's Forane Church is one of the most popular churches in Malabar. The church is located at Taliparamba in Kannur district.
A seashore recreational park developed under Thalassery Heritage Tourism Circuit, Overbury’s Folly is located near Thalassery Municipal Stadium in Kannur.
Kizhunna offers wonderful, panoramic views of the surreal waters and has soft sand and rock formations
A land that beckons travellers with its alluring serenity and soothing vibes, the Vellikkeel Eco-Park is a must-visit destination for all Nature lovers. An unexplored hav…
Andalur Kavu Theyyam at Dharmadam village in Kannur district is a festival that depicts a great culture blending ordinary and daily life with ancient mythologies
Malayala Kalagramam is a renowned art and culture learning centre which conducts courses in painting, sculpture, music, dance and pottery
If we want to know about the artistic heritage of Kerala, Chirakkal Folklore Museum is a place worth dropping by
With its lush green plains, meandering rivers and gushing waters, Ezharakund waterfalls at Paithalamala valley in Kannur district is one of the tourist hotspots in North…
Ponniam Vayal or paddy field is where the great legends of Kalarippayattu, Thacholi Othenan and his master Kathirur Gurukkal fought their last Ankam (duel)
St Angelo Fort in Kannur owns a vital position in the historical map of Kerala. Also known as the Kannur Fort, this historically significant place is built of laterite i…
Arakkal Kettu or Arakkal Royal Palace is the seat of the only Muslim Royal Family in Kerala, Arakkal Aki Rajas. It is a must-visit historical destination in Kannur that n…
Thazhe Angadi Heritage Street situated close to the harbour in Thalassery will take you to the colonial days and history of trade through Uru or Fat Boats.
Each handicraft of Kerala has its own story to narrate and bell metal crafts are one such product that is known for its centuries-old craftsmanship and heritage. This me…
A scenic hill station that has a plethora of stories to tell - that is Puralimala in Kannur district
Teeming with rare plants, trees and birds, Aralam calls travellers for an amazing wild encounter. Situated in the Kannur district of Kerala, this wildlife sanctuary let y…
Malayala Kalagramam (MAKAM), situated at New Mahe in Kannur district of Kerala is a centre for art and ideas aiming children and youngsters.
Built by the British in 1708, Thalassery Fort in Kannur district is a witness to the transformation of the region from a trading centre to a full-fledged town, rich in cu…
Thalasseri fort at Kannur established by East India Company is a historical monument which stands as testimonial of colonial imperialism in Kerala, India.
St. Angelo’s Fort in Kannur district is a massive triangular laterite fort also known as the Kannur Fort. It was constructed by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don France…
Payyambalam beach is located 2 km from Kannur town, in the Kannur district of Kerala.
Muzhappilangad Beach, situated 7 km from Thalassery in Kannur district, is a drive-in-beach where one can drive down the entire length. This beach stretches across 4 km o…
Aralam in Kannur is rich in bio-diversity. The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary situated on the slopes of the Western Ghats has so much to explore. The wild lives, trekking to M…
Pazhasi Dam in Kannur district of Kerala, is an ideal retreat for the tourists.
Thalassery or Talacherry is part Kannur district, Kerala. Thalassery is famous for culture, religion and tradition. It has a long tradition of cricket and circus. The Dha…
The Northern Part Of Kerala Called The Malabar Region Has Some Of The Wonderful Backwater Stretches Of Kerala. Kasaragod's Kottappuram, Valiyaparamba And Chandragiri, Val…
Here's a wide range of accredited hospitality services available in Kannur.
Your safety is our top priority: Choose from a select group of accredited adventure tour operators for an unforgettable experience.
Rope in accredited tour guides to get an authentic taste of local experiences.
Abdulkhadar P.M.
abdulkhadar.parekkattu@gmail.comDileep Kumar V
dilzlieben75@gmail.comSiddharth V.S
siddvs12@gmail.comVarghese K.J
kjvarghese2010@gmail.comSajin B.J.
sajinbj@gmail.comSreejith Mohan
sreejith319@gmail.comJoseph Kuriakose
shinekuriakose082@gmail.comAkshay A C
211akshayac@gmail.comHareesh Das H
harisunora@gmail.comAncel Correya
ancel.kestrel@gmail.comSanthosh.S.R
santsou@gmail.comUnnikrishnan.p
unni.4298@gmail.comNaveenlal A P
navees22@gmail.comSuresh Kumar P
sureshethnic@gmail.comShajan.C.V
shajancv1@gmail.comSajeev C T
ctsajeevcochin@yahoo.co.inVarun R V
varunrvs@gmail.comPrasad K
prasad545844@gmail.comSreejith M.K
sreejithm053@gmail.comVijayakumar J
vijaythonnakkal@gmail.comArunkumar .S.S
arun777hiya@gmail.comPraveesh M.V
praveeshmv@rediffmail.comP Navaneeth Ramesh
navnitnavni@gmail.comSajukurian
sajukurian56@gmail.comPraneeth T P
tpathalai@gmail.comSunil Daniel
sunildaniel21@gmail.comSuresh K. B
sureshkbwyd@gmail.comSuresh Kumar .K
achuammu.suresh@gmail.comRosemary Neel
cochinroadking@gmail.comSundaramoorthy C.K
sundramoorthy@gmail.comSunil.S
ethnicvoyages@gmail.comSathyan. C
sathyanedakkad@gmail.comArun Sebastian
travelwitharun@mail.comShafi C M
shaaficm@gmail.comJobin Chacko
jobipnpnl@gmail.comBipin Mathew
bipinpaduva@gmail.comJunaid K.K
junucer247@gmail.comHareesh
hareeshtir@gmail.comSaneesh T.P
sanimsw@gmail.comRejanish.V.S
rejanish100@gmail.comDanti Jacob C J
dantijacob@gmail.comBinu P Jose
binujoseonline@gmail.comRajeevan Pallath
parajeevan@yahoo.comBinumon K.G
binumonkg@gmail.comJaisal M. K.
jaisalmk@gmail.comVishnu Vijayan
vishnuxml@gmail.comLinson C L
linsoncl.07@gmail.comAswathy U
achoosasok@gmail.comRajesh V
Rajeshkhd2008@gmail.comRemya Mohan
akkuremo@gmail.comPadmaraj KM
Padmarajnair16@gmail.comSivasankara Panicker.P
pspanicker@hotmail.comTed Tony Tom
beachwood.in@gmail.comJosemon Scaria
josemon.scaria@gmail.comAravindan M
vysalik95@gmail.comDeepu Sebastian
deepusebastiankkd@gmail.comDanien D
danien.dominic@gmail.comSibil Kumar.P.K
pksibil@gmail.comShajas P S
shajasvaikom@gmail.comMuraleedharan Pillai.N
murali7808@gmail.comJojan Mathew
jojanstourindia@rediffmail.comMohana Chandran B.
mohana_1960@yahoo.co.inDeepa Francis
diepafb@gmail.comAshkar Rahim
ashkarrahim@gmail.comSadanandan.T.K
tksadanandan44@gmail.comSathyadas K S
sathyadassathya69@gmail.comSai Ramesh
saitheguide@gmail.comAbhilash P Gopinath
abylashg@gmail.comAnaz.A.B
basheer.anaz@gmail.comFelix George
felixgeorgesaji@gmail.comDr.Jose Bejoy
withfullofgrace@gmail.comPrasannakumar S.
prasannakumarnath1@gmail.comSanjay Johnson
sanjayjohnson@hotmail.comFind your nearest office from the list given below
Looking for other districts
Sign up for Kerala Tourism's monthly newsletter to learn about our events, offers and more…