Places To Visit In Kannur

Show on map
  • Filter (29)
  • Beach (8)
  • Temple (6)
  • Hills & Valleys (3)
  • Monument (1)

1. Payyambalam Beach

Payyambalam Beach

2 km
from city center
1 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

The impeccably unspoilt Payyabalam beach is adorned with sparkling pearls of golden sand and foamy white waves of the Arabian Sea. The highlight of Kannur and one of the many beautiful beaches of Kerala, it has an incredibly peaceful and inviting aura.

2. Muzhappilangad Beach

Muzhappilangad Beach

12 km
from city center
2 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

The Muzzhapilangad Drive-in Beach at Kannur is one referred to with many superlatives- as the longest drive-in beach in the whole of India, as one of the cleanest beaches of Kannur and most importantly, as one of the best drive-in beaches that the entire Asian continent has to offer.

3. St Angelo Fort

St Angelo Fort

2 km
from city center
3 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

St Angelo's Fort is definitely one of the most popular and frequently visited attractions of Kannur and for more reasons than one. The polished yet prehistoric structure of this fortress oozes with unadulterated elegance and overwhelming power. Standing ashore in the Arabian sea, it enjoys a panoramic and unobstructed view of the diorama created by the merger of the magnetic waves and the azure waters. It also overlooks the mesmerising Mopilla Bay, a natural harbour.

4. Kannur Lighthouse

Kannur Lighthouse

2 km
from city center
4 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Being Kerala's first lighthouse ever and Kannur's only one, the Kannur Lighthouse is a pretty big deal. This cylindrical concrete tower has a balcony with a light that is lit as the evening breaks in to alert the seamen of the land.

5. Parassinikkadavu Snake Park

Parassinikkadavu Snake Park

13 km
from city center
5 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Regarded as one of the finest snake sanctuaries of Asia, the Parassinikadavu Snake Park is the pride of the south. This snake park is one of the most prominent reptile preservation centres in the country and is the only one in Kerala. It is home to over 150 different species of reptiles like crocodiles, monitor lizards and snakes- both venomous and non-venomous.

6. Baby Beach

Baby Beach

2 km
from city center
6 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

The Baby Beach in Kannur, as the name suggests, is a tiny yet an extremely attractive beach along the shore of the Arabian Sea. Don't be mistaken by its name or size, this beach is a very happening picnic spot for the locals of Kannur and attracts the attention of many tourists with its panoramic view of the azure Arabian Sea.

7. Arakkal Museum

Arakkal Museum

2 km
from city center
7 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

The Arakkal Museum in Kannur city is one of the most significant and frequently visited attractions of the south that celebrates the memory and grandeur of Kerala's only Muslim royal family- the Arakkal Ali Rajas. This museum is a testimony to the impeccable Muslim architecture and design.

8. Palakkayam Thattu

Palakkayam Thattu

0 km
from city center
8 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Tucked away in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats and soaring at a dizzying altitude of 3500 feet above sea level, Palakayyam Thattu is one of the most beautiful hill stations in the entire state of Kerala. Adorned with luxuriously dense greenery, sky-touching trees and majestic hillocks, the view that Palakayyam Thattu enjoys is one that you will rarely find.

9. Madayipara

Madayipara

21 km
from city center
9 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Perched up on a hillock near Pazhayagandi in the scenic city of Kannur, Madayipara is renowned as one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire state of Kerala. Often compared with the famous Tulip Gardens of Amsterdam, Madayipara is better known as 'the land of flowers'.

10. Ezhimala

Ezhimala
Top Attraction 4.1 /5

24 km
from city center
10 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Ezhimala, once served as the capital of erstwhile Mooshika kings, today it is a site of great historical significance. The land has been witness to many great events from war of Chola-Chera to headquarters of the Ezhimala Radii.

11. Taliparamba

Taliparamba
Top Attraction 4.2 /5

18 km
from city center
11 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

A popular city located in Kannur District, it is mainly known for its District Agricultural Farm established in year 1905. The city is also home to two famous temples namely Shree Rajarajeswara Temple and the Trichambaram Temple.

12. Paithalmala

Paithalmala
Top Attraction 4.0 /5

38 km
from city center
12 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

A small hill station tucked in the forest of Kodagu in the Kannur district of Kerala, Pythal Mala is one of the most beautiful peaks in the Western Ghats that mesmerizes anyone who has been here.

13. Parassinikkadavu

Parassinikkadavu
3.1 /5

13 km
from city center
13 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

About 16 km away from Kannur, Parassinikkadavu is a town popular for its Muthappan Temple and Parassinikkadavu Snake Park. The Muthappan temple, dedicated to Sree Muthappan is the only Hindu temple in the state which witnesses a Theyyam performance daily as per ritual.

14. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

46 km
from city center
14 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Being the northernmost wildlife reserve in the whole of Kerala and the only wildlife sanctuary in Kannur, the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is quite a big deal. Amidst these sky-touching trees and mesmerising greenery, many exotic wildlife species have marked their territory.

15. Peralassery

Peralassery
3.1 /5

13 km
from city center
15 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

At a distance of about 15 km from Kannur is the town of Peralassery, known for its Peralassery Subrahmanya Temple. It is believed that on their way to Lanka to free Goddess Sita, Lord Ram and Lord Laxman, stopped at the temple for a while and they left a bangle here.

16. Theyyam

Theyyam

1 km
from city center
16 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Bringing life to intriguing myths and exciting legends, the Theyyam festival is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals of the vibrant city of Kannur. Drawing the attention of thousands of people every year from across the country, this festival is renowned as the most remarkable and riveting art form of Malabar, the northern part of Kerala. This joyous celebration includes performances of over four hundred different traditional folk dances and is celebrated to appease the many local deities, gods, goddesses and heroes of the gripping ancient legends. Performers are dressed in attractive traditional costumes, captivating headgear and alluring ornaments with colourful face paints and creative face masks on.

17. Meenkunnu Beach

Meenkunnu Beach
3.1 /5

7 km
from city center
17 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

An extension of famous beach namely Payyambalam Beach in the region, it is a sight of pure beauty. Located a few kilometers from Kannur in Azhikode, the beach is a long stretch of sandy coastline and clear water.

18. Pallikunnu

Pallikunnu
3.2 /5

2 km
from city center
18 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Pallikunnu is another major town lying in the vicinity to Kannur nearly 3 km away. This town is best known for its ancient temple Shree Mookambika Temple, dedicated to Goddess Mookambika.

19. Shopping in Kannur

Shopping in Kannur
3.0 /5

1 km
from city center
19 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Your trip to this beautiful beach town is incomplete without shopping. The pace is a hub of many bazaars and is a shopper's paradise. Do buy local handicrafts, saris and earthenware products.

20. Thottada Beach

Thottada Beach
3.5 /5

7 km
from city center
20 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Between the coastal towns of Kannur and Thalassery along the Malabar Coast lies the scenic Thottada Beach. The cleanliness, solitude and tranquillity are part of the charm of the beach, making it the ideal getaway for anyone looking to escape the noise of the city and reconnect with nature and themselves.

21. Ezhara Beach

Ezhara Beach

8 km
from city center
21 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

This palm-fringed beach is actually a rock-strewn one with crimson cliffs and giant rocks lining up the coastline in the most attractive and scenic way possible. The Ezhara Beach is sure to charm you with the panoramic view of the azure waters of the Arabian Sea and its foamy white waves crashing against the rocks.

22. Sundareswara Temple

Sundareswara Temple

1 km
from city center
22 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

A very popular and frequently visited temple of the south, the Sundareswara Temple in Kannur is essentially a place like heaven for all the Lord Shiva devotees. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped and adulated as Lord Sundareswara, the 'God of Beauty'.

23. Pappinisseri

Pappinisseri
3.1 /5

8 km
from city center
23 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Moonu Pettumma Palli is a famous mosque which is located in the town of Pappinisseri. Popularly known as Kattile Palli, the mosque is popular for its Kattile Palli Nercha festival.

24. Dharmadam Beach

Dharmadam Beach

15 km
from city center
24 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Located on Dharmadam Island on the edge of the rustic but vibrant city of Kannur, the Dharmadam Beach is a stunning golden shore and an absolute heaven for those who want to treat themselves after a weary week. The Dharmadam Island is an attraction of its own and its peculiarity is that during a low tide, you can literally walk up to this island by wading through water that is barely even knee deep.

25. Mridanga Saileswari Temple

Mridanga Saileswari Temple

25 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Located in the Muzhakunnu, Kannur district of Kerala, Mridanga Saileswari Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. Believed to be among the top 108 Durga temples in ancient Kerala, the deity here was installed by Lord Parshurama- the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Enshrined by Mridanga Saileswari, who is a four armed Goddess Durga. She holds a conch and a disc in the arms behind, while one front arm is blessing a devotee and the last one rests on her waist. The temple which was in ruins for a long time in between, has currently been restored to its original royal form. The most important festivals celebrated in the temple are Navratri and Pooram Mahotasavam.

26. Vismaya Water Park

Vismaya Water Park

13 km
from city center
26 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Located near Taliparamba in Kannur in Kerala, Vismaya Water Park is a water themed park which is replete with a plethora of amusing rides and thrilling water sports. Spread across 30 acres of land area, the water park was inaugurated in August 2008, the water park boasts of a host of splash pools in addition to other facilities like a conference hall, prayer halls, restaurants and casual shops etc.

27. Mappila Bay

Mappila Bay

2 km
from city center
27 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Mappila Bay, or Mopila Bay, is a natural harbour located in the city of Kannur in Kerala. In its past, the Mappila Bay served as a major port, connecting the Malabar to lands far and wide. The Bay is surrounded by some colonial-era architecture, in the magnificent Fort St. Angelo, built by the Portuguese in the 15th century. There's also the Arrakulam Palace and Museum on the other side of the harbour, dedicated to the Arakulam kingdom that ruled the Cannanore city-state in the 1500s.

28. Kavvayi Islands

Kavvayi Islands

5 km
from city center
28 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

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

29. Cherupuzha

Cherupuzha

44 km
from city center
29 out of 29
Places To Visit in Kannur

Highlights: St. Mary's Forane Church, Cherupuzha Shri Ayy (Read More)appa Temple, Chathamangalam St. Jude's Chapel, Jerusalem Marthoma Church, Mulapra Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Pulingome Makham, Narambil Bhagavathy, Rafting in Cherupuzha

A hill station in Kannur, Kerala, Cherupuzha is a part of the Western Ghat mountain ranges in India. It is surrounded by nature and has dense forests. This is one of the many reasons tourists flock to this land to seek the remoteness and tranquility of nature.

FAQs on Kannur

What are the top sightseeing places in Kannur?

The top sightseeing places in Kannur are Payyambalam Beach, Muzhappilangad Beach, St Angelo Fort, Kannur Lighthouse, Parassinikkadavu Snake Park, Baby Beach.

How can I commute within Kannur?

Kannur is a town that offers many options of commutating from one place to another. Besides walking, you may take a bus which is quite cheap. Auto rickshaw is another way of transportation that is regarded as cheap as well as efficient. One can also hire a cab which is best for the tourist visiting for few days. The town also houses many rental car companies where you can rent a car for self drive. A beautiful town like this offers several wonderful experience loaded with so much to visit however make sure you plan your trip wisely keeping weather conditions in mind.
Read More

Can you suggest an itinerary for Kannur?

Day 1: Start your trip with a visit to Ste Angelo's Fort. After that, visit the town of Taliparamba, home to two beautiful temples - the Shree Rajarajeswara temple and the Trichambaram temple. After exploring the town,  end your day with a 40-minute drive from the town to visit the Meenkunnu beach, and enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Day 2:  Plan an early start to the day with a visit to Thalassery where you can chill by the backwaters and visit one of the toddy shops, which provide both great local alcohol or ‘kallu’ and tasty Kerala food. Kannur is also famous for the beautiful traditional folk performance of ‘Theyyam’, which takes place at different times throughout the year in one of the city’s many temples. In the evening, you can take a stroll around Payyambalam Beach.
See 147 Hotels