It is one of the fascinating places which you have to explore during Kerala vacation. Kannur is also known as the land of looms and lores. Earlier it was known as ‘Cannanore’, which is still in use by Indian Railway.
Its natural treasures are edged by the Western Ghats in the east, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in the south. Due to its historic heritage, beaches, hills and temples the place is often known as ‘The Crown of Kerala’. The historical importance of Kannur makes it one of the best tourist spot in Kerala. There are many stunning places to visit in Kannur and here are some of them.
Table of Contents
St. Anglo Fort is also known as Kannur Fort, which was built by Dom Francisco de Almeida in 1505. It is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea and about 2 km away from Kannur Town. One can take the breathtaking view of the Arabian sea from the top of Fort. The fort is also popular for its Portuguese architecture design. So if you want to explore the history and culture of Kannur town then it is one of the best places to visit in Kannur.
This is situated at a distance of around 22 kms from Kannur. It was built in 1708 AD. It was also the military centre of the British. The British East India Company came in 1708 AD and built this fort. This fort is square shaped and has huge walls, secret tunnels into the sea and magnificently carved doors. Erstwhile a centre for the development of Thalassery, today this fort is a historical monument with the gymnastic centre for the Sports Authority of India, a mosque and a Jagannatha temple and Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami temple as nearby attractions.
The Museum dedicated to the Arakkal family, which is the only one Royal Muslim Family in Kerala. Before converting into a museum the place is known as Arakkal Royal Palace. The museum was opened in July 2005 for the public. Now the museum is under control of the archaeology department in preserving the heritage of the Arakkal Family.
Some of the interesting items displayed in the museum include; Pathayam – chamber for storing valuables; document box; old-style telephone; swords and daggers; telescope and copies of the Quran. A worth visiting tourist place in Kannur and you have to visit this place at least once to gain some historical knowledge about this location.
If you want to spend some relaxing time on the beach side then Meenkunnu Beach in Kannur will be a perfect choice for you. It is about 12 km away from the Kannur town. A beautiful golden sands beach and surrounded by tall palm trees, gives the spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. The location is also famous for beach shacks, so ready for a spicy treat.
The Ezhimala Mountain and Beach lie at the northern boundary of Kannur. Rare medical herbs (Ramayana) with mythological significance grow on Ezhimala, the strange seven-peaked range. The Mount Deli Lighthouse is here and is maintained by the Navy. The sands of the beach are different, exquisite remarkable to watch. Dolphins are a feast for the tourist’s eye.
This is around 2 kms from Kannur. This long stretch of golden sand is the ideal picnic spot. With flat laterite cliffs and picturesque surroundings, the beach is just walking distance from Fort Angelo.
This is around 11 kms and is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala.
This is one of the longest beaches in Kerala and is found around 15 kms from Kannur. Lying to the south of Kannur, the land of the longest beach this is the only drive in beach in India. The beach is clean and is completely protected by the black rocks around from the sea currents thus making it a swimmer’s locale. This paradise on earth has a drive in facility from Tellicherry to Kannur which is around 4 kms.
Tourists are attracted to swim, sunbathe, or laze around in the golden sand as the ambience is mesmerizing. This unforgettable experience is also the place from where one can view the Dharmadam Island or the Green Island and the junction of the island and the beach across the Anjarakandy River.
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary situated on the Western Ghats of Kerala and it covers an area of 55 sq km. The Sanctuary is an exotic array of flora and fauna and one of the perfect location for nature lover and photographer. You can spot elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Nilgiri Langur etc in this sanctuary.
The place is also famous for the vast amount of butterfly species. For the adventure seeker, it is one of the best places to visit in Kannur as there are many trekking options available in Forest.
Peralasseri is a prime location in Kannur district, which is about 15 km away from the City centre. The place is famous for Sri Subrahmanya Temple and its dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also believed that Lord Rama and Lakshmana stay in this temple when they are on the way to Lanka to rescue Mata Sita. An annual eight-day festival also celebrated here in the month of December and it draws thousands of tourist attraction.
This was built in 1124 AD. Malik Ibn Dinar, a Muslim preacher built it. This beautiful piece of white marble rock structure has been constructed with marble brought from Mecca.
This lies to the east of Kannur near Mattanur. The dam and the reservoir give an amazing view of the place. The amusement park here and the Buddha’s mountain at Pazhassi are delightful spots for the tourists.
This is the Snake Park in Kannur. This lies around 16kms from Kannur town. There is a snake park here which has at least 150 varieties of snakes. This includes the Spectacled Cobra, King Cobra, Russel Viper etc. Non poisonous snakes including the Python are also found here. There is a plan to have a laboratory for research here.
Palakkayam Thattu is one of the most beautiful hill stations in entire Kerala and yet to discover. It is about 53 km away from the Kannur city. Located 3500 ft above sea level, it gives the breathtaking view of the surrounding valley from the top. You can reach this location by jeep or take a trek from the bottom of the hills. With beautiful surrounding and pleasant climate, the location welcomes all tourist along with the exquisite range of flora and fauna.
These are situated at a height of 286 m. There are carved pillars, an ancient Burial chamber, and a cave and are famous for their medicinal herbs. There is also an ancient mosque here and magnificently carved stone pillars. Tourists need to take permission to get into the Ezhimala Beach
This is around 65 kms North of Kannur. This is located on the Kerala Karnataka border. Situated at a height of 1,372m this is the best spot for trekking. There is a base reception tower and a watchtower which are beautiful. It has a stupendous flora and fauna and any trekking winner is given the flora or fauna as a gift.
This is a famous fishing harbor which is found near the St. Angelo’s Fort. Today it is a natural and modern harbor for fishing but earlier it was a place famous for the rule of the Kolathiri. This was connected to Kolathunadu and the bay connected it to Lakshadweep and other foreign countries.
This is located around 20kms from Kannur. This is found on the borders of Thalassery. It was the home of Dr. Hermann Gundert who was a scholar of the German Basel Mission, and it was he who compiled the first Malayalam English dictionary.
This is a Buddhist area and the Dharmadam Island is found next to the Muzhappilangad beach. Dharmapattanam was an earlier situation where the beach and the island met up. This exotic tourist spot with its coconut palms and green bushes is an ideal way to unwind.
Kannur – Entertainment Factor
So these are the major tourist attraction and places to visit in Kannur. It is a small and peaceful town in Kerala and it also has many tourists attraction. The location is famous for its tranquil beaches, forts, temple and Hills. So if you are planning a Kerala trip in future then explore this place to get an amazing experience.
Written By
Kerala is also sometimes called, the Kashmir of South. The scenic spots in and around it remain covered in mist throughout the year. Surrounded by tall mountains on one side and deep valleys on the other, this town has a picturesque look to it. Kerala has so many amazing places to see but among all these, Ponmudi holds its own special place. There are so many beautiful places to see in and around ...
Idukki is the 2nd largest district in Kerala and still remain untouched by commercial tourism. The location is about 105 km away from the Kochi and 47 km from Munnar. This beautiful High range district also is known for its Mountainous Hills and Dense Forests. Y...