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Travel 80km north of Calicut and there is this unexplored beach city of Kannur. It was formerly known as Cannonore and under the rule of the Kolathiri Rajas. A once upon a time bustling port of international trade, it was named as the “great emporium of spice trade” by Marco Polo. When you visit this coastal town, you will see shades of Dutch, British and Portuguese culture in the entire region. Even today, the town is famous for its weaving industry and cashew trade. So, along with exploring the weaver’s guild and shopping for some delicious cashews, you must check out the unexplored beaches.
There is something about the golden beaches of Kannur, which can make you fall for them at the first sight. Along with indulging in endless beach fun and activities, you can explore exotic wildlife sanctuaries, mesmerising hill stations and decorated temples.
The unspoiled golden sand beach is a big highlight of Kannur. One of the most popular most visited places in India, it is among the beautiful beaches of Kerala and has a unique aura. You can come here to unwind and be one with nature. Just sit by the seashore and lose track of time.
To reach the beach, you will have to cross a small bridge that has been built over a narrow canal. When you look on the right of the bridge, you can spot many important memorials of political personalities.
The shore side is adorned with palm trees, which not only add to the natural element here but make it even more pristine. You can go swimming, boating or indulge in an array of adventurous activities that are offered on this beach. There is a kilometre long walkway that has recently been created along this beach. You can use it to take a stroll around the beach and feel the cool breeze and sound of the waves. The beach has been enhanced with lighting so you can even plan an evening visit to this beach. This 4km beach is perfect for unwinding and relaxing. Just come and spend a couple of hours here and get refreshed.
It is also known as the Kannur Fort and is a world heritage site. This fort was built on the coast of the Arabian Sea in 1505. It was made by Dom Francisco de Almeida, who was the first Portuguese Viceroy of India. It is just about 3 kilometres away from Kannur railway station and the nearest airport is of Calicut which is 93 kilometres away from this great fort.
At present, this fort is under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India. This one should definitely be among the places to see in Kannur as you get to explore an ancient fort and enjoy scenic views of the sea. Just sit around and enjoy the show of the waves hitting the rocks of this timeless fort.
To make it popular among tourist attractions, the authorities have started organising a musical fountain light and sound show. This show starts at sunset and goes on for around 15 minutes. You must try to catch a glimpse of the fort during the time of this show when it is all lit-up and comes to life. The lighthouse in the backdrop also adds to the beauty during this light and sound show.
If you like to visit historical places or you are an art lover, a visit to the Arakkal Museum should be on your list. The museum is named after the Arakkal family. It is the only royal Muslim family in Kerala. It is dedicated to the 16th century Kannur dynasty.
This museum is located inside the residence of the Arakkal family, i.e. Arakkalkettu- Arakkal Royal Palace. So, it is both the royal residence and the museum, which stands tall, and is a testimony to the Muslim architecture of those times. There are antiques, silver, art and heritage furniture pieces that you can see in this museum. The Durbar Hall was earlier the official venue for kings and their nobles’ gathering. This museum is maintained by the Arakkal Family Trust.
The moment you enter this museum, you will have a great time admiring the artefacts of the Arakkal dynasty, the royal relics and other heritage items. Everything has been maintained perfectly, taking you back to the 1600s, reminding you of a royal lifestyle.
There are many items of interest displayed in the museum including some really old swords and daggers, telephone of that era, telescope, AdharaPeti (a box to store documents) and Pathayam (Big box to store valuables).
A beautiful hillock, this is the place for nature, beach and hill station lovers. Around 286 metres high, it is surrounded by a beautiful beach. When you visit Ezhimala, it will feel like a dream, and yes, it is too good to be true for the real world. It definitely reinforces your faith in nature and in the fact that Kerala is God’s own country indeed.
It should definitely be among the places to see in Kannur as it is distinct and has surreal beauty. There are also carved stone structures that you can spot here and get some selfies clicked against the amazing backdrop. Besides, there are even herbs that you can find here that have unique medicinal properties.
In fact, the very word Ezhimala is derived from “ezhu” meaning seven and “mala” meaning peaks. As per legends, the seven peaks were dropped by Lord Hanuman while carrying Sanjeevani herb to Lord Lakshman. There is also the famous Naval Academy Ezhimala. It is one of the largest in Asia which was inaugurated by the prime minister of India in 2009. This academy trains candidates of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guards.
This sanctuary was established in 1984 and is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats. It is located at an altitude of 60 metres from the base of Katti Betta, which is at the peak of 1145 metres above the sea level. Trek around this place for a delightful and mesmerising experience. Alternatively, you can indulge in a safari experience. Nearest railway station to this wildlife sanctuary is Thalassery which is 55 kilometres away and Calicut airport is the nearest one which is about 96 kilometres from here. Though this is some travel time involved, but it is worth it for the nature lovers.
You can have a date with several unique flora and fauna. Among others, it is home to elephants, deer, squirrels and langur. There is also dense foliage. You can see diverse evergreen and semi-green trees. There is also moist deciduous vegetation here.
To explore the rich flora and fauna, include the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in your places to see in Kannur. It usually opens early morning around 8 AM and that is the best time to reach here. You should pack some food and water as you will not get anything inside the sanctuary. Moreover, when you drive to the sanctuary, you will come across the Central State Farm of the Government of India. This farm is in Aralam village in Thalassery and is the primary production centre of hybrid coconut seeds in the country.
One of the few drive-in beaches, it is among the longest in Asia with around 5.5km long stretch. As the beach is long and wide, it makes for a perfect drive on the firm sand.
This beach is located along the National Highway-66 and is popular among the youth. You will see a lot of them performing stunts on bikes and cars. While this is definitely not recommended, you should go here for a fun and safe drive-in experience.
Over a period of time and after it featured on BBC’s list of top six drive-in beaches of the world, it has become popular among the tourists. Besides, near the beach is a small and beautiful island. It is known as the Dharmadam Island.
In the event of low tide, you can actually walk from the beach to reach this island. It is around 100 metres and is worth a walk. Besides, there is a rock formation on the northern side of the beach. A lot of people go and sit there on this rock and spend quality time gazing at the endless waves. This beach is among the popular tourist attractions in Kannur and should be a part of the itinerary if you have not explored a drive-in beach before.
A beautiful peak of the Western Ghats, it is a small hill station in Kodagu forest area of Kannur. It is one of the tallest peaks of Kannur, around 4500 feet high, and is a perfect place for nature lovers and trekkers.
It is surrounded by lush green landscape and it is a 6km long trek from the base to the hilltop. There is actually more than one way to trek to the hill top, but the main way starts from Pottenplava village and is comparatively easier. While trekking uphill, you will have fun capturing images of the dense forest and grasslands. Besides, there is also a watchtower from where you can get a breath-taking view of the entire space. Further, as you travel to this hill station, you should take some detours to explore the nearby ponds and lakes.
It is located Valapattanam river banks and is dedicated to Sree Muthappan. It is also known as the Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple and is popular among the locals as well. There is a distinct style of worshipping practised here, which makes it quite popular among tourists and locals.
The main form of worship is a dance in this Hindu temple. The dance form is known as Muthappan Theyyam. It is a traditional form of dance, which is done by two mythical characters – Thiruvappana and Vellattam. The dance is a ritual enactment which shows the conflict between the good and evil, with the good defeating the evil and emerging victorious.
Tourists and locals flock here to watch the unique style of worship, the dance. In fact, people of every caste, community and nationality come to this temple. It should be a part of your Kannur itinerary too.
The sun, sand, fort, temples and islands make Kannur an amazing place to be. There are many places to see in Kannur and you can easily have a fun-filled 3-4 days trip here. Along with sightseeing, you must indulge in delicious Mughlai and coastal delicacies. Yes, you can get yummy Mughlai food too as there is a sizeable Muslim population here. So, it will be Mughlai food with a South Indian touch. Plan a trip here and you will have much to add to your travel diary.
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April 15, 2024 
