On Kerala's Malabar Coast, Kannur, also known as Cannanore, is a lovely city that offers many sightseeing opportunities, including beaches, landmarks, historic temples, and picnic areas.
Kannur, rich in peculiar native art forms like Theyyam, still exudes a sense of the past colonial age. The town is still heavily influenced by the Dutch, Portuguese, British, and Mysore Sultanate, and these influences can be seen everywhere. The city has outstanding weaving talent, earning it the nickname "the land of loons" or "the land of giant cashew trees," which Portuguese settlers may have planted. While visiting Kannur, stroll in the evening near the lighthouse beach or learn about Portuguese history at St. Angelo's Fort.
Read the complete Kannur tourism guide and plan your trip to Kerala.
Places to visit in Kannur
Kerala, an Indian state, has historically been a significant tourist destination. Travelers from all around the nation see unusual natural treasures and stunning hilly locations. There are various attractions in Kannur, including a spiritual retreat center, thrilling family activities, exhilarating treks, and peaceful, leisurely nature excursions. Some of the Kannur tourist places are:
- Payyambalam Beach
- Baby Beach
- Palakkayam Thattu
- Vismaya Water Park
- Madayipara, Pappinisseri
- Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Parassinikkadavu Snake Park
Things to do in Kannur
Kannur, in Kerala's far north, is a historic trade center. The district's administrative center is located in Kannur City. You can also get a taste of its world-famous spices and lots more. While there's so much to explore, there'll be numerous places to visit in Kannur. Each place in Kannur reflects the city's essence, which will mesmerize you.
- Enjoy beach activities
- Explore wildlife
- Watch a Theyyam performance
- Fun at the water park
- kayak ride on the clear waters
Best time to visit Kannur
Kannur Kerala is a seaside city with a tropical climate. The best time to visit is from October to February. Visitors prefer the winter season in Kannur since it is the most convenient and comfortable season with a lovely environment. The Kannur weather is between 20 and 25°C. Monsoons are also a great time to travel, but make sure you have bug spray and an umbrella handy. Conversely, summer is the least preferable because the temperatures can easily exceed 40 °C.
How to reach Kannur
Roadways, trains, and airplanes are the primary means of transportation that connect Kannur to all other cities. Numerous trains, including the Nizamuddin Express, Madgaon Express, Kochuveli Express, Mangalore Express, and New Delhi AC Express, stop at Kannur's railway station.
The Calicut International Airport, Kozhikode, is the closest airport to Kannur and is situated about 85 km away from the town. In addition, a well-maintained network of highways, including a national highway, connects Kannur to the surrounding cities of Kerala, facilitating smoother travel to the location.
Accommodation in Kannur
Kannur has a lot of deluxe and medium-to-budget accommodation options. Chera Rocks Beach House (PO Kizhunna), Edakkad Beach Houses (Near Edakkad Beach), Kannur Beach House (Thottada P O), Costa Malabari (Near Adi Kadalayi Temple), and the Blue Nile Business & Leisure Hotel (S.N. Park Road) are the popular deluxe hotels of the city. Some of the medium-to-budget hotels in Kannur include Malabar Residency (Thavakkara Road), Pranav Beach Resort (Beach Road Palliyamoola), Seashell (Haris Guest House), KK Heritage (Kottayam Kandi House), and more.
Where to eat in Kannur
Aside from the accommodation, Kannur has a variety of dining options. The most popular cuisine in the town is still South Indian. Must-try foods include idlis, vadas, coconut crepes, raw mango-lemon chutney, and pappadam from Kerala. Remember to purchase some banana chips to take home and indulge in the restaurant's well-known sweet dish, palada payasam. Then, at Bamboos and Regency, have a few shakes and your meal. The best restaurants are MVK Restaurant, MRA Bakery, Raandhal, Pepperpot Restaurant, and many more.
How to get around in Kannur?
Kannur is a town that offers many options for commuting from one place to another. Besides walking, you may take a relatively cheap bus. Auto Rickshaws are another mode of transportation regarded as affordable and efficient. One can also hire a cab, which is best for tourists visiting for a few days. The town also houses many rental car companies where you can rent a car to self-drive. +
Travel tips
- As Kannur is in South India, the climate of this city is different from that of North India. Therefore, it is better to check the temperatures before visiting.
- Kannur is a shopper's paradise. Keep space in your luggage to bring back some of its specialties.
- Muzhappilangad drive-in beach should be on your itinerary, as the beach is the only long drive-in beach in Asia.
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Auto Rickshaws and buses are the standard modes of transportation in Kannur.
