Top Things to Do in the Kannur | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Kannur

Arakkal Museum

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. Previously a majestic palace of the royal family and their actual place of residence, this museum is a true testimony to the impeccable Muslim architecture and design. The Durbar Hall of this palace, which was once the official venue of gathering for the kings and their nobles, has now been converted into the Arakkal Kettu Museum and is managed by the Arakkal Family Trust. Many artefacts dating to the rule of the Arakkal Dynasty and various relics of the royals are put up on display at this museum. Entering the Arakkal Museum, you feel like you have been teleported to the 1600s- the entire palace oozes with sheer elegance and polished grace. The artefacts and heritage items of the Arakkal Dynasty have been maintained perfectly here and will never fail to stun you with their ostentatious grace and awe-striking class. Read More

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. Taking a safari through the thick verdure and venturing deeper into the forests, you will encounter many striking and remarkably extraordinary species of animals as well as birds that will leave you stumped and in awe of nature's wondrous creations. There are nature camps organised at the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary that attempt to acquaint the people, especially students, to the wildlife and give them a chance to take a much-needed break from the city's blaring noise. The sanctuary also has a few trekking locations that have attracted the attention of many tourists for the past few years. The landscape of the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is an interesting one that ranges between a depth of only 50 metres above sea level to an altitude of 1145 metres in the skies at Katti Betta, its highest peak. Dotted with towering trees and dense foliage, this sanctuary is adorned with a beautiful mix of a diverse forestation- evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous. Read More

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, it 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. The Baby Beach is actually an extension of the Payamballam Beach. It is one of the rare rocky beaches where people sit on the giant rocks and stare into the mesmerising allure of the turquoise sea waters and rhythmic dancing waves. People flock here to witness the tantalizing beauty of the sky during the sunset and the sunrise. Beholding the orange ball of fire emerging from the horizon and bringing the sky to blush in deep hues of magenta, the view of the sunrise from the Baby Beach is truly a soothing one. Even though you cannot actually take a dip in the waters from Baby Beach, the panoramic view of the palm-fringed beach and the endless Arabian Sea is more than enough to keep you gripped. Payyamballam Beach, St Angelos Fort, Kannur Lighthouse and the Lighthouse Museum are all very close to the Baby Beach and can be reached in less than 5 minutes. Read More

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 low tide, you can literally walk up to this island by wading through water that is barely even knee deep. This island has been named by Buddhist monks who frequently visited the place not only for its spectacular natural beauty and alluring aura of peace but also because the entire island is dotted with rare medicinal herbs. Dharmadam means 'place of ethics' which is another for this magical island, and the Dharmadam Beach is a testimony to the stellar reputation that this island holds. The view of the palm-fringed shoreline glistening under the sun is incredibly mesmerizing and soothing. You can lounge at this beach, soak in its tranquil aura and let its mystical air revitalize every nerve of your body. The most interesting thing about the beach is that it is laden with the most attractive, colorful and exotic seashells! The entire shoreline is filled with these empty seashells that wash ashore. You will be left awestruck intricate designs, and the beautiful colors and shapes of these delightful shells and are sure to fall in love with nature's wondrous creations. Read More

The coastal border of Kannur is host to many of the most beautiful and spectacular beaches of Kerala, one of which is the Ezhara Beach. 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. You can take a dip in these enticing waters and drench yourself in their soothing calm. You can also perch up on the rocks and stare into the beauty of this immaculate beach and be hypnotised by the rhythmic sounds of the melodious waves. There is a small mosque that you can visit by this beach at Munanmbam, the tip of a small cliff nearby. You will also see many fishermen take out their boats for a spin early in the morning or in the evening. Witness the mesmerising view of the sunset at the Ezhara Beach. Watch the ball of flame slowly disappear into the horizon and the skies blooming with a myriad of tantalizing colours. This beach is a popular getaway among locals and tourists who just want to melt away their stresses after a long week and lose themselves in the impeccable beauty of nature. Read More

Ezhimala is a 286-meter high hill, located surrounding a pristine beach. Situated at a distance of 38 km from Kannur in Payyanur, Ezhimala has a few carved stone structures, and the herbs found in this location are famous for their unusual medicinal properties. The term Ezhimala is an amalgam of the words 'ezhu' and 'mala', which mean seven and peaks respectively. A popular hill station in the region of Kerala in southern India, this site also has a rich history associated with itself. The seven peaks are believed to have been dropped here by Lord Hanuman while he carried the Sanjeevani herb to Lord Lakshman. The Naval Academy Ezhimala (NAVAC), which is the largest in Asia, was inaugurated here by the Prime Minister in the year 2009 on the 8th of January and is an essential feature of this tourist attraction. This destination also holds religious values for the Buddhist community, as it is believed that Lord Buddha had graced Ezhimala with his holy presence. With the scenic beauty and circuitous pathways, Ezhimala will steal your heart with its enchanting beauty. Read More

Being Kerala's first lighthouse ever and Kannur's only one, the Kannur Lighthouse is a pretty big deal. Standing tall at the height of 75 feet, this lighthouse was first built in the early months of 1903. This cylindrical concrete tower has managed to withstand the attacks of the Arabian Sea and has been fully functional for over a century. The Kannur Lighthouse has a balcony with a light that is lit as the evening breaks in to alert the seamen of the land. Treat the history buff in you and visit this site to be impressed by its fascinating history, fall in love with its mesmerising backdrop and be delighted by the impeccable view. Since the lighthouse stands at a considerable height, one is delighted with an enchanting and panoramic view of the entire city of Kannur, the limitless Arabian Sea, the Baby Beach and even parts of Payyaballam Beach. Going up the spiral staircase of this lighthouse, you are introduced to a variety of ancient navigational equipment whose immaculate engineering and impeccable designs are sure to impress you greatly. You can take a stroll along the perfectly maintained lawns of the lighthouse or enjoy a joyful musical fountain show in the evenings! If you want to dig deeper into the fascinating lighthouse history, there is a small auditorium that plays documentaries about the specifics of lighthouse revolution for the curious and inquisitive minds. Read More

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. Historically, kavil Pattanam used to be the hub for spice and gems trade, done through the port of Malabar, which also brought in precious Damascus steel. The port, however, was closed after the British banned it in the 17th century. The name Kavil Pattanam was changed to Kavvayi by Sir William Hogan.The main highlight of Kavvayi is the islands covered with lush green vegetation, coconut groves, and mangrove forests. The backwaters and mangrove forests serve as habitats for various marine and avian species. It is home to several migratory birds, including rare and endangered species Read More

Perched upon 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'. This mystical land is one that changes its appearance with the seasons. The springs decorate the entire hillock in a spectacular gown of vivaciously coloured flora. As the summer approaches, the hillock shapeshifts into a glamorous golden field filled with knee-high grass. Come autumn, the place is dotted with leaves that paint the field a raging crimson red. The monsoons lift up this hill station's spirits and decorate the whole 700 acres in striking shades of green. These stunning changes adapted by Madayipara have aroused the interest of countless tourists around the world who come here to witness this extraordinary phenomenon. Decorated with a luxuriant variety of 300 flowering plants and more than 30 species of thick grass, Madayipara is no less than a heaven for nature lovers. This rich ecology draws the attention of 150 different species of stunning butterflies that charm you with their mind-boggling designs and vivid colours, including the Atlas butterfly - the world's biggest butterfly. Over 100 species of birds, both endemic and migratory, call Madayipara their home and make this hill station a bird lover's paradise. Read More

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. The Mappila Bay serves more like a fishing harbour than an exciting tourist destination. There are boating facilities that will take you around the harbour. However, it is advisable to stay only in the inland waters and avoid the coastal waters, that can turn unfavourable as the weather changes. Read More