Kannur is a coastal city and sits between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats and has been a trading port since at least the 1st century CE — it is referred to as Naura in the Greek travelogue The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Marco Polo called it a great emporium of the spice trade. The city is known as the Land of Looms and Lores — the looms referring to a handloom industry and the lores referring to Theyyam.
Places
St Angelo Fort
A fort built in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India. The fort is one of the oldest European military structures on the Indian coast. It passed successively from the Portuguese to the Dutch in 1663, from the Dutch to the Ali Raja of Kannur, and finally to the British East India Company in 1790.
Timing: Open daily,
Entry Fee: ₹250 (online pay or cash at counter). Entry is free for children below 15 years
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Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple
A riverside temple dedicated to Sree Muthappan — a deity unique to northern Kerala, depicted as a hunter and fisherman who accepts offerings of toddy and dried fish rather than the traditional temple prasad. The Parassinikadavu temple is the only temple in Kerala where Theyyam is performed as daily ritual — every morning and evening.
Timing: Open daily, 5:30 AM and 9:30 PM.
Entry Fee: No entry fee. Traditional dress required
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Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach
A 4 km beach, considered the longest drive-in beach in Asia. Vehicles can be driven directly onto the firm sand. The beach is flanked by casuarina trees on the landward side and is considered safe for swimming due to the absence of strong currents in this section.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Payyambalam Beach
The main city beach of Kannur. A long, clean beach with a sculpture park and maintained garden on the beachfront. Less crowded than comparable city beaches in Kerala. The beach is backed by casuarina trees and is most visited in the evening for the sunset.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Dharmadam Island
A small island, accessible by wading at low tide or by short boat ride at high tide. The island is covered with coconut palms and has no permanent habitation. The view of the island from the beach — a compact, intensely green form against the sea — is one of the most photographed scenes in Kannur.
Timing: Open daily, tide dependent
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Arakkal Museum
A museum housed inside the Arakkal palace, the seat of the Arakkal Bibi dynasty — Kerala’s only Muslim royal family, who ruled Lakshadweep and parts of the Malabar coast from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The museum contains old maps, royal artefacts, weapons, correspondence, and documents from the dynasty.
Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays
Entry Fee: ₹20 (cash at counter), Camera – ₹40
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Thalassery Fort
A fort built in 1703 by the British East India Company at Thalassery. Thalassery was one of the most significant British trading settlements on the Malabar coast, known particularly for pepper and cardamom export. The fort contains a lighthouse and offers views of the sea and the town.
Timing: Open daily, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Kannur Handloom Weaving Villages
The villages surrounding Kannur — particularly Chirakkal, Thottada, and the cooperative societies in the district — are the center of one of India’s most significant handloom industries. Over 20,000 artisans produce cotton sarees, dhotis, bed sheets, and furnishing fabric on traditional power and handlooms.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Paithalmala
A hill station at approximately 1,300 metres elevation. The Paithalmala hill is reached by a trekking trail through shola grasslands and forests. The hilltop offers views of the Western Ghats extending into Karnataka and Wayanad. One of the less visited hill stations in Kerala.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Getting There
Kannur is well connected by air and rail and serves as the gateway to northern Kerala. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.
Kannur — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands
Rail Station: Kannur Railway Station (CAN)
Airport: Kannur International Airport (CNN)
Bus Terminal: Kannur KSRTC Bus Stand
By Train
Search “Kannur” as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Kannur Railway Station (CAN) is the main station. Choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.
By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air. Kannur International Airport (CNN) has direct domestic and international services.
By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus or AbhiBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (KSRTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.
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