Kannur

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, 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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Metro in Kannur

Not available.

Local buses in Kannur

Not practical. City buses connect some areas but are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.

Ride-hailing apps in Kannur

Not practical. Ride hailing apps like Ola and Uber availability is limited in Kannur.

Street-hailing auto rickshaw in Kannur

Practical. For short distances (5-10 km) or when apps are unavailable. Tell or show the auto driver your destination — they can refuse, in which case move to the next one. Agree on the fare (approx. ₹30—₹40 per km) before you get in. Know the distance to your destination via maps before negotiating.

Theyyam in Kannur

A 2,000-year-old ritual art in which performers belonging to hereditary castes embody deities through costumes, vivid face paint, and sustained physical performance lasting several hours. Over 400 distinct forms of Theyyam are performed at village shrines (kavus). More information here.
2026 Dates:

Onam in Kannur

Kerala’s harvest festival, celebrated in Kannur with Onam Sadhya on banana leaf, pookalam decorations, and cultural programmes. The northern Kerala tradition of Onam includes Theyyam performances and Oppana as part of community celebrations.
2026 Dates:

Kannur's food is Malabar — built on the Mappila Muslim culinary tradition. Thalassery, 20 km from Kannur, is the source of the Thalassery biryani — a distinct Malabar biryani using short-grain kaima rice.

Local food to eat in Kannur

Thalassery biryani · Kallummakaya (mussels fry) · Pathiri with mutton curry · Fish curry · Chatti pathiri (layered pastry) · Appam with stew · Malabar halwa · Unnakaya (banana fritter)

Food streets in Kannur

• Thalassery town (20 km) — the biryani capital, restaurants concentrated around Thalassery Pier
• Kannur market area — fish market, local Kerala food
• Payyambalam Beach road — cafes, seafood, evening stalls

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 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.

All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.