Top 10 Places to Visit in Kannur: Beaches, Backwaters, and Beyond

Kannur, a coastal town in Kerala, located on the Malabar coast, is a beautiful place blessed with natural beaches, hill stations, historical monuments, and backwaters. The place has a rich history of distinctive local art forms, such as Theyyam, and folk music adds to its cultural charm. Kannur still carries an aura of the colonial era, with Dutch, Portuguese, and British imbibed into the town. Kannur, known for its handlooms, earns the title "The Land of Looms and Lores." The vibrant amalgamation of ancient history and local culture makes it an alluring place. For people looking for non-crowded beaches, backwaters, hill stations, or to taste the delectable Malabari seafood, Kannur is the place for you. In this guide, we'll look at the places to visit in Kannur for a memorable trip to this beautiful destination.

Best Places to Visit in Kannur

• Paithalmala
• Payyambalam Beach
• Peralassery
• St Angelo Fort
• Kavvayi Backwaters
• Arakkal Museum
• Kannur Lighthouse
• Ezhimala
• Dharmadam Island
• Parassinikkadavu Snake Park

Paithalmala

Situated at 4500 ft., Paithalmala, which lies in western ghat, is the highest peak in Kannur. Paithalmala is a popular trekking destination for adventure and nature enthusiasts. The trail is beautiful and takes you through dense, luscious green forests, grasslands, and waterfalls. After traversing the 6 km trail, you will reach a watch tower from where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Kodagu forests. The best time to go on the trek is during the summer and monsoon, which accentuate the greenery all around, making it one of the best places to visit in Kannur, Kerala.

Payyambalam Beach

Payyambalam Beach is one of Kerala's most beautiful and secluded beaches, with sparkling golden sand and foamy white water. The beach's lack of crowds creates a peaceful and calm atmosphere, inviting people to relax and unwind after a long week. In addition to being a wonderful place for relaxation, this beautiful beach also offers excellent opportunities for boating, swimming, and other adventure activities. Sprawled over 4 km, this beach has maintained its beauty with little human activity. Many South Indian film stars have visited the beach, drawn by its alluring and charming peacefulness, to film their upcoming movies. When you visit Kannur, make sure to add the place to your Kerala honeymoon package.

Peralassery

Around 15 km from Kannur is the town of Peralassery, which is famous for the Sri Subramania Temple which is one of the main places to visit in Kannur, Kerala for devotees. The temple dedicates itself to Lord Subramanya, and the main tourist attraction is the beautiful idol in serpentine form. Moreover, the temple is revered for its archaeological marvel, the highlight being the pond surrounded by countless stairs on all sides. The annual Kodiyettam festival, which takes place here, attracts a large number of tourists. Visit the temple, a place of religious and spiritual significance, as part of your Kerala family tour packages.

St Angelo Fort

Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, built this stone fort in the early 1500s. The historical fort, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, is one of the most popular places of interest in Kannur. The fort, though it has seen many wars and changed ownership many times, is fairly well preserved as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. From St. Angelo Fort, you will have a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea's magnetic, bright blue water, and a staircase will take you to a view of Mopilla Bay, a natural harbour. Constructed in a triangular shape using laterite stone, the fort's rich history permeates its walls as you walk along them. To learn about the history of Kannur, St. Angelo Fort is one of the best places to see in Kannur.

Kavvayi Backwaters

Kavvayi Kayal is one of the lesser-known and most fascinating backwater destinations in Kerala. The five rivers form the Kavvayi backwater-river and its tributary which connects to Payyannur in Kannur via a bridge. The natural beauty, rare flora and fauna, and the opportunity to witness the lives of local people make it one of the best places to visit in Kannur. Take a boat ride to explore the third largest backwater in Kerala, visit each of the different islands, and savour the delicious seafood in the area. You should include Kavvayi's backwaters on your list of the top "Kannur best places to visit" for some well-earned peace and relaxation.

Arakkal Museum

This museum is the only one in Kerala that honours the memory and grandeur of Kerala's only Muslim royal family, the Arakkal Ali Rajas. The majestic palace of the royal family is transformed in the museum, showcasing authentic Muslim architecture and design. The museum showcases numerous artefacts and relics from the Arakkal Dynasty and is one of the best tourist places in Kannur. The Arakkal Kettu Museum has transformed the palace's Durbar Hall, and the whole palace exudes sheer elegance and grace. The museum is one of the best places in Kerala to learn about Kannur's rich history under the rule of different dynasties.

Kannur Lighthouse

Built in 1903, it is Kannur's only lighthouse and Kerala's first, making it one of the unique places of interest in Kannur. Standing tall at the height of 75 feet, this cylindrical concrete tower, standing 75 feet tall, has been fully functional for over a century. An evening light illuminates the Kannur Lighthouse's balcony, alerting the sailors. Being this tall, one can see the enchanting and panoramic view of the entire city of Kannur, Baby Beach, and even parts of Payyaballam Beach. As you climb the spiral staircase of the lighthouse, you can see the ancient navigational equipment with immaculate engineering. This lighthouse has perfectly maintained lawns where you can enjoy the joyful musical fountain show in the evening and learn the history through documentaries about the specifics of the lighthouse revolution in a small auditorium. For a history buff interested in the workings of lighthouses, it is one of the significant places to visit in Kannur, Kerala.

Ezhimala

Situated at a height of 286 metres above sea level, Ezhimala is one of the best tourist places in Kannur. The place holds major historical significance, with many dynasties ruling over it, and was the centre for trade during ancient times. The hill surrounds a beautiful and peaceful pristine beach. The place is located 38 km from Kannur and has a few carved stone structures, burial chambers, caves, and granite platforms on the foothills. From the hilltop, you can see the Mount Dilli lighthouse and the ruins of the old fort nearby. The place also holds religious significance for Buddhists, as it is believed that Lord Buddha once visited it. The largest tourist attraction is the Naval Academy (NAVAC), which is the largest in Asia and makes it one of the unique places of interest in Kannur.

Dharmadam Island

It is a secluded getaway spot in Kannur with coconut palms and green dense bushes, it is one of the best places to visit in Kannur for couples. The island is located between Kannur and Thalasseri. The beautiful aspect of the island is that during the low tide, the ocean recedes, which makes it possible for people to walk to the island. Named by Buddhist monks who frequently visit the island because of its natural beauty and peaceful aura, as well as its abundance of medicinal herbs. You can relax at the beach, soak in the peaceful aura, and discover the attractive, colourful, and exotic seashells. The island's solitude makes it an excellent addition to Kerala tour packages from Mumbai and other cities.

Parassinikkadavu Snake Park

This snake park, known as one of Asia's finest and best snake sanctuaries, is home to over 150 different species of reptiles, including crocodiles, monitor lizards, and snakes. The snake park is a prominent reptile preservation center in the country and the only one in Kerala. The establishment of the snake park aimed to dispel any misconceptions about snakes, educate the general public, and foster awareness about them. Each enclosure features a brief description of the animals' habitats and moods. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, this is one of the best places to visit in Kannur, Kerala.

Kannur has natural attractions such as hill stations, beaches, backwaters, and islands, as well as beautiful museums and forts depicting the area's history and culture. The place offers many attractions for everyone, whether they are solo travellers, couples, or family visitors. Its untouched shores and minimal human activity on the beach have maintained its pristine beauty. This is one of the best places to visit in Kannur, Kerala, if you're tired of the overcrowded beaches. The serene atmosphere and peaceful surroundings make it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing getaway.