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The skyline of Kannur city seen from a height

North Malabar, Kerala, India · City guide

Kannur travel guide

A laterite fort on the sea, long empty beaches, handloom looms and the night-time ritual of theyyam: North Malabar at an easy, unhurried pace.

HeritageCultureBeachesFood

Updated

Photo: Kidu (talk) · Public domain

Kannur, once spelled Cannanore, is the district headquarters of North Malabar and one of Kerala's quieter coastal towns. It sits about 274 km north of Kochi and 137 km south of Mangalore. For centuries it was a harbour where local rulers dealt with Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and British traders, and that layered history is still easy to read on the ground.

The core of a visit is compact. St. Angelo Fort, begun by the Portuguese in 1505, stands on a headland above the sea, and across Mappila Bay is the palace of the Arakkal family, described as Kerala's only Muslim royal house. Payyambalam Beach is the town's evening walk, with an Odam handloom museum beside it. Further out, Muzhappilangad is a drive-in beach, and Madayipara is a flat laterite plateau that fills with wildflowers after the first rains.

Kannur is also the best base for theyyam, a ritual form of worship performed in village shrines in North Malabar. The season runs from about October to late May, and the Muthappan temple at Parassinikkadavu is the most accessible place to see the tradition. Thalassery, about 22 km away, adds a British trading fort, the Gundert Museum and a celebrated biryani.

It is an easy destination for older travellers, with a few caveats. Sights are close together, but the sun is strong, and the monsoon from June to September makes the sea rough and the beaches unsafe. Plan outdoor sights for early morning and evening, hire a car and driver for out-of-town days, and visit between November and February if you can.

Before you plan

Kannur at a glance

Best months
November to February is driest and…November to February is driest and most comfortable. March to May is hot and humid, and June to September is heavy monsoon with rough seas.
Ideal trip length
2 to 3 days for the town2 to 3 days for the town, beaches and Thalassery; add a day for Madayipara or Aralam
Airport
Kannur International AirportKannur International Airport (CNN) at Mattannur, about 25 to 28 km from the city; it opened in December 2018
Railway station
KannurKannur (CAN) is central, about 1 km from the main bus terminals; Thalassery station is also on the same Shoranur-Mangalore line
Getting around
AutosAutos, app cabs and local buses work in town; a car and driver is easiest for Thalassery, Madayipara and the beaches north of the city
Daily budget
Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person…Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person per day excluding hotel, for meals, local transport and entry fees; varies with car hire
Senior comfort
Good in the cooler months: sights…Good in the cooler months: sights are close together and mostly level, but heat, humidity and ramparts need pacing
Language
Malayalam is the main languageMalayalam is the main language; English is widely understood in hotels and at major sights

Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.

Best time to visit Kannur: January, February, December. Month-by-month weather →

How to reach Kannur by air, train and road →

How many days do you have?

Kannur itinerary

One good day

1 day in Kannur

Begin at St. Angelo Fort in the first hour after opening, when the walls are cool and the harbour is quiet. Cross to Arakkal Museum on the far side of Mappila Bay for a short look at the Arakkal family's story. After lunch and a rest, visit the Odam Handloom Museum at Payyambalam, then spend the last hour of daylight in the beach garden and on the sand. Finish with dinner in town.

St. Angelo FortArakkal MuseumOdam Handloom Museum
Day-by-day plan →

Two days

2 days in Kannur

Start at St. Angelo Fort, then visit Arakkal Museum. After a midday rest, go to the Odam Handloom Museum and Payyambalam Beach for sunset.

St. Angelo FortArakkal MuseumOdam Handloom MuseumPayyambalam BeachMuzhappilangad Drive-in Beach
Day-by-day plan →

Three unhurried days

3 days in Kannur

Visit St. Angelo Fort in the morning and Arakkal Museum before lunch. Rest, then visit the Odam Handloom Museum and the beach at sunset.

St. Angelo FortArakkal MuseumOdam Handloom MuseumMuzhappilangad Drive-in BeachMadayipara
Day-by-day plan →

See the day-by-day Kannur itinerary →

The places that explain Kannur.

Places to visit in Kannur

Places to visit · 8 guides

See all 13 places to visit in Kannur →

What and where to eat in Kannur.

Food to try in Kannur

Food and restaurants

Kannur's food is Malabar cooking: seafood, coconut, rice and a Mappila Muslim tradition that gives the region its biryanis and snacks. Thalassery biryani, made with kaima or jeerakasala rice, is the headline dish. Pathiri, a thin rice pancake, is a common breakfast, and the coast is known for prawns, mussels and mackerel, including kallummakkaya nirachathu, which is mussels stuffed with rice.

Snacks are a pleasure here: unnakkaya and pazham nirachathu are banana-based snacks, and halwa and banana chips are everyday sweets and salty bites. Most restaurants serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, but order carefully if you are vegetarian, as many Malabar dishes use meat or fish. Ask for less spice if needed and stick to bottled or filtered water. Tea shops are good for light snacks in the afternoon.

Markets, makers and what to take home.

Shopping in Kannur

Shopping

Kannur's best purchase is handloom cloth. The town's weaving tradition is the subject of the Odam Handloom Museum at Payyambalam, and the state corporation Hanveev, set up in 1968, sells handloom products through its showrooms. Look for cotton cloth, saris, mundu and home furnishings, and check labels for handloom marks.

Other good buys are banana chips, halwa and spices from the markets near the old bus stand and in Thalassery, which was historically a pepper port. Prices in shops are largely fixed, but ask for a bill and check weights for food items. Carry cash for small shops, as card acceptance is uneven outside the larger stores.

One District One Product

Coconut oil

A 2021 report on Kerala's One District One Product programme lists coconut oil as the product selected for Kannur. Look for oil sold by established sellers, ask about how it is pressed and check the date and seal on the bottle before you buy.

Where Kannur makes, performs and gathers.

Culture and crafts in Kannur

Culture and craft · 4 guides

Hotels that shape the trip, not just the night.

Where to stay in Kannur

Hotels and stays

The areas to compare: Near Kannur railway station and Thavakkara, Payyambalam and the beach side, Thottada and the coast towards Thalassery, Thalassery town.

Where to stay in KannurCompare hotels in Kannur

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.

Living places of faith — visit with respect.

Temples and places of worship in Kannur

Places of worship · 1 guide

Choose without overthinking

Which Kannur experience is right for your trip?

Most plans get crowded because nobody is willing to choose. These comparisons make the trade-offs clear.

St. Angelo Fort or Thalassery Fort, if I can only see one?

Pick St. Angelo Fort for the Portuguese and Dutch story and the sea view, and it is close to town. Pick Thalassery Fort if you are already making the Thalassery trip, since it is part of a half-day with the Gundert Museum and a biryani lunch.

Payyambalam Beach or Muzhappilangad?

Payyambalam is close to town and easy for an evening walk with a garden and sculpture. Muzhappilangad is a longer drive but gives you a long, open stretch of drive-in sand. Neither is for swimming in the monsoon.

Parassinikkadavu or a village theyyam?

Parassinikkadavu is the easy option, with a known schedule and open entry for all faiths. A village shrine performance is more intimate but harder to find, and needs local help and a late night.

Madayipara or Aralam?

Madayipara is closer, takes half a day and is best after the first rains. Aralam is a full day with a forest walk and suits those who want wildlife and butterflies.

Map

Open in Google Maps →

Know before you go

Kannur travel tips

  1. 01

    Heat and humidity

    Highs are around 33 to 35 degrees from December to April and humidity is high. Plan outdoor sights for early morning and the last hour of daylight, and carry water.

  2. 02

    Monsoon

    June to September brings very heavy rain and rough seas. Beaches are unsafe, and roads are slow. If you must travel then, choose indoor sights such as the museums.

  3. 03

    Getting around

    Autos and app cabs work in town. For Thalassery, Madayipara and Muzhappilangad, hire a car and driver for the day rather than relying on buses.

  4. 04

    Beach safety

    Treat the beaches as places to walk, not swim. Surf and currents can be strong, and lifeguard cover is limited. Follow local warnings.

  5. 05

    Temples and dress

    Dress modestly for temples and mosques, remove footwear when asked, and ask before photographing worship or performers.

  6. 06

    Theyyam etiquette

    Performances are ritual worship. Stay where hosts direct you, do not block devotees and expect late nights; ask locally which shrines are active.

  7. 07

    Money

    Carry cash for small shops, tea stalls and autos. Cards work in larger hotels and shops.

  8. 08

    Opening hours

    Several sights have limited published timings. Confirm hours for the museums and forts before you travel, and expect closures on some weekdays.

Kannur with elderly parents: what to know

  • Plan sights for early morning and the last hour of daylight. Kannur is hot and humid even in winter, with highs around 33 to 34 degrees.
  • St. Angelo Fort, Arakkal Museum and the Odam museum are the easiest sights. The fort ramparts have steps, so older visitors can enjoy the grounds without climbing.
Kannur with parents: full guideAdd concierge support

Day trips from Kannur

ThalasseryAbout 22 km, 45 minutes to an hour by roadA coastal town with a British trading fort, the Gundert Museum, Overbury's Folly and the home of Thalassery biryani. It is known for the three Cs: cake, cricket and circus.
MadayiparaAbout 21 km north of KannurA laterite plateau with wildflowers after the first monsoon rains, an old pond and two temples. Go early and avoid heavy rain.
Aralam Butterfly SanctuaryA full day trip into eastern Kannur districtA Western Ghats sanctuary of about 55 sq km with more than 266 butterfly species. Check fees and access with the forest department.
PaithalmalaAbout 65 km northA hill area at roughly 1,372 m that is popular for trekking. Check road and trek conditions locally before planning.
BekalAllow two to three hours each wayBekal has its own Raahzo guide, with a large coastal fort, and works best as an overnight trip rather than a rushed day out.
KozhikodeAllow two to three hours each wayKozhikode has its own Raahzo guide and pairs with Kannur on a longer Malabar route.

Useful answers

Kannur FAQs

How many days are enough for Kannur?

Two to three days covers the fort, Arakkal Museum, Payyambalam, Muzhappilangad and Thalassery at an easy pace. Add a day for Madayipara or Aralam.

What is the best time to visit Kannur?

November to February, when it is driest and most comfortable. Theyyam season runs from about October to late May. June to September is heavy monsoon.

Is Kannur good for elderly parents?

Yes, with planning. Most sights are close together and level, but heat and humidity are strong, so keep mornings and evenings for sightseeing and avoid steep ramparts.

Can I see theyyam as a visitor?

Yes, during the season from about October to late May. Ask your hotel or the tourism office where a performance is being held, and follow local etiquette.

How do I reach Kannur?

By air to Kannur International Airport at Mattannur, or by train to Kannur railway station on the Shoranur-Mangalore line. National Highway 66 runs along the coast.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.

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