Places to Visit in Kannur: Beaches, Forts & Temples
Browse Kannur's beaches, historic forts, temples, islands, hills and local shopping places, with photos and map links.
- St. Angelo Fort (Kannur Fort) — Sea-facing fort built in the 1500s with bastions, cannons, and views of the harbour.
- Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach — Kerala’s only drive-in beach with a long sandy stretch and calmer waters thanks to natural rocks.
- Payyambalam Beach — Popular picnic beach near the fort, known for its scenic cliffs and landscaped park.
- Dharmadam Island — A small, calm island off Dharmadam beach, reachable at low tide with coconut palms and birdlife.
- Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary — Kannur’s wildlife sanctuary with tropical forests and rich biodiversity, known for butterfly migration.
- Palakkayam Thattu — A misty hill station with viewpoints, short treks, and adventure activities like zipline and rope crossing.
- Paithalmala — Forest trek to a high viewpoint in the Western Ghats, ideal for cooler weather escapes.
- Parassinikadavu Snake Park — Conservation-focused snake park and zoo with awareness programs and diverse reptiles.
- Kannur Lighthouse — Historic lighthouse with a museum, gardens, and panoramic coastal views.
- Kizhunna Beach — Secluded twin beach (Kizhunna–Ezhara) with soft sand, rock formations, and quiet shoreline.
- Chootad Beach — A quieter shoreline near Kannur known for open sands, sea breeze, and relaxed sunset views.
- Azheekal Beach — A scenic coastal stretch known for fishing harbor views, sea breeze, and long shoreline walks.
- Thalassery Beach — City beach in Thalassery with sea views, evening walks, and easy access to nearby heritage spots.
- Ezhara Beach — A relatively less-crowded beach around Kannur, good for calm sea views and sunset photography.
- Kairali Handicrafts — Government-run handicrafts outlet for authentic Kerala souvenirs and crafts.
- Surabhi Handicraft Emporium — Handicraft emporium featuring locally made decor and gift items.
- Khadi Grama Soubhagya — Khadi and handloom products with locally woven cotton and textiles.
- Royal India Handicrafts — Antiques and art gallery-style handicrafts outlet for curated gifts.
- Dinesh Apparels — Local apparel store listed by Kerala Tourism for Kannur shopping.
- Kavvayi Islands — A backwater island cluster known for serene water channels, birdlife, and canoe experiences.
- Petstation Kannur — Family-friendly pet and animal interaction spot in Matool, popular with kids and weekend visitors.
- Thalassery Fort — 18th-century seaside fort that reflects colonial history and offers elevated views over town and coast.
- Vayalapra Floating Park — Floating park and waterfront leisure point with walkways, boating ambience, and family evening outings.
- Pazhassi Dam — A scenic dam and reservoir stretch near Kannur, popular for calm water views, evening breeze, and family outings.
- Ezharakund Waterfalls — A scenic waterfall spot in Kannur district known for monsoon greenery and short nature breaks.
- Thodeekalam Temple — A local temple in Kannur district known for traditional rituals and regular prayer gatherings.
- Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple — A famous riverside shrine in Kannur dedicated to Sree Muthappan, known for daily rituals and strong local devotion.
- Rajarajeshwara Temple — Historic Shiva temple at Taliparamba, one of the most important pilgrimage centers in North Kerala.
- Mridanga Saileswari Temple — Historic temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, revered for its traditional rituals and cultural significance.
- Payyannur Murugan Temple — Popular Murugan temple in North Malabar, known for devotional gatherings and annual temple events.
- Peralassery Subramanya Temple — Well-known Subramanya temple with a sacred temple tank and vibrant annual festival traditions.
- Kalarivathukkal Temple — Famous Bhadrakali temple in Kannur associated with traditional Theyyam performances.
- Mamanikkunnu Temple — Important local temple known for regional rituals and community festivals.
- Kattile Palli — Known local worship site in Kannur district, visited for prayer and community gatherings.
- Mohyidheen Juma Masjid — Juma Masjid in Kannur known for regular congregational prayers and local community importance.
- Lourdes Matha Forane Church — Historic Forane church at Chemperi, an important Christian pilgrimage and parish center.
- Trichambaram Shree Krishna Temple — A major Krishna temple in Kannur district with rich Kerala temple architecture.
- Sree Sundareswara Temple — Prominent Shiva temple consecrated by Sree Narayana Guru.
- Thalassery Jagannatha Temple — Important temple in Thalassery town, established by Sree Narayana Guru.
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple — Historic temple associated with the GSB community in Thalassery.