Top tourist places in Kannur to visit in 2021

Kannur is a beautiful coastal city in the state of Kerala, India. It was once an important trading port of the Malabar region. Kannur houses some very interesting monuments and historical spots of Kerala. Be it mind-blowing good food or sightseeing, Kannur is the perfect destination for those seeking both! So here is a list of the top tourist places in Kannur to visit this year!

Table of Contents

Top tourist places in Kannur

1. St. Angelo Fort

One of the most popular tourist places in Kannur, the St. Angelo Fort (Kannur Fort) exudes the power of the colonial era, standing ashore the Arabian Sea. Built in 1505, the fort served as a settlement for the Portuguese at that time. The Fort was captured by the Dutch in 1663 and they modified the structure further. It was later seized by the British in 1790 and was used as a military station until 1947. Canons were excavated in the Fort premises recently and are on display for visitors. The Fort has an eerie feel to it, and you’re bound to feel a connection with history when you enter it!

The Fort timings are from 8AM to 6PM. There are no entry tickets, but they do charge a parking fee (around Rs. 20).

2. Payyambalam Beach

Payyambalam Beach is one of the top tourist places in Kannur — Payyambalam Beach
Source : Kpsudeep via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy the beauty of the Arabian Sea at the spotless and calm Payyambalam beach in Kannur. It is located just around 2 km from the Kannur city. This well maintained and clean beach is a perfect place to relax and watch the sunset after a whole day of wandering. Swimming and boating are some of the activities that we came across here. It is also provides other activities like water skiing and parasailing makes it one of the top tourist place in Kannur. The ‘Mother and Child’ statue here, built by Kanai Kunhiraman, is one of the most popular sculptures in Kerala.

The Payyambalam Beach is a regular shooting location and appear in many malayalam movies, making it a favorite among the locals and tourists alike!

3. Kannur Lighthouse

Famed to be Kerala’s first lighthouse, the Kannur Lighthouse (also known as the Cannanore lighthouse) is another popular tourist place in Kannur. It is located near the Payyambalam beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. It was built in 1903 and is about 75 feet tall. The Lighthouse Museum showcases a variety of advancements in the technologies used in the lighthouse. Its a good bet for history and technology buffs alike making it a must visit place in Kannur.

The Kannur Lighthouse Museum timings are from 9AM to 6PM, and they don’t take any entry fee.

4. Arakkal Museum

The Arakkal museum in Kannur is located in Ayikkara, around 3 km from the Kannur city. It is a palace-turned-museum belonging to the only Muslim royal family in Kerala, the Arakkal family. A section of the ‘Arakkalkettu’ durbar hall was converted into the museum and opened to the public in 2005. It is owned by the Arakkal Royal Trust. Many artifacts and family heirloom of the Arakkal Dynasty are at display in the museum.

The entry fee is Rs. 20 per visitors and the museum operates from 9:30AM to 5:30PM.

5. Palakkayam Thattu

Kannur Eye in Palakkayam Thattu — Palakkayam Thattu

Standing at an elevation of 2500 feet above sea level, the Palakkayam thattu is a hidden gem in the Malabar coast of Kannur. It is a perfect tourist place in Kannur for all your mountain lovers out there. The Palakkayam Thattu Jeep Safari is the only way to reach the top due to bad road conditions. The Jeep Safari is available at Rs. 700 per jeep. A package of Rs. 2000 takes you around to the waterfalls and caves surrounding the Palakkayam Thattu as well. The Palakkayam Thattu Adventure Park offers some fun activities like zorbing, zipline, archery and rope course. Head towards the Palakkayam thattu to experience a not too crowded time in the mountains!

The visiting time is from 5AM to 9PM.