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Destination Theme
Museums & Historical Places, Beaches,
Best Suited For
Families, Tourists and Travellers.
Recommended Duration
Two to Four days
Quick Info
Kannur is one among the few noteworthycities in theKannur district ofKerala. Formerly known as Cannanore, this city is famous for its beaches. Thecity exhibitsits phenomenalhistory withancient forts, old shrines andcultural institutions. The nearest airport to Kannur is Calicut International Airport which is about 115 kilometres away from the city
Rankings & Ratings
Rankings & Ratings A noted city in Kerala that deserves respect for its cultural and historical heritage.
Editor's Rankings
#12 in 33 Destinations in & around Kerala
#3 in 13 Beaches in & around Kerala
#6 in 10 Museums & Historical Places in & around Kerala
Editor's Review
The city of Kannur has tourist attractionsthat reveal the local culture, tradition and history. Although the city is not as developed as other cities in Kerala, it offers good accommodation facilities for all kinds of travellers. Amajor issue isthe heat and humidity of the place but it iscompensated for by the delightful beach.
PROS
- With a lot of options, the local dishes are great.
- The cultural and historicalsignificance of Kannur is really high.
- Budget hotels,luxury hotels and beach resorts are availble here.
- The beaches are very clean.
CONS
- The weather isquite hot and humid during most times of the year.
- The city does not have many nature-related activities or places to visit.
- The city is not as developed as other cities in Kerala.
Itinerary Tips
- Summers are never a good time to visit Kannur.
- Auto rickshaw is the cheapest way to move around the city and visit thetourist attractions. The auto drivers are more trustworthy when compared to other places.
- Theyyam isapowerful traditionaldance of Kerala. Youcan see Theyyam performance in most of the temples in Kannur. It is the city's main attraction.
- You can visit St. Angelo's fort which is the most important historical monument in Kannur, bulit by a Portuguese Viceroy.
- Azhikal Ferry gives an amazing view of the sunset which has a point where you are surrounded by sea on all sides.
- You also visit thePayyambalam Beach, the main beach in Kannur.
- There are other places you can visit a little away from Kannur like Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, an ancient historical site called Ezhimala and some significant temples and mosques.
Detailed Info
Kannur also known as Cannanore, is one of the lesser knowncities in Kerala. The name 'Kannur' is derived from two Malayalam words,"Kannan" meaning Krishna and "Ur" meaning place;aplace of Krishna.History says thatthe ancient port of Naura at Kannur was a portfrom whereKing Solomon’s ships collected timber to build the great temple of Jerusalem. Kannur had trade links with the Arabs, Greeks and Romans also. The city is home to a famous folk art form called Theyyam.
The naturally rich land of Kannurhas playeda major role in contributing tothecultural, religious, political and industrial heritage of Kerala. With several cultural institutions,ancient forts andold shrines, the city of Kannur displays remarkable history. Someof the tourist attractions in Kannur are St. Angelo Fort, Payyambalam Beach, Arrakal Museum, Azhikal Ferry and Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Altitude
The city of Kannur is at sea level.
Weather
Kannur hasa typical tropical climatewithstifling humidity,summers being extremely hot and humid. The city experiencesheavy rains during the monsoon and the temperature is slightly better in winter.
Best Time to Visit?
During the winter season that starts in December and lasts until February.
How to Get There?
By Air
Kannur will have an international airport of its own very soon. For now, the nearest airport to Kannur is Calicut International Airport which is about 115 kilometres away from the city. It is well-connected to major cities across the country and abroad. From the airport, you need to hire a taxi to reach Kannur.
By Train
The city of Kannur has a railway station called Kannur Main Station. The station is well-connected to other places in Kerala and major cities across the country. From the station, you could hire a taxi or take an auto to reach your exact destination.
By Road
Cannanore bus station in Kannur is well-connected to most of the cities in Kerala and some major cities in the country also.
Local Cuisines
Malabar food likeDosa, Puttu, Appamand Idlyserved withraw mango-prawn chutney and raw mango-lemon chutney,Varytha Meen along with Onion Salad,Spicy Coconut Chammanthy featuringa distinct flavor of curry leaves, coconut and spice andPalada Payasam with raw mango are some of Kannur's best offerings.
