Visit Kannur's best sights and relax during your holidays
Think about serene beaches, folk art, iconic historic forts and landmarks, stunning and unexplored backwaters, beautiful villages, alluring hill stations, and waterfalls. Sounds like a perfect vacation, right?! Well, then pack your bags for Kannur and enjoy the vacation you have dreamed of! Kannur is a coastal town in the north of Kerala, famous for its rich history, culture, art, and cuisine. Formerly known as Cannanore, Kannur during the Middle Ages was a major port on the Malabar coast and the seat of power of the Kolathunadu dynasty. Now known as the land of looms and lores, Kannur has a history of a flourishing handloom industry. Folk art forms like theyyam are still an integral part of life in Kannur. In this article, we are going to discuss the best sights of Kannur and plan the perfect holiday for you in this idyllic coastal paradise!
The best sights of Kannur
Kannur is an ideal destination for all types of tourists and visitors. You can have a laid-back beach vacation, explore the local artisans, visit historic landmarks, enjoy the backwaters and islands, or watch an adrenaline-inducing theyyam and immerse yourself in the delightful Malabari culinary delights. Here, we will list some of the places and experiences you shouldn’t miss in Kannur.
St.Angelo Fort: St. Angelo Fort is a popular attraction in Kannur, known for its polished yet prehistoric structure and stunning views of the Arabian Sea and Mopilla Bay. The fort has a rich history, having been a point of interest for various dynasties and witnessing numerous battles. The Portuguese Viceroy, Dom Francisco de Almeida, imprisoned his successor, Alfonso de Albuquerque, leading to bitter events and conspiracies that have etched their influence on Portugal and Kannur. The fort features tombstones of soldiers who lost their lives, barracks, and an old chapel for you to explore. The sea view and the lighthouse nearby add to the beauty of this historic fort.
Payyambalam Beach: Payyabalam Beach in Kannur is a serene and inviting destination with golden sand and Arabian Sea waves. Accessible via a small crossover bridge over a narrow canal, the beach is lined with coconut trees and casuarinas. The beach offers boating, swimming, and thrilling adventure activities. Spreading about 4 kilometres, Payyabalam Beach is a tranquil paradise in Kannur.
Muzzhapilangad Beach: The Muzzhapilangad Drive-in Beach in Kannur, Kerala, is known for being the longest drive-in beach in India. The clean beach is also one of the best drive-in beaches on the Asian continent. As Kerala's only drive-in beach, it attracts many tourists year-round. The beach offers a 4-kilometre-long, open road with no traffic and stunning views, making it an ideal weekend getaway for adrenaline junkies.
Palakayyam Thattu: Palakayyam Thattu, nestled in the Western Ghats, is a picturesque hill station in Kerala, standing at 3500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by lush greens, trees, and majestic hillocks, Palakayyam Thattu is breathtaking. The low-hanging clouds and the misty atmosphere of Palakayyam Thattu make it an ideal place to relax and recharge. This hill station is a popular trekking destination in the south, offering a tranquil and untouched experience ideal for escaping the monotony of city life.
Baby Beach: Baby Beach in Kannur is a small, rocky, but happening beach with a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. It's an extension of Payamballam Beach, popular for picnics and beautiful sunsets and sunrises. The beach is close to Payyamballam Beach, St. Angelos Fort, Kannur Lighthouse, and the Lighthouse Museum, making it a popular spot for tourists.
Kavayyi Islands: Recorded in the travel memoirs of explorers like Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo, Kavvayi Island, located near Payyanur, spans 37 square kilometres and is surrounded by the scenic Kavvayi backwaters. This is a network of lagoons, rivers, and canals. Kavil Pattanam, now known as the Kavayyi Islands, used to be a hub of spice and gem trade through the Malabar port. The island is rich with lush green vegetation, coconut groves, and mangrove forests. It is home to a diverse range of marine and avian species as well.
Madayipara: Madayipara is known for its beautiful landscape, said to be reminiscent of the famous Tulip Gardens of Amsterdam. The hillock is adorned with 300 flowering plants and over 30 species of thick grass, making it a paradise for nature lovers. The area attracts 150 different butterfly species, including the Atlas butterfly, and over 100 endemic and migratory birds, making it a bird lover's paradise. The hillock transforms into a golden field filled with grass in summer, a crimson red field in autumn, and a striking green colour in the monsoons.
Kannur is a land with a deep history. The Neolithic Age is the earliest evidence of human habitation in this region, sourced from rock-cut caves, megalithic burial sites, dolmens, and stone epitaphs. Theyyam, the ritualistic dance performed in temples in northern Malabar, is a testimony to the deep-rooted culture that this land still holds on to. If you are looking forward to the exhilarating experience of Theyyam, December to is the time you should visit Kannur.
Kannur is waiting for you
So, are you planning a trip to Kannur?! Let us help you!
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