The tourism potential of Kannoor district is high. The St. Angelos Fort in the Kannoor Cantonment, which was constructed in 1505, is a symbol of Portuguese architecture and attracts plenty of tourists. The Thalassery Fort is an important tourist center. Kannoor beach and Ezhimala are known for scenic beauty. Places of Historic importance, like the house of Gundert, who composed the first Malayalam-English Dictionary and the mosque at Madayi constructed in 1124, using marble brought from Mecca attract many tourists.

Fort St. Angelos

Fort St. Angelos was constructed to the West of Kannoor town. It was built in 1505 by the first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida, with the permission of the Kolathiris, on the promonotory jutting into the Lakshadweep sea. The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Ali Raja of Kannoor in 1772 and in 1790 it came into the possession of the British. The British rebuilt it and made it their most important station in Malabar. This fort is in a fairly good state of preservation, though parts of it have collapsed. A few ancient cannons are on display inside the fort. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Thalassery Fort

The British arrived in Thalassery in 1683 and erected a trading shed there. They shifted their commercial capital to Thalassery from Kozhikode following obstruction from the Dutch. In 1700, the British built the Thalassery fort on a small hill called Tiruvellapadakunnu and in 1708 strengthened it by increasing its height and additing bastions. The fort is a square structure built of laterite and is distinguished by its massive ventilated walls and strong flanking bastions. It was here that Haider's captain was imprisoned. The famous St. John's Anglican church is behind this fort

Snake Park At Parassinikadavu

The snake park at Parassinikadavu is 18 kms. away from Kannur town. It is one of the better known snake parks in the state. The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, most of which are becoming extinct gradually. There is a large collection of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. Snake demonstrations conducted every hour draw large crowds. (Open 0900-1730 hrs everyday)

Payyambalam Beach

The Payyambalam beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the state and is an ideal place to spend evenings, irrespective of seasons. It is located near Kannoor town. The mortal remains of Swadeshabimani Ramakrishna Pillai, A.K. Gopalan, Pamban Madavan and K.G. Marar are laid to rest near this resort

EZHIMALA

Ezhimala, the capital of the ancient Mooshika kings is considered to be an ancient historical site. It is an isolated cluster of hills, forming a promonotory 39 kms. north of Kannoor. A flourishing sea port and center of trade in ancient Kerala, it was one of the major battle fields of the Chola-Chera war of the 11th century. It is believed that Lord Buddha had visited Ezhimala. An old mosque., believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh Abdul Latif, a Muslim reformist is also located here. The hill is noted for rare medicinal herbs. Bordered by sea on three sides, Ezhimala is set to occupy a prominent place in the Naval History of the country consequent on the proposal for commissioning the Naval Academy the work for which is progressing at a very fast pace.

Moppila Bay

Moppila Bay is a natural fishing harbour, lying near Fort St. Angelos. A sea wall projecting from the fort separates the rough sea and inland water. The bay was famous during the Kolathiri's regime as a commercial harbour that linked Kolathunadu with Lakshadweep and foreign countries. Today, Mopila bay has turned into a modernised fishing harbour developed under the Indo-Norwegian pact.

Meenkunnu Beach (12 km from Kannur)

Uncrowded, the beach is a tourist's paradise, with golden sand and surf.

PARASSINIKADAVU MUTHAPPAN TEMPLE

Sri Muthappan Temple stands on the banks of the Valapatanam river. This pilgrim centre is famous for the Muthappan Theyyam performed every morning and evening. The DTPC operates pleasure boating on the river near the temple. Accommodation is available nearby. There are frequent bus services from Kannur to Paraassinikadavu.

Dharmadam Island

This 5-acre island covered with coconut palms and a dense bush is a beautiful sight from the beach. As this is a privately owned island, prior permission is required to enter this island

Muzhpilangad Beach
(15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalassery)

Its shallow waters make it a swimmer's paradise. Perhaps this is Kerala's only drive-in beach where you can drive down the entire length of 4 km

Trichambaram Temple (20 km from Kannur)

Situated at a distance of 20 kms from Kannoor on the National highway this temple is a sacred place of the Vaishnava cult, the deity being Sree Krishna. The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class of their own. The annual temple festival, usually held in March is a colourful event.

Sree Ramaswami Temple, Thiruvangad (23 km from Kannur

The temple dedicated to Sri Rama is one of the most important temples in Malabar. The exquisite carvings in the temple are said to have been carried out nearly 400 years ago.

Madayi Para (25 km from Kannur)

The Madayi Kavu Temple, the Vadukunnu Temple and the 12th century mosque built by Malik bin Dinar with white marble imported from Arabia, are the major attractions here. There is also a dilapidated fort at Madayi, which is supposed to have been built by Tipu Sultan of Mysore. The view from the fort is fascinating.

Malayala Kalagramam (29 km from Kannur)


This renowned centre for arts and culture at Mahe, conducts courses in painting, sculpture, music dance and pottery.


Thodeekulam Shiva Temple (34-km southeast of Kannur)

Located 2 km from Kannavam on the Thalassery-Mananthavady road, this temple is famous for its mural paintings. It is believed to have been constructed 2,000 years ago and was closely connected with the Pazhassi Raja family of Kottayam ( Thalassery taluk)

Pazhassi Dam (37 km east of Kannur)

An ideal retreat for tourists, the dam site is famous for its scenic beauty. The DTPC provides pleasure boating facilities at the reservoir. Accommodation is available at the project Inspection bungalow and its dormitories.

Pythal Mala (65 km from Kannur town)

This enchanting hill station, situated 4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala- Karnataka border is rich in flora and fauna. It is a 6-km trek to the top of the hills.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
(35 km from Thalassery)

Elephants, sloth bears, sambars, mouse deer etc. can be found in the 55 sq. km sanctuary.

Cherukunnu

Famous for its Anna Poorneswari Temple, the week long annual festival is in April. There is a Kathakali-Panchavadya school called Asthikalalaya near the temple.

Gundert Bungalow

Gundert Bungalow is 20 kms from Kannur, near Thalasseri town, on the National Highway at Illikunnu. Dr. Herman Gundert, the revered German missionary, scholar and lexicographer lived in this Bungalow fors 20 years from 1839. It was here that one of the first malayalam dictionaries and the first malayalam Newspaper Pachimodyam took shape.

Kottiyoor

There is a Shiva Temple here on the banks of the Bavali river. Thousands of devotees attend the annual 27-day festival during May-June.