Kerala is known for its beautiful beaches, historical monuments, temples and mosques, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. Kannur has been a major trading centre since the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans and is home to many ancient monuments, temples and mosques. Kannur is a beautiful city located in Kerala which offers a wide range of activities to travellers. In this blog, we will guide you on 10 popular things to do in Kannur.&nbsp;

Mappila Bay is a great spot to explore the beauty of the Arabian Sea. It is home to several species of marine life and is a great place to spot dolphins. On one side of the bay is Fort St. Angelo, built by the Portuguese in the 15th century and on the other side is the Arakkal Palace. This bay was famous during the Kolatgiri’s regime as it served as a commercial harbour that linked many other ports.

Famous for: Arakkal fort
Timing: 1 AM to 11 PM
Duration: 1-2 hours

Parassinikadavu Snake Park is a great place to learn about the various species of snakes. It is home to a wide range of snakes and reptiles and is a great place to explore. The park houses a variety of snakes and other small animals, including the Spectacled cobra, King Cobra, Russell’s viper, Krait and various pit vipers. There is also a large collection of non-venomous snakes including pythons. They also conduct live shows that are good to watch.

Famous for: Snake shows
Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM
Duration: 2 hours

Kannur is a beautiful destination that offers travellers a unique mix of culture, history, and natural beauty. Whether you are looking for a quiet beach holiday, a backpacking adventure, a romantic getaway, or a fun family vacation, Kannur has something for everyone. With its beautiful beaches, interesting culture, and diverse wildlife, Kannur is sure to provide a memorable experience. The place is often termed as one of the perfect places for a vacation. Also, Kannur is known for its culture and history. Kannur has historical significance as it was part of the Chera dynasty that ruled Kerala.

St. Angelo’s Fort is a beautiful monument built by the first Portuguese Viceroy of India. It is a must-visit place in Kannur and gives a glimpse of the rich history of the place. The fort is in the Cannanore Cantonment area. It is fairly well preserved as a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. St Angelo’s fort is a most important historical monument and a popular tourist attraction. St. Angelo Fort is a fort facing the Arabian Sea, situated 3 km from Kannur.

Famous for: Architecture&nbsp;
Timing: 8 AM to 6 PM
Duration: 1-hour
Entry Fees: Free
Places to visit nearby: Kannur lighthouse, mappila bay

Located in the northernmost part of Kerala, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. It is a great place to spot rare species of birds, reptiles and mammals. It was built in 1984. It was formed by carving out areas from the Odanthode Mallavaram of Thalassery special division which was an erstwhile private forest, subsequently taken over by Govt. as per the provisions of the Kerala Private Forests Act 1971. You can spot a lot of animals and bird species that are not seen anywhere.

Timing: 8 AM to 4 PM&nbsp;
Duration: 3-4 hours
Entry Fees: INR 15/person&nbsp;
Places to visit nearby: Pakshipathalam, Coorg water rafting

Located on the Malabar coast, This is the only drive-in beach in Kerala and is a great spot to spend a day. This beach is regarded as one of the top 6 beaches. It is known for its serene beauty and clean shoreline. The beach festival is celebrated in April and it is one of the important tourist attractions in the district of Kannur in Kerala. The youth also try many driving stunts in cars like drifting and wheeling in bikes as this is a paradise for driving along the shore.

Famous for: Drive-in&nbsp;
Duration: 1-2 hours
Timing: 24 hours

Thalassery Fort, built by the British in 1708, is a must-visit place in Kannur. The fort is home to many stories of the past and is a great place to explore. It has been the main opening for the rich spices, hill products and timber of the vast inter-land. This is now a protected monument by the archaeological survey of India, The British fought the first several cricket matches with Indians at this place. It is one of the ancient fort placed in Kannur.&nbsp;

Famous for: Archeological finds&nbsp;
Timing: 8 AM to 5.30 PM
Duration: 1-hour
Entry Fees: INR 10/person

The Theyyam Festival is a one-of-its-kind festival celebrated in Kannur. It is a traditional ritual performed by people dressed as gods and goddesses from local mythology. This ritual art is mainly performed in the kavus (temples) or ancestral houses of the Nambiar, Thiyyar, Vaniyar and Maniyani communities. Theyyam is considered a Dance God and the name has been given to it by adding two words 'Deivam' and 'Aattam', where 'Deivam' means God and 'Aattam' translates to dance.

Famous for: drama and dance
Best Time to Visit: December to April

Arakkal Kettu Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Kannur. This museum showcases the lifestyle of the Arakkal rulers who once ruled this region. It was opened in July 2005 after a renovation. The government had taken a keen interest in preserving the heritage of the Arakkal Family, which had played a prominent role in the history of Malabar. The main building of the palace complex of Arakkal kettu is the museum containing the artefacts and heirlooms of the royal family as exhibits.

Famous for: Architecture&nbsp;
Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM
Duration: 1-2 hours
Entry Fees: INR 10/person

The Kannur Central Market is a great place to shop for traditional items and handicrafts. From spices to jewellery, you can find a variety of items here starting from groceries to home decor. One can find a lot of locals shopping here and could get to know the culture and traditions of the people. The market has many jewellery shops, garment shops, spices shops, etc. The Kannur City Centre is one of the largest shopping malls in Kannur Central Market.

Duration: 1-2 hours
Timing: 6 AM to 9 PM

Payyambalam Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Kannur. It has a beautiful shoreline and is a great place to relax and enjoy the view. It houses monuments to the celebrated journalist Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai and the revered Communist leader Sri. A.K. Gopalan. There is a massive sculpture of mother and child by renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman in the landscaped garden at the beach. It is one of the famous picnic spots for the locals.

Famous for: picnic spot and boating
Duration: 2-3 hrs
Timing: 24 hours&nbsp;

Top 10 Things to Do in Kannur

India > Kerala > Kannur

17 Apr 2026

Explore in Kannur

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