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city in Kannur district in Kerala, India
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Asia > South Asia > India > Southern India > Kerala > Malabar > Kannur District > Kannur

Kannur[dead link] (Malayalam: കണ്ണൂര്‍) is a seaside city on the northern side of Kerala, India.

Civil Station Esplanade

Understand

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Kannur (old name Cannanore) is known as Land of Looms and Lords because of the importance of the fabric industry and the concentration of Theyyam temple dance festivals. The main language spoken is Malayalam. English is also understood. Kannur is the most politically sensitive district of Kerala and most people here have a socialist leaning.

Get in

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Payyambalam Beach, Kannur

By plane

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By train

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Direct trains are available from Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Coimbatore.

  • 2 Kannur railway station (കണ്ണൂർ തീവണ്ടി നിലയം). Kannur Railway Station (Q6364148) on Wikidata Kannur railway station on Wikipedia (updated Jan 2021)

By bus

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Direct buses are available from Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Mangalore.

By road

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Kannur is on national highway 17 directly connected to Mumbai and Kanyakumari; however, the roads are bad, crowded and traffic jams and very frequent.

Get around

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  • Autorickshaws charge ₹30 for the first km and then ₹15 per km.
  • Buses charge ₹7 for 3 km. City buses can be boarded from 'Prabhath bus stop' at the end of the Bank Road. This will ensure you a seat. For longer distances you have to go to the Thavakkara Bus Station.
  • Taxi - Taxis are available at reasonable rates.
  • Car - Parking is a serious problem almost everywhere in the town, except the beach side. You have to park the car somewhere and go in an auto rikshaw to cope with the traffic bottlenecks.
  • Walk - Walking is not pleasant, as there are numerous noisy motorcycles, even in the narrow footpaths.
Arakkal mosque in Kannur beach
Arakkal Palace Museum, Kannur Beach
  • 1 Arakkal Palace & Museum, Near the beach (1 km). Samples of pre-colonial art and architecture, Moplah Bay is nearby. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Azhikkal estuary and Azhikode beaches (12 km). 2-km long footpath into the sea, fishing village. Beautiful garden and beach at Chalil village. Spectacular beach at Meenkunnu. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Drive in Beach, Muzhappilangad (15 km). 4-km-long beach with strong sand, the longest drive-in-beach in India. The village has about 24,000 people (2011). Another beach is available at Edakkad. (updated Jun 2015)
  • 2 Southern Beaches. Spectacular and private beaches are available at Thayyil, Kizhunna and Thottada. Adi-Kadalayi beach is a very peaceful place. Popular with European visitors. Locals are absent. Direct buses are available from State Bank area. (updated Apr 2015)
Alavil Temple, Azhikode Road
  • 3 Payyambalam Beach (2 km). Very crowded place and popular with the locals. There is no esplanade, but there is a pretty little park. You can sit inside the park and watch the sunset. The park is less crowded because there is an entrance ticket. There is a very big statue of a sleeping woman made of grass inside the park. There is a perfectly formed cliff near the beach where you can walk and take photographs and this area is less crowded in spite of being more beautiful than the actual beach. The lighthouse museum has old types of lamps used by lighthouses around the world on display. (updated Jun 2015)
  • 4 St. Angelo's Fort (3 km). Built in 1505 by the Portuguese. Very good garden and view to the sea. Short footpath into the sea near Malsyafed office. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 5 Snake Park, Parassinikkadavu (18 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • 6 Valapattanam (7 km). Riverside village. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 7 Science Park, Mele Chovva Road (2 km). The science park is a small facility containing displays of scientific and technological topics meant for school students. (updated Dec 2015)

Temples

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Temple festival at Chalad beach
  • 8 Kalari Vathukkal Temple, Valapattanam (7 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • Madayi Mosque, Payangadi (22 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • 9 Muthappan Temple, Parasinikkadavu riverside (18 km). A temple which is unique in the whole of India, where there is no idol to worship, rather a ritualistic art-form (Muttappan Theyam) to worship. The temple is built in concept of Eternal Unity and Universal worship, and does have many legends. The Muttappan is believed to be a form of Lord Shiva, in a non-Brahmincal form, thus making it a general mass figure. Here regular performances of Theyyam are considered sacred and many unique customs are followed. Free food for visitors. (updated Apr 2015)
  • 10 Peralassery Temple, Koothuparamba Road (14 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • Shiva Temple, Mele Chovva (3 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • 11 Sundareshwara Temple, Talap (3 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • 12 Trichambaram Temple, Taliparamba (20 km). (updated Apr 2015)
  • Shri Maha Vishnu temple, Nadal, Thalassery Road (5 km). (updated Aug 2015)
Payyambalam beach, Kannur
Long view of Mappila Bay
  • 1 Birdwatching (8 km). At Munderi Bird Sanctuary, near Varam. Many exotic birds can be spotted at Madayippara near Pashayangadi, 24 km. (updated Apr 2015)
  • City Esplanade @ Caltex. Start walking from Caltex junction. Proceed to the collectorate and turn right to old bus stand. You will pass the police parade ground, exhibition ground and the oval stadium complex building. After the Stadium complex, you can turn left twice and walk in front of the policemen's houses and again turn left to reach Caltex junction. The total distance to walk is 5 km. (updated Jun 2015)
  • Climbing a Hill, Avera Kunnu (6 km). You can start from Thazhe Chovva bus stop and go beyond Chovva Railway Station up the hill. There are paved roads all around the hill, up the hill and down the hill. If you don't like such a steep climb, you can also access the hill from Marakkar Kandy village on the beach side. Please note that the locals here do not know that trekking is a hobby. They might stare at strangers but never attempts to interfere. But they are very helpful if you approach them speaking English. (updated May 2015)
  • Dinner at Seaside, Baby Beach (very peaceful cantonment area). (updated Apr 2015)
  • Hill Walk, S.N. College Hills (7 km). The hills and grounds around Sri Narayana College, Thottada are an ideal place for peaceful walking because there is very little traffic and open spaces are more in this region. You can access Kizhunna beach and Ezhara beach from here. The famous Muzhappilangad drive-in beach is another 3 km from here. (updated May 2015)
  • Island Walk, Kolthuruthy Island, Near Kadambery (20 km). All coconut and areca nut. Beautiful bridge wide enough for a small car. Two more islands called AKG Island and Polthuruthy are nearby. (updated May 2015)
  • Rajayoga Meditation @ Brahmakumaris, Opp. Nithyananda Bhawan School, Puthiyatheru (5 km), ☏ +91 9605993083. 7AM-8PM. Meditation centre. Free Sattvic food, meditation practice and lecture sessions. Beautifully furnished meditation hall upstairs. free. (updated May 2015)
  • Ride in the local ferry, Azhikode beach. Frequent passenger ferries are available from Azhikkode to Parassinikkadavu, Mattool and Valapattanam. (updated Jun 2015)
  • Trekking @ Pythalmala (43 km). Naduvil village. 1,450 m above sea level. Limited facilities are available on the mountain track. Look for leeches and wild elephants. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Water Theme Park (16 km). Vismaya at Parassinikkadavu (updated Apr 2015)
  • 2 Wildlife watch. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary near Iritty. 55 km. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Tejaswini River. White water rafting. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Muttayappam. Well, some people consider eating the Muttayappam an experience in itself. Muttayappam is a kind of rice preparation in oil without adding any 'mutta' or egg into it. Only the shape resembles a huge fried egg. It goes well with chicken curry. It is not available in standard restaurants and you have to ask at roadside stalls. They have a tendency to disappear in minutes. This preparation originated in Taliparamba town, some 20 km from Kannur. This snack with a very plain taste can become quite addictive. (updated May 2015)
  • Sheen Bakery, Opp. Railway Station. Very reputed confectionery. Very soft and sweet bread is their specialty. But the shop is a little bit crowded and their service is not so poor. Their little branch inside Mele Chovva petrol station is not very crowded. (updated May 2015)
Footpath to the beach at Alavil
  • Stadium Complex. An oval shaped buildling near the old bus station. Excellent place to buy clothes and gifts. There are no restaurants here but you can find fine ice cream parlours. (updated May 2015)
  • 1 Thavakkara Busstand Building. Many shops and bakeries in four levels. Several teashops, one vegetarian restaurant on the third level and one upmarket restaurant in a separate building. Paid parking facility. Very good place to walk around, sit and relax as this bus station is built in a spacious design. The reason for the quality of this bus station is that it is run by a private company. All other bus stations in Kerala are dirty and crowded because they are built and managed by the government agencies. Thavakkara Bus Terminal Kannur (Q18393350) on Wikidata Thavakkara Bus Terminal Kannur on Wikipedia (updated May 2015)
  • Paris Bakery, Opposite Railway Station. (updated Oct 2017)
  • M.R.A. Bakery, Railway Station Building. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Kumars Confectionery, Opposite Old Bus station. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Lunch Packets from Karthik, Karthik Restaurant, Thavakkara. Well packed lunch packets with prawn fry and chicken included. They pack everything on banana leaves with aluminium foils on the outside. (updated Jan 2021)
  • Kabeerkka Biriyani Packets, Opposite Bharath Petroleum, Kakkad. Lagoon Tender Beef Biriyani. ₹120. (updated Jan 2021)

Kannur follows all the traditional Kerala-Malabar food like rice, biriyanis, dosa, puttu, appam, idly, and seafoods. Stuffed mussels (Arikkadukka) are available with most of the local vendors.

Tapioca and fish curry are a favorite choice of the Kannur people

Budget

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  • Acquaris Vegetarian, Near old bus stand (in the basement), ☏ +91 4972700558. No parking facility. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Bharath Vegetarian, Railway Station Rd (inside Abhilash Tourist Home). The best place for Masala Dosai, a fermented crepe made from rice batter, black lentils, potato and onions. ₹35 
  • Grass Hopper Vegetarian, Thavakkara busstand building. Paid parking facility. (updated May 2015)
  • Golden Dish Restaurant, Opp. KSRTC, ☏ +91 4972703009. With a peaceful attic section. No parking facility. (updated Apr 2015)
  • India House Vegetarian, Near Old Bus Stand, ☏ +91 4972700826. No parking facility. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Indian Coffee House, Near State Bank of India, ☏ +91 497 2711626. No parking facility. (updated May 2015)
  • Komalavilasam Vegetarian, Near Railway Station. No parking facility. 
  • Marina Bakery Poothappara, Alavil - Azhikode Road (6 km). 
  • Omar's Inn, North side of the Railway Station. Little cosy restaurant. No parking facility. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Thiruvathira Vegetarian, Talap. Crowded eatery. No parking facility. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Brownies Coffee shop, Talap. Favourite hangout of couples. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Dakshin Vegetarian, South Bazar. Good dosai and idlis. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Don Donna, Caltex junction. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Ranjith Restaurant, Fifth floor, Thavakkara Bus Station. Lunch ₹50, fish fry ₹60, Kada eggs ₹60. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Raravis Restaurant, Near Caltex junction. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Odhens Restaurant, Ondens Road. Famous for lunch with fish fry (updated Dec 2019)
  • Kailas Restaurant, Railway Road. Old style Kerala lunch cooked on firewood. Ginger pickles are also available. (updated Jan 2021)
  • Pulari Restaurant, Subjail Road, ☏ +91 497 2707373. Biriyani Parcels on banana leaves. Big portions are given. (updated Jan 2021)

Mid-range

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Kannur fish curry is very spicy
  • Chiffonets, Kumar tower, Bellard Road, ☏ +91 497-2709411. Exclusive Chinese & Tandoori dishes. 
  • Cita Pani, Payyambalam Rd. 
  • Cool Land Restaurant, ☏ +91 4972760297. No parking facility. (updated Apr 2015)
  • K.F.C. Restaurant, Thavakkara Bus Stand building.Block III. (updated May 2015)
  • M.V.K. Restaurant, Near Kamala International, S.N.Park Road. Good biriyani. No parking facility. 
  • Orange Biriyanis, Thana (5 km). (updated May 2015)
  • Othens Restaurant, Behind Kavitha Cinema, Onden Rd. 11AM to 4PM. Lunch only with exotic fish fry. 
  • Paris Restaurant. Famous for biriyani, samoosa and banana filling. (updated Sep 2015)
  • Parkans Chinese Restaurant, opp. Sky Palace, Thavakkara. (updated Aug 2015)
  • Raandhal Restaurant, Near AKG Hospital, ☏ +91 8891191919. 11AM to 11PM. (updated May 2015)
  • Royal Treat (Near SN Park). 
  • Sagar Restaurant. No parking facility. 
  • Sahibs Grilled Chicken, Near S.N. Park (2 km), ☏ +91 4972711077. (updated May 2015)
  • Silver Waves, Payyambalam (In front of Skyline), ☏ +91 9846087299. For seafood. 
  • Taj Restaurant, SM Rd, ☏ +91 4972709057, +91 9495029807. Hotel Taj. No parking facility. 
  • Wheat House Vintage Restaurant, Opp. KSRTC, ☏ +91 4972704666. Beautiful period building with many private rooms for the diners. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Safire Restaurant, South Bazar. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Salim Hassan Parkview, Caltex junction. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Nalukettu Restaurant, Thana. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Monaco Restaurant, Valiyannur. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Cabane Bambou, Near Govt. Guest House, Mill Road, Burnacherry (2 km from the railway station), ☏ +91 497 276 0199. Until 10:30 PM. Seats on two floors. (updated Dec 2018)

Splurge

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  • Mascsot Beach Restaurant, Baby Beach. Good outdoor seats by the sea. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Royal Omars International, Thavakkara. South of the Railway Station. You will get chappathis cut into portions that can go into forks. 
  • KTDC Loom Land, Near Ashirvad Hospital, ☏ +91 497 2700717. Chattichor Lunch. (updated Jan 2021)

Drink

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  • Appoos Icecream, opp. District Bank, Stadium Complex (2 km). Air conditioned. (updated May 2015)
  • Brownies Bakery and Coolbar, Near AKG Hospital, Thalap junction, NH (2 km). Comfortable attic seats with street view. (updated Aug 2015)
  • The Grand Savoy Bar, Payyambalam. 
  • Sadhoo Hotel, puthiyatheru. 
  • Sannidhaan Bar, Caltex. 
  • Sona, bank Rd. Near Nikshan Electronics. 
  • Velocity Pub, Puthiyatheru. Near Amana Wholesale Shoppe. 
  • Juice Corner, Caltex Junction. Famous for their cocktail juices. (updated Jan 2021)
  • Bulbul Cafe, Opposite LIC, Talap. Popular for their Mint Vanilla and Parotta Rolls. (updated Jan 2021)
  • Thavakkal Stores, Anayidukku Road. Avil Milk Shakeː ₹40, Ginger Serbathː ₹15. (updated Jan 2021)

Sleep

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This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
BudgetUnder ₹ 750
Mid-range₹750-3,000
SplurgeOver ₹ 3,000

Kannur traffic is quite hopeless. Taking a room in the beach area is the only solution to escape from traffic blocks.

Budget hotels: beach side

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  • Bus Stand Dormitory, Thavakkara, ☏ +91 9895008325. ₹50. (updated Apr 2015)
  • K.K. Tourist Home, Second Floor, New Bus Stand, ☏ +91 7902557766. Lift facility available. ₹1350. (updated Feb 2017)
  • P.V.S. Lodge, Beach Road, ☏ +91 4972706371. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Railway Retirement Room (inside the railway station). You have to show your ticket. ₹150. (updated May 2015)
  • Tamarind Hotel, Beach Road, ☏ +91 4952700717. Run by the Government. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Yathri Nivas, Thavakkara, ☏ +91 4972700719. Government property. (updated Apr 2015)

Budget hotels: Downtown

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  • Omar's Inn Lodge, Near Potheri Nursing Home, ☏ +91 4972506313. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Sweety Hotel, Muneeshwar Kovil, ☏ +91 497270 8283. ₹500. (updated May 2015)
  • Vichithra Lodge, Opp. KSRTC, ☏ +91 4972706514. ₹500. (updated Apr 2015)
  • Plaza Tourist Home, Near Railway Station. ₹500. (updated Oct 2017)
  • Rainbow Tourist Home, Old Bus Stand. ₹300. (updated Oct 2017)

Mid-range

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Splurge

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Connect

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Internet

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  • Padinchare Kandy Internet Cafe. Opp. the little Masjidh, Near State Bank of India, Fort Road. 1 km from Railway Station. This is a popular hangout of foreign tourists. (Fast computers in a big air-conditioned hall. Chilled soft drinks are available)

Electricity

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Kannur uses the British (UK) three-pin and two-pin circular socket that follows BS 546 at 230 V, 50 Hz. Plug adaptors are available at any hardware store. Use care if you need a transformer to convert 230 V to a lower voltage for equipment from countries where the normal power supply is 110 V.

Go next

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This city travel guide to Kannur is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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