Capital	Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Location	Southwestern coast of India
Climate	Tropical Climate
Languages Spoken	Malayalam, English
Religion	Hinduism, Christianity and Islam
Altitude	Sea level
Area	2997 sq. km.
Rainfall	344 cm
Tourist Season ( Best Time Top Vist Kannur )	August to March
Nearest Airport	Kozhikode - 93kms

Kannur ( earlier Canannore), A land that has a rich past and flourishes in legends and myths, Kannur located in Kerala is a small and a beautiful city. Kannur enjoys the credit of having been the cradle of many a colourful folk art and folk music of Kerala. With Western Ghats on one side and Arabian Sea on the other, it abounds with a varied natural beauty. Kannur itself shares much of this natural splendor and has been a key contributor to the cultural, religious, political and industrial heritage of the Indian state of Kerala. The Lakshadweep Sea washes the golden sands of shores of Kannur in the west. The turquoise blue water, coconut fringed shoreline and lush green landscape, all make this beautiful city of Kannur the most visited place in Kerala.

Tourist Attraction of Kannur, Kerala

• Fort St. Angelos(also known as Kannur Fort or Kannur Kotta)
  The St. Angelos Fort is a major tourist attraction in Kannur was built in 1505 by Portugese. After chaning hands from the Portuguese to the Dutch and then to the English, the fort becaome one of the important military centres of the British in Malabar. The Fort had a chequered history. This Fort has a triangular shape and features adjoining citadels and a moat. It is said that there is a secret underground tunnel 21 km long inside the fort which connects Kannur Fort to the Thalassery Fort. A painting of this fort and the fishing ferry behind it can be seen in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. One can also get a great view of the Dharmadam Island that is located at a distance of 100 meters from the shore of this Fort.
  
  
• Thalassery Fort
  Thalassery was a place with commercial important even during olden times.The British arrived in Thalassery in 1683 and erected a trading shed there. In 1700, the British built the Thalassery Fort on a small hill called Tiruvellapadkunnu and in 1708, it was strengthened by increasing its height and with bastions. The fort is square structure built of laterite and is distinguished by its massiv ventilated walls and strong flanking bastions. There is also a lighthouse situated in the fort. The fort has a cemetery, a church and the collector's mansion nearby. The fort was the military center of the British. It is believed to have a secret channel to the sea, which was used as an escape route when under attack. The SAI Gymnastic Centre, an old Muslim mosque, the Jagannatha Temple and Thiruvangad Sree Raa Swami Temple are other attractions nearby. The surrounding environs lend a very mystical touch to the fort and a visit to the fort will definitely make you feel relaxed and give you peace of mind.
  
  
• Muzhapilangad Beach
  One of the longest river in Kerala, is located 15 km south from Kannur and 8 km from Thalasseri. The Muzhapilangad beach is the only drive-in beach of India. One can drive the entire 4 km length of the beach. This is what makes it unique among all other beaches of not only Kerala but also India. The clean and less crowded beach is ideal for sunbathing, and the black rocks protect this beach from the currents, making its shallow water a swimmer's paradise. From Muzhappilangad, one can view the beautiful island of Dharmadam or the Green Island. Muzhappilangad is the one of the important tourist destination of kerala. The calm yet enthralling ambience of the beach is what makes it a popular getaway for tourists.
  
  
• Payyambalam Beach Resort
  The Payyambalam beach is one of the beautiful beaches in this State and is an ideal place to visit, Payyambalam beach of Kannur is a vast stretch of golden sands dotted with coconut trees. The essential plus points about the Payyambalam Beach are its cleanliness, its distance from the town and the beauty of its gardens. It is blessed vast sea shore. There is a well laid out garden and a massive sculpture of mother and child erected by the famous sculptor Kanayi Kunchiraman which adds to the beauty of the beach. The beach is a beautiful place and many popular Indian movies have been shot over here. This beach is also a popular picnic spot of the local people and holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.
  
  
• Arakkal Museum
  The Arrakkal Museum is a museum dedicated to the Arakkal family, Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala that controlled parts of the coast and Lakshadweep. This 200-year-old palace complex has been renovated and converted into a heritage museum in the year 2005. The palace is of much historical significance and is a popular tourist attraction of Kannur.
  
  
• Dharmadam Island
  Sprawling over an area of 5 acres and surrounded by rivers and beaches, this beautiful island is covered with tall coconut palms and dense bushes. It is a picturesque beach which is 100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam. This place was earlier known as Dharmapattanam, is also known by the names 'Dharmadam thuruth' or 'pacha thuruth' (green island), getting its name from the popular belief that it was a Buddhist monastery earlier, as Buddha's images are said to been excavated from this place. During low tide, one can walk out to it from the beach. It is basically a Buddhist dominated region. Permission is required to enter this privately owned island. There are frequent boats to the island from both Kannur and Thalassery.
  
  
• Ezhimala Beach- Hillock
  Ezhimala, the capital of the ancient Mooshika kings, is considered to be an ancient historical site. . It is believed that Lord Budha had visited Ezhimala. Rare medical herbs (Ramayana) with mythological significance grow on Ezhimala, the strange seven-peaked range. The beautiful hills on the sea shore is a facinating sight. Carved stone pillars and an ancient burial chamber can seen at the foot of the hills. Ezhimala has found a place in the travelogues of Iban Bathutha and Marcopolo.There is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and the Mount Deli Lighthouse also located here. It is maintained by theIndian Navy and is a restricted area. It has an old mosque, believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh Abdul Latif, a Muslim reformist. It is a landmark to mariners, and is blessed with a long beautiful beach.
  
  
• Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
  It is the one and only wild life sanctuary in Kannur. A soothing little sanctuary on the slopes of the Western Ghats, coverd with tropical ever green forest. The highest peak here - Katti Betta - rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level. Found in this tranquil sanctuary is Elephants, sloth bears, sambars, mouse deer etc as well as fauna and reptiles. in the 55 sq km sanctuary. Around 160 species of birds, even some species considered extinct, have been found here. Among the evergreen plants, one can find species like Calophyllum, Cullenia, Elatum and Vellapine among others. Among the semi-evergreen variety, one can find trees like Cinnamomum, Hopea, Mallotus, Zeylanicum and Philippinensis. The best time to visit the park is from October to June.
  
  
• Parassinikadavu Snake Park
  It Is one of the known snake parks in the country . Parassinikkadavu Snake Park signifies the great role played by Snakes in keeping the ecology of nature.There is a large collection of poisonous, non-poisonous snakes and large Pythons .The park is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of snakes, most of which are becoming extinct gradually. The snake Park set up by the Visha Chikista Kendra at Pappinisseri, has been a centre of attraction to both foreign and domestic tourists. The snake park has three snake pits, fifteen glass cases for snakes and two large glass houses for King Cobras. Other than the snakes, there are other kinds of rare animals, reptiles and birds like the endangered species of Simhavalan Monkeys and Crocodiles. This centre offers effective treatment for snake bites, by mixing Ayurveda and Allopathic system of medicine.
  
  
• Pythal Mala
  This enchanting hill station, Pythal Mala is the scenic cliff at Sreekandapuram, around 65km from Kannur Town. It is rich in flora and fauna. It is an ideal place for trekking one has to trek 6 kms to reach the top of the hills. This is a dense forest area. There is a proposal to set up a zoo at the top of the hill. At the base of the mountain, a tourist information center and dormitory have been constructed.
  
  
• Meenkunnu Beach
  An uncrowded and serene the beach is a Tourists Paradise with Golden Sand and Surf.The name meenkunnu is a combination of two Malayalam words meen and kunnu. Meen literally means fish and kunnu a small hill. The golden sands of the beach lined with coconut trees and surf, is a perfect place to spend leisure time. Tourists who seek solitude come to this beach and spent hours, lost in thought.
  
  
• Malayala Kalagramam
  This renowned centre for arts and culture at Mahe, conducts courses in painting, sculpture, music dance and pottery. Besides these, seminars, symposia, extension lectures, in-service programmes and special projects in different fields of art and humanities are conducted by the Fraternity centre of the Kalagramam. Yoga and Sanskrit are also taught here. Two year Training in Kutchupudy, Violin, Clay modeling etc is given from here. Spending a day here with the tutors, students and the exotic library is an enlightening experience for any art lover.
  
  
• Gundert Bungalow
  On the National Highway at Lillykunnu, is the big ancient bungalow of Dr. Hermant Gundert, the revered German priest and research scholar who lived here for 20 years from 1839.Gundert Bungalow is a prominent structure with wide doors and verandahs and deep tiled eaves. He also built a church on Nettur Hill in 1889. He made invaluable contributions to the Malayalam language and also authored several books on Malayalam grammar. It was here that one of the first malayalam dictionaries and the first malayalam newspaper Rajyasamacharam took shape. It is a historically significant place for all lovers of Malayalam Language.
  
  
• Pazhassi Gardens & Dam
  Pazhassi Dam is an ideal retreat for tourists , it provides a panoramic view of scenic beauty. It is the only reservoir with gardens in Kannur district. The Buddha's mountain at Pazhassi and the sculpture of Pazhassi King are visual delights. The Dam and the reservoir are scenic, and there is a garden and an Amusement Park as well. Boating facilities are arranged to attract tourists.
  
  
• Madayi Para
  Madayipara is a significant spot owing to its bio-diversity as well as history. The major attractions here are the Madayi Kavu Temple, the Vadakunnu Shiva Temple and the 12th century mosque (1124 A.D) .A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Mecca by its founder, who came to India to spread the word of Muhammad, the Prophet. Nearby is a dilapidated fort is believed to have been built by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. The view from the fort is fascinating. Here, a pond in the shape of a hand held mirror, which is supposed to have connection with the ancient Jewish settlers.
  
  
• Valapattanam
  The small town on the River Valapattam is well known for its wood-based industries and timber trade. It also known as Baliapattom. Boat cruise is an exciting experience on the Valapatanam river which originates from the Western Ghats and joins the Arabian Sea, near the town. Valapattanam was once considered third in the world for timber operations. The port of Azhikkal and Azhikkal Beach are located nearby. This is only place in Kerala where the cultivation of Pukayila (tobacco) is carried on successfully.
  
  
• Pazhassi Dam
  An ideal retreat for rourists , the Pazhazzi Dam and reservoir are scenic awesome sight.The dam site is across the Valapattanam River, near Kuyiloor ( Kuyiloor puzha ). This dam is near to the birth place of Pazhassi Raja. So the dam named after Raja. The Gardens & Amusement park is an added attraction. The Buddha's mountain at Pazhassi and the sculpture of Pazhassi King are visual delights. Accomodation is also available for the tourists at the project inspection Bunglow and its dormitories. One can cruise down the river in D.T.P.C. boats often crossing small islands inhabited only by birds.
  
  
• Kizhunna Ezhara Beach
  This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala. Surrounded by palm and coconut groves, it is an ideal picnic spot that provides a calm and relaxed environment. Kizhunna Ezhara is enclosed between two Redstone cliffs.

How to reach Kannur, Kerala

• By Air
  Kannur is easily reachable by air as the nearest airport is the Kozhikode Airport, which is located at a distance of 93 kilometers from Kannur to the south.
  
  
• By Rail
  Kannur is a major railway station on Shornur - Mangalore line.
  
  
• By Road
  By road Kannur is 155 KMs south of Mangalore and 535 KMs north of Thiruvananthapuram.