The Taliparamba–Kannur–Thalassery belt preserves Neolithic rock-cut caves and megalithic sites. In the Sangam period the region was ruled from Ezhimala; the ancient port of Naura is often identified with Kannur. Later Mushika and Kolathunadu (Kolathiri) power centred here, with Arakkal as Kerala's only Muslim royal house holding Kannur and the Laccadive Islands in the late medieval period. St. Angelo Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1505, taken by the Dutch in 1663, sold to Arakkal in 1772, and captured by the East India Company in 1790. Kannur municipality was founded on 1 November 1866 among Kerala's first modern municipalities and was upgraded to a municipal corporation in 2015.
Kannur
About
District headquarters and municipal corporation of Kannur - formerly Cannanore - known as the Land of Looms and Lores, with St. Angelo Fort, Payyambalam Beach, Muzhappilangad drive-in beach, and Theyyam heritage on the Malabar coast.
Heritage
History of Kannur
A fuller look at how this place grew - from early roots to the town travellers visit today.
Know the place
More about Kannur
Culture, nearby stops, and practical notes for travellers.
Overview
Kannur (formerly Cannanore) is a city and municipal corporation in Kerala and the administrative headquarters of Kannur district. It lies about 274 km north of Kochi and 137 km south of Mangalore on the Malabar Coast, and is among Kerala's larger cities and urban agglomerations. The nickname Land of Looms and Lores reflects its handloom and folk-performance heritage. Kannur Cantonment is the only cantonment board in Kerala, and the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala is Asia's largest naval academy. Muzhappilangad Beach is Asia's longest drive-in beach.
Geography & climate
Kannur sits on the Laccadive Sea with a sandy coast, including an about 3 km beach stretch at Payyambalam and Mappila Bay harbour at Ayikkara beside St. Angelo Fort and Arakkal Palace. The city is north of Kozhikode, south of Kasaragod and Mangalore, and west of the Kodagu–Wayanad ghats. Climate is tropical monsoon: hot pre-monsoon months, heavy summer rains, and comparatively cooler dry-season nights in December–January.
Civic administration
Kannur Municipal Corporation administers about 78.35 km² with a 2011 census population of 232,486, divided into 55 wards and six zones: Kannur town, Pallikunnu, Puzhathi, Edakkad, Elayavoor, and Chelora. It is Kerala's fifth city corporation after state formation. Assembly segments Kannur and Azhikode fall within the Kannur Lok Sabha constituency. Kannur City Police covers Kannur, Thalassery, and Koothuparamba subdivisions.
Demographics
As of the 2011 census, Kannur city had 232,486 residents (about 46% male and 54% female) and a literacy rate of 96.23%. Religious composition was roughly Hindu 56.3%, Muslim 37.9%, Christian 5%, and others under 1%. Malayalam is the local and administrative language; English is also official. An Anglo-Indian community is associated especially with Burnacherry and the cantonment area.
Cuisine
Kannur cuisine blends Kerala, Persian, Yemeni, and Arab influences. Signatures include Malabar and Thalassery-style biryani (kuzhi mandi), pathiri rice pancakes, kallummakkaya (mussel) dishes such as arikkadukka, seafood curries, parotta, ghee rice, banana chips, and sweets such as halwa (once called sweet meat by Europeans), unnakkaya, and chatti pathiri.
Education & institutions
Kannur University (established 1996) serves northern Kerala as a multi-campus university. Notable institutions include Government Brennen College (1862), Government College of Engineering Kannur (1986), Government Medical College Kannur at Pariyaram (1993), NIFT at Dharmashala, and the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala.
Nearby places
In and around the city and district: St. Angelo Fort, Payyambalam and Muzhappilangad beaches, Moppila Bay, Arakkal Museum, Kannur Lighthouse, Ezhimala, Madayi Para, Palakkayam Thattu, Paithalmala, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple and Snake Park, Dharmadam Island, Kottiyoor Temple, and Thalassery heritage stops such as Tellicherry Fort, Overbury's Folly, Gundert Bungalow, and Odathil Palli.
Getting around
Kannur International Airport at Mattannur (about 26 km; opened 9 December 2018) is Kerala's fourth international airport, with a 4,000 m runway. Kannur railway station is a major Southern Railway stop on the coastal line; Kannur South, Edakkad, and Chirakkal also serve the urban belt. NH 66 links Kozhikode and Mangalore; roads also connect toward Kodagu, Mysore, and Bengaluru.
Weather & climate
Live weather
Drizzle · 98% humidity · 5 km/h wind
Now
25
°C
Climate
Very wet tropical monsoon (Am). Hot April–May highs near 35°C; milder December–January around 24°C. Heavy southwest-monsoon rain; annual average near 3,400 mm.
Best season
December to February
District
Municipal Corporation & Municipalities
10 urban local bodies in Kannur district (1 municipal corporation and 9 municipalities).
- 01 Kannur Municipal corporation and district headquarters.
- 02 Anthoor Municipality in Kannur district.
- 03 Iritty Municipality in Kannur district.
- 04 Koothuparamba Municipality in Kannur district.
- 05 Mattannur Municipality in Kannur district.
- 06 Panoor Municipality in Kannur district.
- 07 Payyanur Municipality in Kannur district.
- 08 Sreekandapuram Municipality in Kannur district.
- 09 Taliparamba Municipality in Kannur district.
- 10 Thalassery Municipality in Kannur district.
District
Taluks
5 taluks in Kannur district (Kannur, Thalassery, Taliparamba, Iritty, and Payyanur).
District
Major Cities and Towns
10 major cities and towns in Kannur district.
- 01 Kannur District headquarters city.
- 02 Thalassery Historic coastal town.
- 03 Taliparamba Major town in north Malabar.
- 04 Payyanur Major town in northern Kannur.
- 05 Mattannur Town linked with Kannur airport.
- 06 Iritty Major inland town.
- 07 Koothuparamba Major town near Thalassery.
- 08 Anthoor Town between Kannur and Taliparamba.
- 09 Panoor Major town in Thalassery side.
- 10 Sreekandapuram Major inland town.
Municipality
Well-known Localities
20 well-known localities in and around Kannur.
- 01 Burnacherry Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 02 Caltex Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 03 Chirakkal Historic locality near Kannur.
- 04 Elayavoor Well-known locality in the Kannur urban belt.
- 05 Fort Road Central road locality in Kannur.
- 06 Kadachira Well-known locality near Kannur.
- 07 Kakkad Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 08 Kannothumchal Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 09 Kizhunna Coastal locality near Kannur.
- 10 Melechovva Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 11 Muzhappilangad Beach Drive-in beach locality.
- 12 Pallikunnu Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 13 Payyambalam Beach-side locality in Kannur.
- 14 Puthiyatheru Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 15 South Bazar Market locality in Kannur.
- 16 Talap Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 17 Thana Well-known locality in Kannur.
- 18 Valapattanam River-side locality near Kannur.
- 19 Valiyannur Well-known locality near Kannur.
- 20 Velapuram Well-known locality near Kannur.
Taluk
Major Revenue Villages
56 major revenue villages in Kannur district (sample from 132 official revenue villages).
- 01 Alakode Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 02 Anjarakandy Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 03 Aralam Revenue village near Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.
- 04 Ayyankunnu Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 05 Azhikode North Coastal revenue village near Kannur.
- 06 Azhikode South Coastal revenue village near Kannur.
- 07 Chalad Revenue village near Kannur city.
- 08 Chakkarakkal Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 09 Chembilode Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 10 Cherukunnu Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 11 Cherupuzha Revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 12 Chokli Revenue village near Thalassery.
- 13 Dharmadam Coastal revenue village near Thalassery.
- 14 Edakkad Coastal revenue village in Kannur district.
- 15 Elayavoor Revenue village in the Kannur urban belt.
- 16 Eranholi Revenue village near Thalassery.
- 17 Ezhome Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 18 Irikkur Revenue village in inland Kannur.
- 19 Kadachira Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 20 Kadambur Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 21 Kadirur Revenue village near Thalassery.
- 22 Kalliasseri Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 23 Kannadiparamba Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 24 Kannapuram Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 25 Karivellur Revenue village in northern Kannur.
- 26 Kelakam Revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 27 Keezhallur Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 28 Kolachery Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 29 Kolayad Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 30 Kottiyoor Pilgrim revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 31 Kunhimangalam Revenue village in northern Kannur.
- 32 Madayi Historic coastal revenue village.
- 33 Maloor Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 34 Mattool Coastal revenue village in Kannur district.
- 35 Mavilayi Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 36 Mayyil Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 37 Muzhappilangad Coastal revenue village known for the drive-in beach.
- 38 Munderi Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 39 Naduvil Revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 40 Narath Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 41 Pappinisseri Revenue village near Kannur.
- 42 Pariyaram Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 43 Pattuvam Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 44 Payyavoor Revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 45 Peralassery Temple-linked revenue village in Kannur district.
- 46 Peravoor Revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 47 Pilathara Revenue village in northern Kannur.
- 48 Pinarayi Revenue village near Thalassery.
- 49 Ramanthali Coastal revenue village in northern Kannur.
- 50 Sivapuram Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 51 Thillankeri Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 52 Thrippangottur Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 53 Ulikkal Revenue village in eastern Kannur.
- 54 Valapattanam River-town revenue village near Kannur.
- 55 Varam Revenue village in Kannur district.
- 56 Vellora Revenue village in Kannur district.
Nature
Popular Trekking & Nature Destinations
5 popular trekking and nature destinations in Kannur district.
- 01 Paithalmala Paithalmala is a hill station in the Kannur district of Kerala in India, located near Pottenplave.
- 02 Palakkayam Thattu Hill-station grassland viewpoint near Taliparamba.
- 03 Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary is the northernmost wildlife sanctuary of Kerala, southwest India.
- 04 Madayi Para Madayipara is a flat-topped hillock located in the Madayi, of Kannur district of Kerala state in the Southern India.
- 05 Ezhimala Ezhimala, a hill reaching a height of 286 metres (938 ft), is located near Payyanur, in Kannur district of Kerala, South India.
Faith
Hindu Temples
3 Hindu temples around Kannur.
- 01 Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple Famous Muthappan temple at Parassinikadavu on the Valapattanam River.
- 02 Kottiyoor Temple Kottiyoor Temple is a prominent Shiva temple in Kottiyoor, Kannur, Kerala, India.
- 03 Peralassery Subramanya Temple Peralasseri is a census town and Panchayat headquarters in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala, situated on the Kannur-Kuthuparamba SH 38, about 16 km south…
Faith
Mosques
1 mosque in Kannur district.
Visit
Top Tourist Places
9 top tourist places in Kannur district — forts, parks, and heritage stops.
- 01 St. Angelo Fort Historic Portuguese fort facing the Arabian Sea near Kannur.
- 02 Tellicherry Fort Tellicherry Fort is a fortress located in Thalassery (Tellicherry), a town in North Malabar of Kerala state, South India.
- 03 Overbury's Folly Overbury's Folly is a seaside park with a watch tower.
- 04 Gundert Bungalow Heritage bungalow in Thalassery linked with Hermann Gundert.
- 05 Arakkal Museum The Arakkal Museum is a museum dedicated to the Arakkal family, the only Muslim royal family in Kerala, India.
- 06 Moppila Bay Mappila Bay is a natural harbor situated at Ayikkara in Kannur Municipal Corporation, Kerala state of South India.
- 07 Kannur Lighthouse The Kannur Lighthouse is located near the Payyambalam Beach, a few kilometers from Kannur town, in Kerala state, south India.
- 08 Parassinikadavu Snake Park The Parassinkkadavu Snake Park is located in Parassinkkadavu, Anthoor Municipality, Kannur district, north Kerala in south India.
- 09 V-Pra Kaayal Floating Park Pappinisseri is a census town in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Coast
Best Beaches
10 best beaches in and around Kannur.
- 01 Payyambalam Beach Kannur Beach is a group of five beaches on the western side of Kannur city in Kerala, India.
- 02 Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach Muzhappilangad Beach is a drive-in beach in Tellichery Kannur district of Kerala, on the Malabar Coast of India.
- 03 Thottada Beach Thottada is a coastal census town in Kannur Municipal Corporation in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala.
- 04 Kizhunna Beach Scenic beach at Kizhunna near Kannur.
- 05 Meenkunnu Beach Azhikode is a coastal town and suburb of Kannur city in Kannur district of Kerala, India.
- 06 Dharmadam Beach Dharmadom or Dharmadam is a Census Town in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India.
- 07 Chootad Beach Coastal beach at Chootad in Kannur district.
- 08 Baby Beach Kannur Beach is a group of five beaches on the western side of Kannur city in Kerala, India.
- 09 Chelora Beach Chelora is a village in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India 8 km from Kannur town and on the Kannur-Mysore Highway.
- 10 Azhikkal Beach Azhikode is a coastal town and suburb of Kannur city in Kannur district of Kerala, India.
Backwaters
Islands
1 island near Kannur.