Kannur district has high tourism potential. The St. Angelos Fort in the Kannur Cantonment, which was built in 1505, is a sign of Portuguese architecture and attracts plenty of tourists. The Thalassery Fort is an imperative tourist centre. Kannur beach and Ezhimala are well known for picturesque beauty. Places of historic significance, like the house of Gulldert, who composed the first Malayalm- English Dictionary and the mosque at Madayi constructed in 1124, using marble brought from Mecca attract many travelers.
Fort St. Angelos
Fort St. Angelos is in the west of Kannur town. The first Portuguese Viceroy, Don Francisco De Almeida, built it in 1505 with the approval of the Kolathiris, on a promontory jutting into the Lakshadweep Sea. The Dutch captured the fort in 1663 and sold it to the Ali Raja of Kannur in 1772 and in 1790; it came into the control of the British. The British rebuilt it and made it their most imperative station in Malabar. This fort is in a good state of preservation, though parts of it have collapsed. A few obsolete guns areseeh at the place. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Thalassery Fort
The British arrived in Thalassery in 1683 and erected goods shed there. They transferred their commercial capital to Thalassery from Kozhikkode, following obstruction from the Dutch. 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 massive ventilated walls and strong flanking bastions. It was here that Raider’ captain was imprisoned. The famous St. John’s Anglican Church is behind this fort.
Muzhappilangad Beach
Black rocks look after this long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making it shallows waters a swimmer’s paradise. Perhaps this is Keralas only drive- in beach. Where you can drive entire length of 4 K.m.
Payyambalam Beach Resort
The Payyambalam beach is one of the stunning beaches in this State and is a perfect place to spend evenings, irrespective of seasons. It is very near Kannur town. ,The mortal remains or’ Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pilla, A.K. Gopalan, K.P. Gopalan, Pamban Madhavan 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 place. It is an onspicuous, isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory, 38 kms. North of Kannur.
A prosperous seaport and centre of trade in ancient Kerala, it was one of the chief battlefields of the Chola-Chera war of the II th century .It is believed that Lord Budha had visited Ezhimala. An old mosque, believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh Abdul Latif, a Muslim retormlst, is also situated here. The hill is renowned for rare medicinal herbs. Surrounded by sea on three sides, Ezhimala is set to occupy a prominent place in the naval history of the country, consequent to the proposal for commissioning the Naval Academy here.
Malayalakalagramam
The place is located 29 K.M from Kannur This popular centre for arts and culture at New Mahe conduct classes in painting, sclpture, music, dance and pottery
Pazhassi Dam
An idyllic retreat for tourists, the dam site is famed for its picturesque beauty. The D.T.P.C provides pleasure boating services at the reservoir. Accommodation is available at the Project Inspection Bungalow and its dormitories.
Pythal Mala
Pythal Mala is 65 km from Kannur Town. This charming hill station, situated 4,500 ft. above sea level near the Kerala – Karnataka border, is well off in flora and fauna. It is a 6 km trek to the top of the hills.
Gundert Bungalow
The place is located 20.K.M.from Kannur, near Thalasseri town on the national high way at Illikunnu. Dr.Herman Gundert, the revered German Missionary, scholar, lexicographer lived in this bungalow for 20 years from 1839.It was here that one of the first malayalam dictionaries and the first malayalam newspaper Rajyasamacharam took shape.
Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu
The Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu is situated 18 kms. Away from Kannur town. It is one of the known snake parks in the country. The park is dedicated to the protection and conservation of snakes, most of which are becoming destroyed gradually. There is a large collection of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.
Moppila Bay
Moppila Bay is a natural fishing harbour, lying near Fort St. Angelos. A sea wall projecting from the fort divides the rough sea and inland water. The bay was famous during the Kolathiris’ administration as a commercial harbour that linked Kolathunadu with Lakshadweep and foreign countries, in imports. Today, Mopilla bay has turned into a modernized fishing harbor developed under the Indo-Norwegian deal.
