Kannur

2 daysBest: Sep–MarBeaches#theyyam#beach#culture

Theyyam, forts and the driving beach

Why this weekend?

Theyyam ritualSt Angelo fortMuzhappilangad drive beach

Some links below are affiliate links — booking through them may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The fort city
- St. Angelo fort
- Beach hours
- Arakkal palace
- Town lanes
Day 2 · The theyyam day
- Theyyam performance
- Temple visit
- Tellicherry drive
- Return

Geography & terrain

Kannur lies on the Malabar coast of Kerala, 90 km from Kozhikode and 500 km from Kochi — the theyyam city of the north, its beaches, the fort and the temple festivals set on the Arabian Sea's edge.

History & culture

The city's story runs with the Kolathiri kingdom and the colonial ports — the old seat of the Kolathiri rajas, with the St. Angelo fort's Portuguese, Dutch and British eras and the city's trade history of the spice ports; the city's modern role as the home of the theyyam ritual performances of the temples, with the beaches and the Arakkal palace, gives Kannur its theyyam-coast character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,200–2,800/night

Mid-range

₹2,800–6,000/night

Comfort

₹6,000+/night

Things to do

St. Angelo fort
Theyyam rituals
Quiet beaches
Royal palace
Malabar coast

Eat & drink

Karimeen pollichathu
Appam with stew
Malabar porotta
Sadya on banana leaf

Getting there

Fly: Kochi (COK) / Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) / Kozhikode (CCJ)
Train: Kochi, Kollam, Kozhikode junctions
Road from Kochi: varies by district — 50–400 km
Getting around: Autos, KSRTC buses, ferry networks

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹5,500–13,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,200–6,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹800–1,200
Per day · Activities: ₹800–1,200

Month by month

Jan · Best: 20–31°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 21–33°C · None rain
Mar · Hot: 23–35°C · None rain
Apr · Hot: 25–36°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 26–35°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 23–31°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 23–31°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon tail: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–33°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 22–32°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 20–31°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Malayalam (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Sep–Mar
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The theyyam seasons (the temple calendars) hold the rituals
The season (Sep–Mar) holds the coast's clear days
Pairs with Tellicherry for the heritage circuit

Frequently asked questions

What is Kannur?

The theyyam city of the Malabar coast.

What is there to do?

The fort, the beaches and the theyyam rites.

How long is the visit?

Two days.