# Kannur District

Kannur District is in Malabar area of Kerala state. The population is 2.4 million and the density is 813 people per km². Kannur has coastal and hilly towns and villages.

## Cities

* 11.96666775.3166671 Kannapuram, the gateway to rivers and beaches
* 11.86888975.3555562 Kannur, the district capital on the coast
* 11.98333375.6666673 Iritty, hill town near the Western Ghat forest
* 12.01666775.4333334 Kurumathur
* 11.70111175.5366675 Mahe (India), old French enclave
* 11.92996275.5724866 Mattanur, the incoming Airport city
* 11.95277875.6694447 Muzhakkunnu
* 11.98298175.4020698 Parassinikkadavu, riverside tourist town
* 12.175.29 Payyanur, Coastal town with backwaters
* 12.0575.3510 Taliparamba, hill town.
* 11.7575.4911 Thalassery, another coastal town

## Other destinations

* Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary on the e Northwest slopes of Western Ghats mountain ranges.
* Avera Hills for trekking in the middle of Kannur city. This is an undiscovered place and your will be one of the first tourists arriving on any day.
* Dharmadam Island , a 5-acre island covered with coconut palms and dense bushes.
* Government Poultry Farm , at 'Kozhi Office', Elayavoor.
* Meenkunnu Beach , Azhikode, one of the best beaches in Kerala.
* Munderi Bird Sanctuary , at Varam
* Paithal Mala mountains, 1,371 metres above sea level.
* Pazhashi Dam and Gardens , near Mattanur town.

## Understand

The people of Kannur District are very friendly on first appearance. But they are also very conservative and sensitive in political issues. Strong communist sentiment runs in the veins of most Kannurians and political murders are a monthly phenomenon here. The tourists are never affected by the local politics except that they get marooned in one of the general strikes that close all businesses, eateries and transportation.

## Get in

As well as Kannur International Airport (CNN) There is an airport at Kondotty, 121 km. There is another airport at Mangalore, 157 km. Trains are available from all Indian cities to Kannur. Direct buses are available from all South Indian cities.

## Get around

Buses charge ₹7 for three km. Autorikshaws charge ₹15 for every km. Air-conditioned taxis and jeeps are also available.

## See

The main attractions of Kannur District are its beautiful beaches. The beaches in Azhikode area are pristine and unvisited. Meenkunnu beach in Azhikode, for example, is highly valued by European visitors but locals don't care for the bent coconut trees or the rocky shoreline. There is a beach at Muzhappilangad where sand is solid enough to drive on for kilometres. The temples and Theyyam dances are another attraction, if you can visit the riverside temple at Parassinikkadavu. There are beautiful forts at Kannur and Thalassery. There is an old Muslim palace called The Arackal palace at Kannur beach. There are secluded beaches in places like Adi-Kadalayi and Thayyil in Kannur city. If you are a temple visitor, there are numerous choices in every part of the district. The best of all, you can go up a hill in the very middle of Kannur city by climbing the Avera Kunnu near Thazhe Chovvva. It is an undiscovered place and you will be the first visitor on any day.

## Eat

Kerala-style food is available both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Western food is available only in upmarket hotels and resorts. There are many north Indian workers here, but north Indian food is not available because the workers are adapted to Kerala food.

## Drink

Beer and wine are available in Kannur District. For stronger alcoholic drinks you have to go to Mahe, 31 km away, which is an enclave administered by Pondicherry.

## Stay safe

Kannur district is notorious for sudden general strikes that come without any prior warning for political reasons. Tourists are forced to remain at the railway station or the hotel for the entire day and restaurants and shops will remain closed during a general strike.

## Go next

* Bekal fort, near Kasaragod, 76 km
* Beypore Pulimoott, seawealk, 102 km
* Boys Town tea estate, near Mananthavady, 80 km.
* Kannur - Kozhikod - Kondotty - Nilambur, 115 km
* Madikeri hills, near Virajpet, 113 km
* Mahe beach, former French enclave. 31 km