Kannur
Kannur is a northern Kerala coastal city for travelers who want a Portuguese-built fort, a beach where cars can drive on the sand, and Malabar cooking.
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Kannur is a city and municipal corporation on the Arabian Sea coast of northern Kerala, India, and the headquarters of Kannur district. It lies about 280 km north of Kochi and about 146 km south of Mangalore. Under British rule it was called Cannanore. St. Angelo Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1505, stands by the sea, and the Dutch captured it in 1663 and added the bastions that mark the present structure.
Muzhappilangad Beach, about 15 km south of the city, stretches about 4.5 km, and cars can be driven on its sand. Payyambalam Beach, about 3 km long, lies near the fort. Local cooking includes Malabar biryani, halwa and seafood such as prawns and mussel curry. Temperatures are moderate in December and January, around 24°C, while the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain.
Kannur in five
- Time the trip to the Theyyam seasonTheyyam ritual performances run at village shrines from roughly late autumn to spring. Dates follow each shrine's calendar, so ask your host or the local tourism office which villages are performing.Northern Kerala
- Treat Theyyam as worship, not a showPerformances are held at shrines, often at night. Dress modestly, ask before using a camera or flash and follow a local guide's lead on where to stand.
- Fly into Kannur InternationalThe airport opened in 2018 and links to some Indian cities and Gulf destinations. Check which airlines serve your origin, since Kochi has far more connections.Kochi
- Combine with Mangaluru or Kochi by trainKannur sits on the main coastal railway, so trains run north to Mangaluru and south toward Kozhikode and Kochi. Book through IRCTC, as seats fill on the daytime expresses.Mangaluru
- Visit the beaches in the dry monthsCalm water and clear days run from about November to March. In the monsoon the sea is rough and swimming is unsafe on many beaches.
Things to do in Kannur
See all attractions in Kannur
Need to know
- Airport
- Kannur International (CNN), about 30 km from the town
- Getting there
- Coastal railway from Kochi or Mangaluru; buses and road along NH66
- Getting around
- Auto-rickshaws, taxis and buses; a driver helps for village shrines
- Best base
- Kannur town or a beachside homestay
- Time needed
- 2 nights; more for Theyyam villages
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, TheyyamJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Theyyam
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low23°Dry, TheyyamFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Theyyam
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, TheyyamMarchClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Theyyam
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, humidAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Pre-monsoonMayRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 487 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pre-monsoon
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Heavy monsoonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 729 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy monsoon
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Heavy monsoonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 763 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy monsoon
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°MonsoonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 513 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Easing rainSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 346 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easing rain
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Northeast rainsOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 337 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Northeast rains
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, TheyyamNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Theyyam
- DecemberClear9 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, pleasantDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
Average daily high and low in Kannur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Kannur
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Kannur
04:08 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed30°24°97%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu30°24°98%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Fri31°24°94%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sat31°24°96%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun31°23°69%Sunday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
Updated 01:57 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- St Angelo Fortabout 15 min by autoA laterite fort over the sea with a short walk to Payyambalam Beach.
- Muzhappilangad Beachabout 30 min by roadA long firm-sand beach known for drive-in access; check tide and weather first.
- Wayanadabout 3 hours by roadHills, spice plantations and forest, best with at least one overnight.
Before you go to Kannur
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Rules for Kannur, checked
- Foreign visitors should check whether they need an Indian visa, then apply for an e-Visa on the official portal before travel.Source
- Ezhimala is home to a naval academy, and the Mount Dely Lighthouse sits in a restricted area where tourists are not allowed.
- Malayalam is the local language of Kannur, so it helps to know place names in Malayalam when you ask for directions.
- Dial 112 for police, fire and ambulance across India.
Plan around Kannur
Entry rules, regions and trip planning
Read the guideNorthern KeralaKozhikode, Wayanad and the Malabar coast
Read the guideMangaluruPort city and coastal rail link, to the north
Read the guideKochi (Cochin)Fort Kochi and the gateway to Kerala, to the south
Read the guideKerala travel guideBackwaters, tea hills and the coast
Read the guideIndia e-Visa guideCheck validity and entry airports early
Read the guideKannur FAQ
What is Theyyam and when can I see it?
Theyyam is a ritual dance-worship performed at village shrines in northern Kerala, mostly from late autumn to spring. Dates differ by shrine, so ask a local host or the tourism office for current performances.
Is Kannur worth visiting?
Yes for Theyyam, uncrowded beaches and a more local feel than Kochi or Alleppey. It has fewer sights to tick off, so allow two nights and a flexible plan.
How many days do you need in Kannur?
Two nights cover the fort, beaches and a village ritual. Add a day for Wayanad or a longer coast ride north to Mangaluru.
How do you get from Kochi to Kannur?
By train it takes several hours on the coastal line, and road travel is similar. Check IRCTC for current services, and book an early train if you plan to see a ritual that evening.
Can I swim at Kannur beaches?
In the dry months some beaches are fine, but currents can be strong and many have no lifeguards. Ask locals before swimming, and avoid the water during the monsoon.