1.Lion's Park
1 kilometres from city centre
Located right next to the Kozhikode lighthouse and beach, Lion’s Park is ideal for a weekend picnic with friends and family. The park is especially...
Read moreKozhikode
The Pearl of Malabar
Kozhikode Tourism
Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is often called the spice capital of the nation. This North Malabar district of Kerala is famous for being the food and cultural capital of the region. With significant influences of Arabic, Jewish and Portuguese culture, Kozhikode had begun trading in spices like cardamom and black pepper more than 500 years ago. Vasco Da Gama, the first European person to land on Indian Shores had landed on the sands of the Kappad beach here in Kozhikode.
Before the British rule, Kozhikode was the capital of Malabar under the Samoothiris (also known as Zamorins). Largely a trading town, Kozhikode traded with the Arabs, Jews, Chinese, Phoenicians, Dutch and Portuguese in its prime. This is evident in the fact that Kozhikode still serves as the trade capital for the Malabar districts including Kannur, Wayanad and Malappuram. Today, Kozhikode is dotted with a number of luxury hotels, high-rises and malls while the city has been transforming to become the IT hub of the region.
Kozhikode is often seen as the epitome of the Malabar food scenario. The sheer number of items available in a typical Kozhikode restaurant is enough to set your mouths on fire. A number of festivals, including food festivals, are held here all year round to celebrate the diversity and pride of the Kozhikode people. This city is also very welcoming and is known for the warmth with which people embrace visitors. A visit to Kozhikode is sure to leave your senses, soul, and tummy satisfied.
Attractions
Lion's Park
Kappad Beach
2.Kappad Beach
15 kilometres from city centre
Kappad beach, even though it is a scenic beach, is more known for its historical importance. Vasco Da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who was the fir...
Read moreKallai River
3.Kallai River
2 kilometres from city centre
Kallai river is a place of beauty and has found itself mentioned in various Malayalam poems and songs over the years. This river once served as the...
Read moreKakkayam
4.Kakkayam
34 kilometres from city centre
The Kakkayam dam site, situated around 15 kilometres away from the Kakkayam bus stop, is a site to visit if you’re keen on enjoying the beauty of t...
Read morePeruvannamuzhi Dam
5.Peruvannamuzhi Dam
38 kilometres from city centre
For something interesting or curious, head over to Peruvannamuzhi, where there is a crocodile farm waiting for you. For those of you not interested...
Read moreBeypore
Mananchira Square
7.Mananchira Square
1 kilometres from city centre
Adorned with musical fountains, well-maintained landscapes and a wide open theatre, Mananchira Square is easily the centre of attraction in this ci...
Read moreVellari Mala
8.Vellari Mala
42 kilometres from city centre
Reminiscent of the streams and brooks detailed out in literary pieces, The Vellari Mala has a series of small waterfalls with rocky boundaries and ...
Read moreMishkal Palli Mosque
9.Mishkal Palli Mosque
2 kilometres from city centre
One of the first mosques in India, Mishkal is a symbol of India’s pluralism. Built in 14th century AD by a rich Muslim merchant Nakhuda, Mishkal mo...
Read moreTali Temple
10.Tali Temple
1 kilometres from city centre
The Tali temple is a one of a kind temple in the region with five different customary ceremonies being conducted every day. The temple is also one ...
Read moreMatri Dei Cathedral
11.Matri Dei Cathedral
1 kilometres from city centre
Matri Dei Cathedral, popularly known as Mother of God Cathedral or Devamatha Cathedral is one of the oldest churches of Malabar. Located near beac...
Read moreJuma Masjid
12.Juma Masjid
1 kilometres from city centre
Built using a combination of traditional Malayalam and Persian architecture, this Juma Masjid has the largest floor size in all mosques of Kerala. ...
Read moreThusharagiri Waterfall
13.Thusharagiri Waterfall
38 kilometres from city centre
Thusharagiri is a cinematic waterfall located in a tiny tribal village on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The amazing views and the image of the w...
Read moreSweetmeat Street (Mithai Theravu)
14.Sweetmeat Street (Mithai Theravu)
1 kilometres from city centre
Starting out as a small street with a number of traditional sweet vendors, today Sweet Street is a trading and shopping hub in the region. Locally ...
Read moreBeypore Beach
15.Beypore Beach
11 kilometres from city centre
Beypore Beach is located at the jaws of the Chaliyar river, around 15 kilometres away from Kadavu. Beypore is quite famous for its thriving maritim...
Read morePazhassiraja Museum
16.Pazhassiraja Museum
4 kilometres from city centre
Managed by the state archaeological department, The Pazhassiraja Museum is a tribute to the great Pazhassi Raja. Known for his battles with the Bri...
Read moreKozhippara Falls
17.Kozhippara Falls
37 kilometres from city centre
If you’re looking for a bit of adventure and fun, head over to these beautiful falls at Kakkadampoyil. These falls are welcoming to trekking and sw...
Read moreKozhikode Beach
18.Kozhikode Beach
1 kilometres from city centre
Lying right next to the city of Kozhikode lies the beautiful and busy sands of Kozhikode beach. Adorned by the Gandhi Road on one side and the Arab...
Read moreArt Gallery
19.Art Gallery
1 kilometres from city centre
For those of you who enjoy Indian themed art and Western techniques of painting, a visit to the Art Gallery is a must. Displayed here are pieces fr...
Read moreBackwaters
20.Backwaters
199 kilometres from city centre
If you’re looking for a calm and peaceful vacation, spend a day in the calm water of the Kozhikode Backwaters. Cruise around in luxurious houseboat...
Read moreThikkoti Light House
21.Thikkoti Light House
6 kilometres from city centre
This lighthouse was built out of necessity when a shipwreck occurred here, the remains of which can be seen even today. Surrounded by a beautiful g...
Read moreKrishna Menon Museum
22.Krishna Menon Museum
4 kilometres from city centre
Celebrating the Indian freedom and independence struggle, this museum is dedicated to VK Krishna Menon, as the name suggests. Popular as the right-...
Read moreKadalundi bird sanctuary
23.Kadalundi bird sanctuary
16 kilometres from city centre
Dotted around in the Kadalundi River lies a small cluster of islands that houses a small delight for bird watchers and enthusiasts. These undevelop...
Read moreKIRTADS
24.KIRTADS
4 kilometres from city centre
The Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, abbreviated to KIRTADS, is a celebration of t...
Read moreCanolly / Canoli Canal
25.Canolly / Canoli Canal
3 kilometres from city centre
A frequent waterway and trade route in the British era, Canolly lake has a lot of historical importance. Commissioned by then collector of Malabar,...
Read moreNearby Destinations
Photos
The City of Artists
The culture and heritage of this beautiful city would take a number of pages to explain in detail. Kozhikode is seen as one of the most harmonious and peace-loving places in India. Being a trading and port city, Kozhikode offers a freedom that is inculcated in its long-standing tradition of trade and commerce. People of various culture, heritage and religion live here harmoniously and thus a visit to Kozhikode is sure to change your perception about Kerala and Malayalees.
Kozhikode had begun trading with the Arabs since the 7th Century as per many historians. This is quite evident in the Arabic influence obvious around the city. Traditional dance and song forms like Oppana and Mappila Pattu have to be enjoyed once in a lifetime. Kozhikode is also the preferred habitat of a number of literary and cultural icons in Kerala like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and M. T. Vasudevan Nair, literary stalwarts who had spent most of their lives in the city. Kozhikode is also home to festivals like the Malabar Mahotsavam (a cultural festival) and Jalolsavam (celebratory festival as a part of Onam) are celebrated with pomp and glory.
How to reach
Kozhikode is accessible by road, rail and flight.
How to Reach by Flight
Calicut International Airport, also known as Karipur Airport is just 23km away from the city. The city is connected to other cities and a number of international destinations by regular flights.
How to Reach by Train
Kozhikode Main(CLT) railway station connects the city to the rail network of the country. Passenger trains, as well as Superfast trains arrive at the station at regular intervals.
How to Reach by Bus
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation busses and numerous private buses are available.
How to Reach by Road
The road network is quite extensive in Kozhikode. National and State Highways connect the city to different parts of the country.
How to travel within
Kozhikode has an extensive local bus service that connects almost all parts of the district. Cabs and autos are abundantly available throughout the city.
Food and Dining
Food is one of the main attractions of this beautiful city. Often referred to as the food capital of the state, Kozhikode is quite generous with its offerings. With a distinct flavour, courtesy of the vibrant Musil community here, Kozhikode will cater to the hunger pangs of anyone and everyone. The Erachi pathiris (rice cakes filled with meat mixture), Kuzhi Mandis (Arabic style rice and meat dish), Arikadukka (rice cake cooked with mussels), and the wide varieties of other snacks are just the tip of the iceberg here in Kozhikode.
Kozhikode is also famous for a couple of speciality drinks like the Avil Milk (a shake with rice flakes and banana), Kulukki Sarbath (drinks, mostly flavoured lemonade, shaken together before service), Milk Sarbath and Sulaimani (spiced tea, often with a dash of lemon). The famous Malabar Biriyani also finds its roots here and is a speciality dish in most restaurants in Kozhikode. Kozhikode bakeries are also quite renowned and are among the first to bake cakes and biscuits in the country.
The food and dining scenario in Kozhikode has evolved to accommodate modern flavours and fine dining as well. Restaurants serving dishes from various cuisines like Chinese, Arabic, American and European can be seen dotted around the city. Paragon Restaurant and their biriyani enjoy celebrity status in the Kozhikode restaurant scenario.
Kozhikode Itinerary
Day 1
- Kappad Beach
- Krishna Menon Museum
- Pazhassiraja Museum
- Mananchira Square
- Sweet Street (Mithai Theravu)
- Mishkal Palli Mosque
- Beypore, Beypore Beach
Day 2
- Peruvannamuzhi Dam
- Kakkayam
- Kozhippara Falls
- Thusharagiri Waterfall
- Kakkadampoyil
