Kozhikode is famous for various cultural activities. Almost every day one can witness musical nights and literary camps here. Kozhikode was once the capital of the powerful Zamorins and a prominent trade and commerce centre. Green countryside, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, warm and friendly ambience make Kozhikode a popular destination. Kozhikode was also the most important historic region with a number of temples, churches and mosques. Today Kozhikode is an important trade and Commerce Centre. Kozhikode also takes an important role in the political developments of Kerala. Kappad where Vasco da Gama landed on 1498 is situated near Kozhikode. The Mahe River, Kuttiady River, Korapuzha, Kallai River, Chaliyar River and Kadalundi River are the main rivers which flow through the district. Kozhikode, borded by Kannur district on the North, Wayanad district on the East, Malappuram district on the South and Arabian Sea on the West is also an enchanting backwater destination.

Kozhikode Tourism Destinations | Kozhikode Hotels and Resorts

Kozhikode Destinations
Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery: (5km from Kozhikode) On display here are copies of ancient murals, antique bronzes, old coins, excavated earthenwares, models of temples, megalithic monuments etc. Adjacent to the museum is the Art Gallery which exhibits an excellent collection of paintings by Raja Ravivarma and Raja Raja Varma.
Krishna Menon Museum: This museum has an exclusive wing dedicated to the late V K Krishna Menon, renowned statesman. His personal belongings and souvenirs are displayed here.
Kalipoika:(2 km from Kozhikode) One can leisure by cruise on the dappled waters at Kalipoika in both pedal and row boats.
Kozhikode Beach: This beach is a favourite haunt of sunset viewers. Adding to its natural beauty is the old-world charm retained in the old light house and the two crumbling piers, each more than a hundred years old that run into the sea.
SM Street: Sweet Meat Street is the busiest street in Kozhikode and derives its name from the times when the street was lined with sweet meat stalls.
Kirtads: (7 km from Kozhikode) This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. A good library with books on Anthropology and Sociology is an added attraction.
Beypore: (10 km South of Kozhikode) Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. Ancient Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia, for its ship building industry. The boat building yard here, famous for the construction of the Uru (the Arabian trading vessel), boasts a tradition of almost 1500 years.
Velliyamkallu: This massive rock, much dreaded by navigators, was once a vantage point for the Marakkars to attack the invading Portuguese. An entire crew of a Portuguese ship was killed here. The beautiful natural engravings on the rock are worth exploring.
Kallai: This was once the second largest timber trading centre in Asia. A steel bridge built by British is still intact here.
Kappad: (16 km from Kozhikode) This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on 27th May 1498, with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu.
Thikkoti Light House:The light house which overlooks Velliyamkallu was built after a shipwreck, the remains of which can still be seen here. The region around the Velliyamkallu rock is the transit home of migratory birds.
Payyoli: This is yet another beautiful stretch of golden sands with shallow waters that border Velliyamkallu.
Planetarium: The Kozhikode planetarium at the city’s Jaffarkhan colony offers extensive insight into the mysteries of the universe, the planets and the galaxies.
Regional Science Centre: Situated on the same compound of the planetarium, the Regional Science Centre is an eye opener into the amazing and exciting dimensions of Science.
Kakkayam: (45 km from Kozhikode) This picturesque damsite, teeming with exotic wildlife, offers excellent trekking and rock climbing opportunities.
Vadakara:(48 km from Kozhikode) The birth place of Thacholi Othenan, the legendary hero of the Vadakkanpattu (ballads of North Malabar), Vadakara boasts a great martial tradition and was a flourishing trade and commerce centre in ancient times.
Kuttiyadi: (78 km from Kozhikode) This picturesque village is the site of a major power project, the Kuttiyadi Hydro Electric power project.
Vellari Mala: Scintillating waterfalls and velvet green landscapes make this is an ideal spot for trekking.
Backwaters of Kozhikode: Unexplored, unspoiled, the backwaters of Kozhikode hold great promises of enchanting holiday options. Elathur, the Canoli Canal and the Kallai River are favourite destinations for boating. Kadalundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalolsavam is fast becoming a popular water sports destination.
Thacholi Manikkoth: The Kalari where Thacholi Othenan practiced his martial feats and spent long days in deep meditation before every Payattu (duel) is a place worth visiting.
Thusharagiri: (50 km East of Kozhikode) As the name suggests, land and water have struck an extraordinary kinship here. Famous for its trekking tracks, Tusharagiri is located near Vythiri in Wayanad. Trekkers start early morning from the second waterfall and climb uphill through the pristine, dense evergreen forests populated with exotic birds and wildlife to reach Vythiri by evening.
Peruvannamuzhi: (60 km from Kozhikode) The Peruvannamuzhi dam site set amid hills is a beautiful picnic spot. The reservoir here provides facilities for speed and row boat cruises during which one can see the Smarakathottam, a garden built in memory of the freedom fighters of the region.
Wayanad Ghats: The Green Ghats en route to Wayanad has nine hairpin bends. Each turn, taking to a higher altitude, offers a better view of the picturesque plains below. The journey through this way is breathtaking and an unforgettable experience.
Iringal: Iringal is the birth place of Kunjali Marakkar, who commanded the Zamorin’s fleet and held the Portuguese vessels at bay for a long period. The birth place of this valiant admiral of the Zamorin, on the southern bank of the Moorad River, is today preserved by the Department of Archaeology.
Kuttichira: The stone inscriptions found in the Muccunti Mosque at Kuttichira reveal an interesting aspect in the history of the Zamorins of Kozhikode and their patronage of Islam in Kerala.
Mananchira Maidan: The palace tank of king Mana Vikrama is an architectural wonder. The musical fountain inside the maidan and the meticulously landscaped lawns surrounded by traditional buildings in the Kerala style, fascinate visitors.
Kuttichira Mishkal Masjid: One of the oldest mosques in the city, this four storeyed structure supported by wooden pillars proudly proclaims the architectural splendour of yester years. In 1510 the Portuguese burnt down some parts of it, but the charred portions still remain.
Pisharikavu: This temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Elephant pageants during the festival season here are a special attraction.
Lokanarkavu Temple: Lokanarkavu Temple, associated with the heroes and heroines of the Vadakkanpattu combines an arresting simplicity and a legendary aura. The candid murals and carvings here are a delight to art lovers.
Varakkal Devi Temple: This is considered to be the 108th and the last Devi temple built by Sree Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala. It is believed that Parasurama ploughed this area in order to make Devi appear.
Ponmeri: The Sree Krishna Temple at Karatt and the Shiva temple at Ponmeri have flamboyant paintings depicting Palazhimathanam (the story of the churning of the ocean of milk) from the Puranas.
Mannur Temple: (12 km from Kozhikode) Modeled like the Siva Temple at Tiruvannur, this exquisitely carved Gajaprathista styled laterite structure is more than two centuries old.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: (25 km from Kozhikode) The estuary at Kadalundi is a heaven for migratory birds. Over a hundred varieties of native birds and over 60 varieties of migratory birds flock here in large numbers.
Jain Temple: The two temples in this compound at Trikkovil lane have exquisitely painted interiors and elaborately carved porticos.
Buddha Vihar: This temple houses a good collection of writings on Buddha.
Parsi Anju Amman Baug: This Fire temple on SM Street dates back to the period when the Parsis, lured by the trade opportunities, settled in Kozhikode about 200 years ago.
Tali Temple: Built in the 14th century by Swamy Thirumulpad, the Zamorin, within his palace complex, this temple was the venue of Revathy Pattathanam, the annual cultural and intellectual event.
Muchunthi Palli: Built in the traditional Kerala architectural style, this Mosque enshrines a 13th century Vattezhuthu (inscription on stone slab). The inscription proclaims the donation of the property to the mosque by a Zamorin.
Mother of God Church: This church built in the Roman architectural style dates back to 1513 AD and is the only one of its kind in Kerala. A portrait of St. Mary, more than 200 years old, makes it a famous pilgrim centre.