Palakkad is known as the granary of Kerala and it is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Palakkad is situated at the foot of the Western Ghats. The name of Palakkad means forests with palm trees. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words Pala and Kadu which go to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forests covered with the sweet scented flowers of the Pala tree. Palakkad has many significant features that separate it from the rest of the states. Palakkad is bordered by Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu in the East, Thrissur and Malappuram in the South, West and North. Palakkad was the only gateway to Kerala from the north before implementing the Konkan Railway. Bharathapuzha which is the longest river in the state and has special significance in the psyche of the state flows through the district.

Palakkad Tourism Destinations | Palakkad Hotels and Resorts

Palakkad Destinations
Ottappalam: (35 km from Palakkad) The town is known for its numerous places of worship and their colourful festivals. The Chathan Kandar Kavu which was built by the local Kanjoor Namboothiri family in Varode Desam is famous.
Pothundy: (45 km from Palakkad) Situated on the way to Nelliampathy, the Pothundy Reservoir complex is a charming location for picnics and half-day trips.
Thiruvalathoor: (10 km from Palakkad) The ancient temple here has some fine wood work and stone sculptures.
Palakkad Fort: The old granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. Palakkad Fort was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. Now the fort is known as Tippu’s Fort.
Kollengode: (19 km from Palakkad) Kollengode or the abode of blacksmiths enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills nearby are ideal for trekking and adventure tourism.
Dhoni: (15 km from Palakkad) It takes a three hour trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills to reach this reserve forest area with its small, beautiful waterfall.
Nelliyampathy: (40 km South of Nenmara) This fascinating hill station is at a height of 467 to 1572 meters above sea level. At least 10 hairpin bends have to be negotiated on the Ghats road that passes through the breath taking evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges.
Kottayi: (15 km from Palakkad) This tiny village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Karnatic music.
Lakkidi: (30 km from Palakkad) Killikkurissimangalam at Lakkidi is the birth place of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th century satirist and exponent of Tullal, a classical art form in Kerala.
Meenkara: (32 km from Palakkad) This picnic spot is the site of a dam across the River Gayathri which flows into Bharathapuzha.
Siruvani: (46 km North of Mannarkad and 48 km from Palakkad) The reservoir at Siruvani was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Siruvani is also home to certain tribes like the Mudugars and Irulars.
Loknayak Smrithivanam and Deer Park: Loknayak Smrithivanam and Deer Park which spread over 100 acres are situated at Valayar along the Kerala-Tamilnadu border. Deer and other animals can be seen and elephant rides are also available.
Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary: (110 km from Palakkad) Sprawled across 285 sq km the Parambikulam wild life sanctuary is home to rare wild animals.
Mangalam Dam: (50 km from Palakkad) A popular picnic spot, the dam is built across the Cherukunnath River, a tributary of the Mangalam River. 
Malampuzha Garden: (10 km from Palakkad) This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of Western Ghats.  Malampuzha which is known as Vrindavan of Kerala attracts thousands of tourists to enjoy the gardens with lush green lawns, innumerable flower beds, glittering fountains surrounded by Mammoth Dam. The sculpture of Yakshi adds the beauty to garden. Malampuzha is the home of first rock garden in South India, sculpted by Padmashree Nekchand of Chandigarh.
Thrithala:(75 km from Palakkad) This place is noted for its monuments and historic ruins. The Siva temple and the ruins of a mud fort near Thrithala on the Chalissery road are notable cultural monuments. The Kattilmadam Temple, a small granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi- Guruvayoor road, is of great archaeological importance. It is believed to date back to the 9th or 10th century AD. The Pakkanaar memorial, honouring the Paraya Saint, stands near Thrithala-Koottanad road.
Silent Valley National Park: (40 km North-West of Mannarkad) The 89.52 sq km national park is believed to be the sole surviving bit of evergreen forests in Sahya Ranges. The peculiarity of Silent Valley Forest is that it is devoid even of the chirping of cicadas. Vehicular transport is possible only up to Mukkali, nearly 24 km from the park. The rest of the way has to be covered on foot up to the source of Kunthipuzha which flows through the valley before merging into River Bharathapuzha.
Vellinezhi: This small village, situated near Ottapalam was the home for several Kathakali artists in 19th and 20th century.
Attappady: (38 km North-East of Mannarkad) A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, Attappady is of great interest to anthropologists as this is the habitat of many tribes like the Irulas and Mudugars. The Malleeswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic Sivalinga by the tribes who also celebrated the Sivarathri festival with great gusto.
Kalpathy Viswanatha Temple: The temple festival which is held in November every year is known as Kalpathy Ratholsavam and becomes the spectacular festival of the district.
Hemambika Temple, Olavakkode: The temple is dedicated to Bhagavathi and there is no deity in Sanctum Sanctorum but only a sign of palm is visible.
Chulliyar Dam: The dam offers spectacular views of hills and it is situated at the foot of Western Ghats.
Meenvallam: This 25 feet height waterfalls is 8 km away from Thuppanad Junction. Among the 10 steps of waterfalls only two can be accessed and the others remaining in dense forest. A mini-hydel project is also here.
Punarjanani Guha: This natural tunnel situated 2 km away from Thiruvillwamala Temple. The presiding deity Sree Rama of the temple is believed to be self origin. By performing Noozhal, crawl through tunnel, all sins are washed away. The ritual is performed only one day in every year, on Guruvayoor Ekadeshi.
Chittur Gurumadam: Located on the banks of the River Sokanasini, the destroyer of sorrows, this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan, the author of Adhyatma Ramayana, who spent his last days here. A srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.
Thenari: It is believed that the waters of this natural spring, located in front of the old Sree Rama Temple here, is as sacred as the waters of the Ganges.
Mayiladumpara: (30 km from Palakkad) This grove takes its name from the large number of peacocks found here.
Thiruvegappura Sankaranarayana Temple:  This temple in Palakkad district dates back to the 14th century while it’s Koothambalam was probably added in the 15th or 16th century.
The Ongallur Taliyil Siva Temple: Situated near Pattambi, this temple has some of the most intricate laterite sculptures in Kerala.
Jain Temple of Jainimedu:Situated on the western suburbs of Palakkad town, not far from the railway station this historic 32 feet long, 20feet wide granite temple displays images of the Jain Thirthankaras and Yakshinis. The region around the temple, known as Jainimedu, is one of the few places in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived. It is at a Jain house here that poet Kumaranasan wrote his monumental poem, Veenapoovu, The Fallen Flower. The temple is built in Vadakkanthara on shores of Kalpathy River.