Kannur is Malabar's least-visited big coastal town, known for two very different things: Muzhappilangad, a 4 km beach you can drive a car onto, and Theyyam, an ancient ritual dance in which performers are believed to become the deity they portray, still held in village shrines through the cooler months. Kannur's own airport has made this coast much easier to reach, but it remains one of Kerala's least touristed corners.
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When to go
November to April is the Theyyam season, when most rituals are performed — the exact dates and shrines vary by village and year, so check locally or with a homestay host. November to February is also the best weather for the beach.
Kannur right now and the next 7 days
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Kannur, planned for you
Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Arrive in Kannur · Muzhappilangad drive-in beach
- TravelBus: Kozhikode / Kasaragod → Kannur₹150
- 11:00Muzhappilangad drive-in beachFree
- 14:30St. Angelo Fort₹25
- Day 2 Kannur handloom weaving centres
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Kannur on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Kannur & Muzhappilangad · Open in Google Maps ↗
Map by Google. Places are found by name, so check the exact spot in Google Maps before you go.
Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
Change anything and the numbers update. Every price is what the bus, room or ticket itself costs. We take no commission and sell no packages, so this is what you pay booking each piece yourself.
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Kannur & Muzhappilangad in 2 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Muzhappilangad drive-in beach2 h · free · Four kilometres of hard sand you can drive onto directly — drive slowly and mind other beachgoers.
- 13:30Lunch break
- 14:30St. Angelo Fort1 h · ₹25 each · A 16th-century Portuguese fort on the coast, later held by the Dutch and British.
- 08:00Kannur handloom weaving centres1 h 30 m · free · Watch traditional handloom weaving; many centres sell directly.
- 10:00Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple2 h · free · An unusual temple with daily ritual dance offerings, on the river 15 km from town.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Kannur
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Getting around once you're there
Auto
₹250Between the town, beach and fort.
Own/rented vehicle onto the beach
FreeMuzhappilangad is one of the few beaches in India you can drive straight onto — follow the marked entry points.
Local guide for Theyyam
₹1,000A local guide or homestay host can find the night's shrine and explain the ritual respectfully.
Where to stay in Kannur
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Budget
₹900/nightBasic, central options.
Homestay
₹1,500/nightOften the best source of current Theyyam schedules.
What to eat, and what it costs
Malabar biryani
₹150As good here as in Kozhikode, without the queues.
Kerala meals
₹90Everyday eateries in town.
Seafood
₹200Fresh catch along the coast road.
Places to visit and things to do in Kannur
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Muzhappilangad drive-in beach
FreeFour kilometres of hard sand you can drive onto directly — drive slowly and mind other beachgoers.
Theyyam at a village shrine
FreeA powerful, community ritual — attend as a respectful guest, follow local guidance on where to stand and what to photograph.
St. Angelo Fort
₹25A 16th-century Portuguese fort on the coast, later held by the Dutch and British.
Kannur handloom weaving centres
FreeWatch traditional handloom weaving; many centres sell directly.
Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple
FreeAn unusual temple with daily ritual dance offerings, on the river 15 km from town.
Day trips and next stops
Kozhikode
₹150Train or bus
Bekal
₹100Train or bus
Wayanad
₹180Bus via Mananthavady
Ranipuram
₹150Bus via Kasaragod
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Theyyam schedules vary by shrine and season and aren't centrally published — confirm locally rather than assuming a date.
- This is a living religious ritual, not a show staged for visitors — dress modestly, ask before photographing, and follow instructions from shrine organisers.
- On the drive-in beach, keep to a walking pace and watch for people and children on the sand.
Ways to spend less
- A local homestay host is usually the best and most reliable source for that week's Theyyam schedule.
- Muzhappilangad costs nothing beyond fuel and is one of the more unusual free experiences on this coast.
- Kannur's own airport makes this a realistic add-on to a Wayanad or Kozhikode trip, not a detour.
Say it in Malayalam
A few words go a long way, especially when you ask a price.
English is widely understood across Kerala.
The pronunciation is a simple guide, not a native recording. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Before-you-go checklist
Kannur in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Kannur & Muzhappilangad?
On our month-by-month scores, the best months are Jan–Feb, Oct–Dec. November to April is the Theyyam season, when most rituals are performed — the exact dates and shrines vary by village and year, so check locally or with a homestay host. November to February is also the best weather for the beach.
How do I reach Kannur & Muzhappilangad?
Flight: → Kannur (CNN), varies, about ₹5,500 one way. Train: Kochi / Kozhikode / Mangaluru → Kannur, 3–6 h, about ₹300 one way. Bus: Kozhikode / Kasaragod → Kannur, 2–3 h, about ₹150 one way.
How much does a 2-day trip to Kannur & Muzhappilangad cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹2,000 on a shoestring, ₹3,800 mid-range or ₹7,600 in comfort over 2 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is bus (Kozhikode / Kasaragod → Kannur) at about ₹150 each way.
How many days do you need in Kannur & Muzhappilangad?
2 days is right for most people. That covers Muzhappilangad drive-in beach, St. Angelo Fort, Kannur handloom weaving centres, Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple without rushing.
Is Kannur & Muzhappilangad good for families or solo travellers?
Out of 5 on our scores: solo 4, couples 4, families 4, groups 4. It works well for families. It is easy to do on your own.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Kannur & Muzhappilangad?
Good options available, with a strong local non-vegetarian food culture (biryani, seafood).
Will my phone and cards work in Kannur & Muzhappilangad?
Phone signal: Good. Cards and UPI: Hotels and bigger restaurants. Cash: Needed for most local transactions.
Guides for Kannur & Muzhappilangad
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
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Make the plan yours
Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Shagil Kannur · CC BY 3.0 · source · Photo: Shagil Kannur · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Shagil Kannur · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Rajesh Kakkanatt · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Vishnuayirp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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