10 quick trips from Kannur

Kannur is a land where living gods walk in your midst. It is a land where myths, history, and traditions live in harmony with the modern times. A list of ten quick trips from this ancient land. **1) Arakkal Kettu** Now a museum, the Arakkal Kettu was the palace of the only muslim Raja to rule this land. Ensure that you do not go on a Monday, which is a holiday for the museum. The 'Kettu' or the building now houses a lot of antiques from those old days. **2) St. Angelo Fort** The St Angelo Fort was built in1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India. Here's a look at the history of the [fort](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/kannur/a-ride-to-the-pride-of-Kannur.html) **3)Thalasseri Fort** About 22kms away from Kannur town is this fort built by the East India Company to show their supremacy in the Malabar Coast. Life in this town, once centered around this Fort. **4) Madayipara** An hour's drive from Kannur will put you at Madayipara which is home to rich and varied flora and fauna. The Greeks, the Arabs, and the Jews had set up camp near Madayipara and traces of these cultures are evident here even now. But, it is the vast stretch of flowers that greet you that adds to the charm of this place. [Read more](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/kannur/onam-blooms-at-madayipara-kannur-getting-around-kerala-travel.html) **5)Paithalmala** Situated about 65kms from Kannur town, Paithalmala is a trekkers delight. It is a 6km trek to the top and the view during the monsoon months is just spectacular. On a good day, they say that you can see Tadiandamol Hills in Coorg from here. However, be careful about the leeches, especially after a rain. **6) Pazhassi Dam** The Pazhassi Dam or the Kulur Barrage is a stone structure where you can go boating. A scenic locale, it is ideal for an outing with family. **7)Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary** Spread over 55 sq km of forest highlands, Aralam is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. If you are in luck you can spot Malabar giant squirrel, spotted deer, Nilgiri langur and elephants in these forests. **8)Muzhappilangad Beach** Muzhappilangad is the longest drive-in beach in India and is featured among the top 6 best beaches for driving in the world in BBC article for Autos. This 4km stretch of beach is a haven for adventure seekers. **9)Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu** One of its kind, the snake park, established for the conservation and preservation of snakes, houses more than 100 varieties of snakes - from cobra to krai. Read more [here](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-about-kerala/kannur/snake-park-parassinkkadavu-kannur-kerala.html) **10) Valapattanam** They say that King Solomon's ships weighed anchor here during those days of old to gather wood to build the 'Temple of the Lord.' Valapattanam now is a little hamlet and the heart of wood based industry. It is also a fishing harbor.