If you're inclined to take a vacation to a serene place, away from all the city noise, Kozhikode is a city in Kerala that you must look at. It's a beautiful city with warm and welcoming vibes that can let you enjoy the peace and calm you crave during a vacation. Kozhikode is the place where you have a combination of lush green landscape, tall mountains, hustling rivers, and some gorgeous architectural hubs. Interestingly, this is also the city where Vasco da Gama first landed during his fetch for India.
Popularly known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is the third-largest city in Kerala and is visited by people from all across the globe. If you’re planning a trip to explore South India, adding Kozhikode to your itinerary will definitely be worth it. Here’s a detailed Kozhikode travel guide that will help you get a glimpse of what the city would be like for you as a traveler.
Looking back at the intense and intriguing history of the city, you'll notice that Kozhikode has some great connections with foreign shores owing to its rich history of spices. This is reflected in the architectural resemblances that you see in the city today. During the middle ages, Kozhikode was known as the “City of Spices”, as many eastern spices were transported to foreign shores from its ports.
Kozhikode has been ruled over by many dynasties in ancient times and it consistently remained to be a source of power for all the rulers. Trade, commerce, and economic stability remained consistent throughout the centuries. This is the primary reason it withheld the end of times and was the capital city for most rulers that ruled over the region. Kozhikode was the capital city for the Zamorins and also remained the capital of Malabar province during the rule of the Britishers. Looking at a history of centuries, you’ll find that all the rulers that ruled over Kozhikode have in some way or another contributed to its architectural, cultural, and ethnic prosperity. Every corner of this city has a different story to tell you and that's evident when you look at how holistically diverse this city is.
The culture of Kozhikode is warm, welcoming, and friendly. It's also a very artistically rich city that celebrates all kinds of art forms. ‘Kolkali’, ‘Oppana’, and ‘Mappilapattu’ are the cultural folk dances celebrated by the Muslim community of Malabar that resides in the city. You’ll see these dances being performed during festivals and feasts by men, women, and children as well. You also see art reflected in the ‘Thirayattam’ and ‘Theyyam’ temples. The local language spoken in Kozhikode is Malayalam and as mentioned earlier, the people are very welcoming in the city. You’ll come across locals that are willing to help you out with anything you need and you’ll have a good time here for as long as you’ve planned to stay.
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Kozhikode is a prominent travel destination in Kerala and is well connected with major cities in the country. The city enjoys great connectivity via air, rail, as well as roads, which makes it a very convenient city to get to.
Kozhikode International Airport (CCJ) is an international airport located about 25 kilometers away from the main city. It’s also locally referred to as Calicut International Airport or Karipur Airport. This airport caters to international and domestic flights coming in and going out on a regular basis. There are daily flights connecting Kozhikode to other Indian cities like Kochi, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.
You also have regular international flights coming in from Gulf countries, all parts of Asia, and some from Europe as well. Once you're at the airport, you have local transportation like state and private buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws that will readily drop you off at your destination anywhere within the city.
Traveling to Kozhikode via train is one of the better options. Not only is it affordable but it's also the most scenic way to admire the beauty of the city and enjoy the surreal landscape. Kozhikode has a well-maintained railway station that is very well linked to all the cities within Kerala and also outside of it. You have some direct trains that are available on a timely and regular basis from Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. Do try and book your tickets in advance if you want to enjoy the view of the city from the window seat!
Kozhikode is easily accessible by roadways from cities within the state and also outside of it. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) facilitates an effortless commute to Kozhikode from different parts of the state. Traveling to Kozhikode by road from cities like Coimbatore, Kochi, Bangalore, Mangalore, and Trivandrum is going to be convenient. This is also the preferred traveling way for most tourists visiting Kozhikode. National Highways 17, 47, 212, and 213 are the routes that you can choose to reach Kozhikode. You can also hire a traveler or a car to get to Kozhikode if you're a small bunch of people traveling.
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Kozhikode has tropical weather all year long which gives you the opportunity to visit this city any time during the year. But, if you wish to experience the real bliss of this city, the winter months are ideal while the monsoons can be a great time to experience the cultural diversity and festivities.
The winter weather in Kozhikode is pleasant as the temperature is around 15°C on average. This is also a good time to experience and enjoy the cultural celebration and festivities. The music, art, culture, and other art forms of the region are celebrated with the most enthusiasm. One such festival is Malabar Mahotsavam which is celebrated in January and is the time when most tourists visit the city.
Apart from winters, you can also choose to explore Kozhikode during monsoons. This is the time when the festival of harvest is celebrated. The average temperature during this time is somewhere between 22°C and 32°C, which is quite favorable for you to engage in and fully enjoy the festivities. The heavy rainfall turns out to be blissful as the entire city is lush green with nature at its best. It's also a great time to get your trekking gear out and explore all the hill rocks that the city has.
You should ideally avoid summers to visit Kozhikode as the city becomes really hot and the temperature reaches as high as 40°C. This might not be the most comfortable time to enjoy the beauty of the city. But this is a good time for bird watchers to visit this place as there are plenty of birds that you can watch and capture in motion with your camera lens. Depending on the things you wish to include in your itinerary, you can choose to visit Kozhikode in the season that best suits you.
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Getting around Kozhikode is made easy as the public and private transportation system in the city is excellent. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has bus routes and buses running through every corner of Kozhikode. This makes traveling from one part of the city to another very feasible, convenient, and affordable for all.
You can choose to hire taxis or rental cars if you're going to explore the city all day long. Depending on the itinerary you’re planning, you can decide whether or not you'd need a car for yourself. If yes, you can get a price fixed in advance and go along with your exploration journey.
You also have the local auto-rickshaws that you'll find anywhere in the city. They are cheap and easy to get as well. The only drawback is that you need to be sure of the roads, so using maps is a must. You might need to fix the prices beforehand as well to avoid paying higher costs.
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“There is absolutely nothing beyond the coastline and the beaches to explore in Kozhikode.”
Kozhikode is a popular tourist destination in Kerala and is much beyond its gorgeous coastline. The city’s architectural beauty and diversity are very evidently portrayed in its structures, buildings, and even temples. Each temple in this city portrays a very distinct style of architectural ambiance and is one of the strongest assets of Kozhikode as well. You also have the vibrant cultural legacy, immaculate waterfalls, lush green landscapes, and strong historical presence that stands out very evident when you visit this city in person. Keep reading to know of some of the must-visit places in Kozhikode.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is an ideal tourist spot to visit during the winter and summer seasons. You get to see some rare and extinct birds as winter is the migration season. Located amidst a cluster of islands around the Kadalundi river, this sanctuary is home to over 100 bird species and over 60 of those are the ones that migrate. Gulls, terns, herons, and some other alien birds are some of the major attractions here. Besides, the lush green spaces are also another attractive feature of this sanctuary. Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is open on all days from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and the entry fee is just INR 25 per person. You can easily plan a picnic and enjoy a fun day amidst nature and the presence of birds at this sanctuary.
Beypore Beach is one of the most visited beaches in the city and is located somewhere near the mouth of the river Chaliyar. Your visit to Kozhikode remains incomplete without a day spent at Beypore Beach. You have many activities that you can enjoy with your family and friends or just solo as well. There's surfing, skiing, sunbathing, and swimming that you can try out at this beach. The golden sand, palm and coconut trees are going to make you feel at peace and calm which is also largely the vibe of this beach. Besides, the stone bridge is one of the prime spots that attract tourists to spend time here.
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The Valayanad Devi Temple is a popular tourist and pilgrim sport in Kozhikode. The temple was built by the Zamorins in the 14th century and it was a famously known temple even back then. This is so because it's one of the marvels of 14th-century Dravidian architecture. This is a very unique style of architecture that attracts a majority of the population to the temple beyond seeking blessings from the Goddesses. The Devi (Goddess) is worshiped by all the deities and you’ll also come across the idols of Lord Ayyappa, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vighneswara here. Spending some time at this temple will help you soak in the serene vibes of Kozhikode.
What Is Kozhikode Famous For?
Kozhikode is known for its gorgeous coastline with white sand and some great sunset views. You also have great green landscapes, historical sites, stunning temples, wildlife sanctuaries, hills, rivers, and some great festivals that are celebrated. These are just some of the many things that Kozhikode is famous for.
Are Calicut And Kozhikode The Same?
Yes, Kozhikode is also called Calicut and they are the same place. Kozhikode is the official name of the city and many people call it Calicut, which is its anglicized version.
Is Kozhikode Worth Visiting?
Kozhikode is definitely a city that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. It has ample tourist attractions including temples, beaches, waterfalls, mountains, and sanctuaries. If you want to spend time amidst nature, you may want to strongly consider visiting Kozhikode.
What Are Some Places To Visit In Kozhikode?
Valayanad Temple, Payyoli, Azhakodi Devi Temple, Muchundi Palli, Beypore Beach, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, and Kallai River are some of the many popular touristy places in Kozhikode that you must visit on your next trip here.
How Many Beaches Are There In Kozhikode?
The coastal city of Kozhikode or Calicut is studded with several alluring beaches. Some of the popular beaches to check out while you're in this city are Beypore beach, Payyoli beach, Kappad beach, Parapally beach, Kozhikode beach, and Thangassery beach.
What Is The New Name Of Calicut?
Although the city is known as Calicut in English, the official name of Calicut is Kozhikode. It is thought to be derived from the words Koyil, meaning Palace, and Kota, meaning Fort. So, together put Kozhikode refers to 'Fortified Palace'.
Which Sea Is In Calicut?
Calicut is surrounded by the vast and appealing Arabian sea. And, so you will find numerous stunning beaches on the coast of Calicut.
Is Kozhikode A Metro City?
Kozhikode is not a metro city, but it is the third largest city in Kerala. Also, the metropolitan city in Kerala is Kochi.
