Calicut

Destination Theme
Cities & Urban Areas, Beaches,

Best Suited For
Business holidays, Families and Tourists.

Recommended Duration
Two to Five days.

Quick Info

Calicut also known as Kozhikode, is a noted city in the state of Kerala situated on the Malabar Coast. The city has a blissful backdrop with the charming spires of the Wayanad hills on the east and the unruffled Arabian Sea on the west. It has all the tourism facilities needed for an ideal vacation. The city has an international airport called Calicut International Airport or Karipur Airport.

Rankings & Ratings

An important city in Kerala that surprisingly has plenty of attractions.

Editor's Rankings

#14 in 33 Destinations in & around Kerala
#5 in 13 Beaches in & around Kerala
#3 in 9 Cities & Urban Areas in & around Kerala

Editor's Review

One of the most important cities of Kerala, Calicut, surprises you with the variety of tourist attractions it has. The city is quite popular for its backwaters, beaches, festivals and fairs. But one main problem is that it is one of the hotter places in Kerala.

PROS

Perfectly connected by air, train and bus.
Lots of tourist attractions suitable for all.
Accommodation facilities are not expensive.
The city has many festivals and fairs that tourists can see.

CONS

The weather is usually on the warmer side.
The city is sometimes crowded.
Traffic might also be a slight hassle.
Very few activities available for the adventurous people.

Itinerary Tips

The climate is quite warm in Calicut with temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius. Plan your visit in winters, or during the rainy season when the city has plenty of fairs.
The Pazhassirajah Museum has some great antique collections. Just beside it is an art gallery displaying paintings of Raja Ravi Verma.
You can visit Dolphin's point early in the morning. This is the best time to see the dolphins.
You must spend a day in the science centre. It has amazing gadgets, games and puzzles to offer.
You can also visit Kodencherry to get to see beautiful waterfalls and well-spread plantations.
If you’re visiting Calicut between December and April, try to visit Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary early in the morning.
Kappad is the first place Vasco da Gama set foot on when he discovered India. You can visit the Kappad beach which has a small monument to celebrate that event.

Detailed Info

Calicut is one of the prominent cities in Kerala. The city, also called as Kozhikode is situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Vasco da Gama first set foot in Calicut when he discovered India in 1498. Calicut derives its name from 'Calico', a popular variety of hand woven cotton cloth that originated from this place. During the 12th century, the region was a major trade centre connecting Kerala to the outside world. The city has some very important festivals like Kaliatta Mahotasavam and Pooram Festival that include engaging fairs.

Some of the significant tourist attractions in Calicut are Kappad beach, Pazhassirajah Museum, Dolphin's Point, The Science Planetarium, The Science Centre and Mananchira Palace. A little away from Calicut are some interesting places tourists can visit. Among them are Thusharagiri waterfalls, Kakkayam dam and Kadalundi Bird Santuary. Houseboat Cruise and boating are also possible in the backwaters of Kozhikode.

Altitude

The city of Calicut is at sea level.

Weather

Calicut has a tropical monsoon climate with pleasant winters. The city experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon and it gets quite warm and humid in the summer.

Best Time to Visit?

Between the months of August and January since the weather is pleasant.

How to Get There?

By Air

Calicut has an international airport of its own called Calicut International Airport or Karipur Airport. The airport is well-connected to major cities across India and abroad. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to reach your hotel.

By Train

Calicut has a railway station called Kozhikode Main Railway Station. The station is well-connected to major cities across the country. You can get a taxi or auto to reach your destination.

By Road

Kozhikode bus station in Calicut is also well-connected to major cities in Kerala and across the country.

Local Cuisines

Calicut halwas, Malabar Biryani, Kallumkai(mussel) curry are some of the most sought-after dishes in Calicut.