Kozhikode Tourism And Travel Guide

Nestled across the space separating the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kozhikode has been enchanting tourists from the days of yore. Forming the prime trading center for spices from the East, this place became popular as the City of Spices. Kozhikode was the capital city of the Zamorin regime during their rule over Northern Kerala. The hospitable nature of the Zamorin kings allured merchants from various parts of the world to Kozhikode, including the Portuguese, British, Dutch, and the Chinese. Along with its rich cultural and historical heritage, this city can also delight tourists with its natural glamour. To discover some surreal features of Kozhikode's tourism prospects, let us walk through this little travel guide on Kozhikode.

By Air:

The Kozhikode International Airport is situated at a distance of 25 km from the main city area. This airports offers constant flights that travel to major metropolitans such as Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kochi. It even operates flights that ply from Kozhikode to foreign countries such as countries from the gulf and other parts of Asia and Europe. State-run local buses offer smooth connectivity to visit several places within the city once a tourist reaches the airport.

By Rail:

Considered as one of the most scenic ways to travel to Kozhikode, a train ride offers tourists with surreal landscapes throughout their journey. Kozhikode possesses a well-maintained railway station that provides connectivity to several main towns of the country, including Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. This is an economical mode of commute and tourists can also relax and sleep well when aboard sleeper trains.

By Road:

The buses operated by KSRTC facilitate effortless travel to Kozhikode. Tourists can reach the main area of the city via roadways coming from Kochi, Trivandrum, Coimbatore, Bangalore, and Mangalore. These passages present visitors with breathtaking sceneries throughout their journey. Within Kozhikode, local transport options such as private cars and buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and cabs can sufficiently address tourists’ needs for commute.

The most appropriate time to explore Kozhikode is the winter season. The months between October and February not only offer tourists a hospitable weather, but also hold some vibrant festivities. These traits bring the city to life and present visitors with amazing tourism options.

Summer (March to May):

Kozhikode’s summer seasons are bright and moist. The temperatures range between 28°C and 37°C. Venturing into the city in this season is feasible as the intensity of the heat seems much more forgiving to tourists. With glorious birds thriving within Kozhikode during summer, the city turns into a bird watcher’s paradise and attracts a lot of tourism.

Monsoon (June to September):

Starting with July, monsoons grip the city of Kozhikode until October beckons. Constant heavy precipitation engulfs the city during this season, bringing to life some unbelievable portrayals of the countryside. The climate constantly ranges between 22°C and 32°C. Adventurers will find this season apt to tour the city and participate in some thrilling activities.

Winter (October to February):

Beginning with October, winter season engulfs Kozhikode with chilling winds and pleasant weather. With the temperature fluctuating between 19°C and 29°C, this is the best time to tour the city of Kozhikode. Showers are a rare commodity and travelling is smooth and convenient. Tourists can spend ample time amidst Kozhikode’s beach waters without any hassles.

A Vibrant Cultural Legacy:

Kozhikode boasts of a wide mixture of conventional art forms. Popular Islamic art forms such as Kolkali, Oppana, and Mappilappattu thrive within Kozhikode’s communities. Whereas, Theyyam and Therayattam are the art forms that hold temple roots. Famous songs of folklore, named as Vadakkan Pattuakal, honor the bravery and strength of Kerala’s own form of martial art, Kalaripayattu. The game of football holds a special place in the heart of the locals and it is followed with great passion. With its diverse hospitability, Kozhikode hosts many festivals such as Onam, Christmas, Vishu, and Eid; all with impartial merriment.

Land of Dazzling Beaches:

With a touch of cleanliness and godliness, Kozhikode’s beaches have a unique aura about them. These secluded waters are wonderfully set up to lure tourists into their breathtaking landscapes. Kozhikode possesses some scintillating beaches such as Kappad Beach, Payyoli Beach, and Beypore Beach. Visitors can either revel in the company of sun and sands or enjoy the delicacies and shopping prospects that surround the shores of these beaches. With exquisite sunsets and perfect sunrises, Kozhikode’s beaches provide tourists with picture-perfect moments to capture on their cameras.

Immaculate Waterfalls:

Kozhikode has some splendid waterfalls scattered over its landscapes with lush green vegetation surrounding them. Some of these pristine waterfalls include Thusharagiri, Olichuchattam, Urakuzhi, and Aripara. Thusharagiri is one of the more prominent waterfalls with ample facilities for bird watching and trekking. The special feature of all these remarkable waterfalls is that they flow with a cascading effect. This adds to their serenity and stunning beauty. Tourists will surely have an experience of a lifetime in the midst of these astonishing waterfalls and their evergreen surroundings.

Unravelling Kozhikode’s History:

Kozhikode has historically undergone innumerable changes and upgrades over the years. In local circles that speak Malayalam, the city is known as Kozhikode today. However, Arab traders preferred the name “Qaliqut”, while the English gave it an anglicized name, Calicut in the past. In yesteryears, Kozhikode was popularly known as the City of Spices owing to its splendid connectivity to foreign shores.

Several dynasties ruled over this ancient city. The Zamorins held Kozhikode as their capital town, while it formed the capital of the Malabar province during the English reign. Several colonial rulers thrived in this region, including the French, the English, the Portuguese and the Dutch. Every nook and cranny of this town has a different story to tell regarding the wars that occurred between powerful forces.

In spite of all this hullabaloo, Kozhikode will always be known as the place where Vasco da Gama first landed on his expedition to India. After all, this was the landing that would change the entire commercial outlook of Kozhikode.

Owing to its diverse culture, Kozhikode boasts of a variety of delicacies. A brand of lemon tea known as Sulaimani is an amazing delicacy. Ramzan festival brings with it some delicious food items such as Nendram Pazham, which consists of raw pieces of banana packed with a sugary filling of coconut. Chatti Pathiri is another authentic pastry filled with nuts, raisins, and fruits. Every eatery in Kozhikode’s food armor oozes historic roots. One such place is the French Bakery, which was a happy hunting ground for the hungry during the colonial rule of the English and the French in this city. Their Mutton Liver and Chicken Cutlet attract customers all the time.

The streets of Kozhikode have tiny markets scattered all over. These markets boast of some of the finest hand-woven garments. A trip to Kozhikode would be incomplete without taking back such authentic art work with you. Right from cotton to handloom fabrics and from silk to velvet textiles, Kozhikode presents excellent clothing options. Kasaragod Saris are a must have for tourists with their colour patterns and ornamented borders.

Spices started off the commercial revolution in Kozhikode and the Big Bazaar Road offers a collection of spices. In addition, Kozhikode possesses a wide variety of home-grown tea plantations, including Green Tea, Oolong Tea and Black Tea. This is a good opportunity to get your hands on some sweet-smelling coffee and tea.