- Best time
- October to March
- Distance Kochi to Kannur
- About 290 km
- Key sites
- Padmanabhapuram, Mattancherry, Bekal, Edakkal
Palaces and places of worship
Padmanabhapuram Palace, the old seat of the Travancore rulers, is one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala timber building, with carved ceilings and polished floors. Mattancherry Palace in Kochi, also called the Dutch Palace, combines local and European features and is famous for its mural paintings from Hindu epics. Close by, the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town has old chandeliers, hand-painted floor tiles and Hebrew inscriptions. The Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithura is another worthwhile stop.
Forts
Fort Kochi is a walkable old quarter with colonial houses, churches and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront. Bekal Fort in the far north is a large laterite fort right on the sea, with wide views along the coast. Thalassery Fort was an East India Company stronghold of the British, St Angelo Fort at Kannur by the Portuguese, and the ruins at Anchuthengu recall early European trade. Palakkad Fort, inland, is well preserved and tied to the region's military past. Most forts are free or charge a small fee and are best seen in the early morning before the heat builds.
Caves and ancient sites
The Edakkal Caves in Wayanad hold prehistoric engravings of human figures and symbols, reached by a steep climb of about an hour from the road; wear good shoes and start early, as entry numbers can be limited on busy days. The rock-cut cave temples at Kottukal show early South Indian carving traditions and are rarely crowded, so you can take your time. Together these sites give a sense of how old human settlement in Kerala really is.
Planning a heritage tour
October to March is the most comfortable season, with pleasant temperatures for walking around forts and palaces. Distances can be long: Kannur, for instance, is roughly 290 km from Kochi, about seven hours by road. A good plan is to group the northern forts, the Kochi sites and the southern palace separately. We can tailor the route and duration to suit you.
Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
