Kerala · India
Kozhikode
The old spice-trade capital of the Malabar coast — where Vasco da Gama landed — famed for its beaches, sweetmeat street, dhow-building at Beypore, and legendary Malabar cuisine.
Kozhikode (Calicut) is Malabar heart: the beach and Mananchira green, Kappad's history, Beypore's wooden dhows, SM Street's halwa, and the region's celebrated biryani and cuisine.
Plan your trip
Kozhikode Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Kozhikode Photo Spots
Entry Free
Beypore
- Best timeMorning at the boatyards, when the builders are at work; sunset on the breakwater, when the light turns warm over the sea.
- ColorsWhiteRustAqua
Medium crowdEntry Free
Kappad Beach
- Best timeEarly morning for calm water and an empty beach; late afternoon for warm light on the rocks and the monument.
- ColorsWhiteCoralTeal
High crowdEntry Free
Kozhikode Beach
- Best timeSunset, when the sky turns orange behind the old piers; early morning if you want the shore without the evening crowds.
- ColorsWhiteCoralAqua
Medium crowdEntry Free
Mananchira Square
- Best timeEarly morning for soft light on the water and a quiet park; evening for a cooler walk and the lights around the square.
- ColorsWhiteCoralGreen
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Thusharagiri Falls
- Best timeMorning, for soft light in the forest and fewer visitors, especially from August to December when the falls are full.
- ColorsYellowWhiteForest green
For the feed
Trending Wear in Kozhikode
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Kozhikode Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Kozhikode
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Kozhikode
Representative photoBombay Hotel
Kozhikode
Representative photoParagon Restaurant
Kannur Road
Rahmath Restaurant
Stadium Junction
Representative photoZain's Hotel
Convent Cross Road
About Kozhikode
Kozhikode, long known to the outside world as Calicut, was the main port of the Malabar coast for centuries. Arab, Chinese and later European traders came here for pepper and spices, and in 1498 Vasco da Gama's ships reached the coast near Kappad, just north of the city. That trading past still shows in the old mosques of Kuttichira, the wooden dhows built at Beypore and the busy lanes around SM Street.
Today it is a relaxed coastal city best known for its food and its readers. In 2023 it became India's first UNESCO City of Literature. Spend an evening on Kozhikode Beach, walk from Mananchira Square into SM Street for halwa, and eat Kozhikode biryani with a glass of sulaimani. Add a morning at Beypore's boatyards, a trip to Kappad Beach, and, if you have a spare day, the forest waterfalls at Thusharagiri.
Questions
Kozhikode — FAQ
What is Kozhikode famous for?
Kozhikode is famous for Malabar food such as Kozhikode biryani and halwa, its sunset beach, SM Street, the wooden uru boats built at Beypore and Kappad Beach, where Vasco da Gama's arrival in 1498 is remembered. It is also India's first UNESCO City of Literature.
How many days are enough for Kozhikode?
2–3 days is enough for Kozhikode Beach, Mananchira Square, SM Street, Beypore and Kappad Beach. Add a day for Thusharagiri Falls or a trip up to Wayanad.
What is the best time to visit Kozhikode?
October to March is the most comfortable time, with less rain and pleasant evenings on the beach. March to May is hot and humid, and June to September brings heavy monsoon rain. See the best time to visit Kozhikode for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Kozhikode?
The international airport at Karipur is about 28 km from the city and has domestic flights and many flights to the Gulf. Kozhikode railway station is on the main west coast line, with trains from Mangaluru, Kochi and further afield. Buses and taxis also connect the city with Wayanad and the rest of Kerala.
Why is Kozhikode called a City of Literature?
UNESCO named Kozhikode a City of Literature in 2023, the first Indian city to get the title. The city has hundreds of libraries, many publishers and a long line of Malayalam writers, and it hosts the Kerala Literature Festival on the beachfront.