Top Beaches in Kozhikode for a Laid-back Trip

Kozhikode Beach is also known as the Calicut Beach and is situated on the Malabar Coast. The beach road was named as 'Gandhi Road' after Mahatma Gandhi paid a visit to Calicut in 1934. The place has always been prominent for hosting public meetings. It has a long drive from Beypore in the south to Kappad in the north.

Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River, 10 km from Kozhikode, Beypore Beach is famous for its shipbuilding yard more than 1500 years old. During the trading days of Arabs and Chinese, and later the Europeans, this was one of the most important fishing harbours.

Kappad or locally known as Kappakadavu, it is the famous beach in Kozhikode (Calicut), where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed on 20 May 1498. His voyage established the sea route from Europe to India. This heralded the arrival and permanent route from Europe to India. This heralded the arrival and permanent presence of various European merchant companies, leading to eventual domination and rule by the East India Company and later the period of British colonial rule.

Another idyllic village off Calicut, Payyoli is famous for its beach that passes through the sea. During December, thousands of Olive Ridley Turtles crawl onto the beach and lay eggs! Many tourists visit Payyoli especially during the hatching season to witness the incredible phenomenon of birth taking place in the picturesque environs of this serene beach. The beach is also very close to an estuary of the Moorad River which is an absolute haven for bird watchers.

Located at a distance of 27 km from Kozhikode, Parapally Beach is a popular local beach destination. Lined with palm trees and golden sands, the beach offers mesmerising views of the orange sunset.

Located almost on the outskirts of Kozhikode, the Chaliyam beach is located where the Chaliyar River drains into the Arabian Sea. The beach has a viewpoint, where people can drive into and onto one side of it, there are large rocks resting on the wall. People often come down here to visit the sunset and spend about half an hour. The beach is well connected by road and the nearest railway station is Beypore Railway Station.

Located near Thangassery village, the beach has silver-coloured sands and it is a magnificent sight to the eyes. The beach holds historic importance due to its vicinity to the Kollam port, where the Portuguese and Dutch often came to Mainland India for trade purposes. The beach also has the lighthouse at the end of it, atop which one can get a panoramic view of the landscape.

Tucked in between a rocky topography in the shape of a crescent, the Meenkunnu Beach is quaint and comforting in its own way. It is located near Kannur on the western coast towards the Northern part of the state. While most of the crowd wail their time at the Payyambalam Beach, the Meenkunnu Beach is less populated and peaceful.