20 Places to Visit in Malappuram, Tourist Places & Attractions

Valiya Juma Masjid

One of the oldest mosques in Kerala, the Juma Masjid is an important pilgrimage site. It is arranged on the Kozikhod-Nilmbur-Gudallur street and there are a few catacombs of the Malappuram saints situated in the region of the Mosque.

This spot is mostly visited amid the multi-day yearly celebration, which is held each year in the month of April.

Location: Malappuram, Ponnani, Kerala 679577

Timings: 12:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Entry Fees: None

How to reach: The mosque is just 10 mins walk from Ponnani Court.

Nilambur Teak Museum

Nilambur is famous for their teak produce, which is a kind of tree used for woodwork and is easily available throughout the country. Kerala, however, is one of the biggest providers of teak in the country, and this museum in the Nilambur district is entirely dedicated to the history of the wood.

Not just that, this two-storeyed building is the first museum of its kind. The exhibits and artifacts included in the museum display extensive information on the use of of teak, with a number of articles made from the wood.

Location: State Highway 28, Nilambur, Kerala 679330

Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

Entry Fees: INR 10 per person.

How to reach from city: Follow the state highway 28 from Malappuram and you will find the gate to KFRI (Kerala Forest Research Institute), where the property is located.

Arimbra Hills

Arimbra Hills or Mini Ooty is one of the most scenic places to visit in Malappuram. The place is called mini Ooty because of its resemblance to the hill station of the same name, and a rather famous one at that.

Located at a height of about 1,050 feet above sea level, you can get a breathtaking view of the area around. Not just that, on the top of the hill, you can get to see a number of stone crushers, plantations, and a few Jain temples as well.

Location: Malappuram, Kerala 679331

Timings: No time.

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: It can be reached by traveling a 4 km distance from Aravankara.

Mamburam

A famous Muslim Pilgrimage in the Malappuram district, Mamburam is a shrine dedicated to the dead bodies of some of the primary Thangals of Kerala. It was a title given to the Arabs from Yemen who scattered from there and migrated to Kerala.

They held great importance to the locals of Kerala and thus, had this shrine dedicated to them. A local festival held here during the time of Muharram is one of the primary attractions of this place.

Location: Malappuram, Kerala.

Timings: All day

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: The shrine is located about 26 km from the town of Tirur and can be reached easily via road.

Keralamkundu Waterfalls

A basin at the base of waterfalls where people can enjoy a dip in the pond is something everyone wants to have an experience. Keralam Kundu Waterfalls are undoubtedly the best of all Malappuram Tourist Places, and that is why people keep flocking here to have an experience of the mystical.

The water flows in from the forest of the western ghat and forms a pool of crystal clear water at the base of the falls. Also, it is believed that the water has many medicinal properties.

Location: Silent Valley National Park, Karuvarakundu 676523, India

Timings: Everyday 8:30 to 6 PM

Entry Fees: INR 10 per person.

How to reach from city: You can get here by road from Malappuram and Shornur. But be prepared as you will have to walk for a while from the road.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary or the Kadalundi Nagaram, is definitely one of the best places to visit in Malappuram. It sits right at the spot where River Kadalundi Puzha flows into the Arabian Sea.Easily accessible from Malappuram and Kozhikode, the bird sanctuary is host to about 100 species of native birds, and about 60 species of migratory birds.

This includes Whimbrels, brahminy kites, terns, seagulls, sand plovers, sandpipers, green shanks and turn stones, all of whom appear to their respective seasons.

Location: Near Kadalundi Railway Station, Kadalundi, Kerala 673302

Timings: Everyday 8 AM to 8 PM

Entry Fees : INR 25 per person

How to reach from city: There are regular buses that lead to Kadalundi, or you can hire cabs and taxis to take you here.

Biyyam Kayal

The region of Malappuram is full of backwater lakes created inland, and one of the most famous ones in the region is the Biyyam Kayal. Located close to Ponnani in the Malappuram district has recently been revamped to the status of an adventure zone of the area.

The local councils have set up facilities of a number of adventure and water sports here, like Speedboats and water scooter rides. Apart from these, there are a number of rest houses on the bank of the lake as well, visited highly by locals at the time of Onam.

Location: Kanhiramukku - Biyyam Rd, Ponnani, Kerala 679576

Timings: Everyday, 6 AM to 8 PM

Entry Fees: Free

How to reach from city: You will find the lake at a distance of about 46 km from Malappuram as you ride towards Ponnani. You will have to get off the highway before Ponnani to get to the lake.

Kodikuthimala

Another attraction of Malappuram that is often compared to the famous town of Ooty, Kodikuthimala is definitely a sight for the sore eyes. A hill station of Kerala, the place is perched on a height of about 522 m above sea level, and is the highest point in the Amminikkadan hills.

Once the spot where the Britishers once hoisted their flag, the spot was opened for tourism only a few decades ago, with a large area of the place marked already for future development projects. There is a watch tower on the top of the hill from where tourists can get a panoramic view.

Location: Perinthalmanna taluk, Malappuram district, Kerala, India.

Timings: No time.

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: Take the road that takes you from Perinthalmanna which goes through Amminikkad.

Pazhayangadi Mosque

Associated with one of the most prominent saints of Islam who ever set foot in India, the Pazhayangadi Mosque is more than 500 years old. Known by its other name Kondotty Thangal, the mosque is constructed with a white dome and displays intricate carvings all throughout, giving it a resemblance to the Mughal Style of Architecture.

Visited equally by devotees and tourists, the best and most vibrant time to visit this mosque is during the week long festival of Valiya Nercha in February or March

Location: Malappuram - Kozhikode Route, Kondotty, Malappuram 673638, India.

Timings: No time.

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: You can visit this shrine as it falls on the way to Manjeri from Malappuram, some 18 km before the former.

Padinharekara Beach

Padinharekara Beach or Padinjarekara Beach is one of the most scenic places to visit in Malappuram for a serene experience. One of the most amazing things to do in Malappuram is to experience a sunset from this beach.

Located at the very end of the famous Tipu Sultan Road, you can also get mesmerized with the view of the rivers Bharathapuzha and Tirurpuzha before they merge with the Arabian Sea. You can find palm trees surrounding the white sandy beach, attracting tourists in large numbers.

Location: 17 km from Tirur Town, Malappuram, India.

Timings: All day

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: The beach is located about 17 km from the Tirur town of Malappuram. Take the Tipu Sultan Road and the beach is at the very end of it.

Bharathapuzha River

The River of Bharata, also known as Nila, the Bharathapuzha River is a west-flowing river in the state of Kerala, and is the second longest river in the state. The river has been an integral part of life in the southern regions of Malabar. The name Nila has been given to the river to show the importance of it being more than just a river, as there are several mentions of the river in the ancient Hindu scriptures.

All along the river, there are about 11 dams made to use its waters for the purpose of irrigation. Culturally, the river has an importance in a number of parts of the state, like the famous Kerala Kalamandalam which is housed on the banks of the river.

Location: Kerala

Timings: All day

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: Nearest railway station is Thirunavaya, about 2 km away.

Kovilakoms

The royal residence of the ruling family of Nilambur, the Kovilakoms is one of the best attractions in the list of Malappuram tourist places. There are a number of houses and sections in the premises, with a few of the oldest ones dating back to almost 200 years old.

The unique architecture of the place is what attracts tourists from all around the world to have a look at the beauty that this place is. In a section of the fort, the royal family still resides. Most importantly, the best attractions of the site are the gardens of the residence.

Location: Nilambur, Malappuram, India.

Entry Fees: INR 5 per person

How to reach from city: The place is located at a distance of about 36 km from Malappuram and can be easily found on the highway that takes you to Nilambur district.

Kadampuzha Temple

Kadampuzha Temple, one of the ancient temples of the district is situated in the remote town named Melmuri of Tirur taluk. Despite the fact that there is no recorded proof for the development of this sanctuary however a solid conviction expresses that it was built by Jagadguru Shri Shankara Acharya of Kalady. The fundamental god revered in the sanctuary is Goddess Kadampuzha, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.

Here, the self manifested Divine Presence, is worshiped as a presence only. Unlike other temples, Kadampuzha is unique in that there are no idols for the Devi.The origin of the name Kadampuzha is considered to have been formed from; Kadan Ambu Eitha Uzha – meaning, The Place where Kiratha Shot the Arrow. Kadan is Kiratha, Ambu is Arrow, Eitha is Shot and Uzha is Place.

Location: Malappuram, Kadampuzha, Kerala 676553

Timings: 4 AM to 12 PM & 3:30 PM to 7 PM

Entry Fees: None

How to reach: The temple is around 17 km from the town and you can reach via Cheruparamba - Melmuri Rd.

Thirunavaya Nava Mukunda Temple

An ancient Hindu temple built on the North bank of the Bharatapuzzha River, this place of worship is dedicated to Navamukundan or the Narayana Vishnu, and is one of the 108 ‘Tirupatis in the country. The most majestic part of the rituals here includes the usage of the water from the River, same as in the fashion followed in Kashi.

What is noteworthy is that the structure standing today is not the same as the original one, as it was destroyed twice in 18th century and 20th century, and somehow still retains the original charm.

Location: Tirur - Kuttippuram Road, Dist, Thirunavaya, Kerala 676301

Timings: Everyday, 5 AM to 11 AM & 5 PM to 7:30 PM

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: The temple is located at a distance of about 30 km from Malappuram. You can reach here by taking the Highway Number 66, and getting off from it at Puthanathani. From there, ride towards the river.

Angadipuram Temple

Angadipuram Temple, also known as Angadipuram Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy or Bhadrakali Temple, is located in the city of the same name, which was once the capital of Valluvanad kingdom. Dedicated to Thirumandhamkunnil amma who was the mother goddess of the kings of the empire.

The main attraction of the temple is the eleven-day-long annual festival of the temple that is held in the months of March and April and attracts visitors in the capacity of thousands every year. It is definitely one of the most favorite of Malappuram Tourist Places.

Location: Angadippuram, Malappuram 679321, India.

Timings: Everyday, 4:30 AM - 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: The temple is at a distance of about 20 km from Malappuram city center, and can be reached by the highway number 966.

Nedumkayam

A stretch of jungle near Malappuram, the Nedumkayam is famous for the rich foliage of rain forests. Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, the dense jungles attract a number of tourists from nearby and around the country, who come here to take some of the most amazing photographs.

You can spot elephants, bison, tiger, rabbit, blue monkey, bear, wildcat and deer while you are on a visit here. The forests here are actually a part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. A great attraction here is the wooden rest house in the forest which was built during the colonial era.

Location: Malappuram, Kerala 679331

Timings: Everyday 9 AM to 4 PM

Entry Fees: INR 10 for adults and INR 5 for students

How to reach from city: The place is about 15 km from Nilambur, and hence can be reached by road.

Kottakkunnu

Famous for the ruins of a really old fort, Kottakkunnu is one of the best Malappuram tourist places. Located on the top of a cantonment hill, the fort belonged to the Zamorins (monarchs) of Kozhikode. Inside the fort, one can find famous monuments like Vettakkorumakan

Temple and the Shiva Temple, both of which are famous for their architecture. The temples famously exhibits murals and relics of the Malabar. The fort was also the site where the British Shot the revolutionary Variyan Kunnath Kunjahammed Haji in 1921.

Location: Kottakunnu road, Up Hill, Malappuram, Kerala 676505

Timings: Everyday 10 AM to 9:45 PM

Entry Fees: None

How to reach from city: You can ride up to the hill in Malappuram and climb it, or even take a helicopter ride as there is a helipad on top.

Adyanpara

A natural cascading waterfall, the Adyanpara is counted amongst the best of Malappuram tourist places. Located in in the Kurmbalangodu village of Nilambur district near Malappuram, the waterfalls are a seasonal delight.

In summers, the water runs dry and with a lesser flow, but are nonetheless similarly beautiful to look at. The waters of the falls descend down in a cascade over the rocks of the hill, with a rich variety of flora around it to make it look even more mesmerizing.

Location: Malappuram, Kerala 679334

Timings: No time.

Entry Fees: INR 25 per person.

How to reach from city: The place is easily accessible through the road from Nilambur, which is about 16 km away.

Shanthitheeram Park

Shanthitheeram Park, or the Shanthitheeram Riverside Park to be specific, is known to be one of the most famous Malappuram Tourist Places and is a great spot to hangout for the locals, and tourists, alike. Located on the banks of the river Kadalundi, the park has a number of activities to offer.

You can be a part of the excitement of boating, that is available as both pedal boating and riding on a coracle (bowl boat), or as the locals call it, Kuttavanchi. You can also take up off-road ATV riding and much more while visiting here.

Location: Civil Station Rd, Down Hill, Malappuram, Kerala 676505

Timings: All day

Entry Fees: Free

How to reach from city: Take the road towards Civil Station Malappuram and keep driving through Collectorate to reach the park.