Nestled along the serene Malabar Coast of Kerala, Kozhikode offers the perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, just what you seek for a retreat. Kozhikode beckons with its tranquil beaches, such as Kappad and Beypore, where you can unwind amidst picturesque landscapes. The city’s rich heritage unfolds through its historic landmarks like the iconic Kozhikode Beach and the ancient Tali Temple, delving you into its intriguing past.
Whether it’s basking in the tranquility of its beaches, delving into its historical treasures, or savoring some delectable coconut-based dishes, spending a day in Kozhikode will give you a memorable experience of Kerala’s coastal gem.
Kozhikode 1-Day Itinerary
1. Start Your Morning At Tali Maha Shiva Kshetram
They say starting your day with prayer sets the mood for the rest of the day. Try that or simply visit this temple to look closely at the intricate brass carvings on the walls and roofs of this famous temple. The interiors of the Tali Shiva Temple are a classic representation of Kerala’s architecture. If you have a thing for history, you certainly won’t miss visiting God’s oldest abode in God’s own country.
For some spiritual solace be here as early as 4 am because the first puja here is at 4:30 am. Following that, you should stay here till 7 am to witness the remaining 4 pujas. Remember, no electronic gadgets are allowed inside. The men need to wear mundu or dhotis here while the ladies need to dress modestly and avoid wearing jeans or other modern outfits. While there are several festivals here you can attend, make sure to not miss Revathy Pattathanam.
Revathy Pattathanam is a 7-day affair that begins on a grand note with a loud performance of the Panchavadyam. Essentially, it’s a traditional event that first began in the 14th century at this temple and has continued ever since. Under the supervision of the Zamorin, an annual congregation of scholars used to be held where they engaged in healthy debates on Vedic scriptures. It ended with the wisest scholar winning the title of Bhatta along with a panakizhi (pouch filled with money).
Today, the event is a lot more glorified and festive which is why you should attend it at least once. If you’re already interested, head to Kozhikode between October and November when it happens.
2. Visit The Freedom Square
Perhaps the best way to learn about a city is to look into its past. But with the uber-fast development and expansion of cities with time, the past may have gotten lost. Kozhikode, however, has managed to preserve its rich past with this monumental structure. The Freedom Square is an ode to freedom fighters like P. Krishna Pillai and V.K. Sharma who fought the British during the Nationalist Movement. It was here that all of them assembled to break the Salt Laws but were met with colonial forces who ended up injuring many rebels.
To know more about how Kozhikode was key during the Freedom Struggle, The History Walk through the Freedom Square is a good idea. Through the walk, you’ll come across glimpses of various events that were small but significant during the time. Besides the freedom struggle being depicted from Kerala’s point of view, you’ll also get a glimpse of the heritage spots in Kozhikode.
3. Eat At Hotel Omkara
After some spirituality and some history lessons, it’s time to eat! Sure you must have had the prasad at the temple but after a long walk at The Freedom Square, it’s time to really fill the tummy. A short 10-minute drive to Hotel Omkara is an ideal choice.
You don’t have to wait until Onam or Vishu to hog on some delicious Kerala Sadhya because at Hotel Omkara they’ll serve you over 26 dishes on a huge banana leaf anytime you want. From appetizers to a sweet pazham, you’ll be treated to a variety of poriyals and chutneys that you pair with the rice. If you don’t want to feel drowsy and retire for the day, go for a lighter option like a dosa or some hot soup. End your meal with a nice, tall Oreo milkshake.
Cost For One: INR 100
Address: Ram Mohan Road, Chindhavalappu, Palayam, Kozhikode
Also Read: Sunita Williams Loves Falooda From This Place in Kerala: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
4. Shop For Chips At Kumari Banana Chips
No trip to Kerala is complete without a friend or relative asking you to bring back some crispy, salty banana chips. Be the nice person you are and purchase banana chips from this shop. You can also trust the chips to be fresh because they’re made on the spot, from chopping to frying in pure coconut oil. From the looks of it, it’s a small shop with no fancy exteriors or interiors but wait until you try the first chip! You won’t resist buying at least a packet of them. Besides banana chips, you can purchase from a variety of authentic Kerala snacks here.
This shop is easy to locate, you just have to look up Paragon Restaurant and voila, you’ll spot the shop right opposite to it. Remember to carry some cash if you want to eat or purchase from here because Kumari Banana Chips doesn’t accept any other form of payment.
Address: 6/1044, Kannur Road, Opposite To Paragon Hotel
Price: INR 100 onwards
5. Shop At Calicut Sweets Kozhikoden Halwa Sangamam
Now that you’ve unleashed your shopping spree, your next stop should be this famous confectionery. Even more famous is the Kozhikode Halwa that’s the perfect mood changer after a gloomy day, because nothing uplifts a dull mood better than some bonbon. The Kozhikode Halwa is a sweet snack that’s gelatinous, in a variety of colors, and heavenly delicious.
Serving you some sweet goodness right in this shop. You can choose to taste the classic wheat or black halwa, or get experimental and try the fruit-flavored Kozhikodan Halwas. Try as many as you want and when you finally are full, pack some for home. They even deliver across India if you wish to order some more later. Banana chips and some Kozhikodan Halwa? Your relatives are going to be showering you with love for quite some time!
Address: 835, SM Street, Palayam, Kozhikode
Price: INR 200 onwards
6. Sunset At Kozhikode Beach
With the sun slowly beginning to set, the best place for you to be is the Kozhikode Beach. Besides a serene sunset, this beach is also famous for being the place where Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama arrived via sea, forever changing the course of world history.
Here, you can spend time strolling along the Beach Road with some Kallumkaya from the nearby stalls. For the shopper in you, visit the market area close to the beach.
The Dolphin’s Point is a fun spot where you can pass your time watching the dolphins play around. You’ll even see two lighthouses that are a century old. If you have toddlers around you, let them go to the Lion’s Park nearby where they can play to their heart’s extent.
Also Read: Sunita Williams Loves Falooda From This Place in Kerala: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
7. Dinner At Paragon Restaurant
End your day with some tasty notes from Paragon Restaurant. A short drive from Kozhikode Beach, this restaurant is simply one of the best in the city. If you have friends from Kerala, they definitely would recommend you try the chicken Stew and mutton biryani here. Don’t end your meal without ordering their coconut pudding for dessert, it’s absolutely scrumptious!
This chic restaurant looks like any other ordinary restaurant from the outside but is well-lit inside with aesthetic interiors. Did you know that this restaurant was ranked the 5th most legendary restaurant in the world by TasteAtlas in 2023? The biryani here was marked as their most iconic dish, so you know what to try if you can’t decide on your dinner.
Cost For Two: Approx INR 500
Address: Kannur Road, Kozhikode
Summing Up
You know it’s a good day when you’ve spent time in a divine ambiance, stocked snacks for a good few months, ate till your heart exploded, and relaxed by the beach. Kozhikode offers that and more to you, spend a day here to fully soak in the Malayali vibe.
FAQs
Is Kozhikode And Calicut The Same?
Kozhikode is the official name of this city in Kerala. Calicut is the anglicized version given by the Britishers. So yes both are the same.
What Is The Favorite Food Of People In Kozhikode?
Banana chips, Kozhikode biriyani, suleimani, pazham pori, and mutton cutlets are some of the favorite dishes in Kozhikode.
Is Kozhikode Worth A Visit?
Kozhikode is worth a visit if you want to explore some historic landmarks that are popular tourist attractions today like Kozhikode beach, Beypore Port, and Mananchira Square amongst others.
