Kozhikode (കോഴിക്കോട് Kōḻikōḍŭ), formerly Calicut, is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Kerala (Keralam) after Kochi.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Kozhikode was the capital of Zamorin kings until the British made it part of the Madras Presidency. The city was a major port on the Maritime Silk Road, frequented by traders from Arabia, Persia and later Europe. The English word calico, a cotton textile, originated from this city's old name. Kozhikode used to be a romantic location with the charm of centuries-old streets and the smell of local sweets in the air. Today, Kozhikode is a developed city with high tech malls and modern cafes. The city is a center of commerce and trade.
Buses charge ₹8.00 for 5 km. City buses are green-coloured here and they are very punctual and cheap. All the city buses originate and terminate in the Mananchira Pond area. Buses going to Pavangad, Elathur, Nadakkavu areas originate from the Head Post Office side of Mananchira. Buses going to Medical College and Mavoor Road stop at the Income Tax side of Mananchira. Buses going to Feroke, Kallayi and Beypore stop at the Girls School side of Mananchira. Buses are very infrequent to the beach area. You have to walk the 2-km distance or take an auto-rickshaw. Private buses originate from the 4 New Bus Stand on Mavoor Road (1 km).
1 Art Gallery (1 km). Near Town Hall. (updated Apr 2015) CVN Kalari, a traditional Kalarippayattu institution for martial arts and marma chikitsa practiced and performed since 1945, Nadakkavu, Kozhikode. Elathur, Beautiful riverside village with an estuary (12 km). Vallikkattu Kavu is a 27-acre sacred grove in a swamp at Edakkara near Elathur. You can see monkeys, peacocks, wild boars, porcupines, wild hens, different kinds of butterflies and many species of orchids here. There is a species of herb here which has leaves in the shape of butterflies. (updated Apr 2015) 2 Mananchira Pond and Gardens (near the Railway Station). A sprawling park with many beautiful statues.
City Walk One (4 km). Start from Fathima Hospital, take the narrow line opposite the hospital. Walk past Kerala NGO Union, Lakshmi Printers and Oyisca Youth Centre. Cross the culvert in the swamp, turn right, walk beyond the forest temple, Hajj House, Sunni House, again turn right to Chilli Malabar Restaurant and once again turn right to reach at the New Bus Station. (updated May 2015) City Walk Two (6 km route with thin traffic). Start from the bus stand. Take the road opposite to it, walk past Markaz Mosque and Samastha centre. Turn right towards More Supermarket, Planetarium and Science Centre. You enter Cherootty Nagar where you can get a nice cup of coffee at the roadside stall.
There is a lot of street food along the beach around the Dormer Hostel. 1 Night Thattukada (intersection of MM Ali Road and Calicut Rd). There is some street-food in the evening cooked right in front of your eyes. (updated Feb 2026) Ali Bhai Thattukada, South Beach (near Palm Beach Apartments). Kadukka nirachathu, pidikozhi nirachathu, bharani chicken, fried ice cream are some of the main dishes you can try from this place. (updated Oct 2015) Amma Restaurant, Puthiyara (S.K.Pottakkad road, on a narrow byline just after the first bridge). M-Sa, noon to 3PM. Famous for its spicy fish fry served with the afternoon meals. (updated Oct 2015) Ashoka Tea Shop, Randam Gate.
Azad Cool Bar (opp. League Office), ☏ +91 9847823933. (updated May 2015) Baskin Robbins, S.K.Temple Road. for ice creams. (updated May 2015) Cafe Coffee Day, Naalaam Gate, 2 km, ☏ +91 93490 07615. Upmarket AC coffee shop for snacks and pastry. Non-AC veranda seatings are also available. (updated May 2015) Coconut Cafe, Metro Tourist Home (near KSRTC, Mavoor Rd). (updated Jun 2015) Downtown Cafe, Naalaam Gate, ☏ +91 4954019037. Youth hangout with private seats. (updated May 2015) Escapo Coffee Shop, Everything supermarket. (opp Bishop's House, Malapparamba). (updated Jun 2015) Sixth Avenue Cafe, Opp. Taj Hotel, ☏ +91 9020902096.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Kozhikode typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 31 rainy days.
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