Thalassery

Thalassery (or Tellicherry), is a city in Kannur District. Thalassery is known as the political and cultural capital of Malabar. It is the centre of progressive political and literary movements. In the colonial era, Thalassery was the centre of learning in north Kerala. The first Malayalam newspapers, novels and short stories in Malayalam were born here. It's also the birthplace of the communist movement in Kerala. Thalassery has a composite cosmopolitan culture. Rajya Samacharam, the first Malayalam newspaper, was published from Thalassery.

Thalassery is at times referred to as the city of cricket (where Indians first played cricket), cakes and circuses.

Thalassery is considered to be the birth place of the Indian circus. Keeleri Kunhikannan, born in the city, is known as "the father of Kerala Circus". Circus artists and coaches from Thalassery are very much in demand. India's premier Circus Academy was inaugurated in Thalassery.

Older houses in Thalassery have traditional Kerala architecture, usually large houses with wide verandas and solid wooden doors. Each house invariably has coconut trees, jackfruit, and perhaps papaya, or mango trees. The many idyllic suburbs are well defined by the rivers and canals that flow past.

Since long ago, Thalassery residents, like other Keralites, have gone abroad, or all over India, in search of work, and to seek their fortunes. It is quite common to find one or more persons from each household living overseas or in other states. This has led to a somewhat dependent money-order economy. It is a matter of concern for the residents on how to diversify and have a self-sustainable and independent local economy. Thalassery is also famous for its cuisine, the Thalassery biryani is famous for its distinguishing taste. The influence of Arabian culture is evident in Thalassery dishes.

• Kannur International airport (CNN ^IATA) is the nearest airport, around 28 km from Thalassery town. The airport opened for commercial operations on 9 December 2018.
• Calicut International Airport (CCJ ^IATA) is the second nearest airport, 98 km away from the city.
• Other nearby major airports are Mangalore International Airport (IXE ^IATA) (180 km) or Cochin International Airport (COK ^IATA) (250 km) and catch a train or taxi to Thalassery.

One of the best ways to get to Thalassery from Mumbai or Goa is to take the Konkan Railway train. The train ride is renowned for the breathtaking scenery and the natural beauty of the terrain.

• 11.7531475.4929871 Thalassery  SR  (TLY), ☏ +91 490 2344131. Thalassery is a major Southern railway station, well connected by train from cities like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore. Most trains have a stop here. Book in advance, as trains are usually crowded. Reservations are available from 60 days in advance of the travel date. Depending upon the season and day bookings may get wait-listed or close up to several days prior to departure. You can also try using Tatkal which is an emergency booking system. The Tatkal service opens only one day before the departure of the train. (excluding the day of journey from the train originating station)  (updated Jul 2022)

• 11.74992475.4942452 Thalassery New Bus Stand. Thalassery is well connected to cities like Kochi, Bangalore, Goa, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Mumbai, Coimbatore. Thalassery is accessible from these cities and from other parts of the state, through the extensive state-run bus services and numerous private bus services.  (updated Jun 2026)

Thalassery is well connected by road from all parts of the state and other major cities.

Thalassery is connected to Goa, Mumbai, and Kochi via NH-17. Highway is mostly two-laned and very narrow, but make for extremely scenic drives as it pass either through the Western Ghats or along the coastline.

Like most Kerala cities Thalassery has a good local bus service system. Most of the local bus services are operated by private bus companies. Plenty of buses are available, mostly in 2-3 minutes gap.

This is also a cheap method of transport. You can find autos at all important places near junctions and residential areas. Make sure you agree on a fare with the driver before the journey. The normal fare starts at ₹25 for the shorter distances. with a premium of 15-25% at night (8PM-6AM).

Taxi cabs are available near bus stations & railway station only. Taxis are usually used by passengers on long-haul routes

Walking is nearly impossible as sidewalks are absent and driving habits are dangerous. Motorcycle population is incredibly high.

• 11.7700975.450861 Dharmadam Island, Dharmadam,Thalassery (4 km from city centre). The 5-acre (20,000 m²) island covered with coconut palms and dense bushes is a beautiful sight from the Muzhappilangad beach. During low tide, one can just walk to the island from the beach. It is surrounded by rivers and seas. Permission is required to enter this privately owned island. Dharmadam, earlier known as Dharmapattanam was a Buddhist stronghold.  
• 11.7677775.480582 Gundert Bungalow, Koduvally. Residence of Rev. Dr. Herman Gundert, a German missionary and great scholar, author of first Malayalam dictionary. He settled in the bungalow in 1839 and stayed there for two decades. The first Malayalam newspapers, Rajyasamacharam and Paschimodayam came out from the litho press set up at the bungalow. The museum showcases Gundert’s life, letters, and research manuscripts.  
• 11.76893475.481413 Gundert Memorial Church (Nettur Hill Church or Illikkunnu Church) (Located close to the Gundert Bungalow). Built by Rev. Dr. Herman Gundert in 1839. The church building represents an amalgamation of Kerala architecture and colonial style. The church has local-style tiled roofs and a bell tower housing a German-made bell. The church has an adjoining cemetery. It houses the mortal remains of Gundert’s grandson. It also houses the tomb of Keeleri Kunjikannan, the maestro of Indian Circus.  
• 11.7486275.490094 Odathil Mosque (Odathil Palli). The name literally translates into Garden Mosque as it was built on a sugarcane plantation purchased from the Dutch East India Company. The mosque was an initiative of Chowakkaran Moosakakka, a wealthy spice merchant. The church dates back to 1806. It has a distinct traditional Kerala temple-style architecture. This three-story mosque completely bypasses standard Islamic structures. It lack domes or minarets. It follows indigenous Malabar craftsmanship through intricate woodwork, gabled roofs, and copper-plated tiles  
• 11.7503375.484435 Overbury's Folly, Thalassery. Multi-level landscaped recreational park which commands sweeping views of Arabian Sea. It was an initiative of E.N. Overbury, a British Sub-Collector and local judge who served in the Thalassery courts during the 1870s. In 1879, Overbury began constructing a picnic spot on the cliffside slope, but he was not able to complete it. It was completed in the late 19th century, R. Mukundan Malla, the Municipal Chairman of Thalassery,  
• 11.7480975.486636 Thalassery Fort (Tellicherry Fort). An 18th-century colonial fortress located on a rocky cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea. It was built by the British East India Company in 1708. It has an oblong square ground plan with high, loop-holed walls and heavy, flanking defensive bastions. The fort features deep, underground chambers once used as ammunition stores or prisons, alongside hidden escape tunnels opening directly out to the sea. The elevated courtyard of the fort houses a lighthouse.  
• 11.745675.489257 Thalassery Pier (Kadal Palam), Thalassery. An old 500 feet long pier extending out into the Arabian Sea. Built by East India Company in 1910 for transporting commodities to and from ships. Today it is a popular local scenic point for catching sunsets. However, visitors are not allowed to walk on the pier.  
• 11.7455875.503478 Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswami Temple,, Thalassery (1km from city centre). A prominent temple with carvings as old as 400 years. One of the four famous temples dedicated to Lord Sree Rama in Kerala. Located on an elevated plot of 2.75 hectares with an adjoining temple tank which extends over an area of one hectare, This well maintained temple has excellent wood carvings, terracota art work, mural paintings carved on wooden planks in the ceilings are a repository of art treasure.  
• 11.747575.4858339 St John's Anglican Church (English Church). The church was built in 1869 by an endowment from Sir Edward Brennan, a master attendant at Thalassery Port. The small but elegant church is a fine specimen of Gothic Revival and Anglican architecture. The church has an adjoining cemetery containing the mortal remains of many officials of the East India Company, including Brennan.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 11.7479175.4852710 Holy Rosary Church (St. Rosario Church) (Near Thalassery Fort). Oldest Catholic Church of Kerala dating back to the 16th century. The church features classic Gothic style. The church is famous for stained glass works brought from London.  
• 11.7372775.508311 Jagannath Temple (3 km). This temple was built in 1908 in the style of Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa. The beautiful yellow and red structure faces the railway track. Only slow trains stop at the Jagannath Temple Railway Station. An annual festival is conducted here with a lot of fireworks at display.  (updated Jul 2015)
• Sri Ramaswamy Temple (2 km). conducts annual festival. (updated Apr 2022)
• Shri Maha Vishnu Temple, Edakkad (10 km). Majestic and sylvan surroundings. (updated Aug 2015)
• Saidarpally Jumuah Masjid (Saidarpally), Thalassery - Nadapuram Rd (2 km from Tellicherry Town).  (updated Aug 2015)

• 11.75056675.4862571 Thalassery Municipal Stadium (Thalassery Stadium) (Near Police Station, Palissery), ☏ +91 4902341591. Thalassery Stadium, located close to the sea, hosts Ranji Trophy cricket matches quite often. Wellesley is believed to have introduced this game in Kerala in the 18th century for British soldiers garrisoned in the Tellichery Fort. India's first cricket club, which was later named the Town Cricket Club, was formed in 1850 at Tellichery by Wellesley. The Tellichery Cricket ground was the hub of cricket activities those days.  (updated Mar 2021)

• Arya Sweets, Logans Road (1 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Greens Bakery, Pallishery (1 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Hai Uppilittathu, On the highway near stadium police station. Salted mangoes, salted tamarinds, salted carrots, salted pineapples, salted beetroots, salted gooseberry, salted papaya, salted green chilli and a dozen other varieties. This shop was established in 1998. Water and ice used here is hygienic. (updated Aug 2016)

• Bharath Coffee House, PIlakkool (1 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Green Leaf Restaurant, Gundert Road, ☏ +91 490 2326888.  
• Indian Coffee House, Behind bus station, ☏ +91 490 - 2325574.  (updated May 2015)
• Mughal Restaurant, PeIlakkool (1 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Olive Garden Restaurant, Narangapuram, ☏ +91 490 2321050.  
• Paris Restaurant, Logans Road, ☏ +91 490 2320370. Famous for biriyani, samoosa and banana filling. 
• Peacock Restaurant, Pallishery (1 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Prakrithi Restaurant, Palissery (2 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Raraavis Restaurant, Narangapuram, ☏ +91 490 2322043. Famous for fish biriyani. 
• Saroma Adhithya Vegetarian, opp. Fire Station. 8 AM to 9 PM.  (updated May 2015)
• Western Restaurant, Near Jubilee (1 km).  (updated May 2015)
• Zaika Multi-Cuisine, Pilakool (1 km), ☏ +91 490 234 1202.  (updated May 2015)
• National Restaurant, Palissery.  (updated Jan 2021)', Paris hotel, Pepper palace, Raravis restaurant
• Thalassery Dum Biriyani

• Firoz Shake Corner, Chalil, Pier Road (1 km).  (updated May 2015)

• Paris Presidency, Logans Road, Thalassery, ☏ +91 490 2342666.  
• Pearl View Regency, Venus Junction, Thalassery, ☏ +91 490 2326702.  
• Sree Gokulam Fort, Good-shed Road, Thalassery, ☏ +91 490 2321222.  
• Navaratna Inn, Goods Shed Road, Behind Railway Station, ☏ +91 4902322803, navaratnainn@gmail.com. Opened in March 2018 (updated Mar 2018)
• PWD Rest House Government Lodge, ☏ +91 7594970084.  (updated Nov 2025)

• Area code international, +91 490.  (updated Jun 2015)
• Area code national, 0490.  (updated Jun 2015)

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• Mattanur, sleeping giant, 42 km
• Mysore, city of palaces and gardens, 182 km
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