Kozhikode, previously known as Calicut, is an important and scenic town in North Kerala. The name Kozhikode is derived from the Malayalam word for the crowing of a cock. The area around Kozhikode was ruled by local rulers called Zamorins who traded with merchants from Arabia. In 1498 the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad Beach, near Kozhikode. After the British grew to become the dominant trading power, Kozhikode, renamed Calicut, became an important British trading outpost. A locally made variety of checked cloth called Calico (from Calicut) was a popular item of export. You can tour the attractions of Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kozhikode is known for its historic buildings, beautiful green countryside, beautiful beach, hospitality and cosmopolitan culture. Kozhikode has several institutions of higher learning including a National Institute of Technology and an Indian Institute of Management. You can see the sights of Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Some of the sights worth seeing in and around Kozhikode are:

Kozhikode Beach: Famous for the spectacular sunset views seen the seashore here, from Kozhikode Beach has two piers and a lighthouse that offer stunning views of the seashore and the Arabian Sea.

Pazhassirajah Museum: Located 5 km from Kozhikode, the museum houses a collection of ancient coins, bronze sculptures, paintings and murals and temple models.

Art Gallery: The Art Gallery located next to the Pazhassirajah Museum has a collections of paintings by the renowned painter from Kerala Raja Ravi Varma and his brother Raja Raja Varma.

Beypore: Located 10 km to the south of Kozhikode on the mouth of the Chaliyar River, Beypore is a famous fishing harbor, port and boat building center. Boats have been built at Beypore for over 1500 years and the skill of the local shipwrights and boat builders are sought after by boat builders worldwide. You can see boats being built at Beypore shipyards, while on Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kappad Beach: Located 16 km from Kozhikode is historic Kappad Beach where Vasco da Gama stepped onto Indian soil on the 27th May 1498. There is a monument on the beach that commemorates this landmark event.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: Located 25 km from Kozhikode this Bird Sanctuary is on an estuary where many thousands of water birds can be seen. Birds seen here include herons, gulls, terns and sandpipers. The winter and spring months from November to April are the best time to see birds in Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary near Kozhikode while on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.