Kozhikode, the Calicut of old maps, has been welcoming travellers for centuries. Traders once sailed here for pepper and cardamom, and in 1498 Vasco da Gama's ships anchored off Kappad Beach. Today the story lives on in the sunset crowds at Kozhikode Beach, the shaded benches around Mananchira Square, and the busy lanes of Mittai Theruvu (SM Street), where the smell of halwa drifts out of old shops. In Beypore, craftsmen still build great wooden boats by hand, and inland, the forests of Kakkayam and the cascades of Thusharagiri bring cool air and the sound of running water. This guide gathers the must-visit places in Kozhikode, from heritage streets and beaches to dams and waterfalls, each with a little of its own story. Read on, and let the next morning's journey begin here.
