St. Angelo Fort: A Historical Mounuemt Near Arabian Sea

A picture of the St. Angelo Fort taken from a distance with the nearby gardens visible along with the walkway

St. Angelo’s Fort is one of the frequently visited attractions in Kannur, Kerala. The fort has a prehistoric, yet polished architecture that attracts a lot of tourists. It lies on the shore of the Arabian Sea and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the sea. The fort has a triangular structure and is built using laterite stones and brick dust. The fort also has gigantic bastions, cannons, barracks, a lighthouse, and tombstones. Tourists visit here to take relaxing strolls or simply soak in the mesmerising view of the Arabian Sea.

Location

A picture of a walkway in a fort in Kannur with gardens on both sides and a scenic landscape

Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons

This fort faces the Arabian Sea and is situated 3 km from Kannur. It is situated in the Cantonment Area.

How To Reach

A picture of the St. Angelo fort in Kannur with garden surrounding and people visiting the scenic place

Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons

It is very convenient to reach this fort. It lies at a distance of only 3 km from the Railway Station and 35 km from Kannur International Airport. Tourists can hire a cab or use a local bus to commute to this fort.

Places To Visit Near St. Angelo Fort

Tourists visiting St. Angelo Fort, Kannur must also plan to visit some beautiful nearby places to make a great itinerary. Some of the best places near the fort are

1. Mapilla Bay

A picture of a waterbody located near the St. Angelo Fort having multiple boats parked around the shore

Photo: Akshayanil919 / Wikimedia Commons

Mapilla Bay is a natural harbour that is a water inlet, ideal for boat rides. This tourist spot is located right next to the fort. This inlet separates the rough sea and the inland water. This is a very scenic area and is frequently visited by tourists. It is more like a fishing harbour and the boat rides will take you around the harbour and offer a fun time. Tourists enjoy photography, fishing, boating, and local food here.

Preferred Time To Visit: 8 AM – 6 PM

2. Dharamadam Island

A picture taken from a beach with a waterbody in front and a big island in the background

Photo: Shagil Kannur / Wikimedia Commons

Dharamadam Island is a stunning island covered with a canopy of coconut trees and dense bushes. It is surrounded by rivers on three sides and the sea on the fourth side. Tourists get to see the natural confluence of the Thalassery and Anjarakandy rivers. The island is known for its rich Buddhist heritage and offers a tranquil heaven for those who seek calmness and serenity. The island also boasts of diverse flora and fauna, remnants of historical structures, and Kerala’s rich cultural heritage.

Location: 100 meters from the mainland at Dharamadam
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM

3. Payyambalam Beach

An aerial picture of a beach in Kerala with pine trees and a canal on the other side of the sand

Photo: Nisheedh / Wikimedia Commons

Payyambalam Beach is one of the five beaches that is collectively known as Kannur Beach. It has a long stretch of sand and is an ideal hangout place for adults and children, alike. Tourists can enjoy a swim or turf in the calm waters of this beach. Kids can make sandcastles with the golden sand and adults can capture mesmerising pictures of the sunsets. A public gym called ‘The Amphibian’ has also been set up at the beach motivating people to exercise.

Location: 12 km from the fort

4. Muzhappilangad Beach

A picture of a beautiful sunset at a beach with a few visitors enjoying the twilight hour

Photo: Shagil Kannur / Wikimedia Commons

Muzhappilangad Beach is considered a Swimmer’s Paradise and is also a perfect place to relax and unwind. It is a well-maintained and clean beach. Tourists can indulge in adventures like paragliding, parasailing, power boating, catamaran rides, microlight flights, and more. It is Kerala’s only drive-in beach that offers a beautiful view of the Malabar Coast. There are also shacks along the beach that offer many delicacies to munch on. You must visit this beach for a relaxing time.

Location: 16 km from Kannur

5. Thalassery

An aerial picture of a building near the St. Angelo Fort with a lot of greenery nearby and beautiful gardens

Photo: FarEnd2018 / Wikimedia Commons

Thalassery is a city with “three C’s” – Cake, Circus, and Cricket. This is because the British first played cricket here and baked their first British cakes. The Indian Circus also has origins from this place. It is also called “the Paris of Malabar” affectionately by the Europeans visiting this city. Tourists must explore this city and witness this remarkable town, rich in culture, religion, and tradition. Tourists must visit the Malabar Bakery here and relish the Thalassery food.

Location: 20 km from the fort

Where To Stay Around St. Angelo Fort

A picture of a hotel room in Kerala's Kannur district near the St. Angelo Fort

Photo: Santeri Viinamäki / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

St. Angelo Fort’s location is ideal as there are many good accommodation options nearby. Some of the best places to stay near the fort are Malgudi Villa & Resort, Beach Residency, Petit Coin Homestay, Mascot Beach Resort, Kannur Beach House, Choice Beach House, and many more.

Where To Eat Around St. Angelo Fort

A picture of a traditional Kerala dish served on a bog banana leaf along with rice and puri

Photo: Abhijith Soman / Wikimedia Commons

There are many good places to eat near this fort that offer multi-cuisines and authentic Kerala food. Some good eating places here are Barka Restaurant, MVK Restaurant, Ananda Bhavan, Bel Canto Multi Cuisine Restaurant, Arafa Restaurant, and many more.

Other Factors To Consider

A picture of a beach in Kerala around the Arabian Sea with trees and greenery

Photo: Ks.mini / Wikimedia Commons

St. Angelo Fort’s review: suggests that this is one of the best forts to explore in Kannur. While planning, you must keep the following points:

Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit this fort is from October to February. The weather is very pleasant at this time and allows the tourists to indulge in outdoor excursions. Also, during the weekends the fort is not much crowded, so you can plan to visit on a weekend to spend a comfortable time with your family.

Average Cost of the Trip: The is no entry fee to visit this fort. However, they charge ₹20 for Parking and ₹20 for using the Cantonment Road. Apart from this, there is no other cost involved. It is a very minimal-cost trip.

St. Angelo Fort is one of the most historic sites of Kannur. This massive triangular fort is flanked by gigantic bastions that offer a superb sight. It faces the Arabian Sea and offers panoramic views of the sea, with cool breeze blowing. The fortress oozes elegance and power and gives hints of the historic times in India. So, you must plan with TripXL and plan to visit this majestic fort.

Cover Photo: Remya Krishnan / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

The timings to visit this fort are 8 AM - 5:30 PM.
Yes, photography is allowed at this fort. You can click beautiful pictures of the fort and its beautiful surroundings.
It is advised to hire a local guide who can offer insights into the fort and also guide you along the way, making your trip more knowledgeable.
St. Angelo Fort is popularly known as the Kannur Fort.
Three hours are required to explore this fort and also enjoy the surrounding views.

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