Beaches & Islands
Payyambalam Beach
Kannur town's wide sunset beach, backed by a landscaped garden and a well-known sculpture.
- 33.4 km from Nesma Palace
- 37 min drive
- Best: Late afternoon to sunset
- Ideal for families and couples wanting an easy evening by the sea
- Distance from Nesma Palace
- 33.4 km
- Drive time
- 37 min
- Best time
- Late afternoon to sunset
- Time to allow
- 1 to 2 hours
- Category
- Beaches & Islands
- Ideal for
- Families and couples wanting an easy evening by the sea
About Payyambalam Beach
Payyambalam is the beach most people in Kannur head to at the end of the day. A long, clean stretch of sand sits just outside the town, with a landscaped garden and lawns behind it.
The sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman's large Mother and Child figure stands on the grounds and has become the beach's signature image. It is an easy, open place to watch the sun drop into the Arabian Sea.
Things to see and do
Sunset and the promenade
The wide beach and paved walkways fill up in the evening. The view west over the sea is the main draw.
Garden and sculpture
The park behind the sand has lawns, a children's play area and Kanayi Kunhiraman's Mother and Child sculpture.
Space to walk
The beach is long enough for a proper walk without the crowds bunching up.
Best time and tips
Late afternoon to sunset, October to March. Evenings are cooler and the light is best.
- Come an hour before sunset for parking and a good spot.
- Food stalls sell local snacks near the entrance.
- Swimming is limited, so this is more a walk-and-watch beach.
- Weekends are busier than weekdays.
Local tip
Park at the garden end and walk north, the crowds thin out within a few hundred metres.
Getting there
The drive from Nesma Palace
Road route and geography © OpenStreetMap contributors
By road from the hotel
33.4 km · about 37 min
- Time to allow there
- 1 to 2 hours
- Starting point
- Nesma Palace, Mattannur
- Flying in
- Kannur International Airport is 7.8 km from the hotel, about 10 minutes by road
Plan your stay
Stay 37 min away at Nesma Palace
Payyambalam is about 37 minutes from Nesma Palace, a simple evening drive after a day of sightseeing.
Nesma Palace is a 4-star hotel in Mattannur, 7.8 km from Kannur International Airport, and an easy base for exploring Kannur.
Make a day of it · Full day
Forts & the Coast
Kannur town’s three headline sights in a morning, then south along the coast for the drive-in beach and sunset over Dharmadam.
Nesma Palace, Mattannur
29.8 km · 32 min drive
Arakkal Museum1.8 km · 4 min drive
St. Angelo Fort2.6 km · 6 min drive
Kannur Lighthouse3.6 km · 6 min drive
Payyambalam Beach (you are here)
12.6 km · 17 min drive
Thottada Beach9.4 km · 12 min drive
Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach
Frequently asked questions
What is Payyambalam Beach known for?
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It is Kannur's main town beach, known for wide sands, a landscaped garden and Kanayi Kunhiraman's Mother and Child sculpture. Sunset is the busiest and best time.
Is Payyambalam Beach good for swimming?
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It is better for walking and watching the sunset than swimming. Currents can be strong, so most visitors stay near the shore.
Where can I stay near Payyambalam Beach?
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Nesma Palace in Mattannur is about 37 minutes away and works well as a base for Kannur's town beaches and forts.