Top Places To Visit In Mangalore, Kanyakumari, And Beyond On A 15-Day Road Journey

As you leave Mangalore for Kanyakumari, you’ll realise that the popularity of Goa’s beaches has, in a way, helped preserve this stretch of coastline. Pristine beaches beckon, offering a range of water sports that will set your adrenaline racing, while the seafood is nothing short of divine.

For history and culture buffs, this drive is a treasure trove—dotted with ancient temples and churches, especially around Kanyakumari. What’s more, you can explore the enchanting backwaters of Kerala aboard traditional houseboats, or kettuvalloms, in places like Bekal and Alappuzha.

Day 1: Exploring The Coastal Charm—Top Places To Visit In Mangalore And Beyond

Route: Mangalore-Bekal
Distance: 65 km
Time: 1.5 hours

Keeping Mangalore’s erratic traffic in mind, it’s best to leave early—soon after breakfast—via NH17. This scenic coastal road takes you through Manjeshwar and Kasaragod, all the way to Bekal.

Bekal is one of the must-visit stops if you're exploring top places to visit in Mangalore and its surroundings. The Bekal Fort, built by the local Nayak kings in the mid-17th century, was later used by Tipu Sultan as a base before falling into British hands. This massive circular fort, battered by the foaming sea, is constructed from laterite stone and remains the best-preserved among the region's forts. It features the Magazine, an Observation Tower, peepholes, an ancient Anjaneya Temple, a mosque, a sea bastion, and several underground passages. Just a 10-minute drive away, Kappil Beach offers seclusion amid casuarina trees. For a peaceful retreat, explore the stunning Valiyaparamba Backwaters nearby, with kettuvallam or houseboat cruises on the Tejaswini River offered by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (Tel 0467-2236580).

Day 2

Route: Bekal-Kannur
Distance: 80 km
Time: 2 hours

Spend a night in Bekal, and after breakfast the next morning, continue along the NH17 for nearly 50 km to Cheruthazham. From there, take the Pilathara-Pappinesseri Road towards Kannur, and then rejoin the NH17 on the outskirts of the city to enter it.

Kannur's rich history is reflected in its colonial buildings, churches, mosques, and charming temples, all nestled amid rice fields and coconut groves. The Portuguese-built Fort St. Angelo stands proudly against the sea, offering stunning views of the coastline, Moplah Bay, and the colourful boats moored there. Theyyam, the ancient folk art of North Malabar, is a captivating blend of performance and worship, with the season running from December to May (contact the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kannur, Tel 04972706336).

Shri Muthappan Temple (18 km away) is dedicated to the toddy-loving deity Muthappan and is situated on the banks of the Valapattanam River. The temple’s morning performances are a treat to watch. The Valapattanam River, one of the longest in Malabar, meets the Arabian Sea near Valapattanam, a renowned timber-trading and boat-building centre. Private operators offer motorboat cruises, as do some local resorts. Payyambalam Beach is the largest in Kannur and draws large crowds, while Baby Beach, smaller and quieter, offers a more peaceful retreat.

Day 3

Route: Kannur-Kozhikode
Distance: 90 km 2 hours
Time: 20 mins

After a night in Kannur, head out on the NH17 via Thalassery to Kozhikode.

Kozhikode (formerly Calicut) remains the most significant city in northern Malabar, though it no longer carries the vibrant energy that once drew adventurers like Ibn Batuta and Vasco da Gama. Ibn Batuta visited Kozhikode at least six times between 1342 and 1347, during a period when Calicut was at the height of its fame as a bustling seaport. Arabs and Chinese traders met here, exchanging spices, coir, and timber. In 1498, Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad Beach, marking the beginning of Portuguese colonisation in India.

Today, Kozhikode continues to send many workers to the Middle East, preserves its scenic coastline and backwaters, and offers glimpses of its rich historical legacy, though these are now set against the backdrop of modern urbanisation.

Day 4-5

Route: Kozhikode-Kochi
Distance: 181 Km
Time: 4.5 hours

The next morning, continue down NH17 towards Kochi. You can take a detour to visit Thrissur along the way. Known as Kerala's cultural capital, Thrissur is a town that takes pride in its literary and artistic heritage. King Rama Varma of Kochi, also known as Shakthan Thampuran (1751-1805), played a key role in shaping Thrissur into a cultural treasure. Over the centuries, it has been influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Today, the town is famous for its elephant worship, the towering Lourdes Cathedral, and a delightful array of ghee dosas. The town is also known for its antique murals and intricate wood carvings. To reach Thrissur, turn onto SH75 at Vadanapally (approximately 107 km from Kozhikode). After exploring, retrace your steps to NH17 at Vadanapally and continue your journey to Kochi.

Once a small fishing hamlet, Kochi was transformed into a natural harbour following a flood in 1341 CE. The rich aroma of spices and sandalwood attracted the first colonial merchants around the 16th century, who soon wrested control of the lucrative spice trade from the Arab merchants. The growing mercantile interests ignited political ambitions, leading to the appointment of the thampuran (or raja) of Cochin being controlled by the Portuguese and, later, Dutch rulers. Eventually, the British East India Company established supreme control through colonisation. Kochi welcomed, endured, and survived the various traders and rulers drawn to its undoubtedly enchanting shores.

Today, Kochi stands as the commercial and political hub of Kerala, where sea trade and modern commerce seamlessly coexist with a thriving tourist economy. It is a multicultural hotspot, home to people of diverse ethnicities, religions, and nationalities, living together in a harmonious and synergetic environment.

Day 6-7

Route: Kochi-Alappuzha
Distance: 58 Km
Time: 1 hour 20 mins

From Kochi take the NH47 to Alappuzha. Alternatively, you could take the coastal SH66 for a more picturesque ride.

The Kuttanad region covers the Vembanad Lake and large parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam districts along its banks. One of the lowest-lying areas in India, it is known as the rice bowl of Kerala, with paddy grown in water-filled fields reclaimed from the sea. For tourists, Alappuzha (or Alleppey) is most alluring for its backwaters. The town has at least six navigable canals, and to the east, they open into the Punnamada kayal, connecting the city to a network of backwater trails that are alive with reinvented kettuvalloms (houseboats). In this unique fresh- and salt-water ecosystem, visitors rediscover a life lived at a leisurely pace. On the canals, boatmen row gracefully, even as traffic speeds above on modern bridges.

Day 8

Route: Alappuzha-Kollam
Distance: 86 km
Time: 2 hours

Spend two days in Alappuzha before taking the NH47 to Kollam.

The town's name is derived from "kolam," the Sanskrit word for pepper. The square clock tower, visible from Chinnakada Market, is the best place to begin your tour of Kollam. Built in 1944, the tower marks a historical landmark. Nearby, you'll find the Roman Catholic Velankanni Church. Amidst both newer and crumbling gravestones in the English Church and Cemetery, intact 19th-century tombstones of the British remain. The Adventure Park at Ashramam, managed by the District Tourism Promotion Council, is somewhat underwhelming, though the view of Ashtamudi Lake it offers remains its highlight.

Day 9-10

Route: Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram
Distance: 64 km
Time: 1 hour 15 mins

From Kollam, take the NH47 to the city of Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram, or Trivandrum, is a capital that embraces its small-town charm, with no towering skyscrapers, fast cars, or nightclubs—just serene tree-lined avenues and breathtaking crimson sunsets. It is renowned for the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, as well as its museums and palaces.

Day 11-12

Route: Thiruvananthapuram-Kanyakumari
Distance: 90 km
Time: 2 hour 15 mins

After spending a couple of nights in Thiruvananthapuram, head out on the NH47 to Kanyakumari.

Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, is where the three seas—the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal—converge. While the significance of Kanyakumari is grand, the town itself is small, with everything located within a 5 km radius. However, this area is filled with hotels, modest restaurants, and souvenir shops, making the town less appealing than the iconic site deserves.

For most tourists who visit Kanyakumari, it is a place of worship. They come in large numbers to pay homage to Kanyakumari (literally, the Maiden Goddess), as well as to the towering statues of Swami Vivekananda, who meditated here, and Thiruvalluvar, the renowned Tamil poet, all located on the seafront.

Kanyakumari also offers spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It's rare to witness the sun rise from the sea in the morning and later watch it plunge back into the waters in the evening. You can visit Suchindram, a charming temple, or pack a picnic and head to the Dutch Fort at Vattakottai, with its natural beach. There are a couple of other beaches as well, and though they have minimal infrastructure, the drive to them is an enjoyable experience.

Day 13-14

Route: Kanyakumari-Kochi-Thalassery
Distance: 295 Km, 257 Km
Time: 6 hours, 6 hours

After two glorious days in Kanyakumari, retrace your route to Kochi on NH47. Spend a night in the city and then head back to Thalassery the next day.

Day 15

Route: Thalassery-Mangalore
Distance: 164 Km
Time: 4 hours

After a night in Thalassery, and an early breakfast, retrace the route to Mangalore. You can stop for lunch at one of the eateries at Bekal.

The Route

The drive primarily follows two highways. Start by picking up NH17 at Mangalore and continue all the way down to Ernakulam. NH17 merges with NH47 in Kochi, and you can follow this all the way to Kanyakumari. For the return journey, simply retrace your route on the same highways. This drive takes you through some busy stretches of road. Shops and restaurants are easily found, but it’s a good idea to carry basic provisions and water in case of emergencies. Tea stalls along the route offer regular stops, many selling bottled water, cold drinks, and packaged snacks like wafers and biscuits. Small towns and villages have puncture repair shops, and mechanics or garages are available in most towns. Many petrol stations offer restrooms, though cleanliness standards vary significantly. Facilities for women could and should be improved. Be prepared to stop and ask for directions, as road signs are often lacking, with many signs in Malayalam and not always translated. Driving at night on this route is not recommended. Start early to avoid heavy traffic, especially near the cities.