There are many attractions in malappuram district. As for examples Beaches, Backwaters, hills and valleys, ancient pilgrimage centres, etc. this is also known as the birthplace of Malayalam literature. The headquarters of the traditional Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda is also present here. All these and more are in store in this district for the adventurous traveler in this northern part of the southern Indian state of Kerala. Malappuram can be located between the Lakshdweep Sea on the east, the beautiful Nilgiri hills on the west, and is bounded by the other Kerala Districts of Kozhikode on the north and Palakkad on the south. The best Season to visit Malappruam is August-November.

Air:
There is an international airport at Karipur named as Calicut Airport, which is 26 Km Away from Malappuram. This links Malappuram to the other major Indian cities and to several cities in the Gulf that is a traditional trading partner of the region.

Rail:
Line through the coastal belt runs through several towns situated in Malappuram district such as Tirur, Kuttippuram etc. These are well connected to cities in the north through the newly introduced Konkan Railway. Also, the district can be accessed by road from Kozhikode which is 50 Km and Palakkad which is 90 Km.

Road:
Malappuram is well connected to all the major towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by an excellent road network.

Padinharekara beach:
This is placed very close to Ponnani and at the end point of the Tipu Sulthan road. It offers a breath taking view of the meeting of the river Bharathapuzha and Tirur puzha with the Arabian Sea.

Pilgrimage Centres:
There are some of the pilgrimage centres, which are very important for tourist`s visit.

Kadampuzha:
This place is situated at 3 km North of Vettichira in Melmuri village. The NH 17 connects the district with Calicut and Trissur. It is famous for its Bhagavathi temple, which is said to have been set up by Jagadguru Sankaracharya.

Angadipuram:
This is situated at 1.5 km west of Perinthalmanna. This is an important place on the Madras-Calicut Trunk road through which the Shoranur-Nilambur railway line also passes. Two well knows temples Thirumandhamkunnu and Tali are also present here.

Thirunavaya:
This ancient and famous temple on the banks of the Bharathapuzha is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This was the traditional venue of the ritual of Mamankam an enactment of traditional martial arts by suicide squades.

Trikandiyur:
This ancient temple of Shiv with an idol is very famous. It is said to have been installed by Parashurama. It is situated close to the town of Tirur which attracts devotees from far and wide.

Mumburam:
This a holy place and a major pilgrimage centre for Muslims. This is the receptacle for dead bodies of the Thangals who is the religious leaders of the Malabar Muslims. This is situated in A.R. Nagar village.

Valiya Juma Masjid Malappuram:
This is an important pilgrim centre of the Muslims of Kerala. The four day annual festival at the mosque which is known as nercha is celebrated in April. Adjoining the mosque there is the mausoleum of the Malappuram shaheeds or martyrs whose brave exploits have been immortalized in the Mappila ballads.

Pazhayangadi Mosque, Kondotti:
It is located at 18km east of Manjeri and is on the way to Malappuram. The three day long Valia Nercha feat at this 500 year old Muslim pilgrim centre, celebrated during February-March. It is a local cultural event.

Kottakunnu:
One can see trace of an old fort at the base of the cantonment Hill. The fort was the first to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. The Vettakkorumakan Temple and the Siva temple with the famous murals of Malabar are placed nearby.

DTPC has planned to develop Kottakunnu in to an attractive park and the District Sports Council to establish a stadium nearby.

There is a beautiful helipad at Kottakunnu.

Backwaters:
The backwaters of this Malappuram district are unique in its look. Biyyam Kayal: It is located very close to Ponnani. It is a greenery-fringed waterway with water sports facility recently set up by the D.T.P.C.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary:
This place is located 19 km from Kozhikode and 7 km from Beypore port. The sanctuary, which is spread over a cluster of islands covers, an area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundipuzha flows in to the Arabian Sea. Over a 100 varieties of native birds and over 60 varieties of migratory birds flock here naturally.

Ayurveda:
This is an Indian medical system, which is very popular in Malappuram district. Kottakkal is situated at 13 km from Malappuram and is the premier centre for the traditional classical Indian medical system of Ayurveda. A renowned private institution set up here in 1900. It possesses a large private hospital, drugs producing centre, herbarium and even an Ayurvedic Medical College. Patients from several foreign countries come to this world-renowned centre of excellence in ayurveda for treatment.

Other places of interest: There are some other places of interest. Some of them are mentioned below:

Manjeri:
This is the headquarters of Ernad Taluk. This is a place rich in history, and also a witness to the vicissitudes of the Malabar rebellion and the independence struggle. It is also the home to the renowned Kunnathmbalam, and the Karikkad Subramania temple. Recently an important administrative and commercial centre has also set up here.

Tirur:
This is situated at 43 Kms south of Calicut. This is an important Railway Station of the Shoranur-Mangalore section of the Southern railway, a major trading centre of fish and betel, and the birthplace of Tunchan Ramanujan Ezhutassan who was the founder of Malayalam Literature. The site attracts a large number of people on Vijayadashami day for the ritual initiation of children into the world of learning.

Wagon Tragedy Memorial Municipal Town Hall :
This is a standing monument reminiscent of the notorious Wagon Tragedy during the British rule.

Tanur:
The costal town Tanur was one of the earliest Portugeese settlements in earlier days. It is situated 8 km from Tirur. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited this place in 1546. The Keraladheeswarapuram temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is regarded as the oldest temple of Kerala is located at 3 km of distance south of Tanur town. Keraladheeswarapuram is also a weaver`s settlement.

Tirurangadi:
Tirurangadi was an important centre of the Khilapath movement, national movement and the Malabar Rebillion. On 20th August, 1921 the Tirurangadi incident ignited the out break of Mappila Rebillion. Mumburam Kizhakke Palli was the place of Khilapath leader Ali Musliar.

Ponnani:
Ponnani is the only port in Malappuram Districtand is one of the oldest in Kerala. It is a tidal port at the mouth of Bharathapuzha.

Nilambur:
It is situated at 40 km from Malappuram on the Calicut-Ooty highway. This is an important halting place for tourists on the way to Ooty. This is also a trading centre in hill products and is famous for its teak plantation.

Adyanpara:
Adyanpara lies in Kurumbalangode village of Nilambur taluk and is famous for its waterfalls and the splendor of its wooded jungles.

Kodikuthimala:
Kodikuthimala is a scenic hilltop situated near Perinthalmanna. This attracts tourists with its panoramic views. The DTPC has plans to develop this in to a major tourist spot in the district.

Fairs:
With a number of Temples, Mosques & Churches, Malappuram abounds in fair & festivals.

Some important ones are given below:

Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram:
Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram is an important temple festival of central Malabar. Thirumandhamkunnu is said to be one among the three important Bhagavati temples of kerala while the others were Kodungallur and Panayanarkavu. The Pooram festival is celebrated during March-April. The cultural feast is the most attractive feature of this festival. The seven-day daily pooja attracts thousands of devotees. The famous Mangalya Pooja attracts young women in thousands, who come to pray for a good wedlock. Thirumandhamkunnu is located at 2 km West of Perinthalmanna, in the Kozhikode-Palakkad state high way.

Kottakkal pooram:
Kottakkal is the place of Ayurvedic treatment. It is also famous for its temple festival. Kottakkal Pooram is mainly celebrated during March-April, which is attractive for its cultural festivity. During the seven days long function almost all the famous classical artistes of the country perform here.

Nilambur Pattu:
Nilambur Pattu is an ancient festival in this Malappuram district. Nilambur Kovilakam conducts it during February. Thousands of devotees gather to witness this weeklong celebration. The festival is related to ancient war and hunting. Tribal chieftains have important roles in the rituals.

Kondotty Nercha:
Kondotty Nercha is a weeklong festival in March. The Nercha is conducted in Pazhayangadi Moque of Kondotty, which was constructed in the 18th century A.D. The Tomb of Mohammed Sha the Sufi Exponent, is close to the mosque. It was constructed in Mughal style. The Nercha has an inter religious expression in its Petyy Varavu. Thousands gather during the Nercha followed by carnival proportions with hectic trade and amusements.

Puthanpally nercha:
The Andu Nercha of Puthenpalli at Perumpadappu in the southwest border of the district is very famous. Lakhs of devotees attend this annual festival of the mosque. As a part of the festival, neichor or Ghee Rice is distributed to devotee and the poor.

Omanur Nercha:
Omanur Nercha is a famous mosque festival in Malappuram district, celebrated in memory of martyrs. Omanur is 6 Km away from Kondotty.

Malappuram perunnal:
The church festival at Malaparamba near Angadipuram is very famous. Church festivals in Pariyapuram, Chungathara, and Edakkara in summer, also attracts plenty of devotees. Small and big religious festivals are conducted in almost all parts of the district during summer. Bakrid, Id-ul-suha and Muharam of Muslims, Thiruvathira and Navarathri of Hindus and Christmas of Christians, along with Onam which is common to all sections, are celebrated. An intermingling fragrance of Oppanapattu, Duff, Kaikottikali, and Margamkali; prevails all over the district. During Onam, a Tourism festival for one week, with a variety of cultural programmes, is also organized.

Festivals:
Some of the important festivals observed in different parts of the district are mentioned below:
Kothu and Thalappoli, Pooram, Kala Pattu, Thalapoli, Shashti Utsavam, Pooyam, Navarathri, The Pooyam, Vela, Sivaratri vilakku, Bhagavathy Pattu, Chittu vilakku, Kettiyattam, Jaram Nercha, Ther Pooja, MakaraChovva Vela, Meena karthika, Vettakkaran Pattu, Bhagavathy Ezhunnallippu, Ayyappan Vilaku,Andathodu Nercha, Makara Vila, Feast of St. Kuriakose, Feast of St. Sebastian, Feast of St. Joseph, Milad-I-Sheriff, Muharram, Bathar Moulud, Annual Ratheeb, Feast of St.Francis Xavier, Kumbha Bharany, Pooram, Ekadasi, Vavu Utsavam, Thaipooyam, Kalamkari, Shree Krishna Jayanthi, Mandalapooja, Thunchan day, Kaliyattam, Onam, Vishu, Theeyattam, Thira and Punartham.

Art and culture:
Late P.S.Varier, the founder of Arya Vaidya Sala initiated the revival of the Malayalam stage. It was under his patronage that the Parama Siva Vilasam Dramatic Company was started in Kottakkal to promote Malayalam drama. This was the time when only Tamil drama club had their influence. A permanent hall to stage Malayalam dramas was built at Kottakkal. Later, this dramatic club was renamed as P.S.V. Natysangham. At this place Kathakali is the main programme now. A Kathakali School is also run by the Natysanghom.

Of the popular theatre, K. Damodaran`s Pattabakki and Cherukad`s Nammal Onnu played an important role.

Kolkali, Daff Muttu and Aravana Muttu of Muslim community are important folk art forms of the district. Chavittukali or Chermakkali is another ancient folk art of Malappuram. The living example of Sopana Sangetha, Nheralath Rama Poduval, hails from Angadipuram. The district has a good network of libraries. The Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom is very active here. Under the Library Council, there are 332 affiliated libraries, 140 in Ernad, 86 in Tirur, 66 in Perintalamanna and 40 in Ponnani taluks. Under the district Library Council 4 taluks Library Unions are functioning.