Thrissur district is well connected by Air, Rail and Road. The nearest international airport is 58 km from town and named as Nedumbassery. This is also connected by rail as this has an important railhead of the southern railways. Thrissur district is also well connected with almost all the major cities and towns through roadways. All these matters a lot in case of tourism. As the district is accessible easily, the tourists love to spend the holidays and enjoy the fullest.

Tourist places: There are many tourist places that are very attractive and every year many tourists religiously come to visit these places.

Athirapilly Water falls:
It is situated at 63 Km distance from Thrissur district. This 80" high waterfall at the threshold of the Sholayar ranges is a popular picnic spot. Dream World and Silver Storm are the two Amusement parks, which are located nearby. DTPC has a unit to gratify the needs of tourists.

Vazhachal:
Tourist can reach there very easily as it is just a short drive from Athirapilly. This place is close to dense forests and a part of the Chalakudy River is also situated nearby.

Punnathur kotta elephant sanctuary:
Punnathur kotta elephant sanctuary is largest elephant park in the world with 60 elephants and is a very unique place. The devotees of Guruvayurappan donate all the elephants to the sanctuary.

The elephant race and the feast for elephants are a few of the unique features. There are elephants of all ages including very small elephant to old ones.

Sakthan thampuran palace:
This is also named as Vadakkekara Palace. Sri.Ramavarma Thampuran of the former Princely State of Cochin reconstructed this in Kerala-Dutch style in 1795. However Sakthan Thampuran who was the greatest ruler of the Cochin dynasty has preserved this by Archaeological Department

Archeological museum/ art museum /zoo: Kudakkallu:
This is also known as umbrella rock. These umbrella rocks of Chiramanangad have a history of over four thousand years. Aristocratic people were cremated here. Some earthen arms and umbrella rocks were placed on top as landmarks.

Vilangankunnu:
The tourism department has converted this hillock as an amusement park. While grown ups relish the scenic splendor from the hilltop, children can relax and play to their hearts.

Peechi dam:
This is a good picnic spot, which is located 20 km from Thrissur Town.

Chavakkad beach:
This is seashore, and is famous for rare scenic beauty. This has been acknowledged as one of the best beaches along the west coast. Unaltered by modernization and laced on the borders by an array of coconut palms.


Archeological & Art museum has a good collection of woodcarvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewelers. There is no entrance fee for this place. Thrissur Zoo is a major attraction for children and students with a variety of animals.

Cultural Centers of Thrissur:
There are many cultural centers in Thrissur district, which can be mentioned as follows:

Kerala kalamandalam:
Kerala Kalamandalam is situated at Cheruthuruthy, which is founded by the Poet Sri.Vallathol Narayana Menon. He started this to encourage the study of the ancient arts of Kerala such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattom. Presently the Kerala Kalamandalam is functioning at Vallathol Nagar, with its new building complex, Natyagraha. Kerala Kalamandalam was the first institutional step in the cultural history of Kerala. This was mainly to start training in classical performing arts, which were so far left to the benefaction of provincial kings and landlords. The artists, especially the Kathakali artists, were in general the aesthetic victims of the society. With the establishment of Kalamandalam the social and cultural accomplishment of traditional artists became a reality.

Kerala sahithya academy:
Kerala Sahitya Academy was established on August 15, 1956. It aims at the development of Malayalam Language and Literature and works in co-operation with the Kerala Sahitya Academy in New Delhi. There is a good library attached to the Academy. This library has two sections the General Section & the Research Section.

Kerala lalitha kala academy:
This was established in 1962. The aim of the Academy is mainly to promote the sculpture, painting and visual arts.

Kerala sangeetha nataka academy:
This academy was established in Thrissur district on April 12, 1938. Its aim lies in to foster and develop Kerala Dance, Drama and Music. This also promotes the cultural unity of Kerala. It works in close collaboration with the Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy in New Delhi for the improvement of Indian culture. A regional theatre is also constructed in Thrissur with all modern facilities.

Institution for mural paintings:
This is an institute for the traditional Kerala mural painting, which is located at Kizhakke Nada of Guruvayur Temple. This also gives coaching in Mural painting in the traditional gurukula pattern. It is started under Guruvayur Deveswom in the month of July 1989. It provides five years National Diploma Course in Fine Arts.

Appan thampuran Smarakam:
This is established in 1976 at ayyanthole. Sri. Ramavarma Appanthapuran lived in Kumarapuram palace. This is also a Sahthya-samskarika Museum.

Unnayi warrier smaraka kalanilayam:
It was established for the memorial of Unnayi Warrier and Regd in December 7, 1955. It was a place for the publicity and encouragement of Kathakali.

Mundassery smarakam:
It is established in 24th September 1983 in Memory of Sri.Joseph Mundassery. The main aim of establishing this is to promote thoughts of Sri.Mundassery in cultural, literature subjects.

Nalappadan smaraka samskarika samithy:
Sri.K.G.Karunakara Menon MLA established this organization in Memory of the famous poet Sri.Nalappadan.

School of drama:
This was established at Aranattukara in the year 1977. The institution conducts a three-year course in Bachelor of Theatre Arts. The course includes Direction, Acting, Children`s Theatre etc., The founder director of this school of drama was Sri.G.Sankarapillai.

Prof.P.Sankaran nambiar foundation:
This was established in 24th February 1999. The main object of the foundation is to republish books of Sri.Sankaran Nambiar.

There are also some places of worship which are mentioned below:

Guruvayur sree krishna temple:
Guruvayur is located in Chavkkad Taluk where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated. This is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of India. It is believed that Devaguru-Brahaspathi and Vayu Bhagavan in the presence of Parasurama adored the idol at Guruvayur. Here only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

The Guruvayur temple is accessible by train and bus. This temple is situated at 29 Km away from West of Thrissur.

The important religious festivals, which are celebrated here, are the Ashtami Rohini which is celebrated during Aug-Sept, the Sukla Paksha Ekadasi celebrated during Nov-Dec, the Vishu Kani celebrated during April-May, and the 10 days Utsavam celebrated during Feb-March. Of these the Edakasi draws the largest crowd. Guruvayur Sathyagraha of historical importance was launched in front of this temple tavern. A pillar has also been installed here.

Mummiyur Temple:
This is placed at 1 km away from Guruvayur. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The visit to Guruvayur is not complete without a visit to Mammiyur. This Shiva temple is renowned for its wall paintings and exquisite sculpture.

Vadakkumnathan temple:
This temple is a classical example of Kerala style of architecture. This has many decorative murals and works of art. This is the venue of the world famous Thrissur Pooram Festival celebrated annually in April-May. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

Nalambalam:
Visiting this place during the month of Malayalam Karkidakam, is considered as a sacred and auspicious event. Nalambalam consists of temples of brothers Sri Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana & Shathrugnan.

Thriprayar: This is situated at 22 Km from Thrissur. This is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shri Rama. The important festival here is the Thriprayar Ekadasi held for three days in Vrischikam during Nov-Dec.

Irinjalakuda Koodalmanickam Temple: It is situated at 21 Km from Thrissur. This ancient and historic temple is dedicated to Bharatha the Brother of Sri Rama. The colorful eleven-day annual festival in Medom during April-May with pageant of 13 caparisoned elephants. This is the symbol of the ending of temple festival season in Kerala.

Payemmel Temple: This is situated at 40 Km from Thrissur and is near Aripalam-Irinjalakuda. This ancient and historic temple is dedicated to Shathrugna the Brother of Sri Rama. It is considered to be the only one temple dedicated Shathrugna and that is why regarded as the unique one.

Moozhikulam Temple: This temple is situated near Angamaly in Ernakulam District. This is dedicated to Lord Lekshmana, bother of Lord Sri Rama.

Sri Kurumba Bhagavathi temple, Kodungallur:
This temple is renowned for Kavutheendal, Kozhikallumoodal, Palakkal vela sweekarikkal and Kodungallur Thalam sweekarikkal. Meena masa Bharani, called the Kodungallur Bharani is the most famous festival of this temple.

Cheraman jumma masjid, kodungallur:
This mosque is built in 629 AD. This resembles a Hindu temple in appearance. This is the first mosque in India and the 2nd in the world where Juma prayers were started. Id-ul-fitr or Ramzan and Id-ul-Asha or Bakrid are celebrated here on a grand scale.

Puthan palli:
This is situated in the heart of Thrissur Town. It is the New and the largest Church of Asia as a gothic and historic style of architecture with 25,000 Sq. ft.

St. Thomas church, Palayur:
In 42 AD the ancient church at Palayur was built by St. Thomas himself. It is considered as the oldest church in India.

Lourdes cathedral:
It is situated near Thrissur, which turned to a Cathedral in 1995 with an underground chapel.

Festivals of Thrissur:
Like the different places , the feastvals anf fairs are also very popular in Thrissur district.