Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Shakthan Thampuran palace, located in the heart of Thrissur city near the Vadakkunnatha temple, is only 2kms from Thrissur railway station. The palace, now preserved by the Archaeological Department, highlights several interesting and outstanding attributes of the former rulers of Cochin. The palace also known as 'Thoppu', covering an area of 6 acres of land, narrates the history of Thrissur which was the old capital of Kochi Kingdom. Earlier known as Vadakkekara palace, it is named after the great ruler Raja Rama Varma Shakthan Thampuran who reconstructed the palace in a unique Kerala- Dutch style in the year 1795. The palace is a two storeyed building in the traditional 'naalukkettu' style with high roofs, thick walls and Italian marbled floors. It also has a serpent grove, which is meant for worship of serpents. A highly structured museum with different galleries like Bronze gallery, Sculpture gallery, Epigraphy gallery, gallery for Household Utensils, Numismatics gallery, History gallery and Megalithic gallery is another specialty. An archeological garden is situated at the northeastern part of the palace. Here one can see three tombs including that of Shakthan Thampuran. It is believed that the Mysore rulers, including Tippu Sultan had stayed here and the flag mast in front of the palace was erected by him. 

Kerala Kalamandalam
The famous art school, Kerala Kalamandalam is located at Cheruthuruthy on the banks of Bharathapuzha at a distance of 29 km north of Thrissur. It was founded in 1930 by the Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon in order to promote Kerala arts likes Mohiniyattom and Kathakali. The school follows the gurukulam system of training and is a center for teaching traditional music, drama, Ottam thullal, Koodiyattam and Panchavadhyam. Besides regular courses the school also offers crash courses. Visitors are allowed to watch training sections from 4.30 am to 6.30 am, 8.30 am to 12 noon and 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. The school is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It remains closed in the months of April and May.

The two main attractions of Kalamandalam are the 'Koothambalam' ( the traditional temple theater) and the art gallery. Koothambalam, also known as 'natyagriha' is built according to the principles of Natyasaastra. The art gallery exhibits statues of Kathakali and other art forms. Here is a museum named Vallathol Museum, which exhibits the poetic works and contributions of the great poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. There is also a portrait gallery that exhibits the portraits of great artists, mementos and honors received by the institution.

From the year 2005, a half day tour programme named 'A day with the Masters' was introduced to help visitors get a feel of the traditions and understand the history and atmosphere of Kalamandalam. This programme is conducted on all working days from 9am to 1pm and the expense would be around 1000 per person.
Contact Address: 
Kerala Kalamandalam
Deemed University for Art and Culture
Cheruthuruthy – 679 531 via Thrissur, Kerala, India
Phone : 0488-4262418, 4263440
Fax : 0488-4262019
E-mail : Contact Now

The Town Hall    
Town hall is an impressive building, located about 1km from the city center. It houses an art gallery which displays mural paintings from all parts of Kerala. It is the venue for public meetings and cultural programmes.

Vilangan Kunnu
Vilangan Kunnu alias Vilangan hill is a beautiful green hillock located 5 kms from the city premises. It is a popular picnic spot and recreation center among the youngsters. The hill gives a panoramic view of the whole city from the top. The visitors should pay an entry fee at the check post of the Vilangan Kunnu. On top of the hill there is an open space where one can relax and enjoy the view. The whole hill is covered with thick bushes. There is a park here with amusement rides, which is specially designed for children.

State Museum
The Kerala State Museum and Zoo is located at Town Hall Road in Chembukavu, 2 km from Thrissur railway station. Established in 1885, the museum is spread over an area of 5.5 hectors of land. The museum complex includes an Art Section with a collection of sculptures, religious idols, Kathakali figures, traditional jewellery of the state and traditional lamps. Besides the Art Museum, a Natural History Museum displaying sample collection of different animals, a Zoological and Botanical Garden are located in this compound. It is open all days at 10.00 am to 5.00 pm except Mondays.

Thrissur zoo    
Thrissur zoo, adjacent to the Art museum is well known for its snake collection including King Cobras, Kraits, Pythons, Vipers, Rat Snakes etc. The green wooded area of the Zoo spreads over 13.5 acres, and has tigers, lions, tailed macaque, sloth bear, several species of deer and many birds. 

Timings : Open: from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm except on Mondays.  
Entry Fees : 
Adults: Rs 6/-, Children: Rs 4/-, Family (parents+2 children): Rs 20, Student group (35 students+2 teachers): 90/-
Still camera: 10/-, video camera: 50/- (non professional), around 200/-(professional)
Contact Address :
State Museum and Zoo
Chembukavu, Thrissur
0487 - 2333056

Punnathoor Kotta
Punnathoor Kotta or Fort, once the abode of the Punnathoor Zamorin (ruler) is now home to elephants brought as ritual offerings to the Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayoor by the devotees. Here the elephants, over 50 in number are trained and groomed in the green wooded environs of the vast compound of the fort. A tour to the fort, just 2kms from the Guruvayoor temple and 35km from Trichur, will give tourists a chance to see these huge animals at close quarters in a domestic environment. One can see elephants being trained, fed and groomed and the traditional method of restorative treatment given to them. There are water tanks inside the fort for bathing the elephants. The center known as 'Aanathavalam' (elephant abode) is managed by the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna temple Devaswom authorities. 

Peechi Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary
The beautiful picnic spot, Peechi dam is located in Peechi village, 23 km away from Thrissur. The dam is built across the Manali river and the area comprises of nearly 3200 acres of land with botanical gardens and fountains. The prime purpose of the reservoir is to provide irrigation and drinking water supply to Thrissur city. There is a facility for boating in the reservoir amidst picturesque surroundings and the area is surrounded by tea and eucalyptus.

The Peechi wild life sanctuary stretching an area of 125 Sq.km was established in1958. It is a trekking friendly area. More then 50 species of orchids and medicinal plants are there in the sanctuary in addition to 25 species of mammals, over 60 species of birds and 10 species of reptiles and snakes. Tigers, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Spotted and barking deer are seen frequently here. Ponmudi peak that has a height of 923 meters is near Peechi sanctuary. There are frequent private buses from Thrissur to Peechi.