Palakkad Fort: The old granite fort situated in the very herart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. It was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the Archaelogical Survey of India.

Meenkara (52 km from Palakkad): This picnic spot is the site of a dam across the river Bharathapuzha.

Ottappalam(55 km fro Palakkad): The town is known for its numerious places of worship and their colourful festivals.

Attractions:

The Garden:-
" Green Lawns
" Well laid - out flower beds
" Pools, Fountains and pathways
" Rock Garden
" Rose Garden with over a hundred varieties of the flowers
" Ariel ropeway across the Garden
" Road Train Trips
" Telescope Tower
" Illumination of the dam and garden on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays and on other days, up on request, for a fee.

The Reservoir:-

" Boating and fishing fascilities: Pedalboats, rowboats, water scooters and motorboats can be hired from 1000 - 1800 hrs
" Swimming Pool
" Fresh Water Aquarium
" Snake Park
" Children's Park
" Fantacy Park

Kottai(15 km south of Palakkad): This village is the native place of the late Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, the doyen of Carnatic music.

Kollengode(19 km south of Palakkad): Kollengode enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The Kollengode Palace. The Vishnu Temple and the Poet P. Kunhiraman Nair Memorial are worth visiting. Seethakundu and Govindamalai hills nearby are ideal for trekking.

Lakkidi(50km from Palakkad): Killikkurissimangalam at :Akkidi is the birthplace of Kunchan Nambiar, the 18th centry satirist and exponent of the Tbullal. The poet's house is preserved as a monument by the State Government.

Malampuzha Garden (10 km from Palakkad): This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to the garden from Palakkad.

Siruvani(46 km north of Mannarkad and 48 km from Palakkad): The reservoir here was built for Tamil Nadu by the Kerala Government to meet the drinking water requirements of Coimbatore. The gateways on the either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Siruvani is also home to certain tribals like the mudugars and Irudars.

Pothundy( 45 km from Palakkad): The Pothundy Reservoir Complex, situated on the way to Nelliampathy, is a charming picnic spot.

Thiruvalathur(10 km from Palakkad): The ancient temple here exhibits some fine woodwork and stone sculptures.

Dhoni(15 km from Palakkad): It is a 3 hour trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills to this reserve forest area with its small, beatifull waterfall.

Mangalam Dam(50 km from Palakka): A popular picnic spot, the dam is built across the Cherukunnath river, a tributary of the Mangalam river.

Thrithala(75 km from Palakkad): This place is noted for its monuments and historic ruins like the Siva Temple and the mud fort on the Chalisserey road. The Kattilmadam Temple, a granite Buddhist monument on the Pattambi - Guruvayoor Road, dating back to the 9th/10th centuary AD, is of archaeological importance. The Paakkanaar memorial, built in honour of the Pariah saint, stands on the Thrithala Koottanad Road. Thrithala is also the native place of renowned writer and social reformer V T Bhattathiripad.

Parambikulam wildlife Sanctuary(110 km from Palakkad): Sprawled across 285 sq.km, this Sanctuary is home to rare fauna. The oldest teak tree, kannimari stands tall here Boating / cruising facilities are available at the Reservoir. The Rest Houses of the State Forest Department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Anappady and a tree house in the reserve forest are the accommodation options.

Nelliampathy(40 km south of Nenmara): At leat 10 hair pin bends have to be negotiated on the Ghat Road througth the evergreen forests of the Sahya Ranges to reach this hill station 467 m to 1572 m above sea level. This hill country is the delight of trekkers.

Chittur Garumadam(Thekkegramam near arikkode): This memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan. The auther of Athyatma Ramayana, who spent his last says here, is located on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows). A Srichakra, some of the idols worshipped by him, a stylus, wooden slippers and a few old manuscripts are exhibited here.

Thenari: The waters of the natural spring, in front of the old Sree Rama Temple here is believed to be as sacred as the waters of the Ganges.

Mayiladumpara: This grove takes its name from the large number of peacocks found here.

The Jain Temple of Jainimedu: The historic granite temple in the suburbs of Palakkad town displays the images of the Jain Thirankaras and the Yakshinis. Jainimedu, the region around the temple, is one of the few places in Kerala where the vestiges of Jainism have survived. Poet Kumaranasan wrote his masterpiece Veenapoovu(the fallen flower) at a Jain house here.

Thiruvegappura Sankaranarayana Temple: The Temple is believed to belong to the 14th century while its Koothambalam(temple theatre) was added later, probably in the 15th or 16th century.

The Ongallur thaliyil Siva Temple: Situated near Pattambi, this temple has some of the most intricate laterite sculptures in Kerala.

Attappady (58 km northeast of Mannarkkad): A beautiful synthesis of mountains, rivers and forests, and the habitat of tribes like the Irulas and Mudugars, Attappady is of greate intrest to anthropologists. The Malleeswaram peak is worshipped as a gigantic Sivalinga by the tribals who also celebrate the Sivarathri festival with great gusto. A PWD Rest House and a few private hotels offer accommodation at Agali, nearby.

Silent Valley National Park(40 km northwest of Mannarkkad): The 89.52 sq km national park is believed to be the sole surviving bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges. The pecularity of the Silent Valley is that it is devoid of cicadas. Vehicular transport is possible only up to Mukkali, nearly 24 km from the park. The rest of the way has to be covered on foot up to the source of river Kunthipuzha which flows through the valley before merging into river Bharathapuzha.