Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple of Payyanur (SS Temple Payyanur) is believed to be constructed by Lord Parasurama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are references in Hindu Puranas about this temple and the temple town Payyanur. In Brahmanda Purana the temple and its town is being mentioned while Muni Garga explains about Kerala to the Pandavas during their exile (vanavasa). Payyanur Subramanya Temple is closely related with the Payyanur. Even the name of the town is originated due to the existence of the temple. This temple was destroyed two times, once due to a fire and then during the attack of Tippu Sultan of Mysore. The temple was reconstructed in the present form in Malayalam era 967 (AD 1792)

The Indian Naval Academy (INA or INA Ezhimala) is the initial officer training establishment of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, located in Ezhimala, near Payyanur, Kannur district, Kerala. Situated between Mount Dilli and the Kavvayi backwaters, INA has a 7 km beach front on the Arabian Sea. It conducts basic training for all officers inducted into the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The Naval Academy (NAVAC) was established in May 1969, while its Ezhimala campus was inaugurated on 8 January 2009 and the name changed to Indian Naval Academy. It shares the 2,452 acres (9.92 km2) site with the naval base depot, INS Zamorin, and the naval hospital, INHS Navjivani.

The Anjaneya Statue or the statue of lord Hanuman in Ezhimala hills is the tallest Hanuman statue in South India. The Anjaneya statue made of concrete is 41 feet tall and is situated on the upper part of Top raod. The place where the statue is situated is known as Anjaneya Giri. There is a small muthappan temple near the statue. Everyone can visit and worship the Anjaneya statue irrespective of caste or religion. The Anjaneya statue and temple is about 215 meters above the sea on the on the eastern part of Ezhimala hills (a hill reaching a height of 286 meters) Ezhimala was one of the major battlefields of the Chola-Chera war of the 11th century. The statue stands against the wind from the Arabian Sea. It reflects Hanuman's potential to face any adverse situation. The face of Hanuman is calm and composed. According to myths, the faces of those holding inherent powers are always calm.

Kavvayi is a small island, near Payyannur in the Kannur district of Kerala state in India. The island is connected to Payyannur by a small bridge on the Kavvayi River. The population is mainly Muslim. Kavvayi has been mentioned by name by significant global travelers, including Marco Polo 1293AD, Ibn Battuta 1342AD and Abdul Fida 1273AD. The island of Kavvayi was originally named Kavvil Pattanam, but renamed by Sir William Hogan, the then district collector of the area. Kavvayi was the headquarters for an area of 125 square miles (320 km2) which housed a large port and the magistrate court, including during British East India Company rule. It declined after the headquarters were moved to other parts of Malabar.