Pazhassi Dam is a tourist attraction with a garden and boating facilities. The dam provides drinking water to the Kannur, Tellichery, and Mahé municipalities. Mattanur is famous for its "Kavu," where ancient folk rituals, called Theyyam, are performed during the months of January to April.
The Utsavam of Mattanur, at the Sree Mahadeva Temple, starts from 27 February every year. The eight-day festival ends with the Aaratu. The Prathishtadinam Temple, Illam Nira, Mandalamasa, and Bhagavathasapthaha are holy moments of the temple. Inside the temple, Lord Mahadeva is worshiped with three Bhavas during the morning, noon, and evening. The "thee purath vayal" is famous .
The Muzhakkunu Shri Mridhagasyleswari Temple is about 10 km from Mattanur. The goddesses Amma and Thrayambakeswari are worshiped there with the form of playing on a Mridangam, the sacred instrument. The temple hosts Navaratri in the month of Kanni, Thrikkarthika in the month of Vrischikam and
Chalayil Mahavishnu kshetram is a famous Vishnu temple situated in Mattanur, and is one of the rarest temples for worshiping the Narasimha Avathara of Lord Vishnu.
A Masjid or Mosque situated near Mattanur is known as the "Mattanur Juma Masjid." It is one of the largest and most famous Masjid in Kannur District.
Mattanur also has a famous pond known as "kulathoor" (thareeka's kulam) located near PRNSS College. The pond is famous for its transparency of water.
Another famous place situated near Mattanur is "Perinchery Sree Vishnu Kshethram," for worshiping Lord Lakshmana. Annual celebrations include an eight-day Utsavam which starts on the "Uthratathi" day of every Kumbha Masam.
The Pariyaram Shree Subhrahamanya swami Temple, situated in Pariyaram Mundayode, and famous for wall paintings worships the Lord Vel Muruka (Senapati Subhrahmanya). The three days of uthsavam starts on star Aswathi day of Vrischikam month and ends with the Thrikkarthaka Vilakku two days later. All Shashti days are also special in the temple.