A city that was once the center of global spice trade, a city that was capital of Cochin Kingdom for centuries, and now the commercial capital of modern Kerala, Kochi (also: Cochin/ Ernakulam) still exudes ancient cultural vibes under its modern skin. For centuries, Kochi’s culture and heritage has been moulded by all the great civilizations of the world. Today, its vibrant Malayali culture seamlessly integrates with the remnants of those cultures of yesteryears. Located centrally, sitting right on the Malabar Coast, it’s the gateway to the God’s own country- Kerala. But before venturing out of Kochi, one must explore the coastal city first. From my experience of two trips, here is a bucket of best places in Kochi to visit and interesting things to do.
Kochi is where the unrest of the Arabian sea meets the tranquility of the inland backwaters. Its sun-drenched coast bends into the the hills and forests of the Western Ghats. A few hour’s drive from the city takes one to the spice gardens of Kerala that once enchanted the world. While walking around old Kochi, I could still smell the scent of those spices and sense the presence of thousands of traders from across the world crossing paths and negotiating with local traders.
The essence of Kochi lies as much in its natural beauty as its intangible cultural heritage and rich history.
{For more destinations from Kerala, read: Alleppey Backwaters ||| Thekkady- Pariyar}
Kochi, the jewel of Malabar Coast
In ancient times, Kerala was the undisputed spice capital of the world (watch a good documentary film: A thousand-flavour journey). From the Babylonians to the Egyptians and later, Romans, Chinese, Arabs and then Europeans anchored at the ports of Kerala to get their hands on spices like black pepper (called black gold), cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and nutmeg. Europeans just loved them. So much so that once Roman historian Pliny the Elder complained that Rome’s treasury was being drained annually by 50 million sesterces just to buy spices and silk from Kerala!
In 1341 CE, a massive flood on the Periyar river blocked the ancient port of Muziris in Kerala and opened up a new harbour in Kochi (to a little south), it soon became the hub of spice trade. The kind of city Kochi would have been in those days could be gauged from the words of Conti.
“While people should make their money in China, they should spend it in Kochi.” – Niccolò de’ Conti (1440 CE), Italian Traveller.
No wonder then, Kochi has always been popular as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’.
{For more such city destinations in India, read: Kolkata- Best Places ||| Udaipur- Best Places}
My affinity with Kochi:
One of my best friends- Sajith and his family live in Kochi. And it was with him I had first visited Kochi in 2009 to attend another friend’s wedding in Alleppey. After about 14 years, I visited again (June 2023) with Parina and stayed with Sajith. This time, accompanied and shown around by Sajith and Anu, we explored the city better, much beyond only the best places in Kochi.
If during the first time, Fort Kochi was our focus, on the second trip, we loved exploring the Jew Town and Mattancherry area. What I have seen and experienced during these trips, I can safely say that Kochi is among the top tourist- friendly cities in India.
{To read more about my first trip to Kerala, check out: 5 Best places in South Kerala}
Kochi: Best places not to miss
Since the emergence of Kochi as a harbour in 1341, Arabs and Chinese traders were doing business there when the Portuguese arrived in 1503. And they transformed the landscape completely. However, after keeping it for more than a century, they had to hand it over to the Dutch in 1663. In 1795 again, the guard changed to the British, who kept it till the end of their rule in India in 1947. Since then, Kochi has gradually changed its face to become more modern while keeping its heritage intact.
After being under the influence of several global powers for centuries, Kochi has developed a significantly cosmopolitan nature. Remnants of all these powers of yesteryears and their architectural heritage are spread all over Fort Kochi area for one to explore.
From a traveller’s perspective, the best places in Kochi are clustered around three main areas- the Fort Kochi Area, Jew Town Area and Ernakulum Area. Let me share with you the best places within each of the areas of Kochi one must not miss.
1. Historic Fort Kochi Area
Chinese Fishing Nets:
For me, among the best places to visit in Fort Kochi, the most memorable visuals are that of the Chinese fishing nets (called Cheena Vala in local language). Large mesh nets spanning 20 meters, set up on ground and hanging over the sea from wooden frames are quite a sight! It takes about 6-7 fishermen to operate one such net. On my first visit, I had tried my hands at one of those iconic nets.
Between 1350 and 1450, Zheng He, a Chinese explorer from the court of Kublai Khan had introduced them to Kochi. And since then, these nets have provided both livelihoods to the fishermen and visual pleasure to the onlookers.
Fort Kochi Beach:
Not far from the Chinese fishing nets, there’s a narrow stretch of beach with boulders on one side saving the roads from denudation. However, it’s not suitable for swimming. Visitors throng the beach especially during the evening to enjoy a sunset over the Arabian sea and walk along the lovely promenade. The street food scene, European heritage buildings and the general ambiance make for an enjoyable evening. No wonder then, this counts among the best places in Kochi for most visitors. I still remember that subtle monsoon sunset with Parina and friends.
{For another such beach city in south India, check out: Vishakhapatnam Beach City}
St. Francis CSI Church:
When the Portuguese arrived in Kochi in 1503, they built this St. Francis church- the first church on Indian soil. After changing many hands over the centuries, it now lies with the Church of South India. When Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524, he was buried in this church. Though his mortal remains were transferred to Lisbon 14 years later, the original gravestone is still preserved here. Hence for history lovers, this is definitely among the best places to visit in Kochi. In the picture below, I’m posing with a war memorial (in front of the church) honouring the locals of Cochin who participated in World War-I.
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica:
Built in Indo- European and Gothic- Revival architectural style, the Santa Cruz cathedral is among the finest in India. Though the Portuguese first built it in 1505, the British demolished the original structure and rebuilt the existing one in 1905. Locally, people call it ‘Kotta Palli‘ (Fort Church).
When the protestant Dutch invaded Kochi in 1663, they destroyed all the catholic churches except the St. Francis Church and this one. Interestingly, the Dutch used it as an arms storage place. I’m not sure if the structure was this beautiful back then! Because the British later demolished the old structure and constructed this existing beautiful structure in 1905. Much later, it became a Basilica in 1984.
Princess Street:
In one part of Fort Kochi, a 150 meter long street- Princess Street, or the Loafer’s Corner sits exhibiting an old world charm with buildings with medieval European architecture. Aesthetically designed houses, cute cafes, boutique shops and art galleries line up on both sides of the street. Actually, the intersection of Princess Street, Peter Celli Street and Bastion Street is called Loafer’s Corner. Since it joins three adorable streets, the ambiance is quite lovable. Sit here for people watching or just enjoy the hustle and bustle in the evening, you will love it for sure. Moreover, its instagrammable looks appeal to the young and the old alike.
2. Jew Town and Mattancherry
Jew Town:
Much like the French Quarter in Pondicherry and Fontainhas in Goa, the Jew Town of Kochi is a little piece of the colonial era that still is alive and kicking. If you liked Princess Street, you would love Jew Town. While Princess Street is a single, small street, Jew Town is quite spread out with multiple lanes and markets. Though initially, they might look similar, on close look, they appear to have distinct features.
While the dominant heritage of Princess Street is European (Dutch, Portuguese and British), Jew Town, as the name suggests, primarily features Jewish heritage. Main commercial activities of Princess Street are cafes, galleries and fashion shops. On the other hand, Jew Town is composed of the age old spice markets, antique warehouses and local handicrafts.
Undoubtedly, Jew Town is among the best places to visit in Kochi, if you love heritage market places. When I set foot inside the market that evening, I actually felt like I was in medieval times and exploring a Jewish marketplace. Its old world charm and the general buzz captivated my imagination.
Paradesi Synagogue:
Built in 1568, Paradesi Synagogue (or, Cochin Jewesh Synagogue, or Mattancherry Synagogue) is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth nations. ‘Paradesi‘ literally means ‘foreigners’. Hence it signifies a pluralistic culture and tolerance exhibited by the local populace.
The interiors of the synagogue feature artefacts representing four cultural heritages- hand-painted Chinese tiles, Belgian glass chandeliers, imperial oriental rug (from Ethiopia) and gold-adorned torah scrolls (gifted by local royals).
If you are planning to visit the synagogue, please note that it remains closed on Saturdays. On other days, it opens between 10 AM and 3 PM (till 2 PM on Friday).
Mattancherry Palace:
In order to appease the local king- Veera Kerala Verma, the Portuguese built this palace in 1555 as a gift. More than a century afterwards, when the Dutch took over the reigns, they renovated and expanded the palace significantly in 1663. So, this is among the oldest remaining monuments of the colonial era.
In the Mattancherry Palace complex now, you will find four major buildings- the Main Palace (Naalukettu), Pazhayannur Bhagavathi Temple, Shiva Temple and Krishna Temple. The Main Palace is a two-tiered building with a coronation hall, bed chamber, dining and assembly halls. Unlike the neighbouring Jew Town, Mattancherry Palace primarily followed an indigenous quadrangular layout of Kerala.
By the time we reached there in the evening, they had already closed the entry for museum. Nonetheless, we explored the campus and loved its ancient Keralite architecture with red tiles.
3. Ernakulam Area and Natural Beauty Hotspots
Though people use Kochi and Ernakulam interchangeably, Ernakulam- a commercial hub, is actually a part of larger Kochi city. This sleepy neighbourhood sprung into action during the British period. However, it was much later, after India’s independence, Ernakulam started growing explosively. Hence, the buildings and infrastructure look newer and modern in this part of the city. After exploring the best places in old Kochi, one should move to explore some of the best places in new Kochi.
St. George’s Syro- Malabar Forane Church:
At first glance, the St. George’s Syro- Malabar Forane Church looks new. And indeed, the building is new- came up in 2015. However, its history goes back to the late 6th century when Syrian Christians came here first. They built the original structure in 593 AD on a land they received as a gift from King Elangalloor Swaroopam.
Today, three generations of church structures stand side by side in the complex. The new structure looks majestic infusing Kerala and European architecture seamlessly. With over 5 million visitors annually, it’s surely among the best places to visit in new Kochi- Ernakulam.
Marine Drive Promenade:
After witnessing the cultural heritage and ancient and medieval-era monuments, if you are looking for some modern cityscapes, it’s time to head to the Marine Drive Promenade. This long walkway (< 2 kms) with lush green trees on one side and the sea on the other, is a great place to relax with gentle cool breeze flowing in the evening. For the first timers, here’s how to get the best out of your time:
- Start from the south end; first visit the nearby Subhash Bose Park. To have the best experience, plan for 2-3 hours from late afternoon to early evening.
- Next, take to the green promenade, visit Naval Martyrs’ Memorial and the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge.
- When it’s time for the sunset, board a boat from the jetty for a sunset cruise.
- After coming back from the cruise, head to the Rainbow Bridge.
Kumbalangi Tourism Village:
On the other side of Ernakulam, about 15 kms away, Kumbalangi is India’s first eco-tourism village. With mangrove forests, coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets dotting the backwaters, Kumbalangi is Kerala in a nutshell. Among the quintessential things to do at the island village are handling a Chinese fishing net, coir yarn spinning, coconut leave weaving, crab farming and savouring authentic Kerala cuisine.
For a perfect end to the day, head to Kumbalangi view point for a gorgeous sunset. If you are there during summer season, you can experience the magical bioluminescence (kavaru)- a natural phenomenon of backwaters glowing neon blue due to natural sea sparkle. From Kumbalangi Kavaru Spot, locals offer an night time boating/ kayaking for Rs. 50- Rs. 700. For slow travellers, Kumbalangi is definitely among the best places to visit in Kochi.
If one can spare a day, I would highly recommend taking a day trip to the island village. One can book full-day or half-day trips for Kumbalangi Village at: Kumbalangi Village Tours.
Cherai Beach:
About 20 kms from Ernakulam, on north side of Vypin island, there’s this long narrow stretch of pristine beach called Cherai Beach. What makes the beach so special is its unique feature of offering dual pleasure of Kochi backwaters on one side and Arabian Sea on the other. To have the best scenic views, head to Cherai River view point for a beautiful sunset with Chinese fishing nets.
Since the water is shallow and current is gentle, it’s popular among visitors for swimming and sunbathing. Besides, water sports like kayaking, bumper rides and windsurfing are also popular at the beach. Walking over to the nearby Kuzhipilly Beach, one can experience walking over the waves at the 100- meter T-shaped Floating Bridge. If you are a beach lover, Cherai should feature among your best places to visit in Kochi.
Kochi: Best offbeat places to explore
Once you are done with the best places to visit in Kochi, and still have some time, here are a few interesting offbeat places to explore. Moreover, away from the hustle and bustle of the touristy sites, these places offer one some much-needed tranquility.
- Kadamakuddy Islands: Leave the city precincts (~ 20 kms away) to visit Kadamkuddy island villages and enjoy serene rural landscape.
- Pizhala and Moolampilly Islands: In the same direction as above, these island villages are popular for clay pottery, paddy fields, Portuguese heritage and peaceful cycling experience.
- kochareekkal Caves: At an hour’s drive from the city, one can visit this ancient natural caves system with sprawling roots of massive trees.
- Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary: If you are a bird lover, right in the middle of Ernakulam, one can have a nice bird- watching experience.
- Puthenthodu Beach: Best for a secluded crowd-free serene beach, south of Fort Kochi.
- David Hall: A Dutch bungalow that holds poetry events, art exhibitions and houses a lovely garden cafe.
- Kerala Folklore Museum: A beautiful building made of salvaged timber from old temples and heritage houses, the museum houses a large number of artefacts like masks, palm-leaf manuscripts, etc.
Kochi: Travel Tips/ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best time to visit Kochi:
- For exploring Kochi in pleasant weather, autumn- winter- spring seasons (Oct- Mar) are best time to visit. Besides, the popular Cochin Carnival happen in Dec- Jan too. In fact, it’s among my list of best winter destinations in India.
- Since Kochi has a typical tropical weather, summer season (Apr- Jun) is too hot and humid for a trip.
- During the wet monsoon season (Jul- Sep) also, Kochi feels good. The city becomes green and average temperature gets down to 20s and early 30s (degree C). Plus, Kerala’s most popular festival- Onam is celebrated during August. Coincidentally, both of my trips happened in the monsoon season, and I must say, I loved the experience.
How to reach Kochi:
- Flight: Cochin International Airport is well connected with major Indian cities.
- Train: Most major cities in India have trains connecting Kochi.
- Road: Plus, one can take a bus from major cities of Kerala, if one is already in the state.
How to explore the best places in Kochi:
In order to explore the best places in Kochi, one needs at least three days- one day each for Fort Kochi, Jew Town and Ernakulam. Yes, one can do it in two days, but it will be hectic. However, I would suggest having 4-5 days on hand so as to explore the nearby places and islands as mentioned above.
Where to stay in Kochi (Budget Hotels):
- Fort Kochi and Mattancherry area: The Hosteller Fort Kochi ||| Napier Heritage Fort Kochi ||| Hotel Fort Queen ||| Hotel Raintree Lodge.
- Central Kochi area: Coral reef hotel ||| Gokulam Park Kochi ||| Millennium Continental ||| The Mercy Luxury Business Hotel ||| Hotel Prayana.
- Kakkanad, Edapally and airport area: Hotel Hill View ||| Aryaas Regent ||| Hotel Park Residency ||| Diana Heights.
How to get around in Kochi:
Kochi has an interesting cityscape consisting of various islands and a mainland city side. So, one has to switch between waterways and roadways. Hence, local conveyance can be a little tricky. Here are a few methods to choose from:
- For waterways: Kochi Water Metro and public ferries.
- For mainland Ernakulam: Metro railway, auto- rickshaws, public buses and app-based taxis.
- For old Kochi area: Auto- rickshaws, rented bikes and walking around.
Where/ What to eat in Kochi:
- For Traditional Kerala Food: Kerala Café, Fort Kochi ||| Brindhavan Restaurant, Palarivattam ||| Gokul Oottupura Vegetarian, Edappally ||| Cheenavala Restaurant Edappally.
Cafes for Modern Food: Kashi Art Café, Fort Kochi ||| French Toast, Kacheripady ||| Pandhal Café & Deli, Fort Kochi ||| Cafficana, Panampilly Nagar ||| Fress Trees Garden & Café, Edappally ||| Tonico Café, Kakkanad.
Final Thoughts
In my view, Kochi is a great city for slow travel. Generally, cities are not places I would love to stay long for travel purposes. However, Kochi is pleasantly different. Its Arabian coastline, lovely beaches, heritage market places and a thriving cosmopolitan culture appeals to my heart. Moreover, since good friends live there, I always feel like going back to this jewel of the Malabar coast. But only for a full-time job!
If you are visiting Kochi, I would suggest look to trace its medieval heritage and enjoy gorgeous sunsets by the seaside. For more travel tips on Kochi, do reach out to us.
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