Kochi can provide you a variety of experiencess where everything is. You can understand all your interests and you may get a rental car to take advantage of it before going out of Kochi, saving both time and effort. The dynamic city united with the rich heritage and friendly people is a destination for anyone looking for a real holiday in Kerala. Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India’s coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.
Popularly known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, the city also flaunts one of the finest natural harbours of the world and was the centre of the world spice trade for many centuries. Old Kochi (presently called West Kochi), loosely refers to a group of islands which comprise Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry etc.
HOW TO REACH KOCHI
Kochi serves as a gateway to major destinations in Kerala like Munnar and Eravikulam national park. It has an international airport and is well-connected with most major cities of India and the world. Here is how to reach Kochi.
BY AIR
Cochin International Airport (CIAL), situated about 25 km north of Kochi city at Nedumbassery, handles both domestic and international flights. One can fly to Singapore, Middle East and Malaysia and to most major Indian cities. Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Kingfisher operate daily flights.
BY TRAIN
Kochi has two major railway stations – Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction (locally known as the North and South railway stations respectively). However, reservation facilities are available only at the Ernakulam Junction (Mon-Sat 8 AM-8 PM, Sun 8 AM-2 PM ).
BY ROAD
Kochi is well connected to neighboring cities and states. The NH47 (Salem-Kanyakumari) passes through Kochi. The NH17 connects the city to Mumbai, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Chennai and Goa.
Best Time to Visit Kochi:
1 Winter (October to February):
Kochi showcases an alluring ambience during the winters. With the mercury level going down, the city becomes livelier and offers great options to its visitors. Winters in Kochi proves to be an ideal time for the honeymooners, adventure junkies, leisure seekers, and other classes of travellers.
2 Summer (March to June):
Temperature in Kochi starts rising with the onset of the summers! However, owing to its location along the shorelines of the Arabian Sea, the city does not experience harsh summers. Though not a perfect time to visit this port city; summers can still be a good choice as tourism slows down a bit within and around the city during the summers.
3 Monsoon (July to September):
Visiting Kochi during the monsoons has its own charm and appeal! It is during this period of the year that the entire port city gets blanketed by Mother Nature’s green colour and showcases an entirely different facet of Kochi!
Things to do in Kochi:
1 Sightseeing:
Kochi is one of the most beautiful cities in Kerala. Decked with historical landmarks, alluring shorelines, religious spots, and much more, it definitely makes it for an ideal sightseeing destination in God’s Own Country.
2 Cultural Tours:
This charming port city is also a wonderful destination to witness and enjoy the colourful cultures and traditions in Kerala. Visitors to Kochi can revel in regular Kathakali dance performances along with several other shows while manoeuvring around the city.
3 Enjoy Backwater Homestay:
For those visitors who want to delve deep into the history and hospitality of Kochi, they must go for backwater homestays! Located on the outer fringes of the city limits; mostly in and around Alappuzha, these homestays are the doorways to Kerala’s rustic cultures and traditions.
4 Visit Chinese Fishing Nets:
Mostly located towards the northern side of Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets have become synonymous to the enchanting beauty of Kochi’s shorelines. On a visit to this promising port-city, visitors must visit these traditional fishing nets to have a glimpse of Kerala’s golden past.
Where to Stay?
Be it about the stay options or eateries, Kochi is jotted with numerous options. Starting from budget-friendly hotels to ultra-luxurious options, visitors can find all the options while on a Kerala trip to Kochi.
From beaches to backwaters, from spice estates to tea plantations, from Kathakali performances to authentic Kerala cuisines, there are so many things to do and see in Kochi. You can plan a vacation for seven days, and you will not be bored for a moment at this place. So, let’s see some of the places to visit in Kochi and nearby.
19 Best Places to visit in Kochi
- Mattancherry Palace
- Paradesi Synagogue
- Hill Palace
- Folklore Museum
- Indo-Portuguese Museum
- Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
- Cherai Beach
- Veeranpuzha Beach
- Kodanad Elephant Training Center
- Fort Kochi Beach
- Kathakali Center
- Malayattoor
- MG Road
- Kumarakom
- Athirapally Waterfalls
- Santa Cruz Basilica
- Bolghatty Palace
- Vasco House
- Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
1. Mattancherry Palace
Mattancherry Palace was formerly known a Dutch Palais as the Portuguese Palace one of the 10 best locations to see in Kochi. It was built around 1557. The building consists of a typical home in Kerala with four different wings in the middle and a patio. The Raja of Kochi was presented by the Portuguese to this historical castle! The Palace is built in the usual Portuguese and Malabar design and is a treasure trove for visitors visiting Kochi with antique walls and paintings.
Mattancherry Palace Kochi 
Mattancherry Palace Kochi
Opening hours:
Morning: 10.00 am – 1 pm
Evening: 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm.
Remains closed on every Friday.
2. Paradesi Synagogue
This castle was completed in 1568, also known as the Jewish Synagogue. The palace is a well-known monument in Kochi, erected for the Jewish community Cochin or the Jehudan people Malabar.
Opening hours:
Morning: 10.00 am – 12.00
Evening: 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm.
3. Hill Palace
Basically, it is one of Kochi’s best destinations to visit, displaying many archaeological artefacts and colonial objects in the Kochi Maharaja. This tourist attraction is filled with the luxuriant green grounds around the museum. This is a fantastic spot for amateurs of history, built in 1865. Hill was previously Kochi’s royal residence, a palace of the nineteenth century. The museum presently has a number of objects from the past, while the tourists will learn of Kochi’s great history by visiting Hill Palace.
Opening hours:
Morning: 9.00 am – 12.00
Evening: 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm.
The palace remains closed on every Monday.
4. Folklore Museum
The Theater & Museum of Kerala Folklore is one of the most popular sites for visitors. Here you may discover some Kerala folk-tribal artefacts. The Malabar architectural influence was constructed in the year 2009.
Opening hours:
Sun – Sat: 9.30 am – 7 pm
5. Indo-Portuguese Museum
This museum is a beautiful mixture of Indian and Portuguese culture and architecture. One of the great locations to visit in the vicinity of Fort Kochi is separated into five wings, showing treasure, the altar of the furnishing, cathedral, the procession.
Opening hours:
Tue – Sun: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Monday : Closed
6. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
This museum is a fascinating combination of the culture and architecture of India and Portugal. The area around Fort Kochi is divided into five wings, exhibiting wealth, the furnished altar, the cathedrale and the procession, one of the finest places to visit.
Opening hours:
Sun – Sat: 9 am – 6 pm
7. Cherai Beach
The quiet beach of Cherai is one of the quiet destinations for couples in Kochi. A short walk from the town, you may relax by the sea or taste some local delights on the beach shacks in unforgettable time together with your sweetheart.
Opening hours: 24*7
8. Veeranpuzha Beach
You should travel to the beach at Veeranpuzha if you wish to see a classic Malabar coast. This is another one of the greatest spots for couples to visit in Kochi, so they can have perfect peace; therefore, they can spend time without anybody or anything.
Opening hours: 24*7
9. Kodanad Elephant Training Center
It is one among the attractions to see in one day in Kochi, where elephants are bathed and taught early in the morning. If you like, you may try it as well and experience it kindly.
Opening hours:
Sun – Sat: 8 am – 5 pm
10. Fort Kochi Beach
This beach is one of the spots to visit in Fort Kohi and Mattancherry if you want to spend some time in nature. A stroll along the beach is possible, savouring the quiet environment. Fort Kochi is formerly a spice dealer’s hub, and one of the most magnificent spots in Cochin from many parts of the world. Walking in this region with prismatism and vistas of Chinese fishing networks, steeped in history or more vividly reminiscent of the past is a must for tourists.
Opening hours: 24*7
11. Kathakali Center
The centre is open at approximately 9.30 pm and is opened early in the morning. Therefore, at any point of the day you may visit this site to see Kathakali, the ancient dances which came from Kerala.
Opening hours:
Sun – Sat: 6:30 am to 9 pm
12. Malayattoor
One of the sites to visit in Kochi, Kerala, is where lands, rivers and mountains converge. The St. Thomas Church on the Malayattoor mountain is a famous tourist destination all year round. Bear testimony, don’t forget, within a church, to Saint Thomas’ living statue.
Opening hours:
Mon – Sat – 6.00 am – 5.15 pm;
Sundays – 6.00 am -7.30 am
13. MG Road
MG Road, is a term you’re going to discover in several places, but the Kochi MG Road, you may go shopping here, has a particular charm. Many stores have varied souvenirs, wardrobes, accessories, spices, artisanal products, etc. There are.
Opening hours:
Sun – Sat: 11.00am to 9.00pm
14. Kumarakom
Kumarakom is located on Lake Vembanad in the state 56 kilometres from Kochi with a number of tiny islands. For backwaters, this site is more known. This place cannot thus be missed on the list.
15. Athirapally Waterfalls
Situated 73 kilometres from Kochi, this waterfall and multiple parallel streams fall from a height of 80 feet. It offers a fascinating look.
16. Santa Cruz Basilica
The site was erected by the Portuguese and dates from 1505. Although the British colonists eventually demolished it, it was reconstructed later in 1905.
17. Bolghatty Palace
This ancient palace, which was originally a royal retreat, is located on Island Bolghatty. It has currently been transformed into a historic hotel which can only be reached by ships.
18. Vasco House
The vasco house on the rose street of the port city is such a vivid illustration! Kochi is the melting point of history and culture. Believes to be Vasco da Gama’s dwelling, it is one of the oldest homes of history in India.
19. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is an indigenous house for a wide range of avifauna and a prominent attraction for the lovers of nature visiting Kochi. Situated right in the middle of the town, this is a beautiful day-out and the bird watching heaven.