Kochi (Cochin)

A vibrant city with many faces, Kochi truly reflects the essence of Kerala. Invaded by Portuguese, fortified by Dutch and finally colonized by the British, Kochi is a vibrant mish-mash of architecture, cultures, and traditions. It’s crumbling Portuguese edifices, beautiful Dutch Palace, colonial churches, Jewish Synagogues and age-old Chinese nets; all merge with the rich Malabar culture to define the spirit of this eclectic city. Blessed with verdant landscapes, delightful beaches and picturesque backwaters, Kochi is truly a vacationers’ paradise. Explore, discover, eat, and laze to experience the best of this coastal town.

Major Attractions in Kochi

Fort Kochi
This area was gifted by the Kochi royals to the Portuguese and was later taken over by the Dutch. Its narrow lanes are home to heritage buildings converted into quaint hotels and cafes. The laid back vibe of Fort Kochi is sure to transport you back in history.

St. Francis’ Church, Fort Kochi
This Portuguese Church, built in 1503 is believed to be the oldest European-built Church in India. The world famous explorer Vasco de Gama died in Kochi and was buried in this Church. Later his remains were transferred to Lisbon.

Vypeen Island Zone
This group of islands, floating in the blue sea with Fort Kochi in its backdrop, is simply ethereal. Take a boat to this island zone and revel in the beauty of Kochi.

Mattancherry Palace / Dutch Palace
This Palace was gifted to the King of Kochi by the Portuguese in 1555 AD and was later taken over by the Dutch. Its architecture is an amalgamation of Kerala & Dutch styles but the interiors are covered with murals and frescos from Indian mythology. It houses and displays royal attire, arms & armaments.

Pardesi Synagogue
Built originally in 1568 and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1664; this elegant building with elaborate Cantonese hand painted tiles, ornate wooden benches, exquisite Belgian chandeliers and a graceful clock tower; is a glorious heritage of Kochi.

Chinese Fishing Nets
A distinctive feature of Kochi, you can see these huge Chinese fishing nets on the Fort Kochi Beach. These nets are fixed to land and are lifted using shore based mechanics. It’s totally awesome to see this big net filled with fish being lifted out of the water.

Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum
This fascinating museum offers a walk through the rich history, culture and traditions of Kerala. Along with showcasing a range of artifacts from masks & sculptures to traditional costumes & jewelry and musical instruments & rare manuscripts; the theatre features evening performances depicting the glorious history and heritage of Kerala.

Ayurveda Treatment
Kochi is renowned for its Ayurvedic massages and detoxification treatments. Its many luxury Ayurveda resorts offer both short term and detailed therapies for various ailments and rejuvenation of both body and mind.

Other Attractions

• Eco Tourist Villages of Kumbalangi and Mastyafed
• Museum of Kerala History
• Roman Catholic Basilica of Santa Cruz
• Cochin Cultural Centre
• Indian Naval Maritime Museum
• Cherai Beach

Fairs and Festivals of Kochi

• Onam- Welcoming Raja Mahabali, Snake Boat Race
• Indira Gandhi Boat Race
• Vishu- Kerala New Year
• Kochi Carniva
• Christmas

Shopping in Kochi
Wooden carved miniatures of snake boats, spice boxes, wooden temples & wall hangings, spices, banana chips, coconut & coir products, and aromatic oils are some of the collectibles from this vibrant city of Kerala.

Food in Kochi
Kochi is the best place to sample Kerala cuisine. Puttu & Kadala curry, Appam (hoppers) & Stew, Idiyappams (string hoppers), Chicken fry, Prawn Curry, Beef Fry and Malabar Parota are some of the must-try delicacies of Kochi.

Best Time to Visit
Kochi gets quite hot and sweaty in summers. Though winters months from September to March constitute the tourist season, Kochi’s lush beauty is at its peak from June to August when the monsoons visit Kerala.

How to Reach
By Air- Cochin International Airport connects the city with all major international cities.
By Rail- The two major railheads, Ernakulam Town Station and Ernakulam Junction Station, connect Kochi to all major cities in the country.
By Road- Kochi is easily accessible from the rest of the country by a well maintained network of roads & highways.

Travel with us to this beautiful destination in Kerala that is a storehouse of heritage, culture and cuisine. Our Houseboat Tour Packages and Ayurveda and Spa Tour Packages are designed to offer you a delightful Kochi experience.