Kochi travel guide
Kochi Tourism | Kochi Guide
You're Going to Love Kochi
With its iconic Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, European colonial architecture, South Indian-flavored cuisine, and diverse population, Kochi is one of the most multicultural cities in India. Because of its historic position as a port city for trading merchants, Kochi has many interesting traditions and festivals on offer.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kochi
1. Religious Diversity
In Kochi, all worship is welcome and you'll find everything from sacred Catholic churches to well-designed Hindu temples and even a Jewish synagogue filled with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
2. Colonial Architecture
Fort Kochi and the Mattancherry Palace are just two displays of traditional design. Along with these marvels, check out the Hill Palace Museum, which, along with its architecture, is the largest archaeological museum in Kochi.
3. Incredible Food
Eat your way through the entire world in just this one city: here, you'll find Portuguese-inspired cuisine, as well as Arabic, Chinese, and Dutch food.
4. Beautiful Beaches
Cherai Beach and Fort Kochi beach are two of the most serene and beautiful spots for travelers to stretch out in the sun.
5. Colorful Festivals All Year
The south of India enjoys many festivals all year long like Diwali, Holi, and many regional celebrations featuring lots of outdoor theater performances and dancers.
What to do in Kochi
1. Chinese Fishing Nets: A Captivating Way to Capture Fish
Situated by the coast near Fort Cochin, these impressive fishing nets are an essential part of the local economy. You won't find Chinese fishermen tending these 10-meter-tall nets, which hang in the water via a cantilever system, capturing the abundant fish by Kochi's shoreline. Although they are decidedly low-tech, these nets are still productive, supplying plenty of enterprising street sellers and restaurants near the Fort -- so you can combine a history lesson with some superbly fresh seafood when you visit.
2. Kerala Folklore Museum: A Trip to the Heart of Keralan Culture
Located on the Therava peninsular, this remarkable museum is housed in a "temple of art" that was created by a local couple to show off southern Indian art, craftwork and music. With bronze and stone sculptures (some more than 2,000 years old), this is a folklore theater which stages traditional shows, musical instruments, sumptuous jewelry and colorful dance costumes from across Kerala. The building itself is also a highlight, showcasing Keralan wood carving and providing a great stage for its collection.
3. Mattancherry Palace: Relive the Ramayana in Splendid Surroundings
Built by the Portuguese colonial rulers in the 16th century as a gesture of friendship to their client, the King of Cochin, this palace is both an elegant testimony to the European nation's brief supremacy over Kerala, and a wonderful art gallery. Built around a quadrangular courtyard, it houses a gallery of portraits of Kochi's rulers since the mid 19th century as well as an incredible mural featuring most of the Ramayana: one of Hinduism's great historical epics.
4. St. Francis Church: The Oldest Christian Church in India
Christianity has been a force in Kochi for well over 1,000 years, and St Francis Church is India's oldest Christian place of worship. Built in 1503 (again by the globe-trotting Portuguese), it immediately gained a celebrity association by being the first resting place of the great explorer Vasco da Gama. Da Gama was returned to Lisbon in the 17th century, but the church remains and is unmissable. Sit and soak up the tranquility of the chancel, see the 18th century Dutch baptism book and imagine yourself back in one of the most prosperous trading ports of the Age of Exploration.
5. Paradesi Synagogue: A Synagogue Like No Other
Right next door to the Mattancherry Palace you'll find the Paradesi Synagogue, which has been open since 1567 (except for a brief period after the Portuguese knocked it down, before the Dutch allowed it to be rebuilt) and contains plenty of ancient Jewish artefacts. Once upon a time, there were as many as seven synagogues operating in Kochi -- a sign of how many Jews made the Keralan coast their home. Paradesi continues to serve the faithful and delight tourists, with its elegant interior that shows British, Keralan and Chinese influences.
1. Chinese Fishing Nets: A Captivating Way to Capture Fish
Situated by the coast near Fort Cochin, these impressive fishing nets are an essential part of the local economy. You won't find Chinese fishermen tending these 10-meter-tall nets, which hang in the water via a cantilever system, capturing the abundant fish by Kochi's shoreline. Although they are decidedly low-tech, these nets are still productive, supplying plenty of enterprising street sellers and restaurants near the Fort -- so you can combine a history lesson with some superbly fresh seafood when you visit.
2. Kerala Folklore Museum: A Trip to the Heart of Keralan Culture
Located on the Therava peninsular, this remarkable museum is housed in a "temple of art" that was created by a local couple to show off southern Indian art, craftwork and music. With bronze and stone sculptures (some more than 2,000 years old), this is a folklore theater which stages traditional shows, musical instruments, sumptuous jewelry and colorful dance costumes from across Kerala. The building itself is also a highlight, showcasing Keralan wood carving and providing a great stage for its collection.
3. Mattancherry Palace: Relive the Ramayana in Splendid Surroundings
Built by the Portuguese colonial rulers in the 16th century as a gesture of friendship to their client, the King of Cochin, this palace is both an elegant testimony to the European nation's brief supremacy over Kerala, and a wonderful art gallery. Built around a quadrangular courtyard, it houses a gallery of portraits of Kochi's rulers since the mid 19th century as well as an incredible mural featuring most of the Ramayana: one of Hinduism's great historical epics.
4. St. Francis Church: The Oldest Christian Church in India
Christianity has been a force in Kochi for well over 1,000 years, and St Francis Church is India's oldest Christian place of worship. Built in 1503 (again by the globe-trotting Portuguese), it immediately gained a celebrity association by being the first resting place of the great explorer Vasco da Gama. Da Gama was returned to Lisbon in the 17th century, but the church remains and is unmissable. Sit and soak up the tranquility of the chancel, see the 18th century Dutch baptism book and imagine yourself back in one of the most prosperous trading ports of the Age of Exploration.
5. Paradesi Synagogue: A Synagogue Like No Other
Right next door to the Mattancherry Palace you'll find the Paradesi Synagogue, which has been open since 1567 (except for a brief period after the Portuguese knocked it down, before the Dutch allowed it to be rebuilt) and contains plenty of ancient Jewish artefacts. Once upon a time, there were as many as seven synagogues operating in Kochi -- a sign of how many Jews made the Keralan coast their home. Paradesi continues to serve the faithful and delight tourists, with its elegant interior that shows British, Keralan and Chinese influences.
1. Chinese Fishing Nets: A Captivating Way to Capture Fish
Situated by the coast near Fort Cochin, these impressive fishing nets are an essential part of the local economy. You won't find Chinese fishermen tending these 10-meter-tall nets, which hang in the water via a cantilever system, capturing the abundant fish by Kochi's shoreline. Although they are decidedly low-tech, these nets are still productive, supplying plenty of enterprising street sellers and restaurants near the Fort -- so you can combine a history lesson with some superbly fresh seafood when you visit.
Where to Eat in Kochi
To grab a yummy bite, head to Indraprastha Gujarati Food Court for thalis that cost only ₹50.
When to visit Kochi
Kochi's tropical climate can see heavy monsoons throughout May to September and temperatures in the summer, from February to May, soaring to 95 degrees, which can feel hotter with the humidity. The winter months are cooler and pleasant.
How to Get to Kochi
Plane
Cochin International Airport (COK) is 18 miles from the city center. Use the orange KSRTC bus service for ₹70 or a taxi, which costs ₹510 for a standard taxi and ₹650 for an air-conditioned taxi.
Train
Trains get in to the Ernakulam Town Station and come from all over the country, including Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. Book in advance or risk paying ₹150 extra.
Car
Depending on where you're coming from, there are three major highways you can connect to. Use the NH 17 if you're coming from the north, the NH 47 or NH 29 if you're coming from the south.
Bus
The state-run KSRTC services Kochi with three services: Super Fast, Express, and Garuda Hi-Tech. Fares vary but a trip from Mumbai to Kochi, for example, costs ₹3,300.
Airlines serving Kochi
Where to stay in Kochi
Aluva - this is the second-largest district in Kochi, home to many beautiful local temples and the annual Sivarathri festival, celebrated on the banks of the Periyar River.
Popular Neighborhoods in Kochi
Ernakulam - if you're coming in the last week of December, you'll catch the famous Cochin Carnival in this neighborhood. You can also check out the beautiful Cherai Beach and Kerala Museum.
Willingdon Island - a true marvel, this "island" is completely man-made; here, you'll find the impressive Kochi Port and Southern Naval Command of the country's navy.
Where to stay in popular areas of Kochi
Most booked hotels in Kochi
How to Get Around Kochi
Public Transportation
Fares for standard city buses are ₹7.50 for the first mile and ₹1 for each mile after that.
Taxi
Taxis are easy to find. The fare is a flat rate of ₹50 for the first two miles, and then ₹15 per additional mile. Expect a 10 percent surcharge for air conditioning. Fares at night are 15-20 percent higher.
Car
If you're renting a car to get around Kochi, you can find a rental for ₹1,600 for 50 miles and ₹20.5 for each mile beyond the cap.
The Cost of Living in Kochi
Shopping Streets
Check out Broadway Market, where you can find clothing, electronics, food, and furniture. If you love malls, Lulu Mall is the largest in South India.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk is ₹38 and a dozen eggs costs ₹59.