About City
Surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea, Kochi, or Cochin is referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea and is one of the largest spice trading centers of India. Be it summer or winter, Kerala is one of the top holiday destinations in India. Kochi tour packages give one a chance to explore and delve into this popular tourist destination. From sightseeing to lip-smacking food, from shopping to nightlife, one can have momentous experiences in this city.
Best Places To Visit In Kochi :-
1. Mattancherry Palace
Mattancherry Palace was made by Portuguese rulers popularly known as a Dutch palace and now it has been converted into a museum. The artefacts and paintings inside the palace tell us about the Kochi kings and the history of Kochi rulers. There is also a big courtyard and a temple inside the Mattancherry Palace.
What’s Special: Artefacts and Embellishments of Kings
Nearby Attractions: Ernakulam Cemetery Church, St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Ramakrishna Math
Entry Fees: Adults: INR 2 ; Children (Upto 15 years): Free
Timings: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm (Closed on Fridays)
Built By: Portuguese
Built In: 1555
Houses: Paintings, Artefacts, Exhibits
Distance From City Center: 3 kms
2. Chinese Fishing Nets
Chinese Fishing Nets is a phenomenal sight to watch in Kochi when the huge nets with mesmerizing sunset view in the backdrop look heavenly beautiful. You will see a lot of fishermen catching fish through these giant fishing nets. It is a great place for fine photography.
What’s Special: Sunset views
Nearby Attractions: Vasco da Gama Square, Mattancherry Palace, Fort Kochi Beach
Entry Fees: Free
Timings: 24 Hours
Distance From Airport: 36.3 kms
Transportation Options: Tuk-tuk, Taxi
3. Willingdon Island
Willingdon Island serves as the base of the Koci navy. It also serves as the commercial port link between various national and international ports. This is a man-made island which looks stunning and the sunset views from the island is something worth-noticing.
What’s Special: Natural beauty, Lavish hotels
Nearby Attractions: St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace, Indo-Portuguese Museum, Hill Palace Museum, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
Entry Fees: Free
Timings: 05:00 am to 10:00 pm
Built By: Sir Robert Bristow
Built In: 1936
Houses: Cruises, Hotels Commercial and Industrial buildings
Distance From Airport: 40 kms
Transportation Options: Ferry
4. Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters
Lying parallel to Malabar coast, the Varapuzha Lake is known for its brackish lagoons and mesmerizing sunset views. The backwater ride can be enjoyed on the calm and serene waters of Varapuzha Lake.
What’s Special: Lagoons, Backwaters
Nearby Attractions: Kuzhupilly Beach, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Vasco da Gama Square, Hill Palace Museum
Entry Fees: Free
Timings: 24 Hours
Distance From Airport: 29.7 kms
Transportation Options: Cab, Rickshaw
5. Bolgatty Palace
Bolgatty Palace is one of the oldest surviving Dutch palaces in India. The architecture of the palace is a mix of Kochi style of architecture and also the Dutch. The palace has served as the Governor's palace before and now it has been converted into a luxury hotel. The palace is also surrounded by gardens and has been divided into three major parts.
What’s Special: Lavish rooms
Nearby Attractions: Vallarpadam Church, Infant Jesus Church, St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica
Entry Fees: Depends on the rooms booked
Timings: 24 Hours
Built By: Dutch Traders
Built In: 1744
Houses: Gardens, Lavish rooms
Distance From City Center: 2 kms
Transportation Options: Cab, Tuk-tuk
Top Attraction & Places to visit:-
1. Lulu Mall
Lulu Mall is the largest mall in India regarding total retail space of 1.7 million square feet. Situated in Edapally, Kochi, the mall sprawls over an extensive area of 17 acres with 215 outlets of restaurants, multiplex, food courts, entertainment zones, bowling alley, money exchange centres, arcade games and 5D cinema.
2. Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is a seaside town in the south-western part of Main Kochi, which is known for its historical fortifications and ruins of old palatial buildings from the Portuguese or Dutch colonial era.
3. Kerala Kathakali Centre
This centre at Fort Cochin has seen many a dance performances! The amount of effort put in by the dancers is commendable.
4. Cherai Beach
Located on the north end of the Vypeen Island, the Cherai Beach offers a beautiful sunset point. The beach is also popular for its golden sand, palm trees and wide expanse of blue water.
5. Jewish Synagogue
Amongst the 7 synagogues located in his area, this Jewish synagogue is the only one which is in operation today. It was built in 1568 and is also called the Cochin Jewish Synagogue or Mattencherry Synagogue. Cameras and handbags are not allowed inside.
6. Wonderla Amusement Park
An amusement park filled with breathtaking charm, Wonderla has everything one can need to celebrate with vivacity. With over 50 exhilarating rides, the theme park has all the facilities to provide for an exciting experience for every visitor irrespective of their age and gender. It offers the thrill of both land-based and water-based rides.
7. Hill Palace
Located near Tripunithura, this is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. It was built in the year 1865 and today houses an archaeological museum, heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children's park.
8. Marine Drive, Kochi
The Marine drive in Kochi is one of the best places to spend time in the city and provides an amazing view of the sea. It is a picturesque promenade and is built facing the backwaters. It is a popular hangout place for the local people.
9. Folklore Museum
This is a one of a kind Museum which portrays a variety of gallery art, sales, live dance forms which vary from ritualistic to martial arts, and souvenirs.
10. Santa Cruz Basilica
Constructed in the year 1505, this Catholic Church located in Fort Kochi is famous for its Gothic style of architecture and Portuguese interiors.
11. Kashi Art Cafe
Kashi Art Cafe is one of the most beautiful cafe in Kochi catering to foodies and art lovers alike. Popular for its very delicious breakfast, the place also runs a side art gallery exhibiting works of a single artist for a single month. Very famous among the foreign tourists, the place boasts of perfect non-vegetarian food and perfect vibes. Visiting here is one of the topmost things to do in Kochi.
12. Rainbow Hanging Bridge
One of the most popular attractions in Kochi, Kerala, the Rainbow Hanging Bridge in Ernakulam is connected to the Marine Drive. This arched bridge overlooks the expansive sea and is known for being an excellent place for taking a morning or evening walk since it has a pedestrian promenade.
13. Vasco da Gama Square
Many stalls serving various edibles such as coconuts, nuts, sea-food, ice-creams and local fares scatter the narrow esplanade along the Kochi beach which is the Vasco da Gama Square. One can even watch local fisherman fishing along the shoreline.
14. Antique Museum
A branch of the Fine Art Emporium of Kochi, the Antique Museum Kochi is situated in Mattancherry’s Jew Town. It is maintained by the government and is ideal for people who are interested in antiques as the museum is home to over 1,000 valuable items that date back centuries.
15. Subhash Park
Popularly known as Subhash Park, the Subhash Chandra Bose Park is situated along Marine Drive in Kochi, Kerala. The park, which overlooks the serene backwaters of Vembanad Lake and Kochi Harbour on one side and a bunch of trees on the other, is an excellent place for people to come and relax.
16. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Located in Kochi city-centre, this bird sanctuary is home to a shallow lake surrounded by thick mangrove vegetation that draws a variety of migratory and resident birds every year.
17. Jew Town
Jew Town is one of the oldest parts of the region. It was here that the Jews first settled in India in around 700 BC. This part is famous for its architecturally solid synagogues that continue to stand till today.
18. M G Road
MG Road is a perfect place for shopaholics. The shopping centre of the city throbs with stores containing an assortment of handicrafts made from coir, wood, shells, brass, ivory and sandalwood, edibles and spices, clothes and jewelries.
19. Indian Naval Museum
Located on the INS Dronacharya premises in the Ernakulam district of Kochi, Kerala, the Indian Naval Maritime Museum is an ode to the Indian Navy’s maritime past. The museum sheds light on the country’s maritime heritage, depicts international trade links, pays tribute to major maritime figures and also focuses on the settlement of the Europeans in India.
20. St Francis Church
St. Francis Church in Kochi, which finely exhibits Portuguese architecture, is believed to be one of a kind amongst all the European churches which were constructed in India. It was constructed in the 15th century by the Portuguese traders. Vasco-da-Gama, the famous explorer, was buried in this church when he died in 1524, on his third visit to India. His remains were moved to Lisbon after fourteen years but his gravestone is still present in the church.
21. Princess Street
Princess Street is famous for its quaint old world charm and bizarreness of European homes built in the Dutch, British, French, and Portuguese style. Most of these homes allow visitors to see the interiors as well.
22. Kalady
Kalady is a census town located east of the Periyar river, in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. It is the birthplace of Sri Adi Shankara, and a popular destination for pilgrims. There are two major shrines located in Kalady, dedicated to the memory of Adi Sankaracharya.
23. Greenix Village
Situated 8 km off Ernakulam is the Greenix village where various art forms of Kerala are practiced and developed. Every evening witnesses a mixed performance of Kathakali- the dance drama form of Kerala, Kalaripayattu- an aesthetic martial art form, audio-visual history at the in-house museum and Indian classical music in this cultural centre.
24. Parikshith Thampuran Museum
Architecturally a Kerala style mansion, the Parikshith Thampuran Museum is located inside the Durbar Hall. The museum features old coins, sculptures, oil paintings, Mughal paintings and Royal artifacts belonging to the 19th century.
25. Pierce Leslie Bungalow
Pierce Leslie Bungalow is a colonial mansion established as offices of Pierce Leslie and Co. Established in the year 1862; the coffee merchants drew inspiration from Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
26. Thirikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple
Containing lithic records of historical significance, Thirikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple hosts the spectacular secular Onam feast every year in the Malayalee month of Chingam which falls typically between August and September.
27. Santhanagopala-Krishnaswamy Temple
Santhanagopala-Krishnaswamy Temple is an ancient temple with the inscriptions found here that dates the founding of the temple to 947 AD. Thus this beautiful temple is regarded as one of the oldest temples found in all India.
28. Bishop's House
This Indo-Portuguese museum built in the year 1506 houses a collection of valuable artifacts from various churches under the Cochin diocese. The building was once the residence of the Portuguese Governor.
29. Areekkal Waterfalls
Areekkal Waterfalls is situated in Kochi and is one of the very few falls situated in the region. Boasting of immaculate surroundings, verdant green woods and a picturesque setting, the silvery cascading water atop rocky cliffs is a visual delight and a popular tourist spot of the city.
30. Vallarpadam
Quietly nestled in the middle of the Vembanad Lake in Kochi, Vallarpadam is one part of the group of islands in the state of Kerala- the one one being Willington Island. Vallarpadam is hustled near the Port of Kochi, the island only has a meagre population of around 10000 people. Considered to be one of the most picturesque and scenic places in the region, the town is mostly famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, known as the Vallarpadam Church.
31. Fort Kochi Beach
Situated along Fort Kochi in Kochi, Kerala, Fort Kochi Beach is a tranquil beach adjoining the Arabian Sea. Lined with a beautiful sidewalk, the beach also has a fort to boast of which is also a major tourist attraction of the spot. People usually visit it for routinely morning and evening walks or just to spend some quality time in solitude.
Best Places To Eat In Cochin:-
Mosaic
Mosaic offers a wide range of traditional and continental food along with some additions of pan Indian cuisine as well. The culinary journey with Cochin tourism couldn’t start better than with a restaurant that encapsulates the various tastes of Kerala along with a delicious local twist. Get to witness gourmet food, traditional dishes and specialities with a local twist at Mosaic. You won’t regret adding this restaurant in places to try out In Cochin.
The Drawing Room
The Drawing Room is a unique and open seated restaurant that offers cuisines ranging from seafood to Mediterranean food. The restaurant offers an exciting view of the sea, and the cosy environment of the garden setting makes it all the more interesting to visit. The food has received amazing reviews and is highly recommended. Enjoy a plethora of options among seafood favourites and indulge yourself in an exotic atmosphere like no other at the Drawing Room.
Kochi Kitchen
Kochi Kitchen is yet another star-studded restaurant that offers a wide variety of cuisines at relatively affordable prices. The vibrant and stylish ambience coupled with some very delicious Italian, Asian, North-Indian and other various cuisines make for a very pleasant dining experience. Make sure you add this restaurant to your itinerary if you choose Cochin tourism.
Malabar Cafe
Fine dining couldn’t get better than at Malabar Café. This chic addition to Cochin tourism flaunts a brilliant assortment of dishes that are handmade and modular. The dishes can range from a buffet styled menu to an a-la carte-based menu. The overall experience can be rated among the topmost ones in Cochin and one you should definitely try out.
Not only do Kochi tour packages provide one with the best deals and reasonable accommodation, but can also be customized according to one’s need. Get the best out of your tour, explore the city, go crazy shopping, satisfy your taste buds with scrumptious food, take a walk to the museums, and soothe your eyes with beautiful paintings in the forts and churches on your Kochi trip. Fort Kochi area, known as the Old Kochi, is a major tourist attraction with popular landmarks such as Indo Portuguese Museum, Dutch Cemetery, St Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets, Jewish Synagogue, and more. Kochi has a lot more to explore than just the scenic mountains and landscapes as it has a rich history of trade with the Europeans which you would definitely love to know. Our Kochi trip packages take you to some of the most important places of trade during the last two centuries which will fascinate you with facts and the medieval Portuguese architecture.
Best time to visit Kochi:-
The ideal or the best season to plan a trip to Kochi is June to September when the weather is mild and pleasant. Monsoon-lovers can grab an amazing Kochi tour package in the month of October to December. Friends, families, honeymooners and adventure seekers plan their Kochi vacation throughout the year to the Queen City with different packages. The tour package to Kochi also gives a detailed description of the Kochi itinerary that gives an insight to the holiday planners about their schedule to Kochi.
There is no dearth of enjoyable places to visit in Kochi. Holidaymakers get to visit the most renowned Kochi tourist attractions with these packages. One can witness the man-made Islands of Willington, the Santa Cruz Church which is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Kochi, the islands of Bolgatty for an enriching science trip for kids, and the thrilling and venturesome Wonderla Amusement Park. Moreover, the backwaters of Alleppey and the tea plantations of Munnar lie only a few hours away from Kochi. Our Kochi holiday packages are customisable so that you can choose the attractions that you want to explore and learn more about.
