Places to Visit in Kochi

Kochi popularly referred to as the “Queen of Arabian Sea” is a beautiful city located in the state of Kerala. This port city is known for its old-world charm. It was the hub of the spice trade with foreign powers such as British, Arabs, Chinese, etc for centuries. There are several places worth visiting when you are in Kochi such as Cherai Beach, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Kerala Folklore Museum, Ernakulathappan Temple, to name a few. The tranquility and harmony of Kochi draw tourists from far and wide, especially those who come here to learn about the rich colonial history and trading prowess of this wonderful city.

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Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi

This is one of the nine basilicas that are located in the state of Kerala. It showcases the finest example of architecture. The church is thronged by visitors all through the year, thus making it one of the biggest attractions for tourists that visit Kochi. The basilica has an imitation of ‘The Last Supper”, which truly looks remarkable. There are murals and frescos on the life of Christ. These decorate the blue pillars that are present at the entrance. The pulpit also demonstrates amazing craftsmanship. The architecture has Indo European and Gothic influences. There are two very huge spires in the church. The pastel-hued interiors look pleasing to the eyes.

Cherai Beach, Kochi

Cherai Beach is located on the northern side of Kochi. It is a tranquil beach in which people come to relax and have a fun time with friends and family. In fact, a lot of people come here to swim against the backdrop of coconut groves. The place also offers a wonderful view of the Chinese Fishing Nets. There are several shacks on this beach where you can enjoy the cuisine of your choice after a lovely swim. Dolphin spotting can also be done on this beach. Several new resorts, as well as hotels, have cropped up in this area. You can also indulge in some exciting water sports here.

Marine Drive, Kochi

This is an amazingly picturesque waterfront in Kochi where people come for relaxing walks or just sea gazing. The area faces the backwaters and the sight of rising and setting sun just looks spectacular. No vehicles are permitted on the walkway. It is a popular place where you can hang out with friends and family. Several shopping malls and fast food joints are located along this walkway. The walkway begins from High court Junction and ends at the Rajendra Maidan. There are three modern bridges constructed here, the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge, Rainbow Bridge and the House Boat Bridge.

Mattancherry Palace, Kochi

This is a Portuguese Palace that was actually gifted by the Portuguese to the King of Cochin way back in 1545. It contains portraits that exhibits, the Rajas of Kochi. This palace has been included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is quadrangular in shape and demonstrates Nalukettu style of architecture. There are several murals in the palace and they depict the finest example of Hindu temple art. The murals are painted in warm hues using the tempera technique. Portraits of Rajas of Cochin starting from 1864 can be seen in the Coronation Hall of the palace.

Jew Town, Kochi

This is an antique market where you can buy several amazing artifacts, Keralan crafts, aromatic spices, vintage collectibles, and so many other traditional items. The place is a popular hangout for antique lovers and shopaholics. This place was actually the home of Jews till they shifted back to Israel. It is located in close proximity to the Mattancherry Fall. Anyone who happens to visit this market ends up spending 2- 3 hours here. The market is open till 9 PM. A lot of bargaining happens in the market and if your haggling skills are good you will end up buying amazing antiques at the lowest prices.

Veeranpuzha Beach, Kochi

It is one of the most sought after beaches in Kochi. Some of the water tourism festivals are also organized here. The blue waters and golden hued sandy shores attract tourists to this beach. This outstanding beach is lined up with lush green vegetation. Due to close proximity of fishing villages you can see a lot of fishermen at work here. The beach is frequently crowded as lot of people come here to see a wonderful sunrise and sunset. Take a walk or enjoy some relaxing time at the beach with your friends and family.

Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary, Kochi

For all elephant lovers, this place is a must-visit. This riverside sanctuary arranges safari tours with wild elephants. You can have a startling feeding session with the animal. Then there are different observation points where you can see the elephants carrying out different daily activities. This well- known training center of elephants is located besides the river. This is the reason several people come here for an enjoyable picnic. You can take a small walk on the several walkways that are located here. There is a Wildlife Park that is also located here. It is home to deer and other wildlife.

Fort Kochi Beach, Kochi

This charming fort is known for its British, Dutch and Portuguese architecture. You will see huge bamboo fishing nets at this Fort Kochi Beach. The place has a tranquil feel and this is the reason why several tourists and local people visit it. Several eateries and cafes are located in the vicinity, so you can easily sit and enjoy some nice time with friends and family. The area has a backpack feel and you will just simply fall in love with the cozy cafes that line the street. Several other attractions are located quite nearby, so you can visit them also.

M.G. Road, Kochi

Mahatma Gandhi Road, popularly known as M.G Road is a well known commercial center of Kochi. The road draws several shopping lovers from all across the city and even tourists. Several branded stores line up the road. In fact, the place is a haven for shopping lovers. From clothes to handicrafts, footwear, spices, a wide variety of domestic and imported nuts, etc you name a thing and you will get it here. A lot of bargaining happens here so you should be prepared to haggle a bit when you shop here. The things are affordable and you can come here alone or in a group.

Kerala Folklore Museum, Kochi

It is a museum that encompasses different antiques, handicraft items, etc. Some of the artifacts that can be seen here are deer, Buddha Head, Lord Vishnu, Sitting Shiva, Chola Queen, Marble statue, etc. The museum offers history enthusiasts basic information as regards traditional architectural elements from Kerala. The wood art installation that you see here is just fantastic. It was done across a span of 7.5 years by 62 traditional carpenters. There is a spice art cafe that is located inside the museum where you can see old kitchen utensils, crockery, and other pottery items. Traditional Kerala snacks and other homemade delicacies are served here.

Veeranpuzha Lake, Kochi

It is a beautiful lake in the city of Kochi. It is basically an extension of Vembanand Lake. In fact, one of the largest water bodies in the state. It does not have fresh water. The land that is located beside the lake has lush vegetation all around. It actually looks like a green velvet carpet. This is the reason several tourists come here. The place also serves as a haven for fishermen. The area looks extremely beautiful during monsoons. Water festivals are organized here. The untouched beauty and tranquil environment are drawing tourists to this place.

Kalady, Kochi

It is a small village that is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is located on the banks of river Periyar. The term Kalady means feet. The place is a popular Hindu religious town. It is the birthplace of Adi Sankara. He was the founder of the Advaita order. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya brought several miracles to life here. He preached Vedic Dharma and established four mutts. The Sringeri Mutt is a well- known ashram that is dedicated to this great philosopher and saint. There is a small temple dedicated to the life of Sankara’s mother is also located here.

Ernakulathappan Temple, Kochi

This is a well-known ancient Shiva Temple situated in the downtown area of Kochi. This temple is located within the premises of Durbar Hall Ground. It is built over approximately 1acre area of land. People from far and wide come to visit this temple. Various poojas are organized here. The pooja methods that are carried out here are regularized by Villawamangalathu Swamiyar. Devotees that come to this temple to offer their prayers are known to obtain the ultimate ‘ Moksha’ in life. Shiva is believed to be present in his purest form in this temple, and this is the reason people throng this place in large numbers.

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Kochi

This is the temple of the mother goddess Bhagavati. The goddess is known to be present inside the temple in the form of Mahalakshmi. She is believed to cure the devotees of all their problems. It is one of the most popular Hindu temples in the state. The area where this temple is, was once a very thick jungle. This temple is believed to cure mental illness and evil spirits. The patients are given lime, neem, and chilies from the temple and this is considered to ward off evil spirits. There is this Thiruvonam festival that is celebrated in this temple with a lot of fanfare. It is like a huge feast.

Hill Palace Museum, Kochi

This is the largest archeological museum that is located in the state of Kerala. It was constructed in 1865. It was the official residence of Maharaja of Cochin. It also served as the imperial administrative office. The palace comprises of 49 buildings. It is spread across an area of around 54 acres. It demonstrates the traditional style of architecture. There is a children’s park also located inside the palace. The entry fee for adults is INR 30 and for children is INR 10. Various things that can be seen inside the palace are murals, oil paintings, sculptures, and the different belongings of the royal family of Kochi.