🏙️ 15 Best Places to Visit in Kochi — Fort Kochi, Backwaters & Day Trips (2025)

Why Kochi is Kerala's Most Interesting City

Kochi (Cochin) is where Kerala's past and present collide. In a single day you can walk past 500-year-old Portuguese churches, Chinese fishing nets that have been in use since the 14th century, a Jewish synagogue from 1568, Dutch colonial buildings, and then step into a modern art gallery or a trendy cafe. No other city in Kerala has this kind of layered history.

Kochi is also the main entry point for most Kerala tourists — Cochin International Airport (COK) is the busiest in the state. Most travellers rush through to Munnar or Alleppey, but spending a day or two in Kochi is absolutely worth it.

The city is spread across islands and peninsulas — Fort Kochi and Mattancherry on one side, Ernakulam (the modern commercial centre) on the other, connected by bridges and ferries.

Fort Kochi & Mattancherry (Historic Heart)

1. Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena Vala)

The iconic image of Kochi — massive cantilevered fishing nets along the Fort Kochi waterfront, silhouetted against the sunset. Introduced by Chinese traders from the court of Kublai Khan in the 14th century, these nets are still operated by hand using a system of counterweights and pulleys.

Watch the fishermen operate the nets at sunset — it is one of the most photographed scenes in India. You can buy fresh fish from the catch and have it cooked at the nearby stalls.

• Location: Fort Kochi waterfront
• Entry: Free (tip the fishermen if you take photos)
• Best time: 5–6:30 PM for sunset
• Time needed: 30–45 minutes

2. St. Francis Church

The oldest European church in India, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon. The simple, whitewashed interior and the hand-operated punkah (cloth fan) on the ceiling are worth seeing.

• Location: Fort Kochi
• Entry: Free
• Timings: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
• Time needed: 20 minutes

3. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

A grand Catholic cathedral originally built by the Portuguese in 1505, destroyed by the British, and rebuilt in 1905. The pastel-coloured Gothic interior with painted ceiling murals is stunning — one of the most beautiful church interiors in India.

• Location: Fort Kochi (5 min walk from St. Francis Church)
• Entry: Free
• Time needed: 20 minutes

4. Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

Built by the Portuguese in 1555 as a gift to the Raja of Kochi, later renovated by the Dutch (hence the name). The highlight is the stunning collection of Kerala murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata — some of the finest temple-style murals you will see anywhere.

• Location: Mattancherry (10 min from Fort Kochi)
• Entry: from ₹5
• Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed Fridays)
• Time needed: 45 minutes
• Tip: Photography is not allowed inside the mural rooms

5. Paradesi Synagogue (Jewish Synagogue)

Built in 1568, this is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth. The interior features hand-painted Chinese floor tiles (each one unique), Belgian chandeliers, and a gold pulpit. The surrounding Jew Town street is lined with antique shops and spice stores.

• Location: Jew Town, Mattancherry (next to Dutch Palace)
• Entry: from ₹10
• Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM (closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays)
• Time needed: 30 minutes
• Tip: Walk through Jew Town's narrow lanes — the antique shops and spice warehouses are fascinating

6. Fort Kochi Street Art & Cafes

Fort Kochi's streets are an open-air gallery — murals, installations, and street art cover walls throughout the neighbourhood, many created during the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (India's largest contemporary art exhibition, held every two years). Between the art, dozens of cafes serve everything from Kerala filter coffee to European pastries.

• Location: Throughout Fort Kochi
• Time needed: 1–2 hours of walking
• Tip: Princess Street and Burger Street have the best concentration of cafes and art

Ernakulam & Modern Kochi

7. Marine Drive

A 3 km waterfront promenade along the backwaters in Ernakulam. The paved walkway is lined with benches, and the view across the water to Willingdon Island and the port is pleasant. In the evening, the promenade lights up and street food vendors appear. The Rainbow Bridge (pedestrian bridge) at the northern end is a popular photo spot.

• Location: Ernakulam waterfront
• Entry: Free
• Best time: Evening (5–8 PM)
• Time needed: 1 hour

8. Lulu Mall Kochi

The first and largest Lulu Mall in India. 300+ brands, massive food court, multiplex, gaming zones, and Lulu Hypermarket. A full-day experience if you are a serious shopper. The food court alone has 50+ options.

• Location: Edappally, NH 66
• Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
• Time needed: 3–5 hours

9. Hill Palace Museum

The largest archaeological museum in Kerala, set in a 54-acre heritage compound in Tripunithura (a suburb of Kochi). The palace was the administrative office of the Kochi royal family. Collections include royal artefacts, oil paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and a deer park in the grounds.

• Location: Tripunithura, 12 km from Ernakulam
• Entry: from ₹25
• Timings: 9 AM – 12:30 PM, 2 PM – 4:30 PM (closed Mondays)
• Time needed: 1.5 hours

Backwaters & Nature

10. Cherai Beach

A long, quiet beach on Vypin Island, north of Kochi. Clean sand, calm waters (safer for swimming than most Kerala beaches), and backwater canals running parallel to the beach just 50 metres inland. Dolphins are occasionally spotted offshore.

• Distance from Kochi city: 25 km, 1 hour
• Time needed: Half day
• Tip: Combine with a drive through Vypin Island's narrow roads lined with coconut palms and Chinese fishing nets

11. Backwater Cruise from Kochi

You do not need to go to Alleppey for a backwater experience. Short backwater cruises operate from Marine Drive and Fort Kochi — 2 to 4 hour trips through the canals and islands around Kochi. Not as extensive as Alleppey's houseboat routes, but a good taste if you are short on time.

• Duration: 2–4 hours
• Departure: Marine Drive jetty or Fort Kochi
• Tip: Sunset cruises (4–6 PM) are the most scenic

12. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

A tiny mangrove forest right in the middle of Ernakulam city — Kochi's "Central Park." Just 2.74 hectares, but home to dozens of bird species. A short boardwalk takes you through the mangroves. Surreal to be in a quiet forest with the city skyline visible through the trees.

• Location: Central Ernakulam (near High Court)
• Entry: from ₹10
• Time needed: 30 minutes

Day Trips from Kochi

13. Athirapally Waterfalls

Kerala's largest waterfall — 80 feet of thundering water, especially spectacular during monsoon. Often called the "Niagara of India." Vazhachal Falls is just 5 km further. A perfect day trip from Kochi.

• Distance: 70 km, 1.5–2 hours
• Time needed: 3–4 hours

Read our Athirapally Waterfalls guide.

14. Guruvayoor Temple

One of the most important Krishna temples in India. The "Dwarka of the South." Strict dress code and entry restricted to Hindus. The Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary (50+ elephants) is nearby.

• Distance: 85 km, 2–2.5 hours
• Time needed: Half day

Read our Guruvayoor Temple guide.

15. Munnar (Overnight Recommended)

Kerala's most famous hill station — tea plantations, cool mountain air, stunning viewpoints. While technically a day trip is possible (130 km each way), Munnar deserves at least 2 nights. Most Kerala trips start from Kochi Airport with Munnar as the first stop.

• Distance: 130 km, 4–5 hours
• Book Kochi to Munnar cab

Read our 20 Best Places to Visit in Munnar.

How to Plan Your Kochi Days

Half Day (Airport Layover)

• Fort Kochi: Chinese fishing nets + St. Francis Church + cafe stop (2–3 hours)
• Or: Lulu Mall Kochi (2–3 hours)

1 Full Day

• Morning: Fort Kochi walking tour — Chinese nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral, street art, cafe breakfast
• Late morning: Mattancherry Palace + Jewish Synagogue + Jew Town shopping
• Afternoon: Marine Drive walk + lunch at a Kerala restaurant
• Evening: Sunset at Chinese fishing nets + fresh fish dinner

2 Days

• Day 1: Fort Kochi + Mattancherry + Marine Drive (as above)
• Day 2: Athirapally Waterfalls day trip OR Cherai Beach + Hill Palace Museum

Getting Around Kochi

• Cab with driver: Best for covering Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Ernakulam, and day trips in one smooth flow. Our drivers know the ferry timings, parking spots, and one-way streets
• Kochi Metro: Clean, modern metro connecting Aluva to Pettah. Useful for Ernakulam but does not reach Fort Kochi
• Ferry: The Fort Kochi–Ernakulam ferry is a scenic 20-minute ride across the harbour. Cheap and fun
• Auto-rickshaw: Available everywhere. Use meter or agree on fare first
• Walking: Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are best explored on foot. Everything is within 2 km

Kochi cab services — airport pickup, city sightseeing, and outstation trips.

After Kochi — Where Next?

• Munnar (130 km, 4–5 hrs) — Tea gardens and hills
• Alleppey (55 km, 1.5 hrs) — Houseboat cruise
• Thekkady (150 km, 4–5 hrs) — Wildlife and spices
• Ooty (280 km, 7–8 hrs) — Tamil Nadu hill station

Use our trip planner to build your Kerala itinerary from Kochi.

Need a cab in Kochi? Airport pickup, city sightseeing, day trips, or a full Kerala tour — WhatsApp us your plan. We also arrange hotels, houseboats, and complete trip planning. 📲 94465 13129