Places to Visit in Kochi

Top attractions and must-see spots in Kochi

Beaches

3
  • Must Visit

    Cherai Beach

    A 15-km pristine beach on Vypeen Island near Kochi known for calm waters, dolphin sightings, and the rare convergence of sea and backwaters.

  • Fort Kochi Beach

    A calm beach in Fort Kochi known for sunsets and Chinese fishing nets, atmospheric and less about swimming.

  • Munambam Beach

    A quiet beach at Vypeen Island tip with fishing harbour and dramatic river-sea meeting point.

Cultural

1
  • Must Visit

    Chinese Fishing Nets

    Iconic 600-year-old Chinese cantilevered fishing nets along Fort Kochi's seafront — one of India's most photographed landmarks at sunset.

Landmarks

15
  • Must Visit

    Fort Kochi

    India's first European settlement with Portuguese, Dutch, and British layers — a heritage neighbourhood of colonial churches, cafés, and the iconic Chinese fishing nets.

  • Must Visit

    Kerala Kathakali Centre

    Fort Kochi's premier venue for Kathakali performances, offering intimate shows with pre-show make-up demonstrations and Kalaripayattu martial art displays.

  • Must Visit

    Mattancherry Palace

    A 16th-century palace in Kochi housing some of India's finest Kerala mural paintings depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata scenes in extraordinary detail.

  • Must Visit

    Paradesi Synagogue

    The oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, built in 1568 in Kochi's Jew Town, famous for unique Chinese floor tiles and magnificent Belgian chandeliers.

  • Must Visit

    Santa Cruz Basilica

    One of India's oldest churches, originally built in 1505 by the Portuguese in Fort Kochi, now a Gothic Revival minor basilica with magnificent interior frescoes.

  • Aspinwall House

    A 19th-century trading house in Fort Kochi and primary venue of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Asia's largest contemporary art event.

  • CSI Christ Church

    One of India's oldest Protestant churches (1664) in Fort Kochi, Dutch colonial architecture.

  • David Hall

    A Dutch-era heritage gallery in Fort Kochi, key venue during Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

  • Hill Palace Museum

    Kerala's largest archaeological museum in Tripunithura, housed in the 54-acre former Cochin Royal Palace, with 1,000+ exhibits of royal artefacts.

  • Indo-Portuguese Museum

    A museum in Fort Kochi documenting 5 centuries of Christian heritage in Kerala with liturgical artefacts.

  • Kerala Folklore Museum

    A 3-floor folk museum in Kochi housed in a traditional Kerala building with 4,000+ artefacts documenting the state's folk art, rituals, and performing traditions.

  • Kerala Museum

    A private museum in Edappally with art, history and heritage spanning Kerala's cultural evolution.

  • St. Francis Church

    India's oldest European church (1503) in Fort Kochi, with Vasco da Gama's tombstone.

  • St. George Orthodox Cathedral

    A historic Syrian Christian cathedral in Mattancherry with traditional Kerala church architecture.

  • Vasco House

    Believed to be the oldest Portuguese residential building in India in Fort Kochi, associated with Vasco da Gama and the early Portuguese presence that shaped the city.

National Parks

1

Scenic Spots

7
  • Must Visit

    Marine Drive

    Kochi's 1.5-km waterfront promenade along Vembanad Lake with stunning backwater views, houseboats, and popular evening food stalls.

  • Backwater Cruise Point

    Kochi's main jetty for scenic harbour cruises and boat rides to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, and the start of Kerala's backwater journey.

  • Bolgatty Island

    A tranquil island in Vembanad Lake housing a 1744 Dutch palace, now a heritage hotel, accessible by ferry from Kochi.

  • Jew Town

    A historic Kochi neighbourhood once home to one of the world's oldest Jewish diaspora communities, now famous for antiques, spices, and the 1568 Paradesi Synagogue.

  • Kumarakom

    Kerala's most celebrated backwater retreat on Vembanad Lake, with houseboats and birdwatching.

  • Vembanad Lake

    India's longest lake in Kochi, scenic centerpiece with houseboat routes and sunset views.

  • Willingdon Island

    India's largest artificial island in Kochi harbour, home to Cochin Port and Taj Malabar hotel.

Shopping

8

  • Broadway Market

    Kochi's oldest and most vibrant market in Ernakulam, selling spices, textiles, electronics and fresh produce.

  • Centre Square Mall

    A popular shopping destination in central Ernakulam with fashion brands, supermarket and multiplex.

  • Jew Town Antique Street

    One of India's finest antique destinations in Mattancherry, with colonial furniture, Dutch tiles and rare collectibles.

  • Kasturba Road Textile Shops

    Ernakakam's textile hub near MG Road for kasavu sarees, cotton mundus and silk dress materials.

  • Lulu Mall

    One of Asia's largest shopping malls in Edappally, with international brands, hypermarket and entertainment.

  • Mattancherry Spice Market

    Historic spice trading hub in Mattancherry, selling pepper, cardamom, cloves and turmeric in bulk.

  • MG Road

    Kerala's busiest shopping street in Ernakulam, with branded showrooms, textiles and gold jewellery.

  • Oberon Mall

    A retail and entertainment hub in Edappally near NH Bypass, with brands, food court and cinema.

Temple

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