Cochin, Kerala’s most urbanized and industrialized city, offers a great vacation time to cool off. It has some very attractive tourist attractions, such as Marine Drive, Paradesi Synagogue, and boat trips; all easy 2-3 hour excursions. Rewarding stopovers include Lulu’s Mall and the old Chinese fishing nets, each of which is at least 10 meters high.

South of Cochin, the lifeline of the city, the Periyar River, is packed with great adventure. You can cross it through water or over a bridge, and learn about the local culture and feast on local cuisine. The accommodation options in the town are good along the right road. Whatever your budget, you can easily find a place to stay in Cochin.

Places to Visit in Cochin:

Paradesi Synagogue: The highlight of this historical structure in Cochin is that it is one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth of Nations. Built in 1597 and located in the old Jew Town, it has beautiful blue tiles, with each tile made slightly differently than the others. It is very close to the Dutch palace and is easily accessible from the ferry point. The synagogue features pumpkin-shaped lampshades and is decorated with old teak wooden furniture. It is open from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, and 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Along the way, there are many shop stalls selling interesting items. It’s a nice place to visit if you have a few hours to spare.

Sree Poornathrayesa Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Sree Poornathrayesa Temple is one of the many ancient temples in Kerala. It was once part of Kochi’s royal family heritage but is now a state-owned property. The temple is located about 10 km from Ernakulam and is marked by the presence of many smaller temples in the vicinity. It is said that the mighty Arjuna built this temple. Visiting early in the morning is best as the crowd is less and you can easily walk around the temple complex. The temple is famous for the rows of festivals celebrated within and outside its walls.

Marine Drive: Born from the locals’ desire to have a walking area in front of the Periyar River, Marine Drive remains a fresh breathing space in the heart of the city. It’s a long stretch of concrete footpath with boats on one side and local food stalls on the other. Marine Drive is especially attractive during late evenings, at sunset, and is one of the best locations in the city to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend or loved one.

Hill Palace of Tripunithura: One of the oldest and largest archaeological museums in Kerala, Hill Palace was commissioned in 1865. It spans around 50 smaller complexes and 50 acres of beautifully cultivated land. In addition to an extremely well-preserved and attractive collection, the Hill Palace is surrounded by rich fauna, including some rare medicinal plants. It features an artistically landscaped terraced land, housing a deer park and facilities for horse riding. Inside, the Ethno-archaeological museum displays oil paintings, murals, sculptures in stone, manuscripts, inscriptions, coins, belongings of the Kochi royal family, and royal furniture including the simhasana (throne). The Palace is 10 kilometers from Ernakulam and can be easily reached by taxi. The museum also houses a gallery of contemporary art. The renovation of the Museum is nearing completion, and it attracts many local and foreign tourists.

Boat Tours: A must-do experience, Cochin boat tours should not be missed at any cost. If time or budget is a constraint, you can opt for a half-day boat trip around the Periyar River. For those with more time and budget, houseboat trips to Alleppey are also available. The houseboat typically has a crew of around 10-12 people, including a cook adept at making delicious dishes. The more expensive houseboats are very effusive, attentive, and caring, ensuring that guests have a great time. Many visitors rate a boat cruise in Alleppey during the rains better than the Nile on any given day. The warmth of the people, the closeness to shore that gives visitors a chance to observe daily life unfolding in front of them, the quality of the comforts on board, and the romance of the water lift the spirit.

Fort Cochin: A personal favorite of many, Fort Cochin loosely resembles a Western countryside. It has homes that open their gates for homestays with tiny but beautiful balconies laden with flowers of all kinds. Incidentally, Fort Cochin was the first European township in India, and you will be glad to know that it was done well to maintain that exclusivity. The entire place is stuff of poetry. Situated right on the shore of the Arabian Sea, it has a beautiful, youthful feeling. Though Fort Kochi Beach is not very well maintained, it provides a good place for spending an evening just watching the ferries, occasional cargo ships passing by, and the fishermen catching fish. You can enjoy fresh seafood from the temporary outlets, buy ice cream, and see the century-old remains of Portuguese and Dutch artillery and ship anchors. You can also walk through the concrete path watching the small islands not far away. However, the sea is not safe for swimming due to heavy undercurrents. Fort Kochi is well connected by buses, and boat services are also available from Ernakulam.

Interested in visiting Cochin? We can ensure that you have your best Cochin holidays ever. In addition to the list above, Cochin also has great places to shop, including the famous Lulu Mall, which is spread over an area larger than four football fields. It is a great place to visit anytime during the year. Click Here And Let Us Plan Your Vacation