If you have planned a trip to Kerala, make sure to include Kochi in your Kerala itinerary. This travel guide for the best places to visit in Fort Kochi includes all the essential practical information you need to know for planning your trip along with the best places to visit in Fort Kochi. Plus: where to stay, where to eat and much more. Let’s begin!

Kochi (or Cochin) has long been the epicentre of India’s spice trade which attracted traders from all over the world. This intermingling made Kochi a melting point of various cultures, religions and traditions. No wonder Kochi is steeped in so much history. And the historic and cultural heart of Kochi is Fort Kochi. When I think of Fort Kochi, I am taken back to the heritage neighbourhoods, old churches, quaint alleys and an amalgation of cultures from over the years. Walking through Fort Kochi is an experience in itself, easy to get lost in the past with an active imagination.

In recent years, Kochi has also become something of a boho chic locale with colourful art work, hip cafes, trendy boutiques and galleries that draw in young people looking for a vibrant urban escape from the big city life. Kochi also hosts an annual art biennale that is slowly becoming known in the international art community, further cementing its status in the progressive art scene.

HISTORY OF FORT KOCHI

Originally a small fishing village, Kochi’s fortunes opened up with the arrival of the Portugese in 1498. Vasco Da Gama discovered a direct sea route from Europe to India and this led to the beginning of trade which established Kochi as a major commercial port. The Portugese were gifted some land by the Raja of Kochi to build their settlement and this area ultimately became what is known today as ‘Fort Kochi’. The Portugese were given permission by the Raja to build a fort near the waterfront for protection. This fort was ‘Fort Emmanuel of Cochin’ and it is this fort which gave the name of ‘Fort Kochi’. The Portugese also built the first church here which is now St Francis church. Fort Kochi remained under Portugese rule for 160 years.

In 1683, the Dutch defeated the Portugese to capture Fort Kochi and destroyed most of the institutions. They remained in power until 1795 after which the British took control. Kochi finally gained independence in 1947 along with the rest of India.

HOW TO REACH KOCHI?

1. FLIGHTS: Kochi has an international airport and has flight connections from most major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru.
2. TRAIN: Trains are available from most major Indian cities but it is advisable to book tickets 3-4 months before to ensure confirmation.
3. BUS: Buses run from the neighbouring southern Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Note: If you start your Kerala trip from Trivandrum in the south, you can make your way up to Kochi by road via bus or car.

WHEN TO VISIT KOCHI

The best time to visit is from December to March. Summer begins from April and sightseeing in the high temperatures becomes very difficult and exhausting. Alternative option: During the monsoon season from July to September when prices drop and nature is at its best.

HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD YOU SPEND IN KOCHI

I would suggest at least 2 days in Kochi to do most of the activities listed here. Any additional time will enable you to take off on a day trip or two.  Anything less 2 days means sacrificing some of the things and rushing through the others.

WHERE TO STAY IN KOCHI

The best area to stay is the heritage area of Fort Kochi itself to get easy access to most of the sites. There are plenty of old heritage houses turned into boutique hotels that will give you a taste of colonial times at a comfortable price. Some of the well reviewed ones include:

Hostel: Santa Maria hostel

Budget:

• Fort Bridge View
• Sajhome Fort Kochi
• Calvin’s Inn

Mid Range

• Dutch Bungalow
• The Killians Hotel
• Arches Heritage hotel
• Neemrana’s Tower House
• Amritara the Poovath Beachfront heritage

Luxury:

• Forte Kochi
• Eighth Bastian-CGH Club
• The Postcard, Mandalay Hall

WHERE TO EAT IN FORT KOCHI

• Hotel Cochin Fort: fresh grilled seafood, Karimeen pollichathu
• Warehouse Café : fresh seafood, Italian dishes, home made desserts
• Loafers Corner Café: continental food
• Qissa café: beef dishes, sandwiches, salads
• Rasoi: North Indian fare
• Kashi Art Café: Vegeterian and gluten free dishes

GETTING AROUND IN FORT KOCHI

1. WALKING: The best way to explore Fort Kochi is by walking. The compact area houses lots of attractions within walkable distance of each other. Walking here is a great way to get a feel of the old city.
2. TUK TUKS: You can use tuk tuks to go to places like Mattancherry where are located a 2-3 kms away from the main Fort Kochi area. To visit some of the islands like Vypeen and Bolgatty, catch a ferry.

THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN FORT KOCHI

1. WALK AND EXPLORE THE HERITAGE AREA

One of the best places to visit in Fort Kochi is the main heritage area. The best thing to do here is to take a walk through the alleys. This compact area is packed with colonial era buildings, churches and pretty alleys that will take you back in time and give you a feel of that era. I loved walking and discovering colourful houses and old churches that are a remnant of Kochi’s vibrant cultural heritage.

2. CHECK OUT THE CHINESE FISHING NETS

One of the best (and most unique) places to visit in Fort  Kochi (and in India) is to check out the Chinese Fishing nets. These giant contraptions were supposedly introduced to Kochi  500 years ago by a Chinese fisherman and have been in use ever since. The nets suspended from tall bamboo poles dot the northern end of Kochi’s shore and have become one of the most popular tourist attractions. Today, they are used less for fishing and more as a photo op. Fishermen and middlemen lie around waiting for tourists to persuade them to board one and help in pulling the nets for a picture. There is a lot of cut throat competition and I did’nt really like the atmosphere as a lot of fishermen are just plain rude and want to grab your money. If this turns you off, do know that you can always view these nets from the promenade without going on board. The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset when the sky comes alive and there are fewer people around.

3. VISIT THE VARIOUS CHURCHES

Kochi is home to a number of churches and you cant go back without visiting some. The most famous of the lot and carrying a huge history with it is St Francis church which is where Vasco da gama was originally buried before his remains were transferred back to Portugal. Some of the others include Santa Cruz Basilica, Vallarpadam church and George Forance church.

 4. MATTANCHERRY PALACE

Built by the Portugese as an appeasement gift for the Raja of Kochi in the 15^th century, Mattancherry palace is one of the best places to visit in Fort Kochi. it is an important historical landmark here and is centrally protected under the ASI. Also popularly known as the Dutch palace, after they took over control and renovated the place. The palace is built in the form of the traditional Kerala Nallukettu architecture style with a rectangular courtyard in the middle. It houses numerous murals in the form of Hindu temple art along with a display of the portraits of the Kochi royals in the erstwhile coronation hall. Other exhibits include an ivory palanquin, ceremonial dresses, coins and drawings. There is also a temple in the basement which is off limits for non Hindus. Visiting Mattancherry palace gives a glimpse of the life of the Kochi Royals and is essential to understanding the history of Kerala.

Opening hours: 9.45am-1pm, 2-4.45pm. Closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Entry fee: Rs 10 for adults

TIP: Mattancherry palace and Jew Town are situated minutes away from each other. So combine a visit to both in this part of town and end with a walk down Broadway street.

6. JEW TOWN:

Cochin once had a thriving Jewish community and Jew Town was at the centre of it all. The first Jews started arriving from 1^st century BC and settled in the area around Cochin known as Malabar. After the creation of Israel, the Cochin Jews (also known as Malabar Jews) started migrating from India to Israel in the 1950s and today there are hardly a handful of elderly Jews left behind. Jew town is very photogenic and is now a treasure trove of history filled with quaint boutiques, quirky art, vintage shops and laid back cafes oozing plenty of old world charm. The cobble stone lined streets here reminded me of a small European town and I was charmed by the area. If you want to feel the same charm, arrive early in the morning before it gets inundated with hordes of tourists.

Open daily, 5am-9pm. No entry fee.

7. PARDESI SYNAGOGUE

The main point of attraction in Jew Town is the Paradesi synagogue, which is the oldest synagogue in India built in the 15^th century. It contains several antique items inside including the Scrolls of Law, gold crowns, Belgian glass chandeliars and 10^th century copper plates of privileges. The floor is made of 18^th century hand painted Porcelain tiles.the synagogue has an 18^th century clock tower which restored in 1999.

TIP: Open from 10am-1pm, 2-5pm. Entry is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Entry requires one to be barefoot and in decent dress. Free Entry.

8. WATCH A TRADITIONAL KATHAKALI DANCE PERFORMANCE:

Kathakali is one of the Indian classical dance forms where a story telling of ancient Hindu epics is narrated through dance movements and facial expressions. It is known for the elaborate and colourful make up and costumes of the dancers who are usually male. You can’t travel to Kerala and miss this! The best place to catch a Kathakali performance is at the Kerala Kathakali centre. There are daily shows and tickets can be booked on their website or through your hotel. The best part of the show is watching the pre dance make up ritual where the main performers put on their make up on stage and transform themselves. Make sure to get seats in the front rows if you want good photographs.

9. VISIT A CAFÉ

Kochi’s old colonial buildings have been converted into numerous stylish cafes that have become popular hang out zones for the younger hip crowd looking for more vegan/vegetarian options. The most popular among them seems to be Kashi Art Café, which serves healthy traditional food in a modern way. It is also a working space for digital nomads. Other popular cafes include: Breath Vegan café, Pepper House, Loafers’s Corner café and Loving Earth Yoga café.

10. FORT KOCHI FISH MARKET

If you ever wanted to visit a local Indian market and catch all the action, this is your chance! The Fort Kochi Fish market is located near Vasco Da Gama square and has lots of fish shops lined up selling the fresh catch of the day. Buy some fish and take it one of the nearby stalls who will grill and serve it to you with rice and side dishes for a small amount. Enjoy your meal amidst all the market action while viewing the sea!

11. INDIAN MARITIME MUSEUM

This amazing museum is an ode to the Indian navy with a great presentation of the Indian naval history and it’s evolution. Housed in the INS Dronacharya, its a must visit to know more about our defence forces.

Open daily. Entry from 9am-1pm, 2-6pm. Ticket price: Rs 15 adults, Rs 10 children, Rs 100 camera fee.

12. DUTCH CEMETERY

The 282 year old cemetery is the oldest European cemetery in India and houses 104 tombs of prominent Dutch and English settlers of that time. Its usually locked to keep out anti social elements, but you can see it through the gate on your way to MG beach.

13. MAHATMA GANDHI BEACH

The best spot in Kochi to enjoy the sunset! Catch the sunset and enjoy the evening along with scores of other families out to have some beach fun. There are plenty of food shacks nearby to indulge your taste buds.

14. BISHOP’S HOUSE

Built in the 15th century, this building served as the Portugese governer’s residence. It was later acquired by the 27th bishop of Kochi diocese. The house is characterised by large gothic arches and is located adjacent to the Indo Portugese museum.

15. INDO PORTUGESE MUSEUM

This museum houses a collection of sculptures, precious metal objects and vestments that showcase the shared cultural history between the two countries. 

Open from 10am-1pm, 2-5pm. Closed on Mondays. Ticket fee: Rs 10 for adults.

16. VISIT ONE OF THE NEARBY ISLANDS

VYPEEN ISLAND: Boasts of long sandy beaches that offer swimming and dolphin sightings. The best beach here is Cherai beach. The Vypeen lighthouse offers views from the top.

WILLINGDON ISLAND: A manmade island that is India’s largest artificial island. It was built in 1936 under Lord Willingdon to create a new commercial port. It houses the Kochi naval base of Indian Navy, the Maritime heritage museum and is a popular point for backwater tours. Also houses a number of upscale hotels.

BOLGATTY ISLAND: This tiny island houses the Bolgatty palace which was built by the Dutch and is now a boutique hotel owned by the Kerala tourism department. Its a popular resort for honeymooning couples.

17. PRINCESS STREET

Visit one of the oldest streets in Kochi which houses European style houses and still retains some of that old world charm. The best spot here for people watching is Loafer’s corner.

18. GO HUNTING FOR STREET ART

As the location of the very popular Kochi art biennele, you can expect a lot of street art here especially around the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry area. Broadway street near Mattancherry is another spot to find some gems.

19. TAKE A COOKING CLASS

One of the best ways to learn more about a place is through the food. And taking a cooking class will help you discover about the rich culture and culinary traditions of Kerala. One of the best reviewed cooking classes in Kochi is Maria’s Cooking class.

20. END YOUR TRIP AT MARINE DRIVE

It is a picturesque promenade that faces the Kochi backwaters and has an array of food stalls, shopping places and benches to sit and relax.

Hope you enjoyed reading this post on all the best places to visit in Fort Kochi and got a lot of information and tips from it to plan your own trip. Happy travels!

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