A vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula, Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a beautiful city to explore in Kerala. This harbor town of Kerala is referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. The influences of Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese and the British can be seen in the architecture and culture of Kochi. This city is the perfect example of when vintage meets modern life. The name Kochi derived from the Malayalam word "koch azhi" means a small lagoon. This beautiful heaven has managed to preserve its old rustic charm.
Mattancherry Palace
The Mattencherry Palace is popularly known as the Dutch Palace. This Portuuese Palace is now a museum exhibiting belongings of the royals of Kochi. This palace is a must visit for those who want to learn about the fascinating history of Kerala through artefacts and embellishments. The grandeur of the palace lies in its simplicity. Built in the typical Kerala style, the four separate wings of the Mattancherry Palace surround a central courtyard which has a temple as well.
Fort Kochi
This is another must visit attraction of Kochi. This seaside town is known for its old world colonial charm. The place still holds on to every single cultural change it has gone through over the centuries. Fort Kochi is dotted with European structures, churches and other architectural buildings which take you right back to a different era back in time. It has a vibe of an ancient colonial city with its toy-town like streets, and colourful buildings.
Chinese Fishing Nets
One of the prominent attractions of Cochin is the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets. The sight of the local fishermen using these nets along the shore offers a fascinating view. Chinese fishing nets are to Kochi what the painted face of a Kathakali actor is to the state of Kerala, when it comes to promoting tourism. Fort Kochi, located about 13 km from Ernakulam, is well-known for Chinese fishing nets, charming beaches and architectural style of the buildings.
Chottanikkara Temple
The Chottanikkara Temple is another much loved attraction in Kochi, which holds both religious as well as architectural significance. This temple is dedicated to Deity Bhagvathy, who is idolised in the form of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga.
Willingdon Island
This is one of the largest human-made islands in India. Named after the British Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon, this magnificent island is home to some of the lavish hotels and commercial buildings. There is a bridge that connects the mainland of Kochi to Wellingdon Island. Apart from commercial purposes, the island has a museum and natural habitat to explore.
Folklore Theatre and Museum
Folklore Theatre and Museum is another popular attraction for the devotees of art. An interesting feature of the museum is that it looks like a temple. It exhibits amazing collection of mural paintings by Unnis M Mani Achary.
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Nestled in the heart of the lively city of Kochi, the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is home to a large variety of migratory birds and densely populated species of trees and plants. One major attraction of the sanctuary is the beautiful watch tower that overlooks the sanctuary. It offers a perfect view of the entire sanctuary. This Bird Sanctuary is home to as many as 194 birds belonging to 32 different species.
Santa Cruz Basilica
Santa Cruz Basilica is another wonder that is known for its remarkable structure. It is counted as one of the heritage buildings in India.
Other major attractions in Kochi are:
How to Reach
By Air - The Cochin International Airport, 29 kilometres away from the city centre, serves both domestic and international flights.
By Rail - Kochi has two railway stations - Ernakulam Town Station and Ernakulam Junction Station.
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