Kochi Tourism (2021) - Kerala > Top Places, Cochin Travel Guide

"Queen of Arabian Sea"

Kochi Tourism

Situated on the south-west coast of India, Kochi or Cochin is a bustling commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

A gaggle of islands interconnected by ferries, this cosmopolitan town has upmarket stores, art galleries and some of the finest heritage accommodations. In a true vintage-meets-future fashion, pubs, restaurants, shopping hubs and futuristic stores crowd Ernakulum, Jew Town and Fort Kochi while palaces, beaches, temples and heritage sites marking their presence too. Kochi is also an important place to see Kathakali and Kalarippayattu performances and annual Biennale Festival.

Top Kochi Itineraries

Places To Visit In Kochi

Mattancherry Palace

Fort Kochi

Jewish Synagogue

Chinese Fishing Nets

Willingdon Island

Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters

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Kochi Packages

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Fabulous Kochi, Alleppey, Munnar and More

5 Nights

Starting from $205

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Exotic Munnar with Kochi Stay

3 Nights

Starting from $99

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Alluring Kerala Package - Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom

3 Nights

Starting from $153

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Blissful Kochi, Alleppey, Munnar & More

5 Nights

Starting from $123

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Amazing Kochi, Kumarakom, & Vagamon

3 Nights

Starting from $120

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Inviting Kochi, Thekkady & Kochi Package

3 Nights

Starting from $136

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Knee Boarding in Kochi: Training and Class

45 Minutes

Deals start $24

4.0 /5

39 ratings

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Water Skiing in Kochi: Training

5 Minutes

Deals start $36

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38 ratings

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Banana Boat Ride, Kochi

2 Hours

Deals start $13

4.0 /5

35 ratings

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Bumper Ride in Kochi

5 Minutes

Deals start $4

4.0 /5

35 ratings

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Jet Ski Ride in Kochi

5 Minutes

Deals start $9

3.0 /5

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Single Kayaking Experience in Kochi

5 Minutes

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4.0 /5

34 ratings

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Cochin - The Queen of the Arabian Sea

Known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Cochin, now Kochi is a principal port in the state of Kerala. Well connected by all means possible, this coastal city is both a popular tourist hotspot and an active naval base, being officially the home to the Southern Command of the Indian Navy and an air squadron of Indian Navy. Besides the above, Kochi has its own unique blend of Indian and western culture.
Despite being colonised by more than one country, the essence of Indianness has never eroded from Kochi, while at the same time preserving some of the colonial heritage as it was. Very few people know that one of the largest shopping malls in India, as well in Asia, Lulu Shopping Mall, is also in India. Soon to have the distinction of having the first water based metro transport system in India, Kochi is a coastal beauty you should never miss in your life, at all.

History Of Cochin

Strategically located between the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian sea on the west, the city of Cochin has been an important commercial trading centre since ancient times. It was called the spice trade centre of India, and entertained a wide network of trading with the Arabs. Kochi was also the first of the European colonies in India, with the Portuguese invasion in 1503. The city was later ruled by both Dutch and British forces. After India’s independence and the slew of economic reforms that followed in the 1990s, Kochi grew in commercial significance with the boom of the service sector. The growth of port activities and the establishment of the IT sector contributed to Kochi becoming the commercial centre of the state of Kerala.

Culture Of Kochi

Kochi has a mix of both traditional and cosmopolitan culture, being the capital city of the state of Kerala. It has a widely diverse crowd including people from all over the country, and it also has a large Jewish community - the Malabar Yehuden, who form an important part of Kochi’s business circles. Kochi also has a strong foothold in both Jacobite Syrian Orthodxy and Roman Catholicism, with many churches devoted to them spread across the city. The city was a hub of cultural intellectualism in yesteryears, home to many famous writers of Malayalam literature as well as social activists like Sahodaran Ayyappan.

Restaurants and Local Food in Kochi

Kochi's cuisine, though has little that stands out, manages to foster the primary elements of a typical Keralan cuisine, and does so in the most splendid way possible. Essentials such as Appam and Stew and delicacies such as Fish Molly, Fish Peera and more are found here.
Some of the dishes that one must try in Kochi are Thoran, Banana Chips, Kaalan, Paachadi and Pootu, which is made from bananas and rice flour. Also, seafood is widespread and exquisite, like in most areas of the state.
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Suggested Itinerary for Kochi

Day 1 - Reach Kochi, preferably by noon and take some rest. In the evening, you can go to the main market squares, or take a stroll in the biggest mall in India, Lulu Shopping Mall.
Day 2 - If you're in for Kochi, the 2nd day is when you should ideally take off for your trip. 6 minutes from the main city is the Chhotanikkara Bhagavathy Temple in Kochi, which is a popular tourist spot, especially for the Hindu devotees. Then, you can proceed towards the Kashi Art Gallery, which houses some of the most exquisite collections of art and craft from almost all over India, or if you choose otherwise, the glorious Kerala Folklore Museum, which is a 26-minute drive from the temple.
Day 3 - This day should be reserved for the beautiful Vypin Islands, especially the Cherai, which is one of the cleanest beaches in the world. You can also visit the Matsya Fish Dam nearby, where the fishermen use the medieval Chineses trawling nets even today.
Day 4 - The final day can be reserved for some backwater tourism in Kochi, which is well served by ferries, cruisers, and hydrofoils. Besides the cruise, you can also opt to visit sites like Paradesi Synagogue, or the church of Santa Cruz Basilica.

Best Time to Visit Kochi

Commuting within Kochi

Kochi Photos

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Top Hotels In Kochi

Kochi Marriott Hotel

9.0 (975 reviews)

$ 53 onwards

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty

9.3 (541 reviews)

$ 87 onwards

Trident Cochin

8.8 (722 reviews)

$ 37 onwards

Sidra Pristine Hotel and Portico Halls

8.4 (956 reviews)

$ 23 onwards

Forte Kochi

9.4 (347 reviews)

$ 116 onwards

kevins Placid Homestay

9.5 (305 reviews)

$ 9 onwards

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Things to do in Kochi by Neighbourhood

Fort Kochi

FAQs on Kochi

What is famous about Kochi?

A coastal delight. Well connected by all means possible.

What is not so good about Kochi?

Politically volatile.

Who should visit Kochi?

Ideal for the coast lovers. Suitable for backwater lovers from Kozhikode, Trivandrum etc.

What is the best time to visit Kochi?

Kochi, the southern city of Kerala has optimum temperatures throughout the year, which means visiting Kochi during any time of the year, would work for travellers. However, Best time to visit Kochi is said to be from the months of October to March which comprises of the winter season for the city. Summers and monsoon, although a tad difficult due to the extremes, are equally attractive in Kochi, especially for budget travellers.
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What is the local food in Kochi?

What is the best way to reach Kochi?

Kochi has its own airport with regular flights connecting major cities. Trains are a cheap and easy mode of travel. Major South Indian cities have buses plying to Kochi. You can also drive to Kochi as the National Highways and connecting roads ensure a smooth drive.
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How much does a package cost for Kochi?

The packages for Kochi start at INR 5591 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What are the top hotels in Kochi?

There are 943 in Kochi which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Kochi are Royal Residency, Nucleus Inn, Contemporary 2 BHK Villa in Amrita Nagar, Kochi, Exotic 2BHK Abode in Vytilla, Kochi, Cochin Backpackers, Verdant Heritage Bungalow (Entire 1st Floor). You can see all the hotels in Kochi here

What are the things to do in Kochi?

The top things to do in Kochi are Mattancherry Palace, Fort Kochi, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, Willingdon Island, Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters. You can see all the places to visit in Kochi here

What are the places near Kochi?

The top places near to Kochi are Alleppey which is 60 km from Kochi, Munnar which is located 86 km from Kochi, Kumarakom which is located 44 km from Kochi, Ernakulam which is located 2 km from Kochi, Vagamon which is located 75 km from Kochi

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Q. My adult son and I have 5 days in Kerala. We would also like to see Alleppey and Varkala. Can you suggest the best way to travel. Or is there a guide/taxi driver who takes you around. And what would the cost be?

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Kochi Reviews

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Jessy James 8 months ago

Kochi being the commercial hub of Kerala is one of the best cities in India. It has an it park, a ship building yard, a seaport, a marina, a transshipment terminal and many other industries.

Rutvi Saxena 2 years ago

Something a lot of people don’t appreciate about the coastal city-it’s Churches! The Jewish synagogue, the Santa Cruz basilica and dozens of other churches offer some beautiful paintings and frescoes to admire-visiting during Christmas season is quite the experience.The boating and Fort Kochi need no introduction. The language barrier can be quite a struggle, but still manageable in Kochi as it’s one of the more commercialized cities of South India ( Naval Command, Fort Kochi, NLU Kochi, etc).The beaches within the city and it’s access to nearby backwaters such as Alleppey and Munnar make this city a must for the sea-lover.

Ken Chiramel 2 years ago

Nestled on the seaside, Fort Kochi is a relic of bygone times and stands with its well-preserved colonial architecture lining its narrow cobbled streets. Chinese fishing nets dot the coastline with fish vendors selling their fresh catches opposite ubiquitous carts hawking souvenirs and knick-knacks for tourists to take something home. Photographers throng at sunset time to capture the quietly majestic scene. Cafes and boutiques are spread out through the area and it is a past-time of many to go hopping from one cafe to another and walking along Fort Kochi?s streets. The Kochi Muziris Biennale is a two month period during which art installations from all over the world are showcased in the many art galleries throughout the area, and is a celebration of Fort Kochi?s rich diversity. Jew Town, one of the first Jewish settlements in India and the Jewish synagogue within it, is also a major tourist attraction. One can also choose to stay in the beautiful colonial-era buildings that served as lodging for British Raj bureaucrats, as many of them have been repurposed into hotels.

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