Kerala’s largest city, Cochin, is located on India’s southwest coast. With its lovely harbors and bustling city life, it is a well-liked tourist attraction. It is an important site to observe Kalarippayattu and Kathakali dances. There are many places to visit in Kochi; a few of them are listed here.
Santa Cruz Basilica
The Santa Cruz Basilica, one of Kochi’s oldest and most visited tourist attractions, was one of only eight basilicas established in India by the Portuguese. It is one of Kochi’s most well-known and historic attractions. This building is currently the Cathedral for the Diocese of Cochin. The Gothic structure of the church, which is almost a century old, exudes majesty due to its pastel-colored interior and artworks that contribute to its grandeur. This trend was spearheaded by an Italian painter and his Bangalore-based apprentice. You should see Moscheni’s recreation of Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” which is an image you won’t soon forget.
Marine Drive
One of the most well-liked places to hang out in Kochi is Marine Drive. It’s also one of the most amazing places to visit in Kochi at night, according to TripAdvisor. Couples frequently stop by to take one of the popular boat cruises, which take them to a variety of other tourist destinations, including the Mattancherry Jewish Synagogue, among others. This promenade is surrounded by three bridges: (located next to the GCDA retail complex, which is a must-visit location for shopping in Kochi), and, all of which are remarkable instances of architectural design. Along the boardwalk, they could discover a number of well-known restaurants. It’s a lovely place to visit on your own, or even with family and friends.
Veeranpuzha Beach
Veeranpuzha Beach is a typical Malabar coastline that tourists may enjoy with its scenic waters, fisherman’s homes, and sandy beach. It feels like time has stopped as you drink chilled coconut water and look toward the setting sun. It’s a fantastic place to unwind and do nothing. It’s also a fishing community, so taking a trip will give you a greater understanding of how people there live. The slower pace of life here offers a peaceful escape from the stress and commotion of daily life.
Cherai Beach
One of Kochi’s most well-known beaches, Cherai Beach, is a stunning and tranquil area that runs over ten kilometers. The water body is a great spot to pause when seeing the Chinese fishing nets or the Cheena Vala because it is only a short distance from the backwaters. Cherai Beach is a well-known photo site because of the lovely background it provides, which includes a golden beach, seashells, calm waves, and fishing boats. The surrounding shacks serve up delicious food and cool coconut water between the hours of sunrise and dusk. If you’re lucky, you could even catch a glimpse of a dolphin nearby.
Mattancherry Palace
The Mattancherry Palace, popularly known as the, was constructed in as a gift from the Portuguese to the Kochi dynasty. The structure is divided into four distinct wings and a courtyard, making it the greatest illustration of how colonial and Keralan architectural styles can coexist. The royal family may also go to the Pazhayannur Bhagavathy temple on the palace grounds, which is devoted to the family’s patron deity.
Kerala Folklore Museum
The Kerala Folklore Museum is a unique museum with everything from ancient artefacts and sculptures to folklore exhibitions and tribal artwork. Anyone interested in Indian history and culture must see it. This site, which houses a variety of musical instruments, costumes, and masks, as well as Stone Age tools, also allows you to buy and trade historical items.
Fort Kochi
Time seems to have stopped in Fort Kochi, which is close to Mattancherry. It’s a calm place to decompress because all the shops, people, and streets operate at their own pace. A little fishing community inside Fort Kochi is called Old Kochi, also known as West Kochi. On the property’s grounds, there is also an Indo-Portuguese Museum. Visit Fort Immanuel, which was built in 1503 as a representation of the strategic alliance between the Maharaja of Cochin and the Portuguese Monarch, as well as the St. Francis Church, which was built in 1503 and is the earliest European church in India. It also houses Vasco da Gama’s original grave.
Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary
Elephants are revered, taught, and groomed with the utmost care and respect in Kerala, where they play a vital role in important festivals. In addition to being a significant training facility in Kerala, the Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary is a great place to have a family holiday. For kids, in especially, getting close to the gentle giants may be an amazing experience. Even bathing the elephants is permitted, but only when a qualified professional is there to supervise. Additionally, there are a number of riverside paths that are only accessible by boat or on foot.
Kalady
The ancient philosopher Adi Shankara was born in the Sringeri Math, which is situated by the Periyar River. His birth took place there as well. The Paduka Mandapam is another feature that is well-known to individuals of all religious backgrounds.
Veeranpuzha Backwaters
The Veeranpuzha Backwaters are only one of Kerala’s famous backwaters, which are well-known across the world. The Veeranpuzha Backwaters are the perfect place for anybody looking to spend a peaceful and delightful evening in Kochi since it offers a beach where you can have a leisurely evening walk.
Kadalkkara Lake Resort
In Cochin, one of the most affordable hotels is the Kadalkkara Lake Resort. If you want to escape the bustle of city life but don’t want to spend a lot of money doing so, you should pick this resort. This resort is a pleasant retreat for many tourists to the city because of its location adjacent to the beautiful Kadalkkara Lake, close to everything spectacular in Cochin, and close to nature. This retreat stands out for its cottage-style lodgings, which are surrounded by lush vegetation and the sound of babbling water. The Kochi Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places to see while you’re in Kochi.
Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple
A must-see attraction is the Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple, which is situated in the center of Cochin. It is a well-known Kochi attraction and one of the most important tourist destinations in the city. It is one of the earliest Shiva temples in Hinduism.. The fact that the deity’s statue is facing west for the only time in South India is one of this temple’s most significant characteristics. Visits here are among the most exciting things to do in Kochi.
Athirapally Falls
The Athirapally Falls, the highest waterfall in Kerala at 80 meters, is occasionally referred to as the “Niagara Falls of India.” Victoria Falls is a stunning cascade of water that is created by water cascading down from the Anamudi mountains in the Western Ghats. Several theme parks and exotic resorts might provide a fantastic stay in the bush when you’re ascending to see this waterfall.
Malayattoor
Malayattoor is one of the most popular day trip locations in Kochi due to the convergence of land, river, and mountain there. The well-known Malayattoor church, honoring St. Thomas, who has frequently worshipped at this revered shrine, is situated on the Malayattoor hill, according to the locals. A life-size statue of the saint may be seen within the cathedral, and outside, they can locate a rock that bears the impression of the Apostle’s foot.
Hill Palace
This venue is a good place to go if you want to learn more about the kings and queens’ way of life. The 54-acre palace, which was formerly the Maharaja of Kochi’s home but is now a museum, features 49 opulent structures that are all accessible to the general public. Footwear is not permitted inside the palace’s main structure, but you may see a variety of paintings, swords, manuscripts, murals, and other objects that have belonged to the royal family throughout the years within. One of the most prominent elements of the palace is the Crown, which is entirely composed of gold. This is the case because of its hilly location, hence the name.