The Indian State of Kerala entices tourists all over the world with its unmatched natural beauty! Kochi or Cochin, a port city on the south-west coast of India, is one of the jewels in the crown of Kerala. Entitled as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi is Kerala’s financial and commercial capital. The city has a rich history, and it has served as a major center for the Indian spice trade for centuries. Known for its eclectic mix of the old and the new, Kochi tourist attractions include beaches, museums, forts, temples, churches, art cafes, etc. Check out these most desirable places to visit in Kochi and add them to your Kerala itinerary! Five spectacular places to visit in Kochi
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Fort Kochi:
Kochi is a city that served as a colony of the Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, and British. The best place to experience Kochi’s old-world charm is this small seaside town called Fort Kochi. This petite town is home to the Fort Kochi beach, Indo-Portuguese Museum, Fort Immanuel, House, St. Francis Church (the oldest European church in India) — all of which are the must-visit places in Kochi. You’ll also see the famous Chinese fishing nets along the shore of Fort Kochi! Take a guided heritage walk and delve deep into the history and culture of Kochi!
Mattancherry:
Mattancherry is an atmospheric old neighborhood dotted with colonial buildings that speak of this ancient city’s colonial history and religious temples that represent the area’s culture. The Mattancherry Palace, housing a small museum and rare art, including the paintings of kings and impressive murals depicting scenes from the Hindu epics, is one of the main places to visit in Kochi. Its architecture represents a blend of colonial and traditional architectural styles. Although a Portuguese-built palace, it is called the Dutch Palace because of the renovations and extensions made to the palace by the Dutch.
Jewish synagogue:
Jewish synagogue, also known as Paradesi synagogue, is the oldest functioning synagogue amongst all commonwealth countries, and hence is one of the notable places to visit in Kochi. The synagogue, located in the Jew Town area of Kochi, features a brass-railed pulpit, Belgian glass chandelier, Chinese hand-painted willow pattern tiles, and a clock tower. It also has very rare and precious antiques, silver and gold crowns, age-old copper plates, etc. If you love antiques, then Jew Town is a great place to shop for antiques!
Kerala Folklore Museum:
Kerala Folklore Museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Kochi. This traditionally designed three-storeyed museum has an art gallery and a handicrafts shop. The collections of this museum include cultural exhibits, historical relics, folk-tribal objects, manuscripts, traditional Kathakali masks, costumes of folk art forms, handmade textiles, sculptures, musical instruments, ornaments, Stone Age utensils, etc. Visit this museum to experience the rich heritage of South India!
Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters:
How can a trip to Kerala be complete without witnessing the beauty of its world-famous backwaters? If you are looking to spend a quiet and pleasant evening soaking up the mystical beauty of Kerala’s backwaters, the ideal place to visit in Kochi is this Veeranpuzha lake — the northern extension of Vembanad Lake! The lake is surrounded by lush paddy fields, and this uninhabited area is a refreshing respite for the locals. The sunset at the Veeranpuzha beach is just unmissable!
Some more popular places to visit in Kochi are Santa Cruz Basilica, Cherai Beach, Marine Drive, Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary, Hill Palace, Ernakulam Mahadeva Temple, and Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary. Also, witness the vibrant Kathakali performance at The Kathakali Center! Grab the best deals on flights to Kochi at Indian Eagle and save money on flight tickets!
