In Kerala, we are one of the main tourist attractions of India. But can’t we think of new ways to make our city as popular as Mumbai or Bangalore. Food is already one of the most loved traits of Kochi. So food is no longer enough. We need to explore other benefits that a person can get when they visit our town. Kochi is one of the best places in India to visit. Be it its food, sightseeing or otherwise, Kochi has a lot to offer. From the British Era to modern times, you can explore this city’s rich history and experience all that it has to offer. If you’re a tourist, some of the sights are worth a quick stop. Kochi doesn’t have any shortage of such places and so if you’re a biker you might want to stop at these places.

Kochi was the gateway to India and the city of beaches, historical places, multiple languages and culture.

Here are some places to visit in Kochi:

1. Mattancherry Palace

Mattancherry Palace museum is one such famous historical place in Kochi. It is located in the heart of the old town, within the Fort Kochi area. The Mattancherry palace was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and later it was converted into the official residence and offices of the Dutch Governor. Later the British East India Company took over its possession until 1806 when it was handed over to the Raja of Kochi.

• Timings: All Days except Friday and Saturdays 09:45 AM to 04:45 PM
• Ticket Price: 2 INR Per Person
• Time Required: 02:00 Hours

2. Paradesi Synagogue

Of the three synagogues in Kochi, the Paradesi Synagogue is the most well-known. One hundred and thirty years old, this synagogue was built by the Malabari Jewish community who settled in Kochi after fleeing persecution in Yemen and India. The shul is now a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, and holds cultural significance for the entire city.

• Timings: All Days except Friday, Saturday 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
• Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
• Time Required: 01:00 Hours

3. St. Francis CSI Church

St. Francis CSI Church is a primary Christian church in Kochi, Kerala. Built in 1503 and dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, it is the first European church in India and oldest functioning European building in India. It was built by the Portuguese architect Juan Gil and the first printed book brought to India was placed there. The dome consists of 20 paintings depicting the last judgment, with God seated on a rainbow above a globe and handing down divine justice through Christ.

• Timings: All Days except Friday, Saturday 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
• Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
• Time Required: 01:00 Hrs

4. Cherai Beach

Cherai Beach is a beach located in the Ernakulam district of Kochi, Kerala. It is approximately 24 km long and faces towards the north-west. Cherai Beach is generally less crowded than other beaches in Kochi, but it still features many resorts and backwater channels which attract a good number of tourists.

• Timings: 24 Hours
• Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
• Time Required: 02:00 Hours

5. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica Fort Kochi

It is a wonderful sight to behold. You can find it in the Fort Kochi area of Kerala, and it was built by the Portuguese that were in India at that time. The architecture must be appreciated for its transitional style, blending several aspects of Christianity with traditional Indian traditions. This combination creates a fusion that is unique from anything else ever seen before.

• Timings: All Days except Friday, Saturday 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
• Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
• Time Required: 01:00 Hours

6. Hill Palace Museum

Ruled by the Kings of Kochi from 1400s to 1450 AD, the Hill Palace Museum is a royal villa and museum that offers a glimpse into Kerala’s royal heritage. It was constructed over 450 years ago during the reign of Veera Kerala Varma when foreign influences were felt all around. The Museum is the largest one in Kerala and has a collection of over 40,000 rare antiques and artifacts including a rich treasure of historical gold jewelry  and ancient weapons.

• Timings: 09:00 AM to 04:30 PM
• Ticket Price: 30 INR Per Person
• Time Required: 01:30 Hours

7. Willingdon Island

Located at the South-West of Kochi, Willingdon Island is a lush green island merged with oval-shaped land almost covering 48 hectares. The Island offers a little of everything: world class resorts, cliff-gazing cafes, spectacular views and much more. The main highlight of this beautiful Island is the suspension bridge designed in the shape of a heart making it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Kochi.

• Timings: All days 24 hours
• Ticket Price: No Ticket Price
• Time Required: 03:00 Hours

8. Fort Kochi Beach

Founded in the year of 1907, Fort Kochi is an old military base that houses various government offices. Built by the Portuguese, the complex once boasted of a mini-museum and several cannons that can be viewed by tourists who pay a nominal fee to certain points on the premises. The layout of the place is like that of a canteen, with each aisle reserved for different departments. There are a number of coffee shops inside, which makes it easy for visitors to enjoy their afternoon ball game or refreshment after hours of touring.

• Timings: 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM
• Ticket Price: 100 INR Per Person
• Time Required: 02:00 Hours

9. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a popular bird watching spot in Kerala. The sanctuary is situated on the coast and has almost a perfect encircling hill for catching the best views of the ocean, and is considered an important nesting site for many marine species. If you’re a lover of nature, who enjoys bird-watching, and who also loves to travel during the warm months of summer… this is a must-visit destination.

• Timings: 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
• Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
• Time Required: 03:00 Hours

10. Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple is a must-visit place in any trek package in Kerala. The temple is made up of several small shrines dedicated to the various deities worshiped by the people during the annual festival. It is famous for their religious festival which starts six months prior to their annual summer festival. The temple is also popular for its fireworks show on the last day of the festival.

• Timings: 04:00 AM to 08:00 PM
• Ticket Price: No Entry Fee
• Time Required: 01:00 Hours

As with many cities in Kerala, the delectable cuisine and the bustling atmosphere of Kochi are worth visiting. Many travelers to Kochi opt to sleep in a hotel, but there is no shortage of places for travelers to stay without breaking the bank. In the end, Kochi is a small city with an impressive heritage. It has a lot of historic and cultural spots that definitely deserve your attention. And according to Lonely Planet, it’s also one of the twenty most often visited destinations in India!

FAQs

Question: What are the top sightseeing places in Kochi?
Answer:Mattancherry Palace, Fort Kochi, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, Willingdon Island, Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters are the top sightseeing places in Kochi.

Question: What are the top activities in Kochi?
Answer: There are various adventure activities that can be done such as Water Skiing, Training, Banana Boat Ride, Kochi, Bumper Ride, Jet Ski Ride.

Question: What are the three main tourist attractions of Cochin?
Answer: Santa Cruz Basilica, Cherai Beach and Marine Drive are the top three main tourist attractions in Cochin.