Kochi Travel Guide

TRAVEL GUIDE, KOCHI Updated : Oct 4, 2016, 03.13 PM IST

ThinkstockPhotos-179766094
Ancient meets contemporary in Kochi, a lively city at just an hour's drive from Alleppey. Posh cafes sit right by the side of Chinese fishing nets that were installed here in 1350 AD; India's largest man-made island is a major attraction and so is the Paradesi Synagogue that was built in the year 1560. St Francis CSI Church once housed the remains of Vasco da Gama and is also the oldest European church in India. Kochi also hosts the world famous Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an event that sees much of the city turning into an art exhibition ground. With its potpourri of history, culture, arts and the great Kerala cuisine, Kochi makes for a perfect short trip from Alleppey.

1
Kochi’s most luxurious hotels

HOTELS IN KOCHI

Kochi’s most luxurious hotels

If you want to experience vintage cross lines with the contemporary, one of these luxury hotels in Kochi is for you. An ancient city with stories at every corner, Kochi has hotels that are as vintage as Le Colonial, Asia...more

2
Kochi’s most impressive mid-budget hotels

HOTELS IN KOCHI

Kochi’s most impressive mid-budget hotels

When it comes to mid-budget hotels, Kochi has a number of impressive options such as the very comfortable yet affordable Sajhome, the surprisingly quaint Fort House Hotel, the Portuguese-style Niyati Boutique Stay or Hot...more

3
Niyati Boutique Stay

HOTELS IN KOCHI

Niyati Boutique Stay

​An uber-plush stay at surprisingly affordable tariffs, Niyati Boutique Stay is a perfect choice for those travelling on a modest budget. More like a home, this Portuguese-style stay facility is quite famous for its arts...more

4
Hotel Imperial Regency

HOTELS IN KOCHI

Hotel Imperial Regency

​Hotel Imperial Regency is one of the oldest mid-budget options in Ernakulam. You can choose from a range of spacious rooms that includes executive rooms, deluxe rooms and suites. Quite plush for its tariff, it has facil...more

5
A rendezvous with food in Kochi

RESTAURANTS IN KOCHI

A rendezvous with food in Kochi

When in Kerala, do not eat. Experience. What better place than Kochi to start on this culinary journey. Here is a guide to some of the most amazing restaurants in Kochi. Start with the very artsy Kashi Art Cafe, hop over...more

6
History Restaurant

RESTAURANTS IN KOCHI

History Restaurant

Another gem of a restaurant, this one offers cuisine that draws from more than 30 communities from Kerala. A must-visit for those with a love of quirky, it serves dishes as different as steak fernandez, anglo Indian beef...more

7
Malabar Junction

RESTAURANTS IN KOCHI

Malabar Junction

Another amazing restaurant in Kochi that you cannot miss―Malabar Junction fuses Mediterranean and Kerala cuisine. With a lot of organic produce in its recipes, it will lure you with specialities such as tiger prawns in m...more

8
The Rice Boat

RESTAURANTS IN KOCHI

The Rice Boat

This one calls for a seafood alert. Built like a kettuvallam, traditional rice boats of Kerala, this place leaves an impression both with its food as well as ambience. The cuisine here is a mix of specialities from Keral...more

9
Pepper House Café

CAFES, KOCHI

Pepper House Café

Originally a godown, this ancient building has been renovated, and part of it is used as a café, part of it was used as an art gallery for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and one whole section is used as a repository of book...more

10
10 things to see and do in Fort Kochi

THINGS TO DO IN KOCHI

10 things to see and do in Fort Kochi

Narrow roads lined with trees and old houses with flowers on every porch greet you as you enter Fort Kochi. The silence is especially welcome after the bustle of Cochin, or Ernakulam, which is today, one of Kerala’s impo...more

11
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

SIGHTSEEING IN KOCHI

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

The Portuguese, it is said, built many churches in Fort Kochi, among which, only two were left standing by the Dutch. One was the St. Francis Church and the other was the Santa Cruz Cathedral. While the former remained a...more

12
Indo-Portuguese Museum

THINGS TO DO IN KOCHI

Indo-Portuguese Museum

Fort Emmanuel was the name given to the fort that the Portuguese built at Kochi. Today, the town is called Fort Kochi, but little remains of the fort itself. There are a few portions of the fort still standing, but they ...more

13
St. Francis Church

SIGHTSEEING IN KOCHI

St. Francis Church

When we think of ancient churches in India, we think of Old Goa. However, did you know that the first church built by Europeans in India is in Fort Kochi? Christianity was already prevalent in the region, thanks to St. ...more

14
8 things to do when you are in Cochin

THINGS TO DO IN KOCHI

8 things to do when you are in Cochin

Cochin, the queen of the Arabian Sea has forever been on every traveller’s wish list and brought people from faraway lands to its shores. Colonialism is ubiquitous in Cochin, as Fort Kochi and Mattancherry exhibit glimps...more

15
Cherai Beach

BEACHES, KOCHI

Cherai Beach

To the north of Cochin lies the beautiful Vypeen Island, lined with many beaches. The island which is approachable by both a ferry and road is well known for its lighthouse at Ochanthuruth. This popular lighthouse offers...more

16
Kumbalangi

SIGHTSEEING IN KOCHI

Kumbalangi

A visit to Kumbalangi, a model rural village gives an insight into the life of toddy tappers, fishermen, coir making industries and much more. This fishing hamlet is located south west of Kochi, close by Vembanad Lake. I...more

17
Kochi-Muziris Biennale

THINGS TO DO IN KOCHI

Kochi-Muziris Biennale

Staged for the first time in 110 years in India in 2012, this contemporary art exhibition is an amalgam of artworks and culture. At Kochi-Muziris Biennale artists from various corners of the world have their brilliant wo...more

18
Willingdon Island

SIGHTSEEING IN KOCHI

Willingdon Island

While Fort Kochi and Mattancherry always held the limelight, its neighbouring island, Willingdon, has always lived in their shadow. Built by Robert Bristow and named after Lord Willingdon, the governor of Madras presiden...more

19
Short trips from Kochi

SIGHTSEEING IN KOCHI

Short trips from Kochi

The sheer number of interesting places to visit near Kochi will leave you spoilt for choice. Beaches, hills, forests, national parks, backwaters and more, Kochi has it all and at just a stone’s throw away from the city. ...more

20
Kovalam

SIGHTSEEING, KOVALAM

Kovalam

Kovalam is the more famous neighbour of Varkala, a beach destination that makes for a beautiful picture postcard. It is at a drive of around four hours from Alleppey and attracts beach lovers all through the year. Its th...more

21
Trivandrum

SIGHTSEEING, TRIVANDRUM

Trivandrum

​Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram, a city that celebrates its rich past with a fast galloping economy, lies at a drive of around four hours from Alleppey. Visit Trivandrum for the very splendid Padmanabhaswamy Temple, th...more

22
Wayanad

SIGHTSEEING IN WAYANAD

Wayanad

Located between the Kannur and Kozhikode districts in Kerala, Wayanad is a sparkling green emerald sprawled across the slopes of the Western Ghats. The monsoons persevere here—the rainy season starts in June and lasts al...more

23
Periyar National Park

SIGHTSEEING, KERALA

Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, south India. Famous as an elephant and tiger reserve, the Park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady...more

Kochi Map

Was this helpful?

Join Us On FacebookClose

Share your Kochi Trip Experience

user-thumb
Characters Remaining: 3000
X
Sort By:
Be the first one to review.
comment-loading