Kerala is known as, Gods Own Country, for its breath-taking beauty, and the city of Kochi lies on the South West Coast overlooking the Arabian Sea. For centuries Kochi has been a gathering place for merchants and tourists from various nations and people who have been here from Arabs to the Portuguese and British have all left their legacy and cultural imprints behind. No trip to Kerala is complete without a visit to Kochi tourist places, for it is, the true essence of Kerala. Today Kochi has emerged as one of the must destinations places to visit in Kerala and the cultural and historical significance of Kochi offers a variety of experiences in and around the Tourist Places to visit in Kochi.

ALSO SEE- Kochi Tour Packages

Also called ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, the tourist places in Kochi are sure to take your breath away.

The Kochi tourist places images depicting numerous attractions in a single city leave you with many options to visit on a trip. The Kerala tourist places images are proof that touring in Kochi will leave you awestruck from the backwaters to beaches to hill stations.

Kochi Tourism – Images of Best Places to Visit in Kochi

Here are must-visit tourist places in Kochi that you should not miss on a visit to Kerala if you are planning to enjoy Kochi Tourism.

1. Fort Kochi

The Chinese fishing nets which symbolises Kochi can be seen only in Fort Kochi which may be the only place in the world where the Chinese fishing nets are unique outside China for which the credit goes to the traders from the court of Chinese emperor Kubla Khan. Presently, there are 11 Chinese fishing nets dotting the Fort Kochi shoreline while it was 20 about ten years ago.

ALSO SEE – Chinese Fishing Nets in Kochi – Tourist Traps, Entry Fee and Timings

St Francis Church which is one of the oldest built by Europeans in India and another landmark in this area is Vasco House where Vasco Da Gama is believed to have lived. Visitors can also enjoy walking along Fort Kochi Beach which may be the only beach in the state which has the presence of the Chinese fishing nets and which is also famous for Cochin carnival that is conducted on New Years eve.

ALSO SEE –Many moods of  Fort Kochi Sightseeing

2. Mattancherry

Mattancherry is another fascinating area in Kochi. An eclectic mix of spices, handicrafts, culture, and food, Mattancherry is one of the most vibrant Kochi tourist places. The name mattancherry originated from the house name “Ancherry Mattam”, a Brahmin house that was pronounced by foreign traders as Matt-Ancherry. Mattancherry is a tourist spot in Kochi where Portuguese influence can be seen and in particular the Dutch Palace.

ALSO SEE- Best Time to Visit Kerala 

Jew Town is another tourist attraction of Mattancherry with the synagogue dating from 1568 which is India’s oldest functioning synagogue along with other tourist spots like Mattancherry Palace.

3. Bolghatty & Vypeen Islands

Bolghatty Island is a short boat ride away from mainland Kochi. Bolghatty Palace which is a heritage  hotel is  one of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland. Bolghatty Palace is now converted into a hotel and there is even a small golf course, a swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, ayurvedic center and daily Kathakali performances and is a popular resort to stay in for Indian and overseas tourists.

4. Lulu Shopping Mall, Edappally

Kochi also has India’s largest shopping mall in Edappally – Lulu Shopping Mall owned and operated by EMKE Group. For a shopping experience in Kochi there are lots of markets but a visit to Lulu Mall is a treat with air conditioning and 300+ food outlets, stores and restaurants.

There are both international brands as well as local specialties to see in this modern complex and there is also a premium five-star, 20-storey, 300 room hotel managed by JW Marriott Hotels is located adjacent to it, within the mall compound.

5. Malayattoor

Don’t forget to explore the tourist places outside Kochi too. There are tourist sports around Ernakulam which are very interesting such as the Church at Malayattoor. The name `Malayattoor’ is an amalgamation of three small words. Mala (Mountain) Arr (River) Oore (Place). This is to say, Malayattoor is a meeting place of mountain, river, and land.

The most famous tourist attraction in Malayattoor is the Malayatoor Church is situated atop the 609 m high Malayatoor Hill. The church on top of the hill is dedicated to St. Thomas, who is believed to have prayed at this shrine when he came to India.

This church is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers in India and is an international shrine.

6. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a small forest in the middle of the city at an area of 2.74 Hectares. It is called as Green Lung of Kochi City and the temperature here is usually 1-2 Degree Celsius less than the main city. This area is located near Kerala High Court and has mangroves and trees. Even though it is called bird sanctuary, you need to be lucky enough to see birds when you are visiting. However you can see a lot of bats and mangrove trees for an entry fee of Rs.10 and view a small treehouse as well.

7. Kerala Folklore Museum

If you’re interested in Kerala’s heritage and culture, the Kerala Folklore Museum is a must-visit. It has a vast collection of 25000+ antique items like coins, murals, monuments, statues, jewellery, paintings, dresses etc  displayed in a small space collected by a single man from all over India as a private collection. Everything from ancient pottery and coins to traditional costumes and musical instruments is on display here, making it easy to explore everything in a limited space. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, so they can answer any questions or provide additional information about the exhibits. Entry fee is R.100 for Indians and Rs.200 for foreigners and camera is allowed as well.

8. Jewish Synagogue

The Paradesi Synagogue, also known as the Cochin Jewish synagogue or Mattancherry Synagogue, is a historic synagogue located in Jew Town in Mattancherry, Kerala. It was built in 1568 A.D., on land given by the Raja of Kochi, Ravi Varma. The synagogue has many rare antiques and its beautiful light fixtures made from glass chandeliers hanging from large windows are a sight to behold.

Blue Willow patterned floor tiles imported from China were installed in 18th century AD; copper plates documenting this royal order are preserved inside the synagogue too. The synagogue is open every day except Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays (which fall on different days each year). Visitors can visit it during morning prayers from 10am-12 noon or afternoon services between 3pm-5pm

9. Cherai beach

Cherai beach which is among the best beaches in Kerala and which is a beach that is shallow, calm, and is ideal for swimming & sunbathing and is also known as Princess of Arabian Sea. The charm of the popular getaway is enhanced by the palm-fringed backwaters and the frequent appearance of dolphins in the water makes it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kochi.

Just near to Cherai beach is the Vypeen Island  which is another island that is really popular among visitors to Kochi & Kerala. Vypeen is also the location of Pallipuram Fort which is the oldest surviving fort in India built by European settlers and was constructed in 1503.

ALSO SEE – Top 15 Best Beaches in Kerala

10. Kodanand Elephant Training Centre

Kodanad Elephant Training Center which is a rural riverside village located near Periyar river is another must visit place if you are travelling to Kerala with children as kids may enjoy bathing elephants in the river . Watching elephants at an arms length is a wonderful experience and all part of coming to a beautiful place like Kerala.

Kodanad is among the Ecotourism destination projects of Govt of India and currently is an Elephant rescue center for captured Elephants from the forests in the adjoining mountains.

11. Andhakaranazhi Beach

Andhakaranazhi is still a virgin & lovely beach which is located at a distance of 30 km from Kochi towards Alleppey located near Ezhupunna and is among the best beaches near Kochi . You can see many fishing boats on the beach from the neighboring fishing village & fishing is the main activity of the village folks here.

The sight of local fishermen launching out the everyday morning in their country boats attacking the turbulent waves of the Andhakaranazhi beach is a must-see. This is a good place to visit  in between your trip to Alleppey especially if you are planning for a houseboat trip from Kochi to Alleppey as the beach will fall on the way to Nehru trophy finishing point or to Kumarakom from which Kerala houseboat packages start.

12. Marine Drive

Marine Drive as its name suggests in not a drive way through which vehicles can be driven , but a scenic promenade in Ernakulam which has the rainbow bridge that has become a symbol of Ernakulam as  among the best places to visit in Kochi.

The Marine Drive was built on the land reclaimed from backwaters and the initial plan was to build a beautiful road along the coast line but the coastline rules prohibited it because of which the road was converted to a walkway which also has a Chinese Fishing net bridge as well.

ALSO SEE – Marine Drive Kochi – Places to Visit, Timings and Ticket Fares

13. Hill Palace Museum

Hill Palace was the abode of erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi and was converted by a Museum in 1986. The museum complex exhibits crown and ornaments of erstwhile Cochin royal family, paintings, sculptures in stone and marble, weapons, inscriptions, coins, etc and has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park, and a children’s park.

The weapon gallery & horse cart gallery are really amazing. Being the largest archaeological museum of Kerala and the official residence of Cochin Maharaja, it is one of the best Kochi tourist places to understand heritage and culture.

The Hill Palace Museum is opened to the public every day except Mondays and national /state holidays from 10 am to 12.30 noon and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm and this is a must-visit for tourists who are interested in the culture and history of Kerala

14. Museum of Kerala history, Edappally

When you visit the Museum of Kerala history in Edappally, you will be greeted by a statue of Parasurama, the sage who is said to have created Kerala. This is a monument to the history of Kerala and is one of the best tourist places in Kochi to understand history of Kerala.

The museum is a quiet ethnic building hidden in the shades of huge trees and has an unassuming gallery that houses immortal creations that will give you glimpses of the glorious history and rich cultural legacy of Kerala.

The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm on all days except Mondays and public holidays and the MNF Gallery of Paintings and Sculptures and the Centre for Visual Arts has paintings from Raja Ravi Varma, M F Hussain, folk painter Jamini Roy, abstract painter Manu Parekh, and mural maestro Mammiyoor Krishhan Kutty Nair.

15. Enjoy an Offbeat Cultural Tour of Kochi

Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, boasts a multitude of cultures, people, and breathtaking beauty. On the first half of the 1-day cultural tour, you’ll get taken around in tuk-tuk (autorickshaw) to Fort Kochi. While a tuk-tuk will give you a better feel of Kochi’s culture, you can opt-in for an AC car as well. Away from crowded streets, your English-speaking driver will take you to a tour that brings you upfront with Kerala’s culture.

Try your luck at catching fish with the local fishermen with massive Chinese fishnets. At the local markets, you’ll come across wooden instruments that the Malayali ethnic community uses to prepare special meals of puttu and appam. Indulge yourself in Malayali traditions with a visit to the temple of turmeric goddess (Manjal Bhagvati) and participate in the henna application with ladies at a Hindu home. Enjoy watching a fascinating session of making thin discs of black gram flour, called Papadum that have a crispy nutty taste.

It comes as no surprise that Kochi attracts tourists all year around. At the Abode of Snakes, which is popularly known as Sarpa Kavu, you will witness Naga Raja (King of snakes) and other Naga Devatas (snake deities) being worshipped and served ceremonial offerings. You will see yourself immersed in the wilderness of this place provided by its forest-like vegetation and snake-idols. Dive in deeper into ethnic beliefs with a visit to the majestic Tirumala Devaswom temple and traditional granaries of Kerala.

Visit a revered pilgrim center for Christians, Koonankurishu Palli, which contains the remains of St George and was also the first church consecrated in India. The church, also known as Mattancherry Muri, was consecrated in 1751 and renovated in 1974, and is of huge historical importance. Discover the Abode of Negroes living in Kerala and learn about their black magic tradition.

By the end of the day, enjoy watching or participate in kolam making at the Brahmin Hindu Agraharam. Kolam is a colorful South Indian drawing made using rice flour, rock powder and color powder often drawn on the floor of Hindu homes by female members. Ride back to the ship with memories and beautiful photographs of this rich day. Book now to savor the rich culture of Kochi.

The tourist places in Kochi are absolutely captivating and are sure to leave you with a bag full of beautiful memories and aspirations. For those who wish to explore the real treasures of Kerala, a visit to Kochi tourist places is a must.

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