Places To Visit In Cochin Sightseeing

Even a casual stroll through Fort Kochi located in the port city of Kochi in Kerala is enough to make you feel transported to another world and time. The architectural style of the buildings and the town layout easily make Fort Cochin distinct from other cities and towns of Kerala. Since Fort Cochin was under the possession of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British at different points of time, the region still bear the influence of European architecture.

Jew synagogue (Paradesi Synagogue) is built in 1568 and is one of the oldest active synagogues. This synagogue is located in the old part of Mattenchery Town in Kochi known as Jew Town.

The Dutch Palace (also known as Mattenchery Palace) is very near to the Jew town. It was built in 1555 A.D by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma, Raja of Kochi. It has a huge collection of Kerala Temple murals, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.

Marine Drive is a beautiful promenade in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala state of India. The Marine Drive is built facing the backwaters of Kochi. It is a popular hangout for the local populace as well as the tourists.

Located in Vypin Island, Kochi, Cherai Beach is one of the beautiful beaches facing the Arabian sea. It is about 25 Kms from Cochin and is an ideal place to unwind and enjoy the long sandy beach!

Hill palace museum is the Kerala’s first heritage museum and is also the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. It is situated near Tripunithura, Kochi. It was built in 1865 and was the administrative headquarters of Kochi Rajas.

This palace was built by Dutch in 1744 and is one of the oldest existing Dutch palaces outside Holland. Bolgatty palace is located in Bolgatty Island, Kochi. It is now converted into a heritage resort by the state.

Willingdon Island is a man-made island created in 1933 under the supervision of Sir Robert Bristow. Up until recently Cochin airport, Seaport and the railway terminus (Cochin Harbor Terminus) were functioning on this island. Now, the Cochin Port Trust and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command function here.

A backwater cruise in Cochin is the highlight of the tour. You can enjoy natures’ bounty through the huge proliferation of palm and coconut trees lining the pellucid waters, and marvel at the quiet ambience generated by the quintessential moments of Cochin, especially when you pass through Fort Kochi and Mattancherry areas.

Museum of Kerala History at Edappally is a must visit destination for ardent lovers of history and for people who want to know about the history of Kerala. A lovely reproduction of Parasurama, the legend and reincarnation of Lord Vishnu greets you right at the door.

Pallipuram Fort was built by the Portuguese and is considered to be the oldest such surviving monument in the India. The monument is more than 513 years old and still holds a great deal of attraction to its visitors. The fort is evidence of the stunning architectural nuances followed by the Europeans in those times.

Chottanikkara Bhagvathy Temple is the abode of millions of devotees who come here with many woes and pains. The huge golden idol, bedecked with jewels, flowers and various adornments is a sight to behold. Be ready to feel the positive vibrations emanating from the temple and take part in the festivities and poojas(rituals) to remove any afflictions you are suffering from.

Being a leading amusement park in Kochi, Wonderla Amusement Park is a must visit destination for people travelling with kids. The clean, safe, hygienic and well-maintained park is a joy where you can spend an entire day exploring the adventurous rides; plenty of these rides are water based.

Veeranpuzha is a beautiful lake in Kochi along with a series of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Malabar coast, which form beautiful backwaters. Still now very few tourists visit Veeranpuzha. Most of them do not aware about it. Very recently some resorts are being made in the banks of it.

Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala, the last port of Vasco Da Gama, where you will find synagogues, mosques, churches and temples side by side, is a place with a fascinating history. The huge cantilevered fishing net, the Chinese fishing nets, seen here is a legacy of its spellbinding past. The nets, set up on teak and bamboo poles, were brought by one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast, the traders from the court of Kublai Khan. An ideal place to watch fishermen use these nets is the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade along the beach. The square, which has numerous stalls serving fresh delicious seafood, tender coconut and so on, is also perfect for a nice, relaxed evening.

Located in Kochi city-centre, this bird sanctuary is home to a shallow lake surrounded by thick mangrove vegetation that draws a variety of migratory and resident birds every year. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, an ecologically sensitive area situated at the centre of Kochi behind the Kerala High Court building fittingly dubbed as the 'green lung of Kochi'. Primarily a bird refuge, the innate appeal of Mangalavanam is augmented by the Arabian Sea which borders the sanctuary and adds to it a panoramic ambience. Mangalavanam, a nesting ground for a large variety of migratory birds, is a paradise for birdwatchers and twitchers. This green paradise is also a roosting place for resident as well as migratory birds.

Located near the Cochin city of Kerala, Kalady is a famous pilgrim center, which is the birthplace of the great Indian philosopher of the 8th century, Adi Sankaracharya. The only son of Sivaguru and Aryamba, he is said to have completed the study of Vedas at the age of 16 itself. He also evolved the philosophy of Advaita, one of the two principals of the Vedantic school asserting the sole existence of Brahma. There are two major shrines located in Kalady, dedicated to the memory of Adi Sankaracharya. One is devoted to him as Dakshinamoorthi, while the other is dedicated to Goddess Sharada and is looked after by the Sringeri Mutt, which is believed to be situated exactly at the same place where Adi Sankaracharya's house once stood.

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica is located at Fort Kochi and is one of the eight Basilicas in India. It is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and is visited by tourists all year round. Made by the Portuguese; Santa Cruz Basilica is considered as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala. Recently in 2004, this cathedral completed its five centuries of existence. Hence, the Cathedral not only happens to be one of the oldest churches in Kochi but also in the whole of India.

Kerala Folklore Museum is the only architectural museum in Kerala with the essence of the life and culture of the common man over the past 1000 years. It is also a cultural hub which contains :- ‘Face Art Gallery’- for Art & Antiques. ‘Folklore Theatre’- Live performances of traditional art forms & cultural activities. ‘Spice Art Café’ -, to experience the real culinary taste of traditional Kerala. ‘Souvenir Shop’ - to buy real ethnic antiques and tribal artifacts. This is a treasure trove of stone, wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, Stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, wood works, utensils, masks and traditional art forms etc.

St Francis Church is one of the oldest churches in India built by the Europeans. The church is famous for its stunning architecture. It has great historical significance as it is the mute witness of the europeans struggle. The famous The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama's body was first buried in this church and was later on shifted to another place. It was dedicated to St. Anthony. The church has a lofty structure with a gabled timber framed roof covered with tiles. A stepped pinnacle is constructed on both sides of the façade, which is very impressive and retains the old world charm. The interior of the church too provides a magnificent view with two stepped pinnacles crowning the top of the chancel roof and with the plain arched opening that divides the chancel from the nave.

Architecturally a Kerala style mansion, the Parikshith Thampuran Museum is located inside the Durbar Hall. The museum features old coins, sculptures, oil paintings, Mughal paintings and Royal artifacts belonging to the 19th century. Much before it was turned into a museum, the building housing it was used as a venue to receive the guests of the Kochi royalty. It also substituted as a place for official ceremonies and meetings. The most attractive part of this magnanimous structure is the former guest room, or the durbar hall, of the Kochi rajas. It has a sprawling, stringently Kerala style structure. The museum is, now, under the administration of the State Archaeological Department, which named it after Rama Varma Parikshith Thampuran, the Royal family's last ruler.

Containing lithic records of historical significance, Thirikkakara Vamana moorthy Temple hosts the spectacular secular Onam feast every year in the Malayalee month of Chingam which falls typically between August and September. This temple is also called Thirikkakara temple because of its location in the village Thirikkara. Thrikkakara Temple is one of the few temples in India dedicated to Lord Vamana the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is situated in Thrikkakara, 2 kilometers east of Idapally near Cochin. The name Thrikkakkara means the holy place where Lord placed His foot.

Bishop's House stands on a little hillock near the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. The facade of the House is characterised by large Gothic arches and has a circular garden path winding up to the main entrance. The building was acquired by Dom Jos Gomes Ferreira, the 27th Bishop of the Diocese of Kochi whose jurisdiction extended over Burma, Malaya and Ceylon, in addition to India. Adjacent to the Bishop's House is the Indo-Portuguese Museum which houses precious artefacts collected from various churches under the Cochin diocese. Now it is famous for its house-facade made up of large Gothic arches with a circular path that ends at the main entrance.