Kochi

Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena Vala)

A series of large cantilevered fishing nets on the waterfront at Fort Kochi, believed to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan between 1350 and 1450 CE. Each net is a structure of teak and bamboo poles up to 10 meters high with a 20-metre span, operated by a counterweight system of stones. The nets are still in daily use.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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St Francis Church

The oldest European church in India, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. The church was originally built in wood and later rebuilt in stone. Vasco da Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524, was originally buried here before his remains were transferred to Lisbon in 1539.

Timing: Open daily, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

A Roman Catholic cathedral on the waterfront in Fort Kochi, originally built by the Portuguese in 1557 and rebuilt in the current Gothic form in 1902. The cathedral has two prominent spires and a brightly painted interior with murals depicting scenes from the life of Jesus. One of eight Catholic basilicas in Kerala.

Timing: Open daily, 9:00 AM to 1:00  PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

A palace built by the Portuguese in 1555 as a gift to the Raja of Kochi, Raja Veera Kerala Varma, in exchange for trading rights. The palace is built in traditional Kerala style with a central courtyard. The interior is famous for its Kerala murals, considered among the finest examples. The palace is now a museum.

Timing: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Friday
Entry Fee: ₹250 (online pay or cash at counter). Entry is free for children below 15 years
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Paradesi Synagogue

The oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, built in 1568 by Sephardic Jews who came to Kochi following the Portuguese conquest of Cranganore. The interior is notable for its Belgian glass chandeliers, a brass pulpit, and a floor of hand-painted willow-pattern Chinese porcelain tiles — each tile unique.

Timing: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Friday and Saturday
Entry Fee: ₹100 (cash at counter)
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Vasco da Gama Square

The waterfront promenade of Fort Kochi, running along the Arabian Sea from the Chinese fishing nets to the ferry jetties. The square is named after Vasco da Gama and is the primary gathering point for visitors in the evening. Street food stalls, coconut water vendors, and fishing boats visible from the promenade.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Kerala Kathakali Centre

A cultural center in Fort Kochi offering daily performances of Kathakali — the classical dance-drama of Kerala. Performances are preceded by a demonstration of the elaborate makeup process, which takes several hours in traditional practice.

Timing: Varies by shows - see official site below
Entry Fee: Varies by shows - see official site below
Open in Maps | Official Booking Site

Aspinwall House

A 19th century heritage complex on the Fort Kochi waterfront. The complex of warehouses, bungalows, and open grounds is now the primary venue of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale — India’s largest international contemporary art festival.

Timing: Open daily, 10:00 AM to 6:00  PM
Entry Fee: ₹200 (cash at counter)
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Hill Palace Museum

The largest archaeological museum in Kerala. Built in 1865 as the administrative headquarters and royal residence of the Kochi royal family, the palace complex contains 49 rooms across three floors with exhibits of royal weapons, armour, manuscripts, paintings, coins, and a collection of 19th century Cochin royal family portraits.

Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed Monday
Entry Fee: ₹50 (cash at counter)
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Cherai Beach

A beach on Vypin Island. A long stretch of beach with the backwaters running parallel behind the coconut tree line. Dolphin sightings are occasionally reported in the waters near the beach.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Alleppey Backwaters (Alappuzha)

The backwater network of Alappuzha district, 55 km south of Kochi, is the most extensive and most visited backwater system in Kerala. The backwaters are a network of lakes, canals, and lagoons running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, connected by a network of waterways.

Timing: Year-round
Entry Fee: Houseboat rates vary by operator and season
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Metro in Kochi

Practical. Google the nearest metro station to your starting point and destination. Enter the station, buy a ticket at the counter or vending machine, clear security, scan the ticket at the entry gate, walk towards platform and board the train. Use the same ticket again at the exit gate on destination.

Water Metro in Kochi

Practical. The Water Metro — a network of electric boat services connecting Fort Kochi, Vypeen Island, and the mainland. Check the availability and route here

Local buses in Kochi

Partially practical. City buses run across the city but routes are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.

Ride-hailing apps in Kochi

Practical. Ride-hailing app like Uber operate in Kochi. Select the vehicle type and book through the app; fares are shown upfront before confirmation. Drivers may call to confirm the pickup point. Before getting in, verify the vehicle number and OTP shown in the app. Payment can be made by card through the app or in cash directly to the driver at the end of the trip.

Street-hailing auto rickshaw in Kochi

Practical. For short distances (5 km) or when apps are unavailable. Tell or show the auto driver your destination — they can refuse, in which case move to the next one. Agree on the fare (approx. ₹30—₹40 per km) before you get in. Know the distance to your destination via maps before negotiating.

Cochin Carnival in Kochi

Fort Kochi's New Year celebration — street parades, live music, cultural performances, boat races, and the Burning of the Pappanji (a giant effigy) at midnight on December 31. The streets of Fort Kochi transform for eight days, blending Goan, Portuguese, and Kerala traditions.
2026 Dates:

Onam in Kochi

Kerala's harvest festival observed city-wide — pookalam flower carpets, Kathakali and Pulikali (tiger dance) performances, boat races at the harbour, and Onam Sadya banana leaf feasts at restaurants and households across the city.
2026 Dates:

Kochi's food reflects centuries of trade contact — Portuguese, Dutch, Jewish, Arab, and Chinese influences layered onto the Kerala base. Fort Kochi has a distinct character from the main city: heritage cafes and fusion alongside traditional Kerala.

Local food to eat in Kochi

Kerala fish curry · Prawn moilee · Duck roast · Appam with stew · Fish molly · Karimeen fry · Jewish kugel (Jew Town bakeries) · Banana fritters · Puttu and kadala

Food streets in Kochi

• Jew Town and Fort Kochi Heritage District — cafes, heritage restaurants, seafood
• Ernakulam market (Broadway) — local Kerala food, biryani, snacks
• Mattancherry area — Malabar food, biryani, sweets
• Marine Drive — restaurants, seafood, evening stalls

Kochi is well connected by air, rail, and road and serves as the primary entry point for Kerala. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.

Kochi — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands

Rail Stations: Ernakulam Junction (ERS) | Ernakulam Town (ERN)
Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK)
Bus Terminals: KSRTC Bus Stand

By Train
Search “Ernakulam” as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Ernakulam Junction (ERS) is the main station. Choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.

By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air. Cochin International Airport (COK) has direct domestic connections from all major Indian cities.

By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (KSRTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.

All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.