Parks and the outdoors in Kochi

Parks and the outdoors in Kochi

1. DoErnakulam

   Changampuzha Park

   A spacious place established in 1977, ideal for picnics and group discussions.

2. SeeGoshree

   Cherai Beach

   Gold beaches with big sand grains, coconut palm corridors, backwaters and historical monuments. Cherai Beach surpasses all with its swimming facilities and coconut groves. Occasional sights of dolphins are also an added attraction. This is one of the safest beaches for swimming, watersports and beach games. A very large, beautiful backwater is 250 m from the beach and is famous for its scenic beauty and boating. The best way to reach Cherai is a ferry from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island and then a local bus (₹12) to Cherai Junction. From there, take an auto-rickshaw (₹20) to the beach. An alternative is taking the auto-rickshaw from the ferry for about ₹100. There are also buses from Ernakulam to Cherai Junction.

3. SeeOld Kochi

   David Hall

   This 315 year-old Dutch bungalow was the official residence of Dutch Army commanders, the most famous being Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede tot Draakestein, who authored Horticus Malabaricus. The complex belongs to the Netherlands Govt. agency CNO which has been renovated to open a large art gallery, a traditional Dutch performing arts centre and a large studio for young painters. The building is a classic specimen of colonial Dutch architecture with elaborate Dutch gardens. Check at the reception to know the schedule of cultural performances.

   Tue-Sun 11AM-7PM

4. DoOld Kochi

   Fort Kochi Beach

   A historical beach where 1st Portuguese-Dutch war broke out in the 17th century. Once a very large beach, it has reduced to a quarter in size after the 2004 tsunami. A beautiful, small walkway is ideal for evening strolls. One can find remnants of the Old Portuguese Immanuel Fort, along with parts of the Dutch Stormberg Fort, with some cannons still kept intact. An obsolete boiler that was once used for powering cranes of old port and a very large anchor of an old Portuguese ship are displayed on the walkway. Works for creating a new artificial beach are undergoing near this old beach with the help of the Tsunami development funds.

5. SeeThrippunithura

   Hill Palace Museum

   The erstwhile Kochi Maharaja's palace, now converted to a large museum with a small zoo. Has paintings and epigraphy from collections of Travancore and Cochin royal families. It is the largest archaeological palace in South India with more than 500 artifacts divided into 16 galleries. The highlight of the Palace is the display of multi-billion worth Cochin Royal Crown and Crown Jewels. The Crown Gallery is a high security zone with elaborate security checks. Photography and bags are prohibited. The Palace complex is huge with several buildings inside. There is a good Deer Park (10AM-4:30PM) which also has peacocks. A small fauna garden was set up in 2003. The palace has more than 100 different species of trees and plants of medical value. The palace has five large gardens and two large resting grounds of late Maharajas.

   10AM-12:30PM; 2-4:30PM (Crown Gallery closes at 4PM) (closed Mondays)·Indians ₹20, foreigners ₹500 (including Deer Park and all attractions)

6. SeeKalamassery

   Kerala Museum

   A good, well maintained museum with a 40 minute light and sound show (English and Malayalam) about Kerala history. Depicts the history of Kerala through life-like wax statues. Adjacent are the Museum of Dolls with nearly 1,000 dolls from various countries, and M.N.F Art and Sculpture Gallery that has many good collections of paintings and sculptures. This museum has a small, well maintained garden.

   ₹100 (₹30 for children)

7. DoErnakulam

   Managalavanam

   A thick 80-acre mangrove forest in the heart of Kochi and declared a flora sanctuary. More than 30 unique flora are found here and it is also a major bird sanctuary, where migratory birds feed and rest when they escape the cold northern winters.

8. DoErnakulam

   Marine Drive Walkway

   A two-km-long promenade and no car is allowed to ply there. The backwaters are on one side and a busy shopping district is on the other side of the walk. The walkway starts from, goes through two scenic bridges and ends at Rajendra Maidan. The total distance is less than a kilometre. Stroll along this calm stretch without motorised traffic and enjoy an ice cream or fruit juice. A few malls stand along the way. Chill off the heat while you walk with a Sharjah shake or ice-cream, or one of the local delicacies. There is a children's park in the middle and two hanging bridges.

9. DoGoshree

   Matsyafed Milky-way Aqua-Tourist Village

   A unique concept where a large shrimp farm of the state-run cooperative Matsyafed is converted into an aqua-tourist village with options to fish for fresh prawns, crabs and shrimp for a nominal fee, canoeing within a mangrove forest, sun-bathing, swimming at a private beach nearby and enjoying sunset picnic cruise. Breakfast and lunch are included in entry cost and have a wide range of fish delicacies and pickles.

   10AM-5PM·₹100 per person

10. SeeOld Kochi

    Princess Street

    Loafer’s Corner

    The most famous street of Fort Kochi, which gives you a slice of authentic colonial European architecture. The only street that never faced any raid or demolitions in the past, Princess street is a perfect destination for an evening walk with numerous western-style cafes, souvenir shops, art galleries and heritage complexes.

11. DoErnakulam

    Silverstorm Water Park

    A good family theme park with 29 water and dry rides, a very large park and a Chinese village

12. DoErnakulam

    Wonderla

    second largest theme park in South India. Spread over 50 acres of land with more than 50 Rides and various shows, it has well maintained gardens and five restaurants as well as small cafes

    9:30AM-7PM

13. EatErnakulam Not mapped

    Barista

    The place to cool down with coffee after a walk at Marine Drive. Not cheap though.

    10AM-10:30PM

14. DoErnakulam Not mapped

    Boating on the Kochi backwaters

    Get the real feel of the Vembanad Lake through boating. There are many cruises offered by many private players as well as the Kerala State Inland Shipping Corp. Sunset cruises are popular. Many guesthouses offer the trip and in the centre you can arrange it by yourself as well. Speedboats also ply on the backwaters. Some premium hotels in Willingdon Island and Fort Kochi offer motorised watersports for its guests. Daily backwater tours can be organised directly through the state tourism office at Ernakulam Park Jetty. They cost ₹650 per person and must be booked at least the day before. The tour includes a stop at local small industries and food sites.

15. BuyErnakulam Not mapped

    Goodwill Collections

    TKM Park, Convent Junction. One of the largest cosmetic store with collections of jewellery and bags.

16. DrinkErnakulam

    Central Park Bar

    A posh, well-maintained bar having a designer lounge.

17. DoErnakulam

    Subhash Bose Park

    One of the largest parks in Kochi.

18. DoKalamassery

    Wonderla Amusement Park

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kochi (CC BY-SA 4.0).