Kochi

Azheekkal Sree Varaha Temple

The temple is dedicated to Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu. The temple belongs to the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community. The present structure if the temple dates back to 1880s. The temple houses all the seven deities of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins and hence is referred to as the complete temple.

Basilica of Our Lady of Snows

Manjumatha Basilica

The church dates back to 1503. The original structure was heavily renovated with majestic Gothic arches in 1931 and rebuilt again in 2006.

Bastion Bungalow

Typical Indo-Dutch architecture, this bungalow was built on the site of the erstwhile Stromsburg Fort, which was demolished during the Arab raids. It serves as the District Heritage Museum.

Chembittapally Mosque

Famous for its large super-imposing structure having large shining copper domes (thus the name, which means Mosque having Copper Roofs). The compound has 3 gates; one in west which opens way to Panayapilly, second in south which opens way to Goldenmukku and Kochangadi, and the main gate in the eastern side of compound, which opens way to Angadi, which in turn leads the way to Jew Street and Mattancherry Bazaar towards the north and to Chullickal towards south.

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.

Chinese Fishing Nets

Cheenavala

Serves as the official icon of Kochi and is a testimony of relations between the Ancient Chinese Empires and the Cochin Kingdom. They were gifted by the Chinese Emperor Kubalagi to the Kochi King in the 14th century. There were more than 100, though only a few remain in working condition.

Chottanikkara Devi Temple

One of the 108 large Devi (Goddess) temples of India. The temple is famous for alternative treatments of various psychic disorders like split personality syndrome as well as for its annual Makam festival (mid Feb-mid March). It is believed to have 3 forms of the Goddess in 3 phases of day. Famous for its Navaratri festival.

Church of Our Lady of Hope

Prathyasha Matha

Located at the southern tip of the Vipin Island, the church dates back to 1605. The church follows a distinct Mannerist and Indo-Portuguese architectural style. Statue of Ecce Homo: The church houses a famous 500-year-old rosewood statue of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns (Ecce Homo).

Cochin Port Maritime Heritage Museum

The museum is housed in the residence of the chief engineer during the construction of Willingdon Island. It was converted into a museum in May 2014. The museum has a rare collection of photographs depicting the evolution of the port city of Cochin.

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

Dharmanath Desar Jain Mandir

Popularly known as the Gujarati Mandir, it is one of the oldest Jain temples in India, established by the Gujarati community who settled here more than 300 years ago. This is a major Theerth (pilgrimage) for Jains and all major North Indian festivals are celebrated grandly. Pigeon feeding during noon is one of the main rituals here.

visits only from 11AM to 12:30PM

Durbar Hall Ground

The venue for many fairs during festivals and regular evening concerts and other programmes.

Free

Dutch Palace

Mattancherry Kottaram

Constructed by the Portuguese in 1568 as a gift to the Maharaja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, after he granted permission to construct Fort Immanuel. During the Dutch siege of Cochin, many parts of the original palace were destroyed. However, the Dutch Governor repaired the palace and renamed it as Dutch Palace. Coronations of Cochin Maharajas are held here. A large throne and coronation costumes are on display, and there is an extensive collection of royal chariots, swords and other artefacts. The most interesting part is the mural room, which has the entire Ramayana and Mahabharata depicted in a single mural.

Sat-Thu 10AM-5PM·₹5

Greenix Tourist Theater

A good cultural theatre with a gallery, food court and mini museum.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha

It is the lone Sikh Gurudwara of Kerala, established by the Punjabi community of Kochi in 1955. Special rites and Guru ka Langar rituals are held every Saturday and Sunday.

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)

Holy Cross (Coonan Kurisu) Church

Pradhankuriyacha Palli

Historic church where native Christians had once received the Bishop of Persia and declared their affinities to the Orthodox Eastern Church. Here, Malayali Christians in the 17th century revolted against Portuguese Jesuit missionaries' attempts to convert them to the Latin church. This was the first recorded revolt against Europeans in India, forcing the Pope to recognise native Christians and establish a new church, the Syro-Malabar Church.

Open now · open 24 hours·Free

Indian Naval Maritime Museum

Built by the Indian Navy, the museum has many life-size exhibits, a huge display of naval arms and ammunition, replicas of large naval ships and personalities. One section inside a military bunker unravels India's shipbuilding prowess, which took its culture to the shores of Java, Sumatra and Bali between 4 BC and 11 AD. The section outdoors takes you through the Indian Navy's moments post 1947. These include the commissions of various types of ships, submarines or aircraft carriers, as well as superficial details of Junaghad operation, Goa liberation, Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and strategic manoeuvres during the Kargil war. When you visit, bear in mind that India is one of the top ten naval powers in the world.

Tue-Fri 9:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30-5:30PM; Sat Sun 9:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30-8PM·₹200 for foreign adults, ₹50 for Indians

Indo-Portuguese Museum

It highlights the start of European colonisation of the Orient in the 16th century. The museum showcases the growth and decline of Portuguese life in Kochi with a focus on the growth of the Latin Church. There are also excavated ruins of the former fort wall in the basement of the museum.

International Pepper Exchange

Kochi's answer to New York's Wall Street, but instead of money, it's all about pepper trading. This is the world's only pepper exchange. Nowadays, trading all happens online, so there is not much to see any more except the historical place.

Free

Jew Street and Paradesi Synagogue

The synagogue was constructed in 1568 after allowing Jewish refugees from Jerusalem to settle here during the Crusades, making this the Commonwealth's oldest synagogue. This is one of the very few functioning synagogues in India, and the structure is unique due to the influence of native Hindu-Christian architecture, as well as being the only synagogue having two bimahs. Many Jews lived in the area until the creation of Israel; today, there is only a handful. Jew Street is a heritage zone with several antique/handicraft shops.

Synagogue Sun-Fri 10AM-5PM, Fri afternoon and Sat only open to Jews·₹100

Kanjiramattom Mosque

Major Muslim pilgrimage centre and venue of the Kudikkuthu Festival. Famous for the annual Urs festival. Imams of this mosque are famous for being leading scholars who were advisors to Kochi Rajas. This mosque is an example of antique beauty of mazhars and dargahs. This was recognised by Kochi Maharajas as official along with temples. The annual Chandanakudam in January attracts many pilgrims. During the festival, pilgrims carry pots smeared with sandalwood paste in a procession to the mosque, with caparisoned elephants and percussion musics – both found in temples – form essential parts of the Chandanakudam festival.

Kashi Art Gallery

is both an art gallery and a cafe that serves light breakfasts and lunches. The gallery exhibits work by popular contemporary Indian artists.

8:30AM-7:30PM

Kerala Folklore Museum

A theatre with regular evening performances, a state-of-the-art museum and cultural gallery.

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)

Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village

India's first eco-tourist village, this award-winning initiative allows tourists to explore and enjoy the authentic rural culture with the cooperation of natives without disturbing their natural lifestyle. Tourists to this island village have chances to explore rural work styles, a specialised local paddy cultivation, canoeing in a country boat in a maze of mangrove forests or enjoying fishing or partying in rural style with locals. In order to maintain best eco-protection practices, several restrictions are placed on the use of plastics, smoking or even carrying soft drinks.

Malayattoor Mount

A major Christian pilgrimage centre believed to be the place where St Thomas performed his first miracle in AD 52. Today, it is famous for its annual Holy week-Easter pilgrimage.

National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom

Malayalam: വല്ലാര്‍പാടം പള്ളി, Portuguese: Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Resgate

A minor basilica and a major Christian pilgrimage centre. The picture of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco da Gama in 1524. In 1676 the old church, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by a heavy flood, and the picture was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the prime minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The present church at Vallarpadamis is built on land donated by him.

Pallipuram Fort

The oldest existing European fortification in India. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it was later handed over to the Travancore Army to become a major army base till 1903, when it was converted into a heritage museum. It has a small museum and good views of the lagoon on one side and the sea on the other.

Pareekshith Thampuran Durbar Hall Art Gallery

Contains oil paintings, old coins, sculptures, Mughal paintings plus models of temples and traditional Kerala buildings. It was the official Durbar Hall of Kochi Maharajas, now converted into a large fine arts gallery. It is named after last Maharaja of Kochi, who was an oil painter. A small studio nearby promotes young artists.

Free