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Kerala · India
Kochi
The Queen of the Arabian Sea — a laid-back port city where Chinese fishing nets, colonial churches and spice bazaars meet Kerala's backwaters.
Kochi layers Portuguese, Dutch, Jewish and Malayali heritage; expect the white-gold Kasavu saree, Kathakali, and a coconut-and-seafood Kerala cuisine.
Plan your trip
Kochi Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Kochi Photo Spots
High crowdEntry Free
Chinese Fishing Nets
- Best timeSunset, when the nets turn into dark silhouettes against the sky; early morning to watch the fishermen at work with fewer people around.
- ColorsWhiteCoralTeal
Medium crowdEntry ₹15
Mattancherry Palace
- Best timeMorning, soon after opening, for soft light on the outside of the palace and fewer tour groups.
- ColorsWhiteMaroonGold
Medium crowdEntry ₹10
Paradesi Synagogue
- Best timeMorning, soon after it opens, when Synagogue Lane is quieter and the light is soft on the clock tower.
- ColorsWhiteTealMustard
Entry Free
Santa Cruz Basilica
- Best timeMorning, when soft light falls on the white front and the street outside is quiet.
- ColorsWhitePastelSky blue
Medium crowdEntry Free
St. Francis Church
- Best timeMorning, when soft light falls on the white front and the churchyard is quiet; late afternoon for warm light under the trees.
- ColorsWhitePastelNavy
For the feed
Trending Wear in Kochi
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Kochi Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Kochi
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Kochi
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Kochi
Representative photoDhe Puttu
Panampilly Nagar
Representative photoFusion Bay
Fort Kochi
Representative photoKashi Art Café
Fort Kochi
Representative photoKayees Rahmathulla Hotel
Mattancherry
About Kochi
Kochi is Kerala's main port city, spread across a mainland and a cluster of islands and peninsulas on the Arabian Sea. It is really two places for a visitor. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, on the old peninsula, hold the history: the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town. Ernakulam, across the water on the mainland, is the modern city, with the main railway stations, shopping streets and Marine Drive.
Portuguese, Dutch and British traders all left their mark here, alongside long-settled Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities, so you can walk past a synagogue, a basilica and a mosque in one morning. Fort Kochi is best seen on foot or by bicycle. Take the ferry or the Water Metro across the harbour at least once, watch the fishing nets at sunset, and leave time for Kerala food like appam with stew, karimeen pollichathu and a full sadya on a banana leaf.
Questions
Kochi — FAQ
What is Kochi famous for?
Kochi is famous for the Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi, its colonial churches, Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town. It is also known for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale art festival, its spice trade history and Kerala seafood.
How many days are enough for Kochi?
2–3 days is enough to see Fort Kochi and Mattancherry at an easy pace, with an evening in Ernakulam. Add a day or two if you want a backwater trip or a visit to the hills from Kochi.
What is the best time to visit Kochi?
October to March is the most comfortable time, with less rain and warm, drier days. April and May are hot and humid, and the south-west monsoon brings heavy rain from about June to September. See the best time to visit Kochi for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Kochi?
Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is about 30 km from Ernakulam and has flights from across India and the Gulf. Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are the main railway stations. Fort Kochi is a further drive, or a short ferry or Water Metro ride from the Ernakulam side.
Should I stay in Fort Kochi or Ernakulam?
Stay in Fort Kochi if you want to walk to the fishing nets, churches, cafés and Jew Town. Stay in Ernakulam if you need to be near the railway stations, shopping or business areas. The two are linked by road bridges and by ferries across the harbour.