Kochi/Old Kochi

NH 966B connects Ernakulam to Old Kochi, and might be the be option if you want to get around using your own vehicle.

There are ferry services between Fort Kochi–Ernakulam and Mattancherry–Ernakulam. The surrounding islands can also be reached using ferry.

There's a water metro service between Vypin Island and High Court.

• 🌍 Cherai Beach, North of Vypin Island (Take Route-3 bus from High Court stand). 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 is 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 beach is famous for 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. (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Fort Kochi Beach, Fort Kochi. 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 Old Portuguese Immanuel Fort along with parts of Dutch Stormberg Fort with some cannons still kept intact. An obsolete boiler that 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 is undergoing near to this old beach with help of Tsunami development funds. 

• 🌍 Indian Naval Maritime Museum, KJ Herschel Rd, Fort Kochi. Tu-F 9:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30-5:30PM; Sa Su 9:30AM-1:30PM, 2:30-8PM. Built by the Indian Navy, the museum has many life-size exhibits, a huge display of naval arms and ammunitions, 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-11 AD. The section outdoors takes you through the Indian Navy's moments post 1947. These include the comissions of various types of ships, submarines or airfract carriers, as well as superficial details of Junaghad operation, Goa liberation, Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971 and strategic maneuvers during Kargil war. When you visit, bear in mind that India is one of the top ten naval powers in the world. ₹200 for foreign adults, ₹50 for Indians. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 Indo-Portuguese Museum, Fort Kochi. It highlights the start of European colonisation of the Orient in the 16th century. The museum showcases the growth and decline of the Portuguese life in Kochi with focus on the growth of the Latin Church. There are also excavated ruins of the former fort wall in the basement of the museum. (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Kashi Art Gallery, Burgar St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, ☏ +91 484 221 5769, mail@kashiartgallery.com. 8:30AM-7:30PM. is both an art gallery and cafe that serves light breakfasts and lunches. The gallery exhibits work by popular contemporary Indian artists. (updated Jun 2017)

• 🌍 Holy Koonan Cross Church (Pradhankuriyacha Palli), Bazaar Rd. Mattancherry. 24/7. Historic church where native Christians had once received the Bishop of Persia and declared their affinities to the Orthodox Eastern Church. Here, Malayalee 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. Free. (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Jew Street and Paradesi Synagogue, Jew Town, Mattancherry. Synagogue Su-F 10AM-5PM, F afternoon and Sa only open to Jews. 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 influence of native Hindu-Christian architecture as well as 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. ₹10. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 St. Francis CSI Church (CSI Pally), Church Rd, Fort Kochi (Near to Fort Kochi Beach). Daily 7AM-5:30PM. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1503 and the burial place of Vasco da Gama (his remains were later transferred to Lisbon). His tombstone can be seen inside the church. The church has a large cemetery which serves as resting grounds of many Portuguese army officials and soldiers. The church is the only Catholic Church not demolished by Dutch which was handed over to British to re-establish an Anglican church. A large war memorial is at the back, and honours the unknown soldiers who died in World War 1. Free. 
• 🌍 Santa Cruz Basilica, Cathedral Grounds, Fort Kochi (opposite Children's Park). Daily 7AM-5:30PM. The first European church built in Asia, by the Portuguese in 1502, also the first Cathedral of Asia and seat of second Catholic Diocese in India. The British modified the structure and added oil paintings. Today, it serves as the primary seat of the Latin church of Kerala. Pope John Paul II declared it a basilica in 1984. It houses several historical paintings, decors and artifacts. Free. (updated Jan 2023)

• 🌍 Chembittapally Mosque, Fort Kochi. 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. 

• 🌍 Dharmanath Desar Jain Mandir, 5/688 Gujarathi St, Mattancherry, ☏ +91 484 222 4802. visits only from 11AM to 12:30PM. 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 in a grand way. Pigeon feeding during noon, is one of the main rituals here. (updated Jan 2023)
• 🌍 Thirumala Devaswom Temple, Mattancherry. Built by the Gowda Sarawatha Brahmins with Lord Venkateswara as the main deity. It is famous for housing the second largest brass bell in Asia. The North Gopuram is fully roofed with copper. 

• Cochin Crafts Antique Shop, Jewtown (walk down from the synagogue), ☏ +91 484 2221927. Good collection of crafts and antique shops. 
• 🌍 Crafters Exports, Jewtown (walk down from the synagogue), ☏ +91 484 2227652. This shop has certified large collection of artifacts and heritage pieces. Its a very popular option. (updated Jun 2017)
• Isidore Art Palace, Jewtown (next to the Synagogue), isidore@vsnl.com. Will reliably ship stuff outside India. Bargain hard. 
• 🌍 Yousuf Art Gallery (Galleria Synagogue Art Gallery), 776 Jew Town (walk down the street from the synagogue), ☏ +91 9847478882, +91 484 222 1330, info@galleriasynagogue.com. Showcases art work from many different local artists. Prices are reasonable, and they very often have exhibitions showing some amazing art work from the region. They feature art works and exhibitions by professional artists as well as talented emerging artists from South India. (updated May 2015)

• Cherai Beach Resort. The is the most upmarket place with rooms starting at ₹2500. The place is a set of bungalows set around inlets from the lagoon. There are quite a few insects around (a man comes around to fumigate the rooms at sunset). The place tries to be an upmarket resort but the rooms are a little too basic for that. The management of the place is also very poor. 

• 🌍 Brunton Boatyard, Fort Kochi Jetty, Beach Rd (Near Bus stand), ☏ +91 484 2215461. Check-in: noon. A heritage bungalow, once built as Dutch Governor's Palace, later owned by the Brunton brothers boatbuilders. Today is a premium property of CGH group. It has huge Dutch styled gardens, Kerala-Dutch style interiors, large cannons and good restaurants. ₹3,000-14,000. (updated Nov 2023)
• 🌍 Casino Hotel, Willingdon Island (near Kochi Port Trust Complex), ☏ +91 484 2668421, +91 484 2668001, casinohotel@cghearth.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. The first property of CGH established in 1957, its an iconic hotel famous for its seafood restaurants and themed room, all overlooking Cochin Harbour. ₹9,000-20,000. (updated Nov 2023)
• 🌍 Killians Boutique Hotel, River Rd (Near harbour), ☏ +91 484 2217245, relax@hotelkillians.com. A very well maintained and modern hotel in the heart of Fort Cochin (water treatment plants, attuned to the German Standards). (updated Dec 2016)
• 🌍 Koder House, Tower Rd (Near Fort Kochi Beach, Opposite Beach Park), ☏ +91 484 2218485. Check-in: noon. Once home to an affluent Jewish couple, today this has is a large Jewish theme hotel. It has a good restaurant which serves authentic Kosher certified food and a very large indoor pool. ₹2,000-10,000. (updated Dec 2016)
• 🌍 Le Maritime. (updated Nov 2023)
• 🌍 Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel, Opposite Fort Kochi, Beach Rd (next to INS Dronarchary of Indian Navy), ☏ +91 484 3050102. This heritage property was once the residence of Sir Robert Bristow - the architect and father of modern Kochi Port. It has opulent interiors in a traditional English style and a good antique collection, along with large pools, a garden and host of other facilities. (updated Dec 2016)
• Ramada Resort Kochi, Kumbalam South End, ☏ +91 484 3011100, reservations@ramadacochin.com. Check-in: 24 hr. The resort is famous for a vast maze network of pools that merges into backwaters overlooked by the balconies of well appointed cottage suites. The resort is equally famous for its pool parties, dance floors, lounge bars and sprawling gardens. ₹3,000-10,000 per night. 
• 🌍 Taj Malabar Resort & Spa (Near Kochi Port Trust Complex), ☏ +91 484 6643000, +91 484 2666811. Check-in: 24 hr. On the tip of Willingdon Island. Its heritage wing was built in 1935 to accommodate the visiting Princess of Wales (Elizabeth II), and later to accommodate senior officials of the Royal Navy. It is full of Victorian design & decor and was a Crown Property until its handover to the Taj Group in 1954. The tower wing is more modern. The Infinity Pool is one of the oldest swimming pools famous for its beauty. ₹9,000-31,000. (updated Nov 2023)
• 🌍 Trident Cochin (Near Kochi Port Trust Complex), ☏ +91 484 3081000, +91 484 3081002. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Near to Ernakulam Port Wharf, this premium property has 69 luxury rooms and 10 premium suites along with several world cuisines restaurants and a world-class spa. ₹9,000-20,000. (updated Nov 2023)