11 Best Attractions to Visit in Kochi, India

Serene, unspoilt beauty coupled with a mix of cosmopolitan and traditional Keralite culture and amazingly delicious seafood cuisine, Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) is mini heaven in God's own country, Kerala!

Known to be a place of worship for healing diseases and mental illness, this temple is one of the highly revered temples in the southern part of the country! Goddess Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Amman and Keezhu Kaavu Bhadrakali Amman are worshipped here as healing goddesses.

In the premises, you will find a Pala tree with a lot of nails pierced in it. The reason behind this practice is that the person who is cured of mental maladies illness due to continuous worship at the temple pierces a nail in the tree.

The Chinese fishing nets which are a symbolic site of Kochi can be seen at Fort Kochi, with about 11 of them currently installed at the site.

Take a guided heritage walk to explore the nearby historic landmarks such as Dutch cemetery, Saint Cruz Basilica, Fort Immanuel and St Francis Church.

You can take a stroll at the beach, especially in the evening to enjoy the calming effect of the setting sun! The St. Francis Church, burial site of Vasco da Gama, is another iconic landmark which shouldn't be missed.

Also known as the Dutch Palace, the Mattancherry Palace is the perfect place to learn about the rich history of Kerala through the artefacts and embellishments displayed at this Palace turned museum!

Built-in typical Kerala-style architecture, the museum has an array of murals and paintings depicting the life of Rajas of Kochin alongside beautifully carved mythological murals. There's a temple as well inside the central courtyard.

A popular shooting site for Malayalam films, the picturesque Andhakaranazhi beach's iconic white and red lighthouse makes for a beautiful picture at night!

Walk across the aerial walkway that is built on the sea wall, to capture moments of the calm sun setting on the sea!

Known to be the oldest Jewish Synagogue in all the commonwealth countries, this place houses of the rarest and cherished antiques such as century-old copper plates, clock tower, hand-woven carpet, silver and gold crowns, the carved teak ark that has four scrolls of Torah (the first five books of Old Testament)!

Located in the heart of Kochi, this massive sanctuary is spread across an area of 2.74 hectares! Considered to be the green lungs of the city, this sanctuary is home to 72 different species of birds alongside having rich flora.

There's also a shallow tidal lake that is connected to Kochi via a canal. Visit the place during migration season, as several migrating birds flock the sanctuary!

The most startling lake in Kochi with a huge area of backwaters, with lush green cultivation on the land adjacent to the lake, makes for a perfect relaxing destination while you are on a hectic sightseeing spree!

Being unexplored by most tourists, the raw beauty of the place is intact, with locals being the major visitors to the lake. You must visit the place in monsoons to witness the exciting water festivals that are organized here.

Cultural exhibits, folklore items representing the legacy of Kerala, are on display at this 3-storeyed museum!

With a strong influence of Malabar architectural style evident in the museum's design, the place is a must-visit to witness the rare collection of musical instruments, ornaments, utensils, traditional Kathakali masks and costumes, and the like!

If you haven't attended a local Kathakali show then your trip to Kochi is incomplete! Head straight to the Kerala Kathakali Center where new talents are trained by seasoned professionals in an extremely disciplined and dedicated fashion.

You can attend one of the daily shows conducted by Kathakali experts. If you wish to learn the art form, then this is the place that must be visited!

Marine Drive 

A popular destination amongst tourists and locals, Marine Drive is built exclusively facing the backwaters to serve as a tourist spot! 

In evenings, the place is flocked by people to take a stroll in the gentle breeze. Many food joints, shopping malls and iconic landmark buildings of Kochi are present on the Marine Drive.

The largest amusement park in Kochi, Wonderla has exciting water rides, 3D rides, land rides apart from several other fun rides that are a hit amongst the locals and tourists, alike!

The Sky Wheel, Windmill, Dashin cars, Caterpillar village, adventures of Chikku are some of the popular attractions at the park. It is the best place to beat the scorching summer heat!