Kochi (Cochin) is really three trips in one: the heritage peninsula of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, the busy mainland city of Ernakulam, and Greater Kochi’s palaces, beaches and backwaters just beyond. This guide pulls together the 20 experiences that genuinely earn a place on a Kochi itinerary, drawn from our verified list of places and ordered by what real travellers rate highest — never paid placement.
Fort Kochi & Mattancherry
1. Watch the Chinese fishing nets at sunset. 2. Step inside 1503 St Francis Church, one of India’s oldest European churches. 3. See the Kerala murals of Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace. 4. Walk Jew Town and the 1568 Paradesi Synagogue. 5. Catch an evening Kathakali performance. 6. Admire the Gothic Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica. 7. See the colonial-era open-air laundry at Dhobi Khana. 8. Slow down on Fort Kochi Beach.
Top-rated in Fort Kochi & Mattancherry
Gosripuram Thirumala Devaswom — the principal temple of Kochi’s Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community, in the Mattancherry lanes. An active shrine with its own dress and entry customs.
The basilica on KB Jacob Road with one of Kerala’s most richly painted church interiors — rebuilt grander after the British levelled its predecessor. A working cathedral; services take precedence.
Fort Kochi cultural centre for Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, classical music and related performances. Published show prices; confirm direct · Fort Kochi, Kathakali, Kalaripayattu.
The cheena vala themselves — the counterweighted shore nets at Vasco da Gama Square, worked at dawn and toward sunset. Watch from the promenade: since the 2025 platform collapse, operators may not take visitors onto the nets.
The oldest European church in India, begun in 1503 — Vasco da Gama was buried here for fourteen years before Lisbon reclaimed him. A working parish; services take precedence on Sundays.
Ernakulam — the mainland city
9. Walk Marine Drive, the breezy waterfront promenade. 10. Ride the elevated Kochi Metro for a city overview. 11. Shop the old market street of Broadway and the city’s textile houses like Seematti. 12. Spend a rainy hour or a family afternoon at Lulu Mall, one of India’s largest. 13. Spot birds at the city-centre Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary. 14. Eat your way through Ernakulam — see our top foods to try in Kochi.
In and around Ernakulam city
Attraction in Kochi City Centre, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
Attraction in Kochi City Centre, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
Marina in Kochi City Centre, Ernakulam, Kerala, India.
Greater Kochi & beyond
15. Cruise the backwaters by ferry or the Kochi Water Metro. 16. Visit Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithura, Kerala’s largest archaeological museum. 17. Unwind on Cherai Beach on Vypin Island. 18. Browse folk art at the Kerala Folklore Museum, Thevara. 19. Take an Ayurveda treatment — best in the monsoon. 20. Time your trip to a festival: the Cochin Carnival (December–January) or Onam (August–September). For the full list of day trips, see Greater Kochi day trips.
Greater Kochi day trips
Archaeological museum and former royal palace at Tripunithura, Greater Kochi. Museum, heritage, tripunithura.
Popular beach on the northern side of Vypin Island, Greater Kochi. Beach, vypin, greater kochi.
Private museum of Kerala folk art and heritage at Thevara, Greater Kochi. Museum, folk art, thevara.
How to fit it together
Two to three days covers Kochi comfortably — a day for Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, a day for Ernakulam city and Marine Drive, and an optional third for a Greater Kochi day trip or a backwater cruise. See our Kochi itinerary for 1, 2 and 3 days, and check the best time to visit before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Kochi?
The headline experiences are the Chinese fishing nets at sunset, St Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue in Fort Kochi; Marine Drive, shopping and food in Ernakulam; and a backwater cruise or a Greater Kochi day trip to Hill Palace or Cherai Beach.
How many days do you need in Kochi?
Two to three days is ideal — one for Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, one for Ernakulam city and Marine Drive, and an optional third for a day trip or backwater cruise.
Is Fort Kochi or Ernakulam better to visit?
Both, ideally. Fort Kochi has the heritage, atmosphere and walkable lanes; Ernakulam has the shopping, food, nightlife and transport. They are a short ferry or Water Metro ride apart, so most travellers see both.
What is Kochi famous for?
Kochi is famous for its Chinese fishing nets, its layered Portuguese-Dutch-British-Jewish heritage in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, Kerala backwaters and seafood, Kathakali dance-drama, and as a major spice-trade port and cruise gateway.